[center][h3]Prior to speaking with the Inquisitor[/h3][img]https://i.imgur.com/gzo4lR6.png[/img][/center]
It had been a few days since the contract business with Cindy had been taken care of but once again Penny found herself once again drifting back into deeper depths of Beacon HQ. The twins, (Read: Jenna) had wanted to talk to Penny about her most recent change. The robot girl could see where it was they were coming from, she had gone quite ballistic at the mention of Chloe after all, but she also knew that they had the wrong idea as to why. Granted convincing them of that was going to be difficult, as she was planning on keeping part of the truth secret, but that’s what she was here for.

That and seeing how they’ve settled in, the past week and a half had been quite the frantic one on Beacons end and they hadn't really had the chance to touch base with each other all that often. Not counting the Cindy thing at any rate.

Expecting the mechanical girl, the twins were waiting when Penny arrived. It felt like ages since they’d just met to talk. And even now it wasn’t something all that normal. Still they stepped up and each gave Penny a big hug. [color=plum]”Thanks for coming.”[/color] They had set up a room by the entrance so they could sit and talk. It had obviously been inspired by those that Beacon had set up at HQ not long ago. Though Jenna only provided three seats in this case, presumably to prevent Penny from sitting on the far side of the room. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Anytime”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply as she happily returned the hugs.

Seated, Janet would speak up. [color=khaki]”How are you doing Penny? I didn’t really get the chance to ask about anything last time we met. I kind of hogged all the attention”[/color] She joked a bit regarding her own situation.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“No worries”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she took a seat as well, never realizing the limited seating might be connected to her prior actions [color=9e0039][u][b]“I'm guilty of doing the same from time to time after all”[/b][/u][/color] She would joke back, because if there was anyone in Beacon that had caused more situations where everything had to be put on hold it so that things could be talked over it was likely Penny. After all there were still conversations going around about the fact that she was a Monstergirl in Beacon, not that she cared about such anymore.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’m doing well, still working out a few bugs that cropped up due to the reintegration, but nothing major. How about yourselves? Outside of the whole contract business that is”[/b][/u][/color] she would say as she leaned back into the chair to get comfortable.

Jenna would shake her head a bit. [color=plum]"It's mostly been work as usual, if such a thing exists anymore. We've kind of locked ourselves into Beacon's R&D department. Not really sure how successful our efforts have been though."[/color] She was surely referring to the White Coin and the war that's started. They had made a rather sudden leap into the forefront of purification magic seemingly out of nowhere. Penny had been their first subject and the magical coin had seemingly failed in some capacity. To some extent they wanted to know why, but more importantly they were concerned for their friend since she had remained a monster girl. That should not have happened and there was always the potential things at Beacon could go sideways.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’d say that you’ve been plenty successful”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would counter [color=9e0039][u][b]“I mean you’ve upgraded the Spark, and there are at least three new members that we’ve gotten that are directly because of your creation.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say, thinking of all the girls who have been given a second chance due to the White Coin like Kimble and Hyun.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“What’s got you thinking that it’s not been helpful?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=plum]”Well, not that it hasn’t been helpful. I guess we expected it to make a bigger impact. We were probably just hoping for too much.”[/color] She would huff a bit. [color=plum]”But yeah, We haven’t been able to do much else with what happened at the rave. We’ve been working to get the ShineSpark out to as many of our sisters as we can. This is a welcome break let me tell you.”[/color] Jenna would lean forward and prop her chin in her hands. The two didn’t look exhausted, they rarely did because of their magic, but they were probably pretty mentally and emotionally drained.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Considering that apparently people have already tried to steal one of the Coins I think the impact has been rather impressive”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would point out [color=9e0039][u][b]“But I’m glad you’ve been able to get a break, burnout doesn’t sound like it would be very fun at the moment”[/b][/u][/color]

Nodding a bit Janet seemed to consider something for a moment but then set it aside. She could ask that later. [color=khaki]”So, we were really curious how you’ve been doing. Obviously you’ve gone through another change. We had actually been working on something to try and put your soul back together but I guess you found another way.”[/color] She changed the subject back over to why they had invited Penny over in the first place.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve been doing better than I have for a long time, to be honest. Not entirely sure how much of it is being back in one piece and how much of it is due to the Red Coin but I’ve been doing really good since I used it.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer, a soft smile on her face as she did so. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And sorry about not being able to talk to you two about it beforehand, the deadline for it very suddenly got brought forward. I’m just glad that I had talked to Binky about my idea as early as I did.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=khaki]”Ah, so you used a red coin. Hm… I guess Binky is better at making them than we are anyway. We kind of picked it up from her. If things go well we are hoping to learn some things from Cindy as well. Even though she’s never had our magic before she’d overseen a lot. We’re still trying to figure out how to break the news to Beacon that she’s in my head.”[/color] And right back off track. Janet in particular had been having a little trouble concentrating. Her new duality while stable, was still a bit unsettling. Still she’d wanted to do it so there was no one to blame but herself.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Well Alicia knows, so it’s not like the leader of our branch isn’t aware.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a shrug, not really sure if anyone else in Beacon needed to know of the Cindy copy riding shotgun in Janet’s mind, but at the same time it wasn’t really Penny’s prerogative if Janet wanted to tell more people about it.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But yeah, Binky modified a Red Coin at my request. If it hadn't been such a rush I would have been willing to bring more people into it. But no adverse effects so far so I’m just going to count my blessings and not worry about it”[/b][/u][/color] She would go one to explain trying to pull the conversation slightly back on track, as the meandering thought processes hadn’t gone completely unnoticed. 

Jenna reached over and put an arm around Janet to comfort her a bit. [color=plum]”Been wondering for a while now, there just hasn’t been a good time to talk. And I hope you don’t mind me asking. Why is it you think that you’re still a monster girl? Not that it really matters but the White Coin should have taken that away.”[/color] She smiled slightly. The fact that it didn’t work really didn’t bother them beyond potentially making a mistake. Which given they’d had full knowledge and a lifetime’s worth of experience just handed to them she couldn’t see how that happened. Of course they never actually told anyone that. Too dangerous. To let that information slip. They were already a bit miffed that the coins had been treated so casually.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“No worries”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say brushing aside the fear that it might have been a sensitive subject [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’d wondered about that myself so makes sense that you’d be curious as well”[/b][/u][/color] Leaning forward she’d rest her elbows on her knees Snoopy would pop out, giving Janet and Jenna a happy beep, before floating in between them all. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Now, I’m not fully sure if this is why, but I do have a theory.”[/b][/u][/color] Snoopy would begin projecting a holographic set of blueprints of what was recognizably Penny back when she first joined Beacon, granted most of the technical information was scrubbed out, but it was a more detailed look at how Penny was put together then most people ever saw. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“This is how I used to be, in fact this is how I was when I first woke up in the magical world.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say gesturing at the image of her past self [color=9e0039][u][b]“And this is how I was before using the White Coin”[/b][/u][/color] As she spoke a second image would appear alongside the first one. Over all there wasn’t much of a difference, just the addition of more components. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Doesn’t seem like much, but here's the kicker”[/b][/u][/color]

 In the second image a majority of Penny’s chassis would be highlighted in different colors. Her spider limbs and a small part of her torso colored purple. The rest of her torso was still colored blue, with another small portion of it colored white. From there however, the vast majority of Penny’s construction was painted white, with only her head  and the upper parts of her arms remaining in blue.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“All the areas in white were metal that was donated to me by Beacon, or Beacon assisted in their installation.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain so that the twins could have an understanding of what it was she was showing them [color=9e0039][u][b]“And as I learned the hard way I didn’t have the magical capability to fully integrate metal into my systems until recently. So all of the discolored parts still held the magical nature of who had enchanted it originally. Overall only about thirty eight percent of my construction could have been considered corrupted at least from a magical perspective. So when I used the White Coin and it purified my corruption it was left with this”[/b][/u][/color] She would gesture again leaving only the white highlighted areas, an obvious majority of Penny’s body [color=9e0039][u][b]“And built off of that”[/b][/u][/color]

The girls would watch as Penny attempted to explain. It didn’t really help that they didn’t entirely grasp where a majority of the additions came from. Evidently the mechanical girl would just go around taking whatever she could. Looking up and over Penny carefully things would at least look more cohesive. [color=plum]”I would refrain from trying to add any more corrupted additions. That’s probably what partly lead to your split as the ShineSpark will try and reject them. Kind of hard to say since we don’t have two halves anymore to know for sure. But that’s not really a bad thing, right? The Red Coin probably more evenly distributed things so it’s not so much of a strain. But the purification of the coin is only meant to work at its use.”[/color] She would explain. They really hadn’t gone much into how the thing worked with anyone so there was bound to be hiccups like this.

Janet would speak up, having become distracted by the subject at hand. [color=khaki]”We can purify parts you bring in though. That way you won’t have to worry about conflicting systems and magic. That should make them safe to use. The ShineSpark is a pretty potent thing.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It wouldn’t surprise me if that was part of the reason for the split.[/b][/u][/color]” Penny would agree, she also knew that it was because she wanted to get away from Jason and his self destructive mindset but voicing that would require explaining about Jason and that wasn’t something that she was planning on today, if ever. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’m planning on performing more complete cleansings of any more metal I plan on integrating now that I can, but I’ll definitely bring the mats here before doing anything as well.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=plum]”Other Reinforcement girls should be able to do it as well. Light too but it might take longer. They won’t do it as well as we can though.”[/color] She would wink playfully. [color=plum]”I’m just glad you’re safe. You worry us you know.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hmm, wonder if Ishtar would be willing to cleanse things as well. Would be interesting to see if she adds anything interesting to the mix”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would muse aloud thinking about the recordings of the trial that had happened. Thankful that she had been preoccupied when all of that was happening, as she would have stormed in consequences be damned, and things would have devolved. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll have to ask her once they’ve finished healing her up”[/b][/u][/color] She would say with a shrug before pushing the thought aside for the time
She noted.
 
Penny couldn’t help the wry smile that broke across her face as she went over the last statement [color=9e0039][u][b]“I worried myself. Before the Split I knew there was something wrong with the way I was going about things, but there wasn’t much I could do to stop myself, got stuck in a loop as it were. The Split just made it so much more obvious, still a bit chilling to think back on it.”[/b][/u][/color] She would give an exaggerated shiver, because it was true, yet it was no longer a worry to the android. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Another bit of silver lining to it I suppose”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=plum]"That's the spirit."[/color] Jenna would beam. It was clear she was trying to keep things on the rails for her sister. 

Janet frowned slightly at the mention of the Cardinal. They had been brought to the park to try and protect her and things went spiraling out of control. When she herself passed out they even left the battlefield. They were excused for such given the circumstances but they hadn’t heard much about her condition since learning she’d been recovered. [color=khaki]”They’re still working on the curse?”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Last I heard yeah, though I’ve not kept too close an eye on it, been focused on other things as of later”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a shrug.

Jenna would nudge her sister [color=plum]”Hey now.”[/color] She would reign in her sister a bit. [color=khaki]”Stop moping. We’re not done yet.”[/color]

Janet would sigh before sitting up. She would close her eyes for a moment and shake a bit. A little hard to say what was going on in her head but she seemed to relax a bit. [color=khaki]”You’re right. We’ll see what happens either way. Hm…”[/color] Her eyes would wander a bit before settling on Penny. [color=khaki]”We’ve been debating telling Beacon about Cindy. She’s no longer corrupted and we have the contract so she shouldn’t be a direct threat. I know for a fact she wants to get back to the sanctuary you’ve made, but that could look bad if we leave our post here and go ‘join the enemy’ so to speak. What do you think? Any good ideas?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“She told you about that I see”[/b][/u][/color] Leaning back and crossing her arms Penny would take a moment to consider the question posed to her, Snoopy had shifted to simply floating around looking at things in curiosity. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I wouldn’t risk Cindy going back just yet.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say after a moment [color=9e0039][u][b]“A lot of the girls there are still recovering. Even though you guys wouldn’t turn on them Beacon is something of a touchy subject there due to the Ascendency. I don’t think it would end well, especially if Cindy shows up.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I might be able to set up a way for you all to get in touch with Goblina however. She was Cindy’s second and has been a great help in keeping the place safe.”[/b][/u][/color] She would offer up as an alternative [color=9e0039][u][b]“She’d know best at the moment how the mood would be if any of you showed up, but that would require telling her about Cindy.”[/b][/u][/color] Which was something Penny had already done, she had given her word that she would do everything in her power to find out what happened to Cindy after all.

Raising a hand up to her face Janet would appear to be thinking. It wasn’t but a few seconds after that a pale blue light rippled its way down her body. Penny had been there for the contract’s creation. However, at the time the look hadn’t been decide so this would be the first chance Penny had to see it. [color=cyan]”Penny, I’m glad you’ve come to visit. I assume you’ve been talking about me.”[/color] Jenna didn’t seem to react all that much so she was either getting used to this back and forth or perhaps expected this might happen.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not quite”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say, giving CIndy’s new look an appreciative once over [color=9e0039][u][b]“We were talking about my home, and how it might not be the best idea for you to go visiting it again just yet.”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer plainly.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Most of the people there are still dealing with the shockwaves of your death after all”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=cyan]”No?”[/color] She would ponder for a minute. Her death would surely cause quite a lot of disruption. Especially depending on if there was a struggle for power. [color=cyan]”I do not like this sitting and waiting of yours, but I will at least try and learn from my mistakes.”[/color] Drumbing her fingers a few times she would stare at Penny for a while. Her gaze would eventually drift over to Jenna.

[color=plum]”What?”[/color]

Cindy shook her head. [color=cyan]”Pondering…”[/color] She would let that hang in the air for a bit. Jenna herself didn’t have a response right away. [color=cyan]”If things have not completely fallen apart at your home then I would say inform Goblina of the circumstances. I trust that she will know what to do. Just be sure it’s her as the one that had come with me to the park had been a Mint agent. The twins here worry more about Beacon and how they will see the situation. A fair point with the Ascendancy present in the city.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I didn’t say sit and wait, just going to the Sanctuary might not be the best idea. I’ve stepped into the void that your death caused, but there are plenty of girls there that have not come to terms with your death. Your appearance will more than likely destabilize the peace that is slowly growing.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain to Cindy, more resigned to the fact that there was no way to keep it from Janet and Jenna, not because she didn’t trust them, but because she didn’t want to also implicate them in her blatant heresy any more than she already had.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Additionally, you’re going to need to find a way to hide your Sparks. As Beacon can track us by them, I have a way to hide mine but it isn’t one that will work for you. Until then it is just dangerous for any of you to go there. Especially because of the Ascendency.”[/b][/u][/color] 

Jenna had expected that Penny had been working outside the bounds of Beacon, but not quite that deep. The idea of hiding their Spark must have struck some chord because she paled a bit. [color=plum]”What on earth have you been doing?”[/color]

Narrowing her eyes at Jenna, Cindy would speak slowly. [color=cyan]”Hm, don’t know your friends as much as you thought? Such things would be unnecessary if we were left alone by your patron.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not that’s hardly fair to them”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would rebuke gently [color=9e0039][u][b]“Beacon isn’t a bad group, and Alicia is aware of what I am doing. It’s the Ascendency that I am hiding from. I will not invite genocide onto those that are simply seeking a safe place to rest”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“To answer your question Jenna, I have an artifact that cloaks things from magical detection. Due to my nature I can afixit inside of me. That’s how I’ve been keeping mine hidden, and why it wouldn’t work for you.”[/b][/u][/color]

Jenna could have reacted much more poorly to learning about this, she wanted to, but that would tip her hand a bit more than she wanted. [color=plum]”That actually didn’t answer my question, but okay.”[/color] She covered her face for a moment before groaning. [color=plum]”And here I thought we were being paranoid about things.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Oh”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say blinking a few times as she replayed the question in her head. She had thought that Janet and Jenna had figured it out already considering their nonreaction, especially since Cindy had told them about the Sanctuary. Penny had called out what she had been planning on last time they met up after all.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m running the Sanctuary.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would clarify turning back to Jenna [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve become Queen effectively and I’m not being that paranoid about it. I mean I’ve told people about it after all”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=plum]”Not me. Not my sister. We want to help. We shouldn’t have to learn about this stuff from other people or because Janet managed to perform a brain transplant.”[/color] Speaking of, off to the side Cindy changed back to Janet, armor and all. Glancing between the two she seemed content to just listen.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I never told you guys directly because it is in direct violation of the Vows, and you guys have been put on trial enough as it is”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would counter running a hand down her face [color=9e0039][u][b]“Besides I kinda thought you guys had figured it out already. I did kinda throw it in Cindy’s face what I had planned on doing.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=khaki]"Alright, we’re not getting anywhere with this."[/color] Janet would cut in, once again deescalating the scene. [color=khaki]”It is a moot point now. Eventually the cat is going to be out of the bag that Cindy and I share a body. It’s likely that people on both sides will be unhappy with that considering we’re not immediately trying to kill one another. If you think you have the Sanctuary under control then that just leaves avoiding Excommunication. I for one believe being upfront with Beacon is more likely to work rather than hiding her.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I have it for now. Not everyone there is fully trusting of me and I don’t blame them, Mint assassinated Cindy; they have a right to be shaken.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say [color=9e0039][u][b]“And while being upfront with Beacon is likely for the best, I don’t think many people outside of Alicia and perhaps your Beckoner need to fully know. The Ascendency would love to corner Cindy to try and pull information out of her after all.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=khaki]”That’s what the contract is for. It may be an all or nothing gamble, but I can’t stand to see innocents getting hurt. They don’t all deserve to be demonized the way they are.”[/color] She paused briefly. She almost continued but thought better than to say what she had in mind out loud.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I agree with that”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would start the moment Janet stopped [color=9e0039][u][b]“It's why I built the Sanctuary in the first place. It’s why I stepped up when Cindy got taken out. Thing is, the change can’t come from just the outside. Alicia, and you two, have done a lot more than I have to change Beacon from within. The fact that I am here is proof of that. It’s also why I’m urging caution on your ends. I’m more expendable, as I am a monster girl, them not trusting me is not going to go away in only one year. Especially with my track record.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But if you guys and Alicia will be able to make a lot longer lasting impact from within while I work on the stuff from the outside.”[/b][/u][/color]

Janet would nod. [color=khaki]”That is the idea. We just need Cindy on board enough not to snap at people. She’s been getting better about bossing Jenna around. Not really sure if it was our conversation or the Twinned Soul kicking in.”[/color]

[color=plum]”I’ve told her everything I knew about the rave. Which was the main thing she wanted to know about once she was done trying to kill me. Do you think you have any more details you could show her about that. It’s really the most tragic thing to happen to both sides.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It's kinda a mess all together.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“Chloe was behind the tainted music, Eden set off a WMD, and a non Beacon member retaliated with a large scale barrage. Outside of that I know that the Monster Queen responsible for cloaking the place got purified, so she might have a bit more information, that and apparently Eden was still looking for Cindy later that night but that’s about all I can think of.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain rather calmly, save for the growl that came with mentioning Chloe.

[color=khaki]”When did the Ascendancy move in?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“After they confirmed Elvira was there, but that wasn’t until the music had started playing. They set up the barrier once they had people in already.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not that that excuses them, they still went in with the intention of purging everyone”[/b][/u][/color]

Janet would roll her eyes. Always with their purging. Still they hadn’t gone in until after things were getting riled up. [color=khaki]”Suppose I’m looking for information of why they went in, which was as you said. It was obviously to lure as many Beacon as possible in order to kill them. Really wish they hadn’t been attacking everyone like that.”[/color] Stopping to think for a while Janet would close her eyes. She didn’t want to present a false narrative to Cindy. That would undermine the cooperation they’d established. [color=khaki]”I hate to ask, but did you see our sisters fall from Eden’s attack? What about the other girls from the lightning?”[/color]

Penny would slowly tense at that request. Her eyes gained a distant look as she recalled the events that happened only a short time ago. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Yes to both”[/b][/u][/color] she would say, her voice slightly flat as she spoke [color=9e0039][u][b]“I had Snoopy inside during both events. So I got footage of it all. I was even at one of the locations struck by the lightning retaliation. So there is that as well”[/b][/u][/color]

Jenna would shoot a look of concern at her sister. [color=plum]”You’re not thinking of showing Cindy that are you? She already believes it was orchestrated. She may be mad that her people were used, but the Ascendancy still attacked.”[/color]

Nodding slowly Janet would confirm on both accounts. [color=khaki]”You are correct. And we know from reports that Eden was looking for Cindy after the massacre. Whether the mastermind was Eden, the Penrose Independant, The Mint, or someone else, once Cindy is back out in the open someone is going to try and spin the narrative to get her to side with them. Penny was with our forces before it all started so she can give a full picture of the events. Cindy has been lied to and manipulated to start a war. She should know what actually happened because it will be challenged.”[/color] She glanced at Penny to see what she thought.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It was Mint, or at the very least that is what me and Goblina both agree on”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say after a moment of thinking. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I have footage of Goblina at the Rave, but when I got to the sanctuary that night her first question to me was where Cindy was. As she had been knocked out before ever making it there”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain [color=9e0039][u][b]“And Cindy is already aware of how things went at the Rave to at least some degree. She asked me about it already, back before the contract was brought up.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Granted it wasn’t much more than a quick recap with a few pictures courtesy of Snoopy. So a full debrief might not be a bad idea. As would telling Goblina. Because with me having taken Cindy’s place whoever is trying to manipulate her is likely going to go through those that cared for if they can”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=khaki]”Ah, I wasn’t aware you discussed that already. That makes things easier then as it won’t be as much of a shock. Like I said though, I don’t want to be the point which is hiding things from her and we end up with an even bigger problem. You ready?”[/color] If there was no objection then Cindy would tag back in.

[color=cyan]”You have something to show me?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply, resisting the urge to rub the back of her neck [color=9e0039][u][b]“We kinda touched on it already, but we thought it would be best to give you the full picture of what went on at the Rave after you left. Someone worked to manipulate you, and the best way to counter that is with facts”[/b][/u][/color] She would say as Snoopy floated in between them, already projecting the start of the night from Penny’s point of view [color=9e0039][u][b]“So, The Rave, in all the detail I can. Feel free to ask questions, I’ll answer what I can”[/b][/u][/color]

At first Cindy looked a bit surprised that they were going to show her the event. Thus far she’d been content with Penny confirming what she’d been told as true. However, Janet must have concluded that the risk of potentially losing her trust outweighed any harm seeing all that transpired. The emotional rollercoaster didn’t show on her face as she watched silently. It could be sensed though as the static charge in the room built. The music starting, the Ascendancy moving in and taking out those she swore to protect. The sudden deaths of the Beacon girls gave her a slight pause. Then the lightning dragon coming in and cleaning out most everyone else. 

She glanced over at Jenna from time to time who was also seeing this herself for the first time. Nearly all of it seemed to distress the girl which was not the response she’d expected. Especially at the end, most Beacon would see that as retribution. She had scooted further away to avoid getting shocked though as electricity had begun to arc from the lightning girl. Turning back to Penny she would query. [color=cyan]”Whom was it that summoned the dragon down upon the warehouse?”[/color]

Seeing Jenna scoot to avoid getting zapped Penny would exert a small amount of her own magic, turning her into a lighting rod for any of the stray arcs that were a bit too out of hand. At the same time she would shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t know”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer plainly [color=9e0039][u][b]“Snoopy didn’t have eyes on whoever it was, and by the time the lightning was done I had already ordered him to leave and to meet up with me. I know that they weren’t Beacon, as the Lightning was Blessed, but other than that I have no clues.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=cyan]”I see. Thank you for showing me this. I understand that a Monster Queen was purified by a White Coin. That makes her part of Beacon now yes?”[/color] A great number of things were running through her head at that moment. She very much wanted to be out and fighting to defend her people. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hyun”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would inform her with a nod [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve not had a chance to get to know her, but yeah the use of a White Coin replaces the prior Patron bond with a Beacon one. As far as I am concerned she is free to leave if she wants, but, speaking from experience, Coins don’t work unless the user wants them too so I doubt that would be the case.”[/b][/u][/color] Snoopy would beep a few times before the holographic image shut off and the small drone would go back to floating around as it suited its fancy. 

[color=cyan]”Mmm.”[/color] She would look over at Jenna. [color=cyan]”And you and your sister are the architects of these coins?”[/color] It had been fairly obvious to her from the beginning, having first woken up in the lab with the coins. Though the twins had danced around the subject quite a bit.

Obviously uncomfortable with the subject Jenna squirmed a bit. [color=plum]”Mostly, yes.”[/color]

Cindy would nod. [color=cyan]”Of course.”[/color] She would watch Jenna for a while before casually looking back at Penny. [color=cyan]”I must admit I am baffled by the Beacon of Penrose. Even the Ascendancy, who are known for their ruthless persecution of the “corrupted”, offered some kind of redemption to Hyun Long after slaughtering many others minutes before.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s because the Beckoners don’t all agree”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain scratching her head [color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t know all of the details, but I do know that there is a division within the upper echelon”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say leaning back in her chair [color=9e0039][u][b]“I caught wind of it from my prior Patron, and I’m pretty sure which one is leaning in our direction as well. Just worried about the retaliation”[/b][/u][/color]

Cindy seemed to roll her eyes a bit. She had heard of the White Coins prior but didn’t give them much credence as they just made monster girls into Beacon. Presumably they would then turn around and attack their own. If there was some kind of ideological struggle for change then she was for it. Sounded as though the upheaval was in its infancy through and could very well collapse before any meaningful difference was made. Stroking her fingers down her chin slightly she would comment. [color=cyan]”Ishtar did indicate something of peace for the city. I dared not believe it meant more than purging us from Penrose.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Ishtar and Rachel share the same disagreements that the Beckoners do.”[/b][/u][/color] Would be the robot girls reply [color=9e0039][u][b]“And while I haven't talked with Ishtar I have talked with Rachel. While Ishtar is healing we will need to be careful of her. She is a zealot and an extremist, who I think has spent too long staring into the darker aspects of the magical world and has forgotten that it isn’t so black and white.”[/b][/u][/color]

Penny brought up an interesting point. Cindy would look over at Jenna. [color=cyan]”Does she merely need healing? I feel that Beacon should have the necessary resources to handle such a simple matter.”[/color] What exactly had happened to Ishtar had been lost on the girl. Just a bit too busy trying to survive herself.

Jenna shook her head. [color=plum]”I’m not very familiar with how it works, but I’m pretty sure she was cursed. I wasn’t around to see how it all turned out in the end as I had to get Janet out after she passed out from your death.”[/color] It had been bad when she left and spread quickly. She could only assume it had gotten severe.

Curses were nasty things the old girl had seen several times. Proper ones designed to assassinate a target took time and preparation. If it had taken Beacon this long to heal the Cardinal then surely it was well advanced and complex. [color=cyan]”She is likely cursed for death then. That she still lives at all is a miracle. I have overseen removal of some lesser variants in the past. Death can only be delayed with sufficient healing.”[/color] Cindy seemed pretty sure about her statement. Beacon may yet still have something up their sleeve though. Cleansing and purification were their forte.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hard to say”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would muse [color=9e0039][u][b]“The Ascendency didn’t seem terribly worried about her chances once they got her back here so only time will tell at this point”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=cyan]”Time we do not have if we wish to save ours from their hand.”[/color] She would say pointedly. Though Cindy had been shook before by her new circumstance, it didn’t appear to have made a long lasting impact to her cause or persona. She had sworn to protect her people. Penny’s remarks of her performance did have some effect though along with the twins. Charging in unprepared did not seem to be the direction Cindy was careening down anymore.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I can agree to that, one of the reasons I took over as Queen after all”[/b][/u][/color] Would be the casual agreement. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Most of the focus has been internal as of late, while also working to make sure that those at the Sanctuary don’t try to lash out at Beacon or The Ascendency. Doing such isn’t helping anyone”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“On the upside they still don’t know where it is hidden away, and their assumptions are way off so that’s not a concern yet”[/b][/u][/color]

Relieved to hear that things were not as dire as she had feared Cindy seemed to relax a bit. What exactly to do next? There may not be a clear answer at this time. [color=cyan]”I am glad to hear that most have stayed safe. And I would like to… apologize for my initial outburst at you announcing your intent to challenge me. You have been nothing if not helpful at your own risk. It was not very becoming of me.”[/color] Admitting flaws was not something Cindy did often. It was fairly damaging of her image though and Penny had done a lot in assisting those under her charge.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I wanted to challenge you because of the dangers I saw you drifting towards, not because I thought you didn’t care”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say, accepting the apology with a kind smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“The fact that you came to me asking to help set up more places like the Sanctuary told me that.”[/b][/u][/color] It also helped that, at least as far as Penny was aware, there hadn’t been anyone other than the two of them that had tried this. To set up a neutral area for the tainted to be safe, and not try to weaponize them in some capacity. Penny was always going to risk everything to keep such a thing safe, it was a dream she had inherited and one she fully planned on making come true.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“So don’t worry about it, I can see where you’re coming from.”[/b][/u][/color]

There was silence for a bit. Seemed there hadn’t been anything else lined up in Cindy’s head that she wanted to voice. It was clear that she was beginning to get restless. She may not have any particular mental thing pushing her anymore but it didn’t change how she was. [color=cyan]”Since the twins believe it best to talk with Beacon about Janet and I, how do you believe we should approach such a matter?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I…”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would sit back and think on that question. She never had to worry about them not knowing as one of the Beckoners called her out at the very start. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Alicia knows, I guess next would be to let the Beckoners know if they don’t already. After that I suppose you could just go about your business and only explain to people if they run across it. You could also schedule a small meet and greet?”[/b][/u][/color] It was kind obvious at this point that Penny was simply tossing out ideas. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That way the rest of Beacon would know and not freak if it happened in the midst of combat. Plus it would give you a chance to get to know some of the members of Beacon outside me and Alicia.”[/b][/u][/color]

Considering the advice, Jenna would nod. [color=plum]”Not a bad idea. We will probably have to go through the Inquisitor though as she’s kind of running things to an extent. At least when it comes to talking with the Beaconers. Their hands are very full right now.”[/color] 

Cindy would scowl. Rachel was a very sour subject with the lightning girl. The Ascendancy basically encapsulated the things that she despised about Beacon. Their holier than thou attitude and blatant disregard for the lives of people that by and large did nothing whatsoever other than exist. [color=cyan]”I very doubt she would assist us in any way.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah I wouldn’t expect Rachel to be any help”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree with Cindy, as she held a lot of the same views on the Inquisitor. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Still might be able to put out a message on the Beacon servers and set it up that way. Talking to the Beckoners would be a good idea but not sure if it is a needed one. Especially if you have to go through the Ascendency to do it.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Could always try to contact your personal Beckoner and see if they could pass along the message.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=plum]”We’ll consider it.”[/color] She sighed. [color=plum]”It will be nice when we can go out and just do things again. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to plan things and help Janet and Cindy, and keep making the coins. Blah. I think we’re just too far down the rabbit hole for that though.”[/color] She would slump in her chair.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Never too far down that once can’t start digging up”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say offhandedly [color=9e0039][u][b]“And also just because me and others have given our opinion doesn’t mean that you can’t simply ignore them and go out and about.”[/b][/u][/color] She would offer up [color=9e0039][u][b]“Caging yourself isn’t always the right idea, even if it seems like it.”[/b][/u][/color]

Jenna stared at the ceiling for a while. Seemed to be considering something for a bit. The statement struck a chord. [color=plum]”Well that’s ironic. We told Binky something like that. She always seemed afraid to leave. Guess she just didn’t trust us to keep her safe.”[/color] As she spoke Janet returned.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Considering who she’s working with I’m not that surprised”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a sigh as Snoopy hovered around Janet, watching the transformation with a few curious beeps. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Vast majority of Beacon would have condemned her if they found out, plus there is the fact that there was the Outer Alliance that was also hunting for her. Lots of enemies and very few known people that she could trust.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“Can’t say I don’t empathize with the situation”[/b][/u][/color]

Janet would nod in agreement. It was quite a list of people that would be after her. [color=khaki]”Yes indeed. Which begs to question, is she coming back any time soon?”[/color] Her tone wasn’t so much judgemental as it was perhaps concerned. Binky coming up missing wasn’t an unusual occurrence, however when it became clear she was no longer in the lab it warranted further investigation. [color=khaki]”A simple yes or no is fine.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“No”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer [color=9e0039][u][b]“She’s fine, but she went back to the Cradle”[/b][/u][/color] It hadn't been her intention when she went off with Binky to have that happen, but more then once Penny had expressed the belief that Binky was free to leave if she wanted to. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Seems her girlfriend got abducted by Justine and she wants to free her”[/b][/u][/color] Which honestly made sense, but the fact that Beacon was working with Justine had Penny very wary. She doubted that it was a genuine alliance.

[color=khaki]”Ah.”[/color] To some extent they had hoped not to know where the girl had gone. It was helpful information though. [color=khaki]”Only a matter of time before Veronica knows for certain that Jenna and I are the ones making the White Coins. The Beacon and purification components were not shared in detail so that is safe, not that they would have access to the things they would need to replicate it. We also eliminated any detail of Cindy before the clones could pass the information to Binky proper, though that will be a moot point eventually.”[/color] Pretty apparent Janet was going through potential issues and leaks that might arise from their colleague having gone back to the Cradle.

The twin’s attention was understandably redirected at the mention of Justine. There had been talk that the vampire girl was back in Penrose. By and large though they were unaware of things that had transpired though. They both might as well been staring holes through Penny for a moment though.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“In all likelihood Veronica knew for a while”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would comment, not really bothered by the laser like focus that was placed on her [color=9e0039][u][b]“She’s got free access to the thoughts of everyone in the Cradle at any time.”[/b][/u][/color]

She would wait a beat, to see if either of them would prefer the conversation about the Cradle, but seeing as they were still trying to bore into her head with their eyes Penny would shrug internally before having Snoopy project the image it had snagged of Justine at the Rave [color=9e0039][u][b]“I take it you weren’t aware of her being in the area?”[/b][/u][/color]

They both shook their heads. [color=plum]”Not really. Do we know why she’s back?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Revenge”[/b][/u][/color] Would be the simple answer [color=9e0039][u][b]“Or at least that's what she’s said. Seems she’s got it out for Mariette. Enough that she’s told Beacon Mariette’s banes.”[/b][/u][/color] There was a notable amount of skepticism in Penny’s voice as she nearly glared at the holographic image of the girl. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t trust her as far as I could throw her, but for the moment both Rachel and Alicia haven't moved against her. I’m hoping that they are both working on their own plans to double cross Justine, but I’ve not asked about it.”[/b][/u][/color] Yet at any rate, it was something that would be worth it to inquire about now that things have settled a bit.

Oh boy, another name that was not very high on their list of people to ever meet again. [color=khaki]”Joy.”[/color] She would state sarcastically. [color=khaki]”I take it we don’t know where either of them are?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Unfortunately”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would confirm.

Jenna would eek out a sly smile though. [color=plum]”I might not mind running into Justine. If she tried to suck our blood now I’m sure she’d regret it.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That would be a sight to see”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree with a sharp grin. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Granted I’d be more wanting to throw Aurleio and Sally at Justine and have her melt that way. In the meantime, it might not be a bad idea to pick up a hand mirror, or a candle, as those are Mariette’s banes. Assumedly”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=khaki]”Good to know. Easy things to carry around in a pinch.”[/color] Janet would make a mental note. She then would double back a bit to Justine. [color=khaki]”I wouldn’t underestimate Justine if I were you. The ShineSpark may be able to repel her manipulation, but she is powerful and likely resourceful. What Jenna is referring to others do not have and would be highly ill advised.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Well now you have me curious”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say leaning forward as she looked at Jenna with a raised eyebrow. Penny had been referring to the Shinespark and Justine’s weakness to emotion, but was very curious as to what else there is that might work against the vampire.

Jenna glanced at Janet for a moment. There was likely some mental exchange between the two as nothing was said aloud. To some extent it was surprising that Alicia hadn't mentioned what happened. [color=plum]"Oh, well..."[/color] She would sit up, having slumped in her chair. [color=plum]”Janet’s particular purification was one of a kind. It purified her completely. It still is, as far as we can tell, same with me. It was partly why we didn’t want to try moving Cindy to or through you. You’re still technically a monster girl and there’s no really telling what it might do. So yeah, our blood might just be like purifying holy water to a vampire. Not 100% sure on that though.”[/color] That was mostly true. Some things were more an educated guess. The fact that it overpowered the ShineSpark to purify Cindy though most definitely meant it was alive and well. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Huh”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she obviously mulled over that for a moment. It was an interesting idea to play around with, Janet and Jenna’s constant purification vs Penny’s unpurifiable nature. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I can see why you didn’t want to risk that”[/b][/u][/color] She would add after a moment, she wasn’t sure if she would have had the same caution, but that wasn’t much of a surprise really.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Will be interesting to see if Justine ends up running afoul of that”[/b][/u][/color] Not that Penny wanted them to be in a position where Justine was munching on their neck, but it would be a unique sight [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’d recommend sticking to the stake her through the heart plan myself though.”[/b][/u][/color]

Janet would nod a bit. [color=khaki]”Agreed. I don’t like the idea of Beacon working with Justine even if they plan to cross her. That street runs both ways. I know we’re kind of working with Cindy but at least she has a code and isn’t trying to destroy the world or love or whatever.”[/color] Janet would massage her forehead with a couple fingers. Just thinking about how disjointed it all sounded gave her a headache.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"That's why I don't care for Horror's"[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply casually but there was a cold gleam in her eyes for a moment as she thought about Justine and her Patron's goal. She would happily kill to make sure such a nightmare never came to pass.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Think we should come up with plans of our own?"[/b][/u][/color] She would ask, for while Alicia might be working on plans herself, more to take down Justine would never hurt.

[color=khaki]”Hm, really depends on how things pan out for me first.”[/color] She would say absently.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Fair enough”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would acknowledge with a nod. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Any plans for the rest of today?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=khaki]”Not really. Have something in mind?”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Patrolling comes to mind”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply [color=9e0039][u][b]“Gets you both out and about and potentially give Cindy a chance to see how Beacon helps.”[/b][/u][/color]

Jenna’s eyes lit up a bit. [color=plum]”That’s a good idea.”[/color] She looked at her sister who would swap seconds later. Cindy glancied at them both curiously.