[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pH2dJuS.png[/img]

[h2]The Schemers[/h2]

[color=#bd71e8]“Fluid time is weird.”[/color]

[i]*reading script*[/i] [color=077ae6]‘… Aye?’[/color]

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

After having been spoken to yesterday by Vermillion Veronica, who had mentioned Justine von Visceral no less, Mariette was eager to find her. She’d use her surveillance of Penrose to pick out her most likely location and start opening portals, scanning inside of buildings and outside, seeking for the perhaps elusive person. Or perhaps Veronica would find her, first? Regardless, Mariette had placed herself inside an abandoned building with Eli looking on with slight concern, her standard point of visiting the city, and spread her field of portals to seek out Veronica’s most likely locations based on the information that had been given to her.

Seems that was enough. Mariette could see the tower poking out from some dilapidated buildings, but she was still contacted first.

[color=#bd71e8][i]“There you are.”[/i][/color] It was Veronica’s voice again. [color=#bd71e8][i]“I was just having a talk with Beacon. I was offered an alliance in which I would help them despite their inability to keep their mutts from biting at my heels. Can you imagine the gall?”[/i][/color] Mariette could hear the familiar groan someone makes when they stretch their arms. [color=#bd71e8][i]“Would you prefer to have this conversation face to face, or is this fine?”[/i][/color]

Mariette kept quiet for a bit, feeling like she'd lost by being found first. Regardless, she opened a portal decently close to where the tower stood. Her hands clutched around Bunny and stepped through, head held high, and Eli stepped in behind her in silent but absolute support.

[color=077ae6]‘Face-to-face,’[/color] Mariette simply stated, giving no reason.

The shadows in the corners of the room grew tendrils and crept into the center of the room. The darkness pooled until it was large enough to make a portal, and the cradle mother rose from the pool of inky tar not long after. The dark tentacles retreated, and the tar settled into shadows on Veronica’s uniform. [color=#bd71e8]“I saved Eli at the cost of my bodyguard. Though that’s not a price I plan on having you pay.”[/color] She folded her arms behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“It seems we both have the same enemies.”[/color]

Mariette was drawing a lot of parallels to her own way of doing things when Veronica appeared. Hm. Regardless. [color=077ae6]‘Eli, cast a cloak of silence upon the room, just in case.’[/color] Being an avid one herself, Mariette was a bit wary of eavesdroppers.

[color=57a345]‘Yes, mistress,’[/color] Eli said, starting to walk along the walls of the room and casting her spells of darkness. Meanwhile, Mariette turned to look at Veronica.


[color=077ae6]‘You speak of Justine von Visceral,’[/color] Mariette said. [color=077ae6]‘I played a major role in her downfall last time, and it would appear she wants to see me. Worrying, as she is the one creature I am aware of that can enter my home without my permission. The one person that could launch an attack at my heart,’[/color] Mariette said, some fear in her voice. [color=077ae6]‘I’m thankful for your intervention, and sorry for what it cost. Indeed, I would do mostly anything to vanquish Justine, and the threat she poses to us,’[/color] Mariette said, squeezing her bunny against her chest some more.

[color=#bd71e8]“Hardly took you any time to accept. I’m a little disappointed, I had prepared a pitch and everything.”[/color] Veronica’s lips curled into a smile. [color=#bd71e8]“Regardless, this is a desirable outcome. Unfortunately, Justine, the PI, and the Mint all benefited and had forces at the rave. It would not be impossible for them all to be working together.”[/color] She kicked a piece of rubble with her shoe. [color=#bd71e8]“We have particulars that we need to discuss. How friendly we want to be with each other. I also insist on a contract. I’m a rouge Mint coin broker, and you’re a horror worshiper. We need to ensure we can trust each other and not abuse the other one.”[/color] Veronica stopped moving and locked eyes with Mariette. [color=#bd71e8]“What sort of resources are you willing to put forth?”[/color] 

A black veil settled over everything around the room. The portals leading out of the room still functioned, but anyone trying to listen or look into the room would not be able to hear what was going on.

Mariette kept her hands clutching Bunny, while just keeping her eyes focused on Veronica. Accept? Did she accept anything? … Still, it would be bad if they all worked against her…

[color=077ae6]‘I have firepower in the shape of both Magical Girls and monsters. I have the ability to go practically anywhere I like with portals. I have more tricks than I know what to do with. I have the intel that Justine is liable to attack my mansion at any moment…’[/color] Mariette took a slight pause. [color=077ae6]‘I feel compelled to ask the same of you.’[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]“The Cradle’s advantages are it’s communication network, equipment, and agents. By now you must have heard of agent Silhouette, and while no other agent is on her level, consider her a resume of what Cradle agents are capable of.”[/color] Veronica approached a chair to sit down. [color=#bd71e8]“The Cradle itself holds a trove of artifacts and weapons. While only I can access it directly, we can better equip your troops if you so desire. I’m going to insist on a policy where if something comes out, something has to go in first.”[/color] She placed her fingers beside her head. [color=#bd71e8]“As for the communication network, I think you’ve already seen the tower. I can sense every mind in an area with it up. It’s possible to communicate with just about anyone, even if you aren’t on the Cradle’s ‘network’ with the other agents.”[/color] She extended her hand. [color=#bd71e8]“You’re free to stay in [i]my[/i] mansion if you think it’s a more defensible location.”[/color]

[color=077ae6]‘Yes, I know of her,’[/color] Mariette replied, albeit she wondered if she’d have known of her if not for her own information-gathering system. [color=077ae6]‘Equipping my troops…’[/color] Now, Mariette considered them decently equipped already, but if they could be equipped better that’d be good, too. [color=077ae6]‘If possible, that would be nice. I am somewhat unsure what would need to be put in first.’[/color] Then Veronica suggested living in [i]her[/i] mansion. Mariette had to pause to think about it. She was currently in the process of making her own mansion a fortress, but living somewhere else could decrease the chances of being assaulted. Justine could find Mariette’s home, but could she find Veronica’s? [color=077ae6]‘Is your mansion an Interdimensional Home, in the Overcity, or otherwise?’[/color] Mariette asked, looking curiously at Veronica.

[color=#bd71e8]“My mansion is located within the cradle itself, and counts as an interdimensional lair. This makes it difficult to breech, and extremely dangerous to intruders.”[/color] She cast out her hand. [color=#bd71e8]“Though by way of contract, you’ll have little to worry about. Of course I can understand if you’re unwilling to move into an area saturated in my magic.”[/color] She placed a hand on her chin. [color=#bd71e8]“Though perhaps you should remain in your home. If we are to catch Justine, we are going to need proper bait. Think of my mansion as a possible exit strategy.”[/color]

[color=077ae6]‘Those were my exact thoughts. I can receive their attack at my dimension, and escape to yours when I leave,’[/color] Mariette said. [color=077ae6]‘Would I be able to count on firepower support as well, and in turn perhaps support your agents when needed?’[/color] 

Veronica rubbed her chin. [color=#bd71e8]“Perhaps we should decide on the nature of our cooperation: If this is going to be a one time joint operation or an alliance.”[/color] She tucked her arm behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“Presently my agents are low in number, and I do not believe they could readily offer you assistance without proper notice.”[/color] With a nod, she looked at Mariette. [color=#bd71e8]“We can always form an alliance later if we so choose. Let us treat this as a single operation that could yield future cooperative endeavors down the road. If that is agreeable, then we need only concern ourselves with our agents behavior for our trap.”[/color]

[color=077ae6]‘Hm. Very well. For this operation,’[/color] Mariette said. [color=077ae6]‘I can trust you to not have an ulterior motive against me on this?’[/color] she then asked, simply to satisfy her lie-detector.

Veronica inhaled deeply. [color=#bd71e8]”I am far more pragmatic than idealistic. You have not captured any of my agents, and Asengav has yet to start any world ending rituals. No, Justine is the single target of our collaboration. I’ll ensure you are unharmed simply out of spite.”[/color] Veronica sat down, and a chair appeared under her. Shortly afterwards a table popped out of the ground, along with a chair, and there were two glasses and an assortment of drinks from whiskey to orange juice. [color=#bd71e8]”I [i]am[/i] interested in gaining access to the Dijin sisters. But that is something we can discuss later. Regardless, we’re going to draft a contract that satisfies you, so there will be no foul play between us.”[/color]

Good enough for Mariette. She didn’t think Veronica meant harm to the Djinn Sisters, but even if she did, Mariette’s wishes should protect them. [color=077ae6]‘Very well,’[/color] Mariette said, as she sat down on the chair that Veronica had pop up. And here’s some information I don’t know if I want people to have read before the event. [color=077ae6]‘I’m going to collapse the dimension on my intruders,’[/color] the portal girl stated simply. [color=077ae6]‘I have that power. It would take up to five minutes, but I intend my forces to hold the enemy off for that long. Outside my mansion is a howling blizzard filled with traps, and the walls of my mansion is reinforced with Reinforcement and Curses, not to mention the gathered monsters and Magical Girls of Asengav’s might. If only I could remove Sonia, Justine’s interdimensional travel girl, I could prevent Justine or whatever forces she’s sent from escaping my home dimension as it collapses. That is… my current plan,’[/color] Mariette told, definitely hoping Eli’s darkness magic kept this information from escaping.

[color=#bd71e8]”You really [i]do[/i] want her dead, don’t you?”[/color] Veronica mixed some pineapple juice and orange juice in a cup. [color=#bd71e8]”Unfortunately, I’m not so sure Justine will show up to personally kill you. However, if she means to capture you, we know that Sonia will be there. In which case she will be our primary target for your trap. Her death would severely hamper Justine’s mobility.”[/color] She added a splash of rum to the glass. [color=#bd71e8]”So long as you can control where people enter your dimension from, it would be a simple matter for you to notify me when I can deploy my own forces. Though I am concerned about ways to leave the dimension if you’re going to implode it.”[/color] Veronica raised the glass to her lips and froze.  [color=#bd71e8]”Are we thinking too hard about this?”[/color] She lowered her glass. [color=#bd71e8]”Dan was able to prevent me from shifting out of the beach dimension. Surely if he can do that, it must be possible to trap people inside your dimension. It would certainly make escape for Sonia difficult, even more important if she manages to get her hands on you.”[/color]

Mariette did not respond to the first statement. The answer was obvious. [color=077ae6]‘I don't even know if she's going to attack at all, but if she attacks with any less than all her might, I'll happily pick apart what she did send for her,’[/color] she said with a sharp look in her eye. [color=077ae6]‘There are two main entrances to my dimension. The front, from which they'd currently face the full power of my preparations, or through the Void Room, a place where I temporarily store monsters or passageways to other dimensions. If they enter there… they'll die,’[/color] Mariette stated simply as fact. [color=077ae6]‘If they spontaneously appear anywhere else it'll be harder, but they'll be assaulted by an unending amount of traps and firepower in rooms where they’ll have a hard time dodging, the walls reinforced with magic to make breaking them not worth the effort, with my portals giving us a significant advantage…’[/color] Mariette sighed out at the end. It truly felt like there was no more she could do.

[color=077ae6]‘Your concern is justified. My portals would be the only way in or out for us, and while I’ll attempt to rescue anyone, it’d have to be a last-second escape as the defense have to hold strong until then. I can make it so that your agents would be the first ones to be allowed to escape,’[/color] Mariette said, the order not all that important. Then, the thing with Dan was raised, and Mariette’s eye notably widened. [color=077ae6]‘… I could certainly contact him and ask. Even if he cannot, a member of my group should certainly have contact with another Lesser Force with similar or equal powers… Hm,’[/color] Mariette said, considering.

[color=#bd71e8]”We’re not going to dream up the perfect death trap in an afternoon. All the more reason to stay in contact.”[/color] Veronica snapped her fingers, and a small earring stud appeared on the table. [color=#bd71e8]”Wearing that will enable you to contact me, or vica versa, with relative ease. It even works past most dimensions.”[/color] She placed a finger on her chin. [color=#bd71e8]”Maybe not me, per say, but someone who can handle the cradle’s end of your plan.”[/color] She eyed the bunny. [color=#bd71e8]”Do you like stuffed animals?”[/color]

Mariette slowly reached over to pick up the small earrings, considering a bit that they might conflict with the ones she’s already wearing. Anyways. Stuffed animals? Mariette’s grip on Bunny tightened like he’d just been threatened or something, looking at Veronica a little defensively. [color=077ae6]‘… What’s the occasion?’[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”I’m not sure I follow.”[/color] The Astolfo plush appeared in Veronica’s hand. [color=#bd71e8]”I like dolls myself. This size is just perfect, where the torso fits in the palm of the hand.”[/color] Her fingers coiled around the doll’s chest, and her thumb caressed the doll’s face. [color=#bd71e8]”I wasn’t sure if you liked them or you did it to lower your enemy’s guard. People underestimate their opponents when they display childish behavior, or are handicapped.”[/color] Veronica tucked her knees against her chest and used her other hand to pet the doll’s hair. [color=#bd71e8]”Though I am genuinely fascinated by dolls. I think they are superior to most people I’ve met. Most, but not all.”[/color] She looked at Mariette again. [color=#bd71e8]”Do you feel the same way about your bunny?”[/color]

[color=077ae6]‘… Oh,’[/color] Mariette made a light noise of realization, her expression softened. Veronica was talking about a shared interest in stuffed animals or dolls. Mariette looked curiously at the Astolpho doll as Veronica petted it. Then she looked to the bunny she was clutching… [color=077ae6]‘… Bunny is my friend. He's always there to comfort me. He's the only part of my lost life I retain, and I cherish him…’[/color] She held Bunny close before looking to Veronica again. [color=077ae6]‘I like other animals and dolls, too, but Bunny is… different. He's the only one I'm comfortable with…’[/color] Mariette said, patting Bunny's head.

[color=#bd71e8]”It [i]is[/i] a genuine then?”[/color] Veronica lowered her legs and rest her hands in her lap, still clutching the doll. [color=#bd71e8]”Regardless, please follow up with Dan and discuss your final plans with the Cradle. Preferably soon enough so that we can get all of your troops armed and ready for the encounter. I’ll be taking my leave unless you had something else you wished to discuss.”[/color]

[color=077ae6]‘… Yes?’[/color] Mariette asked with some uncertainty. She then nodded a bit on meeting with Dan, and then… If there were more… [color=077ae6]‘One more thing. You’re going to need certain keys in order to enter my home dimension without all the traps trying to destroy you, in order to prevent an agent of Justine sneaking inside. I’ll also be conducting a brief interview with each before handing them the key that works with them and them alone, plus a visual check from my security girl. Do tell me how many keys I should potentially prepare,’[/color] Mariette said, looking to Veronica.

[color=#bd71e8]”Four keys at the very least. That would be for my core agents. Silhouette, Trixy, Eliza, and Ronin. You’ve likely seen all of them at some point I trust?”[/color] After downing her drink, the table and everything on it sunk into the shadows. [color=#bd71e8]”When you are ready to have your forces outfitted, send them to penrose middle school. There will be someone there to handle weapon and artifact arments.”[/color]

[color=077ae6]‘I have, some more than others,’[/color] Mariette replied, nodding. [color=077ae6]‘Very well. Until next time.’[/color] 

[color=#bd71e8]”Until next time.”[/color]

Mariette walked back into her portal, Eli following closely behind, and Veronica sunk into her shadow. Once the shadowy barrier around the building fell, it was like nothing had transpired at all.