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[color=9e0039][u][b]”And I thought I was playing with fire”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would mutter to herself when she saw started opening up the packages that Mariette had delivered. Potions and Coins, and there was only one place they could have come from. She reorganized everything before she started carrying it back home; moving all of the Coins into one package was really the extent of it. All of this passed through Mariette’s hands after all, and while Penny was giving her a chance, one should always verify they have gotten the correct stuff.

Plus it seemed like the universe was poking at her as well, she had recently gotten a video file from the twins, it held Cindy’s ‘I’m alive’ announcement on it, and now this delivery had arrived. Guess it was time to tell the rest of the Sanctuary about these developments.

It was part way home that she would get a text from Alicia. To which she would quickly reply [quote=Penny][color=9e0039][I’ll keep an eye out for the City while you’re off. Stay safe.][/color][/quote]  Seems things were starting to move forward again. That meant she was running low on time. So with an aborted sigh Penny picked up the pace to get home, she had things to set up and a call to make.

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The Sanctuary, her home, it always felt comforting to be returning to it. Even more so now that things had stabilized in it. She nodded her greetings to Ashlyn, the Oni girl had taken up the habit of guarding the door and keeping an eye on things on the top level, it was in her blood after all considering that she was a Sentinel.

Penny for her part just kept moving and dropped into her room to stash the Potions and Coins in her hidden safe, the fact that her cloaking artifact was setup within it made sure that she was the only one who knew where it was. She took out a pair of potions that she knew to be clean as well as one of the new White Coins, and then went up to the theater area. She hadn’t been the one to set it up, that was a few of the residents that lived here who had gotten bored, but she was going to make use of it now.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Everyone!”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would call out, her voice echoing throughout the haven once again. She had done this a few times already, with other announcements that she had made, such as the starting of the garden or the creating of the Gym and Media rooms. And by this point the people here know that When the Queen called in this fashion she had something to tell everyone.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“There is an announcement I’ll be making, plus a video to show. It’ll be in the Theater Area, it’s important but not an emergency and it deals with Cindy.”[/b][/u][/color] After that Penny would set about getting the Projector set up to display the video message she had, she had already seen it in private after all. It would take her only a moment to get set up and she would wait a few more moments for anyone else who wanted to show up before she began speaking.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“What I want to tell you before I start the video is that in addition to this message I was recently given a care package of purification supplies. I know that not everyone is happy with the forms that they have, be it because it was forced upon them, or regret because of things they have done.  So for those that want them I have a small number of potions that will purge all corruption from you. It is not a requirement, it is not a suggestion, it is simply an offer. Come see me after the video if you are wanting more information or if you want one of the potions.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Next, is the video, it’s an interesting one.”[/b][/u][/color] She would gesture at the projector causing the opening image of Janet to be displayed on the wall behind her [color=9e0039][u][b]“Seems that not all of Cindy passed away.”[/b][/u][/color]

[hider=Cindy/Janet PSA]
Janet stood in front of the camera as it started rolling. There was nothing particularly special about her appearance or the setting she was in. It was simply her as she addressed the viewer. [color=khaki]"Hello, I am Janet Howell of Beacon. I am here today to discuss the state of this city and behavior of its inhabitants. Recent attacks that have brought death and destruction to us all have been used to instill fear and division. Events leading up to and preceding committed by multiple parties has left the city in shambles. Old rivalries perpetuated or rekindled. New ones sparked by resentment and pain. All in the name of what? Of retribution, of vengeance, of justice? While in our wake we watch the city burn and our friends fall. I for one refuse to believe that conflict is the only way. Obviously not everyone would agree with or even accept such a thing. But that does not mean that everyone is the enemy.

Some of you may know me as just that, an enemy. Others perhaps a sympathizer, fool, or heretic. Regardless of how you may see me I have worked hard to change the treatment of those considered tainted and corrupted. And I would like to continue doing so to the best of my ability. However, I cannot expect you to believe anything I say is true without first being willing to step out. Actions speak louder than words. The death of the Queen of Penrose is a terrible loss and wasted opportunity. We will not need to wait on resurrection for her return, however. She and I found ourselves in the unexpected circumstance where our two minds inhabit the same body. There were hurdles to surpass, but we eventually came to an agreement. Our coexistence was more important to the future of the city than who was in control."[/color] Her form would be engulfed in a pale blue light as Janet transitioned to Cindy.

Electricity arced around her initially as her eyes focused on the camera, looking at the people on the other side of the screen. [color=cyan]"Denizens of Penrose, as Ms. Howell prefaced, I am Cindy Ford. Foremost I would like to address where I have failed you as your queen. My brash actions allowed others to take advantage of and commit egregious acts of terror. Voices cry out for justice. This senseless violence, however, cannot continue. We as member of Beacon and monster girl call to the reasonable to stay your hand against one another. Make no mistake, we will not sit by while others struggle. Order will be restored, but not at the expense of the innocent and what remain of the Penrose residents. And to The Mint and Penrose Independent, I am wise to your treachery and actions to deliberately pit me and my followers against Beacon. Impersonating Beacon, attempting to assassinate myself and the Cardinal, using our own as bait to lure and incite violence, the mass murder at the rave. And there may be yet other unnamed parties to these events. You perhaps may not care, but the blood of many falls on your hands. To what end I wonder. Certainly not to deescalate or the preservation of Penrose.”[/color] Her expression was stern as she spoke.

Moving on she seemed to age a bit. [color=cyan]”More importantly, Janet wishes to see a brighter age, as do I. The girl is my benefactor. She has chosen so without obligation and at her own risk. I am proof of her dedication to the cause, of her vow of Charity beyond herself. She and others of Beacon seek to forge new relations between our people. I cannot say if we will succeed. Resistance to such change runs deep and the more sinister may seek to exploit the offering of the olive branch. For us to win out we must prove stronger than the hate, greed, and fear that seeks to drive us. Some may see this as a betrayal, that I have joined Beacon in their long crusade, but this is not a one sided endeavor. I dedicated myself to Penrose and I will continue to serve as guardian against all that would threaten it and its people. Choose your creed wisely. Fate will find you out in the end.”[/color]
[/hider]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll admit that I’ve had a chance to talk to this Cindy before this video was sent to me, Janet is a friend of mine after all. This Cindy is both the queen we lost, and she is not. She remembers something’s that have happened but just as much has been lost. They are a mental capture from the moment of death. She is real, and Psychics, if you can explain it better please do, as I’m not the best with your branch of magic but I know that it was responsible for what happened. I agree with her message, but I don’t think that surprises many people here.”[/b][/u][/color] She would crack a grin at that as she looked out over the people who had gathered.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“This is a shock, I know because it took me a while to come to grips with it as well. I will state a few more things before I’m done. One, this doesn’t change my goals. The safety of everyone here is still my top priority. Two, I will not be relinquishing my title of Queen. But I am willing to work alongside Janet and Cindy to try and build better relations with Beacon for us. Lastly I am available if anyone of you wants to talk about this. I’ll be over there”[/b][/u][/color] She would point to one of the many tables scattered around [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll be working on a few things that feel free to interrupt if you want or need. Thank you for your time”[/b][/u][/color]

And with that she would walk to the table she pointed to, one closer to the corner then she normally took. And set up the supplies to work on a few more chess sets. She kept an eye out on those that had just watched the video looking for those that might need an ear, and an eye out for the few Third eye users that lived here. She’d Copycat them if she got the chance, as she wanted to test her recent gifts against the ones she had taken from Janet and Jenna personally, but that for the moment wasn’t her priority.

No instead while she worked she started up a phone call. Most of Beacon was currently busy, and that included the Ascendancy, which meant she might be able to get in contact with someone she had been wanting to at last. So she called Ishtar, or more accurately, because she didn’t have the Cardinals number, she called Beacon’s infirmary and asked to be connected to Ishtar.

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[sub][@Flamelord] & [@Ariamis][/sub]