[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/qgiSvTq.png[/img]
[h3]Sanctuary Garden[/h3][/center]
In a fair amount of thought himself, Shane spent a bit watering everything. Perhaps more of a distraction than anything for the moment. Cindy being "alive" in any capacity was a shock, no pun intended. Paired with a Beacon girl no less. He'd watched Cindy die. Wouldn't have been the first time he'd seen someone go, but they usually weren't back so soon. What was the whole ceremony before this then? Was it actually Cindy? There were probably a few things he could ask of the girl to confirm. He wasn't sure when he'd get the chance though. 

He glanced at Dina as she approached the space he was working in. The boy had seen the maids that she'd provided around but had yet to meet her. Right away though he could tell that she was not in a good mood, even if outwardly she appeared calm and collected. Counter productive to that was a peculiar allure that seemed to follow her. Of course Shane had no way of knowing it was due to magic it was still something he noticed since the roles were usually reversed. Perhaps against his better judgment he spoke up. [color=lightblue]"Did you know her? Cindy?"[/color] He would keep his eyes on the task at hand.

Dina for the most part, not reply at first, then all of a sudden, she addressed this gardener. Another person she had not met, yet Penny had brought all over. “I used to exchange words, although they were not always positive.” Dina said curtly. “Differences on what constitutes a good balance of diplomacy if I must say.” Dina added, as she looked at Shane. “...they call me Dina Denisova. But people hardly know my work here, I am afraid.”

He would set the watering can down. Turning he would have extended a hand to Dina but his hands weren't the cleanest. [color=lightblue]"Pleased to meet you Ms. Denisova. And that's unfortunate. Being absent lately myself I haven't really helped with knowing what all you've contributed. I was told of the maids which I'm sure has helped with morale."[/color] He would tackle Dina's portion first. Taking a step back to the first comments though he would nod in agreement. [color=lightblue]"Yes, Cindy was... difficult to work with. My intention in joining sounds similar. Obviously I didn't get very far in that regard either."[/color] He massaged one of his temples with a knuckle to avoid getting dirt on his face.

“Probably, but that was but the first step… afterwards, it’s as if I had faded out of everyone’s minds. I blame the chaos…” Dina said. “...and yet, I did wish for this to be free of strings, for that I engaged in Realpolitik.” She shook her head. “Does that look free of strings to you? We are practically being force fed Beacon propaganda, with a most disgusting mockery of what once had been Cindy.” 

His eyes would wander as he considered what Dina said. It certainly didn't look good. Still... [color=lightblue]"I believe in the benefit of the doubt. I would like to speak to this 'Cindy'. I'm not entirely sure why she's working with a Beacon girl, but I'm sure she has her reasons."[/color] He would take a rag and wipe down his hands. In thought for a while longer he pulled down his rolled up sleeves. [color=lightblue]"I don't know her all that well personally, but from what I've seen and heard Janet is basically part of a resistance in Beacon. I'm surprised she's still alive to be honest. She was at the park that night. She refused to fight. Dropped her weapon and tried talking with Cindy instead. We were all caught in the same blast that allowed that other boy to kill Cindy. Not really sure what happened after that as I got pulled away to another part of the city. Penrose has a lot of moving parts and it makes it hard to know who's with who and why. A healthy amount of scepticism makes sense."[/color] He would offer his two cents. 


"Yet you would never impose such a decision in such a grandiose manner like the current leader did. That Penny is falling for the same mistake Cindy used to get criticism for, if not worse." Dina stood up. "Besides, the dead should stay dead. This is obscene, how much this will give false hopes to all those gathered here. Beacon is not the Sanctuary's future… not when people think being a monster girl is an affliction to be cured. Or a foe to be slain." Her eyes seemed to pierce Shane. "The people here deserve better than feeding off Beacon's scraps of mercy."

The boy visibly flinched for a moment, but would still eventually present a smile. [color=lightblue]"Well, too late now. Best we can do is temper any enthusiasm and try to move forward. Like you implied earlier, we're not the most organized. Never were really. Cindy just showed up one day and lay claim. Then we all got whisked away and came back to a mess."[/color] Sounded like one excuse after another, a fact Shane was well aware of. [color=lightblue]"You probably already plan to do this, but if you think there's a problem then talk to Penny about it. Things might not start how we want but that tends to happen after a power vacuum. I’ll probably see what's up with this Cindy person. I'd rather see it for myself than trust a video. Maybe figure out what they actually intend to do rather than assume."[/color] He would point back in the direction of the theater. Not that he doubted the possibility of it happening, he more wanted to know the details.

"I tried to make things smoother last time too. But I am afraid most people here just see being Queen or leader as a lofty title and make rash decisions. " Dina said. " I've given enough notice for Penny to talk over this. It would look foolish and wasteful to chase those two hope saleswomen in front of everyone and second guess. It would bring more unpleasantness." Dina fussed. "Even if I don't like it one bit."

[color=lightblue]"Ah, two steps ahead of me. "[/color] He would give a bit of a sigh. It was clear that Dina was displeased with how things were being done. He wasn't really the one to talk to about authority. Leading was not particularly his favorite thing to do. [color=lightblue]"Not that excuses are a solution, but Penny is new to this kind of thing. She needs help to keep this place running. More importantly everyone else needs the help. Penny isn't Cindy, but she hasn't had the best example to follow. If there is a better way then that needs to be impressed onto her so she has the chance to learn before everything falls apart."[/color] While not really being a leader per se, he usually was a decent mediator. This whole change of hands happened in, what, a week or two? Things were moving pretty quickly.

"Tragedies wait for no one. As much as we would like to. If i could afford time certain compromises could be avoided." Dina rebuked. "Sink or swim, as the idiom says." She said. " And mind you, being new is excusable. Not taking advice is a whole different matter. What use is for her to be open to comment now, that she has made an announcement?"  The catgirl said, as she began to leave. "Please do excuse me. I did not mean to take your precious time with this unpleasantness." Dina said, before bowing so slightly and leaving.

Damn people and their pessimism. Too many head strong individuals. [color=lightblue]"Nonsense. I was practically asking for it."[/color] He would add smirking to himself. He would hold up a hand to slow her down. [color=lightblue]"Are you sure you don't want me to leave? I was the one prying. You came here after all."[/color]

"You are tending to a garden, are you not?" Dina said. "Why would I kick you out? It's not like I am Queen or anything of this place." She continued to walk away.

[color=lightblue]"I was, but I'm more or less done for now and the plants aren't going anywhere. Up to you. Hope to see you around regardless."[/color] He would offer and take some steps away himself. [color=lightblue]”Maybe I should see about mixing in some flowers. Probably would be a bit therapeutic when people need it.”[/color] He would muse aloud.

"Anything but catnip or valerian. I do not want to see the maids completely smashed." Dina said. "The offer of escort is certainly interesting, but I am not in the mood of a delightful tea break right now, my apologies."

That wasn’t exactly what he intended, but this was more or less a big hallway so he could see how that could be drawn. Still he would stop. The comment at least assuaged one thing in his mind. [color=lightblue]”I will be sure to avoid that. Thank you for letting me know. And it was nice meeting you.”[/color] He would leave it at that since Dina was intent on heading out. Wrong place wrong time it seemed.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/IFtEXyF.png[/img]
[h3]Beacon HQ[/h3][/center]
While not directly called upon for the assault that was to happen, the twin Beacon members made their way to base to at least be on call. With as much as was going on they weren't convinced that someone wouldn't try and take advantage of others being out on mission. So for the time being they would stay on point and keep track of those coming and going with their magic. Some of their plans were getting pushed back with this attack going into play right at this moment. The message they made was to put Beacon on blast as much as anyone, but things were not quite in place. They also left releasing it to Penny anyhow and she wanted to let the Sanctuary know before everyone else.

Staying out of the direct conflict was a layered decision. They understandably didn't want to work with Justine given what she'd done to her. Even without that Cindy had an agreement with Mariette. They also needed to be ready if Ronin called on them. Was kind of hard to say what was going to happen. There was also the possibility that Rachel wouldn't want Cindy tagging along anyway.