[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3BsCbZX.png[/img]

[color=CCBFFF][i]*Sad toothy girl noises*[/i][/color]

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

It was a rainy day out, not that it would effect Trixy’s scrolling much.

She was swiping her finger across her phone, reading all of Betty’s old messages. Most of them were one or two sentence responses, usually encouraging words about something Trixy had posted. The ones that weren’t were positive messages aimed at other members of Cradle. Betty got mad and flustered all the time, but when she was online, she made sure that everyone saw the best side of her personality. Trixy consumed these messages like popcorn. This had to be the third time she had read everything. She was appearing offline, so no one else would bother her.

Trixy was able to get over the rave. She fired on Mariette, she couldn’t save Cindy, she couldn’t stop Elvira. Trixy could accept that she had erred in these tasks, either for the right reasons or because the tasks were simply larger than her small organization. But Trixy was in the rave when Betty was captured. She was dancing with some Beacon girls when she was abducted. It felt like there was something she could have done. [color=2c2c2e]Even if there wasn’t.[/color]

Unlike everything else that happened that night, Betty’s disappearance affected Trixy’s life. Something that was there was now missing and incomplete.

The doorbell rang.

Trixy groaned. [color=CCBFFF]”I’ll be right there!”[/color]

As Trixy walked to the door, she wondered who was waiting for her. Perhaps that puppet girl was actually an assassin all along? Maybe the Mint had located her home? Maybe Dusty hadn’t been killed and was returning? Yea, fat chance of that one coming true. She was already transformed, and had her rifle at the ready. Trixy pulled open the door, keeping her rifle out of sight.

[color=CCBFFF]”…Maria?”[/color]

Standing on the other side of the door was Maria, or ‘Remedy’ as she was more frequently called. She wasn’t wearing wearing much, considering the cold weather. Just a [url=https://i.imgur.com/YcIuX7S.jpg]tank and jeans[/url]. She had to be freezing. 

[b]”I did not expect it to rain.”[/b] She was trembling.

[color=CCBFFF]”Did you at least expect it to winter? Come in!”[/color] Trixy placed her hand on the girls’s back and practically shoved her inside before shutting the door. [color=CCBFFF]”What are you doing out this-”[/color] Maria started to remove her top. [color=CCBFFF]”W-what are you doing!?”[/color]

[b]”This shirt is wet.”[/b] She waved her hand over it. [b]”You can see through it. Any modesty it might have preserved is no longer present. I do not find it comfortable to wear when it is saturated with cold rain water.”[/b] Maria was stoic most of the time, but it was evident she was annoyed with having to explain herself. [b]”Do you have something else I could wear?”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”Yea.”[/color] Trixy extended her hand, and blue tank like the one she was wearing appeared in Trixy’s outstretched hand. [color=CCBFFF]”Also, I couldn’t help but notice you’re wearing a bikini?”[/color] 

Maria had finished removing her tank and was pulling the one Trixy provided for her over her head. [b]”Well, I [i]am[/i] a water girl. I wear a swimsuit at all times. It’s not quite as comfortable as underwear, but it’s less awkward if a fight breaks out.”[/b] She tucked her shirt into her pants. [b]”The kitchen looks nice. You’ve updated the cook wear since I was last here.”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”Yea! It’s all garage sale finds, but it’s good stuff!”[/color]

[b]”Mind if I look at your room?”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”Uh, I mean…”[/color]

[hr]

The two girls sat on the edge of Trixy’s bed and looked at the poster covered wall.

[color=CCBFFF]”I forgot that I made this place a man cave.”[/color] Trixy was twiddling her thumbs. [color=CCBFFF]”It’s not much to look at. Well, if you’re a girl.”[/color]



[b]”Swimsuit models are pretty tame by today’s standards.”[/b] Her eyes locked onto the poster of a bear mascot. [b]”I never put two and two together, but your cal sign is based off the Penrose Middle School mascot, correct?”[/b] 

[color=CCBFFF]”Yup!”[/color] Trixy giggled. [color=CCBFFF]”I spent a lot of time dressed as Trix the bear. I attended all the basketball games. Penrose Middle School had a good team.”[/color]

[b]”Did you play any basketball?”[/b] 

[color=CCBFFF]”Me?”[/color] She shook her head. [color=CCBFFF]”I was a bit old to be playing for the team, as well as faculty. I wasn’t especially athletic anyway. Too old to be a player, and too ugly to be a cheerleader. But my spirit was strong enough to shine through a mascot’s suit.”[/color]

[b]”You’re one hell of a magical girl anyway.”[/b] Maria held up her hand. There was a wooden band wrapped around her finger with a heart shaped knot on it. [b]”Do you still have yours?”[/b]

Trixy raised her hand. She, too had a wooden band. Hers looked more like a lumpy mass. [color=CCBFFF]”I’ve been hiding it in my handbag, but when I’m not on a mission I wear it at all other times.”[/color]

Trixy, Maria, and Blair were the three cradle agents left to defend Veronica’s foothold in Penrose. They weren’t enough to stop the Ascendancy or the monster invasions, but they persisted. They were quite the team. Blair had her physical might, Trixy had her strategies, and Maria was there to patch them up when they got hurt. Trixy would often joke about what a great team they were, and went on to give them all nicknames based on their role on the team. Blair was the arm, Trixy was the brain, and Maria was the heart. Together they were the trinity force. She made crude wooden rings for all of them. Trixy didn’t know if Blair ever wore hers, but Maria and Trixy wore theirs as often as possible.

[b]”The trinity force lives on!”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”Heh, yea.”[/color] The maid looked between her feet. 

[b]”Which is why it surprised me that you wanted to shut us out.”[/b] Maria’s eyes became sharp and focused. [b]”You weren’t very subtle about it. You [i]never[/i] log off.”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”I’ve just been appearing offline. I wanted to be by myself initially, and I just forgot to turn myself back online. Did you come here to check up on me?”[/color]

[b]”You could say that.”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”You didn’t then?”[/color]

[b]”Checking up on you implies that I didn’t know how you were feeling.”[/b] Maria folded har hands in her lap. [b]”I wanted to cheer you up.”[/b]

[color=CCBFFF]”Oh.”[/color]

[b]”But you seem to be doing a lot better than I thought you were.”[/b] She smiled. [b]”How did the date with Samantha go?”[/b] 

Trixy sighed. [color=CCBFFF]”It went really well until she started spanking me.”[/color]

[b]”She’s a Dominatrix then?”[/b] 

[color=CCBFFF]”Wah?”[/color]

[b]”Nothing.”[/b] She shook her head. [b]”I also came over here to talk to you about a possible job.”[/b] 

[color=CCBFFF]”Doesn’t Veronica handle that?”[/color]

[b]”Normally, but she’s left and has since stated that she doesn’t want me handing anything like this.”[/b] She raised her hand. [b]”It’s just a guard job. You probably won’t see any action. I’d hand it off to Eliza or Silhouette, but it seemed more like a Trixy thing.”[/b] 

[color=CCBFFF]”Sure. What are the details?”[/color]

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/VaLX1Hh.png[/img][/center]

Once again,the cradle agents had been gathered in Veronica’s interdimensional mansion. Most of the usual girls were here. Samantha, Eliza, Maura, Tetrad, and Trixy were all present. As were Blair and Remedy, but they hardly interacted with anyone so they might as well not even exist.

Trixy sighed. [color=CCBFFF]”Betty...”[/color]

Betty’s seat remained empty, and Veronica’s seat was occupied by a white and red fur ball. 

[color=75c159]”We have some new blood though. Well, new to the table anyway.”[/color] Tetrad patted Ronin’s head. [color=75c159]”We recovered Binky, right?”[/color]

Ronin reached her hand up at being addressed and waved it to whatever onlooking crowd she might have, then took the hand down and focused on listening to what people were saying.

[color=#bd71e8]”My operations will be discussed in a bit.”[/color] The furry creature cast its gaze on everyone. As cute as it looked, it still had Veronica’s presence. [color=#bd71e8]”Before we begin, does anyone have any concerns or information they wish to share?”[/color]

Since she already spoke to Veronica at an earlier point in time, Samantha shook her head. [color=red]“Not on my end.”[/color] Sam did cast what could technically maybe sorta be called a sympathetic look at Trixy, who seemed to still be suffering from the loss of Betty. 

[color=Gold]"Not a lot to note on our end. However..."[/color] Eliza spoke up, noticing Trixy's expression. [color=Gold]"I've attempted to scry on Betty's whereabouts, see how she was doing."[/color]

The maid looked up from her slump and nodded at Eliza. [color=CCBFFF]”I hope you find her soon.”[/color] She smiled. 

[color=#bd71e8]”Nothing significant to report then? good.”[/color] the critter hopped up onto the table. [color=#bd71e8]”I believe I have discussed the possibility of Trixy taking over Cradle operations in my stead. I have since decided that such a thing would not be wise.”[/color] Veronica looked at Trixy. [color=#bd71e8]”Operators function best when they are not in the field.”[/color]

Trixy hung her head. [color=CCBFFF]”I was afraid you’d say that. But it’s understandable.”[/color] She shifted in her seat. [color=CCBFFF]”It’s not because of the Mariette thing is it? I’m still sore from that punishment.”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”Hold your questions.”[/color] Veronica’s eyes flared red. [color=#bd71e8]”I have assigned a new operator to Cradle, one who will look over things in my stead. You may have some reservations about this individual given that you’ve never met them. However, I wish for you to treat them the same way you would treat me. Her words are my words, her goals are my goals. I am the mother of the cradle, she is the wet nurse who will look after you in my absence.”[/color] The critter looked directly at Sil. [color=#bd71e8]”If you have any questions you don’t feel comfortable asking her, you may ask Tetrad. She knows more about the situation than anyone else.”[/color]

The creature’s eyes went dark. It sunk into its own shadow which melted into mist. Everyone got the feeling it would be a while before they heard Veronica’s voice again.

Then at Veronica’s side of the room, something shuffled around in the dark. Before it could fully emerge from the shadows, the cradle agents could hear the stranger call out to them.

[color=baddab]”Howdy y’all!”[/color]

What stepped out of the shadows was a woman with a green ponytail in a [url=https://i.imgur.com/qUopqO6.png]black dress[/url]. It was adorned with all manner of ribbons and jewels, and the more lustful of the cradle agents would be unable to take their eyes off the flesh of her bosom. [color=baddab]”Pretty nasty weather we’re havin’. I just tell myself it’s summer time somewhere.”[/color] She pulled the ribbon that held her pony tail tight before taking a seat in Veronica's chair.

Tetrad blinked. [color=75c159]”So yea!”[/color] She pointed at the newly arrived. [color=75c159]”Viridian! The Onyx Operative, our wet nurse!”[/color]

Trixy chuckled. [color=CCBFFF]”Hello nurse.”[/color]

[color=baddab]”If it’s easier for y’all you can call me Velma. Just don’t call me late for dinner.”[/color] She turned to look at Ronin. [color=baddab]”Well ain’t you just the cutest thang. Nobody told me our little Ronin was so garsh dang adorable.”[/color] She reclined in her seat. [color=baddab]”Got anything for me girls? Any naggin’ questions? Let’s tackle ‘em and then I’ll start this briefing as quick as a hiccup!”[/color]

Ronin grinned happily at Viridian's statement to her. She did like being cute.

Though it confused Silhouette at first, she understood this was likely some form of guise. A more affable demeanor to ease people in, to deceive foes, to… [color=red][i]Wait, wasn’t Veronica about to hand the Cradle over to Trixy?[/i][/color] She nearly shuddered. [color=red]“I, at least, would prefer to know what you are capable of,”[/color] Samantha began, her mood having soured immediately after Veronica’s departure. [color=red]“It speaks that Veronica would entrust operations to you, particularly because you are certainly not familiar to the rest of the group. But why is this? What do you bring to the table?”[/color] her questioning was certainly laced with aggression, though many could guess why. 

[color=baddab]”That’s a fair question, darlin’. Or should I call you Sam?”[/color] She placed her hands together.

[color=red]“It’s Silhouette,”[/color] she replied curtly. 

[color=baddab]”It didn’t really make sense for Trixy to run operations, did it? The doll’s got a load of charisma, even little ol’ me can see that. But she ain’t got the power to back you girls up. She’d need to relay everythin’ to Veronica in order to activate any of her powers.”[/color] She spread her arms. [color=baddab]”Meanwhile, I can do everythin’ Veronica can do. She can truly focus on her thang while we hold the fort.”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘Will you be our friend?’[/color] Ronin asked. [color=9b83de]‘Veronica always kept a certain distance, but [i]I haven't given up Veronica! Tell me anytime you just wanna hang out![/i]’[/color] Ronin told the place where the critter once was while grinning widely. [color=9b83de]‘... But yeah, you seem friendly, wanna be friends as well as companions?’[/color]

[color=baddab]”Sure darlin’, I’d love to be your friend!”[/color] she pointed at Ronin. [color=baddab]”Oh, and while I’m sure Veronica would love to know you haven’t given up on her, I should tell you that Veronica has adjusted the magicoms so that she can’t be directly contacted. Another measure to ensure she can focus on the lab without distractions.”[/color] She looked at Samantha, who seemed even less pleased. [color=baddab]”Only I can contact her directly, and only in emergencies or for a daily report.”[/color] Her eyes moved back onto Ronin. [color=baddab]”I’ll let her know you’re thinkin’ about her, sweet pea.”[/color]

Ronin first giggled happily at that Viridian would be her friend, then made an  [color=9b83de]‘aw’[/color] sound at that Veronica wouldn't let her talk to her, nodding about that Viridian would let her know.

Trixy finished inspecting Viridian before asking her question. [color=CCBFFF]”So you taking over for me is just a matter of convenience?”[/color]

[color=baddab]”That’s right darlin’. It ain’t any more complex than that.”[/color]

Blair kept her arms crossed. [b]”I share in Silhouette’s skepticism, but if Veronica wishes us to follow her orders, I will.”[/b]

[color=baddab]”No more questions? Alright then!”[/color] Viridian folded her hands together. [color=baddab]”Veronica did manage to pick up Binky, and they’ve been at the new lab site for a few days now. It was luck really. But they’re both safe and sound. All of the girls there are now official members of cradle, so it was an important step to strengthen our numbers. But she still has a lot to do before she can come back home.”[/color] A shadow appeared in the center of the table, which took the shape of Mariette. [color=baddab]”Y’all know who the portal witch is, right? Veronica has enlisted our help in protecting her from an upcoming attack. Turns out Justine’s set her sights on Mariette, and Veronica wishes for us to repel the attack at all costs. Seems our chance to get payback on the little bloodsucker is all too close.”[/color] Another shadow appeared in front of Samantha, Trixy, Eliza, and Ronin. A “key” rose out of the shadow. Though they looked like everyday items. Samantha’s was a pen, Trixy’s looked like a fork, Eliza’s was a ribbon, And Ronin’s was a tape measure. 

[color=baddab]”These keys will let you enter Mariette’s dimension, once she interviews you and activates them at least. She wanted to interview all of you later. We’re unsure if Justine herself will show up, but given Sonia’s ability to teleport, she seems like a likely candidate to extract Mariette. That’s one of the reasons we’ve insisted she enlist Dan and his girls in this operation. Teleportation will be as difficult for her as escaping molasses is for a fly.”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘Um,’[/color] Ronin raised her voice. [color=9b83de]‘Should I really have one of those? As I mentioned, I was forcefully recruited by Justine to join her in the attack on Mariette, despite that I actually wish to save her and her subordinates. I had been planning on playing along and enter with her and then make up a plan, but do we have a different plan of action here?’[/color]

[color=baddab]”Well sweet pea, we were thinking you could have one just in case.”[/color] She giggled. [color=baddab]”But if you don’t feel safe with one, that’s fine, nobody’s forcing you to have one. Veronica didn’t inform me of her personal dealings with y’all.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”I mean.”[/color] Tetrad pointed at herself. [color=75c159]”I could always have it, right?”[/color]

[color=baddab]”Afraid not, sugar plum.”[/color] Viridian looked a little more grave when she spoke to Tetrad. [color=baddab]”We know Justine is gunning for us too, and the knowledge you carry is really secretive.”[/color]

With a groan, Tetrad propped up her head with her arm. [color=75c159]”I know the risks, if anyone gets access to my mind, everything gets wiped out.”[/color]

[color=baddab]”I’d rather not risk it. We don’t even know if that’ll stop Justine. Her form of mind control is based on ‘turning’ people. She might not trigger the kill switch.”[/color] Viridian’s smile returned. [color=baddab]”Besides, you’re a cute little ball of entropy. Things are bound to get more wild than a bucking bronco with you around.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”Then what [i]am[/i] I going to do this whole time?”[/color]

Viridian pointed at Betty’s seat. [color=baddab]”I discussed it with Veronica, and she agreed. You’d make a great bodyguard.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”WHAT!?”[/color] Tetrad slammed her palms into the table. [color=75c159]”Betty was abducted as a bodyguard! The hell are you smoking!? I want some!”[/color]

[color=baddab]”That’s more because of how Veronica reacted in the situation. It’s less that I need a bodyguard and more you can monitor things better when not in the thick of it.”[/color] Viridian kept her eyes on Tetrad, ignoring any looks she might have been getting from the others. 

The gambler pinched the bridge of her nose. [color=75c159]”What utter bull crap!”[/color]

Silhouette recalled the last time she fought Justine and how chaotic it got. She wanted to hope that things would be smoother this time, but that wasn’t possible. No, it would probably get even worse. But there was something she wanted out of this. [color=red]“So protecting the Portal Witch is our [i]only[/i] objective in this operation?”[/color] Silhouette asked for confirmation. Anyone else in the room likely knew that she wanted Justine and even Sonia’s blood, especially after the events of the Rave. 

[color=baddab]”Protecting Mariette would help us get on her good side. Veronica would rather have her as an ally than the alternative, and it means givin’ Justine what-for, so it’s a win-win y’all!”[/color] She pointed into the air.[color=baddab]”Veronica would rather Justine be weakened so that she could be interrogated, but she’s dangerous, and killing someone of her ilk would be understandable. Twenty years without Justine is twenty years without Justine.”[/color] 

[color=gold]"We should also expect Justine to have back-up."[/color] Eliza finally spoke up, having quietly observed the others. She was surprised Veronica got her a key; looked more like a ribbon if anything, but she wouldn't question it. The witch pulled out a phone from her pocket, the same one Justine gave Amanda, and set it down on the table. [color=gold]"Not only has she convinced both Mint and Beacon to assist her, she kinda tried to drag one of Maura's into this. Girl's dead set on Mariette being the cause of the influx of monsters..."[/color] she explained.

Viridian placed a hand on her chin, addressing Eliza’s information now. [color=baddab]”We were expecting Mint reinforcements, but if she’s got Beacon in her pocket, that could prove to be…. mighty interestin’.”[/color] She giggled. [color=baddab]”Mint and Beacon, former enemies of Justine unite with her to take on a timid little witch.”[/color] Viridian phased through the shadows and arrived at Eliza’s side. [color=baddab]”How long ago was this? What makes you sure she has Beacon reinforcements?”[/color]

Eliza tapped the side of her head. [color=gold]"It was before the rave happened, and after she had come into contact with Amanda and Ronin, from what I can tell."[/color] she explained. [color=gold]"Though knowing Beacon, and by extension, the Ascendancy, they might have other plans for Justine. Still, we should take precaution. I can't look that far into the future yet."[/color] she sighed.

[color=9b83de]‘That's a worrying thought...’[/color] Ronin said about the Beacon and Mint thing. Otherwise she didn't have much to add.

[color=baddab]”Interestin’.”[/color] Viridian returned to Veronica’s seat. [color=baddab]”If that’s true, Alicia knowingly hid information from us. We might need to take her down a peg in the future. But you know what they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We’ll worry about Beacon after we thwart Justine’s plan.”[/color] She folded her arms. [color=baddab]”Any other questions darlin’s? I’ll contact Mariette shortly to interview those who are getting keys.”[/color]


[color=red]“If that is all, then I would like to take my leave.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”Not quite yet, Sil.”[/color] Tetrad tapped the table. [color=75c159]”Veronica said we were going to have a vote on what to do with Elvira. She’s interested in joining Cradle, she signed a contract and everything.”[/color] She looked at everyone. [color=75c159]”I think I talked to most of you guys about this.”[/color]

Viridian tapped her cheek. [color=baddab]”I do seem to recall Veronica saying something like that.”[/color] The corners of her lips flicked upwards. [color=baddab]”Even a single vote against Elvira will sink her. That was the deal, right?”[/color] She nodded to herself. [color=baddab]”Well alright then. I’ll abstain from voting, but y’all can give your verdict.”[/color]

Tetrad inhaled. [color=75c159]”I doubt my answer is going to surprise anyone, but I think she wants to turn her life around. Cradle did a lot for me, and I think she’ll be a welcome addition to the team. That was the impression I got when I interrogated her.”[/color]

[color=CCBFFF]”I haven’t changed my mind.”[/color] Trixy folded her arms and grinned. [color=CCBFFF]”I was one of the first people to fire on her, but if Tetrad thinks she can change her ways, I say give her a chance. The more cute faces, the better.”[/color] She leaned towards Samantha. [color=CCBFFF]”Having an idol on the team could be useful, right? In case someone needs a coach?”[/color]

[color=red]“The only ‘idol’ we need is me,”[/color] Sil retorted, offended at the very idea. [color=red]“That being the case, I don’t particularly care what happens to her. But considering my own circumstances, it should not matter what they did before. If she has a use and signs Veronica’s contract, then I see no real reason to object,”[/color] Sil expressed her honest opinion. 

Remedy shrugged. [b]”I don’t see any reason to damn her. The Mint is a crooked organization, they make fools of everyone who works under them.”[/b]

[color=Crimson]"We already agreed to give her a chance."[/color] Maura spoke up.

[color=gold]"And besides, she can't get away with pulling something behind our backs with me around. I can always deal with her if that's ever the case."[/color] Eliza added.

[color=9b83de]‘She's the cause of what happened at the rave, right? Or at the very least, she was in on it?’[/color] Ronin asked, and bit together a bit. [color=9b83de]‘I don't like that she did that. I probably haven't heard the whole story, but I don't like that she did that. That said, I'm not going to stand in the way of her trying to become better, if that's what she's trying, then go for it,’[/color] she said. Besides, did she even have the kind of authority to make that kind of vote, here?

The last person to vote was Blair. [b]”Must be a blood moon tonight.”[/b] She chuckled. [b]”I’m going to agree with Silhouette again.”[/b]

[color=baddab]”So it’s a unanimous vote to keep her around, huh? I thought y’all were harder than that.”[/color] There was an awkward silence in the room. The corners of Viridian’s were lowering before they popped up into a smile. [color=baddab]”But it’s what y’all want. I’ll notify Veronica with two shakes of a lamb’s tail. She’ll be put to work outside of Penrose for the time being. Maybe in the future you’ll see her again.”[/color] She clapped her hands together. [color=baddab]Y’all are free to leave. Dismissed!”[/color]