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[Sub].:⋮Queen and Knight⋮:.[/Sub]

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Penny was once again out and about leaping across the rooftops of Penrose, The difference this time was that she was trying to tack down a single person. Truthfully she had been hoping to stumble across them for a few days now but that was mainly because she didn’t really have the time to set aside a search for her, and didn’t want to send any of the other girls at the Sanctuary to do such in case things got misunderstood.

And while she could have simply paged Amaryllis, or even simply hijacked the girls phone for a screen call phone, she was trying to keep that aspect of her magic something of a secret. Still it was due to that aspect that she was in the area of Penrose she was, as she was simply tracking the phone signal since she had The Knights number. So far she hadn't had any luck in actually finding the girl.

But then in the distance, against a backdrop of stars natural and electric, Penny saw her flying over the cityline. An aura of corrupting energies emanated from her in waves, and on every rooftop she landed on, more monsters slithered out from the shadows. Each joined the stream that had already chased after the Knight of Rose, and as they converged into a horde, Penny could see it too, that Amaryllis was gradually moving further and further away from Penrose, her trajectory taking her to the desolate outskirts of the city.

Target now in sight Penny was quick to give chase, but to say she was confused would be an understatement. The twisted energy coming off of the Knight was unlike her, at least as far as Penny was aware. Thus she wasn’t sure if this was a curse, a ploy, or something else. So rather than heading directly at Amaryllis, the machine Queen would move towards the tail of the horde. Picking off the stragglers that either ran out of energy or decided to call the chase off. For while Penny was confident that either alone or together this mob of monsters wouldn’t pose much of a threat. Taking them to the outskirts was always going to be preferable when it came to minimizing collateral.

Still she would make sure to keep the sword maiden in sight, in case things went sour and the more direct option needed to be taken.

Slowly, the cityscape gave way to more and more rubble, and that was where Amaryllis stopped, sliding upon the slope of a toppled-over apartment complex. The horde that chased her were many, blinded by the dark allure of her artifact, and she drew a line in the air with her silvered blade, watching as a thin chain, fifty meters in length, extended horizontally from that.

So thin, it was like piano wire, like a blade’s edge.

The Knight of Rose had fulfilled her promise before. Her Sword had been sated in previous nights, and now, what she cared about was efficiency. Cull the greatest numbers with the least amount of time. She let out a breath. Waited for them to come into range. Envisioned the rotation of the planet. Locked her chain into space.

The chain flashed orange, then red, as it disintegrated from the force of countless bones smashing into it at supersonic speeds.

But before her, the monsters all fell to pieces, dismembered in a single diagonal stroke, a chain that became an executioner’s axe to fell a forest of beasts. Amaryllis breathed out, and allowed her artifact to become inert once more; only a single drop of blood from the closest creature splattered against her face. As she wiped it off, however, she noticed a strange figure at the end of the massacre. A girl in futuristic armor, purple hair twisting in the aftermath of the attack.

[color=778899]“My apologies,”[/color] Amaryllis spoke, heels clacking against blood-slick concrete. [color=778899]“Were you caught up in my attack as well?”[/color]

Just beyond the edge of Amaryllis’ brutally efficient slaughter Penny was doing her best to regain her mental faculties. By most metrics what happened was  little more than a cold calculating culling and to someone who had been born as a mechanized weapon of war it was nothing short of breathtaking. It could have been done with none of the grace and Penny would have still been enraptured by it, the added grace simply made it all the more awe inspiring.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That was beautiful”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say in response before snapping out of her stupor. [color=9e0039][u][b]“No I wasn’t caught by it, I was tailing them to make sure any stragglers that fell back got taken care of while you led them here.”[/b][/u][/color] In contrast to Amaryllis, Penny was covered with a fair bit more blood, though most of it was from before the trap had been sprung. Her normal methods of combat tended to leave her splattered in it, but she didn’t often care.

With a gesture from her hands all the gore that covered her was drawn to the ground leaving her clean. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Have to say not the sight I was expecting when I started looking for you Amaryllis but I’m not going to complain about getting to witness that.”[/b][/u][/color]

The Knight of Rose’s brow furrowed, before her eyes widened slightly. Though the appearance had changed, the voice was still familiar. [color=778899]“Penny, the Engine of Destruction,”[/color] she said, one hand moving to tuck her artifact away. [color=778899]“I hope you hadn’t been seeking me out for long? A message sent through the ether would have been sufficient to establish a rendezvous with me.”[/color]

Penny would lean back a bit at the appended moniker to her name [color=9e0039][u][b]“I didn’t realize that had followed me here”[/b][/u][/color] She would say aloud before shrugging, it didn’t bother her as it used to any more so no point in worrying about it. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Sorry about the confusion.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s been a hell of a couple of weeks.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I did think of calling you, but there are some things that are better said in person. Thankfully I wasn’t out here looking for too long. Besides that was more than enough of a reason to come in person”[/b][/u][/color] She would add gesturing to the field of dead around them, she wasn’t going to easily get over that event for some time.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Reason I’m here is simple, as much as it is not. Tell me were you aware of the Sanctuary that Cindy had here in Penrose?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]"Beyond her claims of being royalty within the bounds of Penrose and her aggression towards the Ascendancy, I know little of Cindy."[/color] They had played volleyball together too, but that never became anything but a memory of a nicer time. [color=778899]"It was a pity that she died though. What about this Sanctuary?"[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah, that’s most people I’m learning.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would gesture towards the roof’s so that the two of them could walk and talk if the other girl wanted. [color=9e0039][u][b]“The Sanctuary was originally my idea. If fact it was originally my home, or lair, depending on point of view. There are a lot of people out there that want Monster Girls and Dark Magical girls dead. But I know for fact that not all of them are evil, partially because I am a perfect example of that. So I built a place for them, a place where they could find refuge from those that want them dead or seek to abuse them for their own gains.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I never expected it to get as big as it did, but the Beach happened, and with it and the Ascendency moving in The Sanctuary is now housing a large amount of the darker population here in Penrose.”[/b][/u][/color] She shook her head and shrugged at the nature of how things went sometimes. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s why I wanted to track you down. I’m of the opinion that it is only a matter of time before people start uncovering where it is hidden, and with your nature I wouldn’t have been too surprised if you found it earlier than most. Just without context I was afraid of what you might have done.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“The other reason why I wanted to seek you out is the fact that I am considered the new Queen of Penrose. Cindy’s death hit the Sanctuary hard, and I needed to give the girls there someone to rally around lest the Mint get their claws into them. To that end I need help, not everyone at the Sanctuary is going to be willing to play by the rules I’m wanting to enforce and I can’t be everywhere at once. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me in that regard.”[/b][/u][/color]

Amaryllis raised a brow. That didn’t exactly answer what the ‘Queen of Penrose’ was, or how one was promoted to such a position, but the idea of the Sanctuary itself wasn’t a bad idea. [color=778899]“What laws have you in place for your domain? Knowing what I do of most monster girls, I find it unlikely that the Mint is the only faction who would be interested in appropriating a confused collective of our corrupted compatriots.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“If Mint was the only threat it would be much easier.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree with a sigh, she knew of at least two others that posed at least as much of a threat as the Mint did in that regard. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Right now the laws are simple, no attacking civilians, no attacking other girls without just cause and no threatening the safety of the Sanctuary. Not complex, as I said, because for the moment I’m capable of handling other internal matters on a case by case basis.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“There are a few overarching ideal’s I’ve been pushing as well which are less law and more policy. I’m anti Mint and anti Ascendency which all of them know and I have a personal distaste for Horror’s but that’s not really come up yet. Right now all of our efforts are focused on grieving, as everyone lost someone in the massacre at the Rave and the resulting riots, and building up our foundation. I’m not aiming to go after anyone, and even if I was only the Mint is an active target, but I will not sit back if my people get attacked.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“And what would you have me do, as an uncorrupted magical girl? Cut down problematic individuals within your Sanctuary?”[/color] Amaryllis stuck her sword into the ground before it could inform her that such a turn of events was absolutely [i]wonderful[/i]. [color=778899]“A just cause is a flexible cause, easily blurred by circumstance and perspective.”[/color]

Penny just gave Amaryllis a flat look [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not everyone at the Sanctuary is a corrupted girl. The issues I had for making the Sanctuary aren't exclusive to the corrupted population.”[/b][/u][/color] She would give out a sigh [color=9e0039][u][b]“And no, I’m not wanting an executioner, I’m wanting a judge. Look I understand that the setup I have isn't perfect, I’m wanting to find people to help make it better. I’ve set it out as just cause because it sounded better than only self defense, or no attacking other magical girls flat out. There are those out there that want us dead and I’m not going to restrict the girls there in a way that might get them killed or limit them in defending our home.”[/b][/u][/color]

She ran a hand through her hair doing her best to not start pacing [color=9e0039][u][b]“You have to realize that my perspective is going to be off, I’m not human and neither are most of the girls at the Sanctuary. Trying to stick to the normal laws aren't going to work, especially with how Penrose is at the moment.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“I understand that,”[/color] Amaryllis replied. [color=778899]“And I am willing to lend my skill and my sword to Sanctuary’s cause. But understand, Penny, that though you and many of Sanctuary’s refugees possess the countenance of monsters, I do not think that as reason to forget that we were all once human. Though the lines may have blurred, as my identities seem to seep into one another in these abandoned streets, I still hope for the day where I can resume my [i]real[/i] life.”[/color]

She placed her hand upon her Sword’s pommel, feeling the painful language of her Patron seep under her skin once more. Her gaze met Penny’s, and held it. [color=778899]“If you seek my counsel as a judge, know that I will be treating them as humans. Humans with consumptive vices, but humans nonetheless. That is my perspective, and with that considered, do you still wish for me to offer more than my artistry of the blade to your cause?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yes, I do”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a nod as she met the knight’s gaze. [color=9e0039][u][b]“To treat them as such is a kindness. So I’ll welcome your council be it as a protector, as a friend, or as a judge. So few seem to remember that we all started as humans.”[/b][/u][/color] Her shoulders would slump slightly however as a wistful smile grew across her face [color=9e0039][u][b]“Myself among them it seems.”[/b][/u][/color] She would let out a sigh as she ran a hand down her face [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve been like this for a year at this point, and recently magic has made it so that I’ll never be able to be human. So I’ll likely need you to help keep me grounded on that front as well, at least for as long as you are willing.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=778899]“One’s humanity isn’t tied so much to their outer appearance as to their heart.”[/color] Amaryllis said. She flourished her sword, the blade ringing musically as it sliced through the cold air, and then stopped right before her, pointed to the heavens. Within the polished blade, Penny could see a reflection of herself, gleaming in the light reflected by bloodied snow.

[color=778899]“My Silverlight reflects the flower of your heart, not the pot you’re held in. Inelegant as an analogy that may be.”[/color]

Penny would give a simple smile at the idea. The image she saw was little more than herself haloed by a corona of brilliant white, so she wasn’t really sure if she believed that Amaryllis’ sword actually reflected what he heart looked like, but it was a nice vote of confidence. She would go to say something in that vein, but would stop as she refocused on her reflection. An idea had come to her mind, one that she wasn’t sure she wanted to let go.

It would last for only a few seconds, but Penny would choose to bare herself to see if it would affect her reflection. She turned off her connection to the ShineSpark, and shut down the emotional processing that was built from what parts of Jason she kept. For those few seconds She stood as close to her own truth as she could, curious as to what she would see..

Her reflection would change to match. Most of it was what she had expected, her purple hair now a glowing near translucent blue. Her golden eyes and concentric rings of blue with a vibrant spark of red at their center. Her skin the near matte gray of freshly forged steel. But it was the small details that stood out to Penny. The corona of light was dimmer, less vibrant, and perhaps a few shades grayer but that light spilled strongly out from numerous cracks or gouges in her frame. In other places parts of her were simply missing yet all that did was prove that the light was coming from within her.

 She looked wounded, or perhaps damaged would be a better way to put it, ravaged by things unknown. Yet Penny could tell herself well enough, she was damaged ture, but far from out of commission, and as a small small graced her face she witnessed one of the smaller cracks seal itself up. She stood distinct in her machine nature, gears and pistons visible within her maintaining processes that no one but her truly knew, and that more than anything that soothed her in ways she knew she wouldn’t be able to explain.

Then in a blink she was back to normal. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s quite the gift to be able to give”[/b][/u][/color] She would say as she nodded at the sword’s reflection [color=9e0039][u][b]“Probably helps when you're out hunting as well.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“Rare are the moments where someone truly looks into the mirror flat of my Sword though,”[/color] Amaryllis chuckled. [color=778899]“The edge faces them more often than not, and if I looked into it myself...well, I would only be privy to my own reflection.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“A shame that.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a nod [color=9e0039][u][b]“Though I doubt that you have anything to worry about. A brilliant field of Gladiolus' and Calla lilies seem appropriate if you ask me”[/b][/u][/color] She would say with a smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Curious if you see what other people see though.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“If the light deems me worthy, I will be privy to a glimpse of their truth, reflected within their eyes.”[/color] The Knight of Rose pondered a moment longer. [color=778899]“Though often, I find that it’s enough simply to observe them normally. One can only view themselves within a reflection, but others do so simply by looking with their own eyes.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“True enough”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would let out a sigh as she turned towards home and started the slow trek there [color=9e0039][u][b]“Come on, I’ll show you the way to the Sanctuary. You're free to house there if you want, or not if you prefer where it is you have now.”[/b][/u][/color] She would offer over her shoulder to the Knight she had invited into her court.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ya know, when I first set out to find you I always thought that the hardest part of the conversation would come after the discussion of the Sanctuary, rather than in the middle of it.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“Oh? Have you more to say beyond the principles upon which your establishment is built?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“More to say but not connected to the Sanctuary, or at least as disconnected it can be when it comes to me.”[/b][/u][/color] She would shrug slightly. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Pretty sure that my odds have tanked, but I was wondering if you wanted to go out on a date.”[/b][/u][/color] Not that Penny had any inkling that such a thing was going to happen, and that was before the conversation they just had of which she was sure pushed the odds even lower.

Not missing a beat, Amaryllis asked with all the nonchalance of someone wondering about the weather, [color=778899]“Would you shelter Nuncio and Sammy in your Sanctuary?”[/color]

Not quite wincing, as it was hard to say if that was a harsh rejection or not, Penny's reply maintained the casual nonchalance that was the current mood. [color=9e0039][u][b]"Yes. I have no reason to turn them away and all the more reasons to offer them shelter. Especially since you found Sammy, as my digging into finding her made it clear that Mint had her."[/b][/u][/color]

She would shrug her shoulders [color=9e0039][u][b]"Plus I'm guessing that they are friends of yours. I don't think that you would invite someone who would threaten the place you just agreed to help protect"[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“Good.”[/color] A pause, then the amethyst-eyed girl gave a nervous smile. [color=778899]“Also it was just like, y’know, not actually anything that hinged on my answer to your question. Which is like...uh, if you’re fine with it just like, being something that doesn’t get intimate, I’m fine with something. Not eating or monster hunting though. Someone recently pointed out that I do that a lot, so…”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“No worries, I can see how it was a bit out of left field.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say reassuringly. It was better than sighing in disappointment after all. Because while it was kind to not completely shut her down, the fact that it wouldn’t really go beyond a friendship did somewhat counter what Penny was hoping for.

Still, [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m fine with just sticking to friends and having the occasional hang out if that’s all you're looking for. Granted the options for hanging out isn’t all that vast if we take out food and hunting. I mean I’ve got a chess set back at the Sanctuary but that’s about it.”[/b][/u][/color]


[color=778899]“Well,”[/color] Amaryllis said, [color=778899]“the good thing about owning your own, uh...building or whatever is that you can add what you want, right? The Golden Trove’s got, like, tons of stuff to play, so I’m sure you could outfit Sanctuary into something nice too.”[/color] Still, only a single chess set to occupy the attentions of dozens of magical girls? Penny’s new accommodations certainly sounded hella spartan.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“True, I’ve been working on it as well. Was thinking of swinging by the old Rave site to see if any of the game machines survived. As then we’d only need to get some screens. Thankfully we’ve got a decent internet connection otherwise a lot more people would be bored out of their skulls there”[/b][/u][/color] She would let out a exhausted sigh [color=9e0039][u][b]“Most of what Cindy did for the place was with the intention of defense so lots of things like entertainment and comfort have been on the back burner till recently.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m open to suggestions if you’ve got any though”[/b][/u][/color]

Amaryllis thought about it for a moment. It was sorta crazy, actually, that people actually played arcade games at the Rave. She had always thought that it was more the place where people got wasted and had sex with dubious consent, but perhaps Cindy had a more...innocent interpretation on how those were supposed to be. Maybe that was what was needed though. She closed her hand, then opened it up again, looking at the sliver of magnesium formed there.

Looking back up at Penny, she smiled. [color=778899]“How about making a gym? Like, the parkour type. Obstacles, monkey bars, easy stuff like that to make outta magic. Been trying to be more magical these days, and well, y’know. We’re both Metal mages, right? ...gonna hurt like hell without padding though.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s… a really good idea.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say after a moment of thinking about it. There was plenty of space for such a gym, or at least there would be once the Earth Bastion got integrated, would be a bit cramped beforehand but still doable. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Could also add in rock climbing walls for similar uses. Good point about the lack of padding though, someone else at the Sanctuary might be able help out in that regard however.”[/b][/u][/color] She would flash a thankful smile at Amaryllis. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Sounds like a fun time setting it up as well.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“I’m always down for opportunities to practice.”[/color] Amaryllis grinned. [color=778899]“And after we set it up, maybe I’ll test my speed against yours?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ha! Now that’s a challenge.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a grin of her own [color=9e0039][u][b]“Don’t worry though I’ll make sure not to beat your times too badly”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=778899]“So long as you don’t beat it by bulldozing [i]through[/i] the obstacles, Penny.”[/color]

Penny just let out a laugh at that. No dating, and no real chance for anything beyond friendship just now. But bringing this friendship to a more full bloom? All in all not a bad night