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Penny was knee deep in half destroyed electronics trying to repair what she could of the Media room when a thought occurred to her that had her cursing internally. 

It had been just about a day and a half since the Sanctuary had been attacked. Which meant it had been that same amount of time since the Assault had failed. And Penny hadn't yet talked to Alica.

Gods she felt like a poor friend.

Not bothering to extract herself from the spot of her repairs Penny pulled up her comms system and set Alicia a call. It wasn't like what she was working on was particularly complex tech at any rate.

[color=9e0039]'Pick up, please'[/color] she would murmur on the line.

Things had been a bit more sedate for Alicia. She did not have bases to rebuild, or challenges to her leadership that she needed to deal with. There were the wounded, but she did not do that personally. All she had was the paperwork and the gnawing feeling of dissatisfaction inside of her. 

As such, the phone call was a welcome distraction. She was quick to pick up the phone at her desk, a smile lighting up her face with the sight of the Caller ID. [color=aba000][i]’Hey Penny, how’s it going?’[/i][/color] 

Hearing Alicia's voice lessened a knot in Penny's chest that she'd hadn't even realized was there. She let that relief bleed into the call as a relieved sigh [color=9e0039]'Bit better now' She would respond [color=9e0039]'Realized that I hadn't seen how you were doing yesterday and I wanted to check in on you.'[/color]

[color=9e0039]'Downside to having a high speed brain, you can think more troubling thoughts in less time'[/color] She would quip with a chuckle.

Smiling mostly to herself, Alicia chuckled at Penny’s joke. [color=aba000][i]”I can see how that might be an issue,[/i][/color] she agreed with a small nod of her own. [color=aba000][i]”Anyway, that’s good. Things are calming down. Now it’s just dealing with paperwork and figuring out what to do next.”[/i][/color]

[color=9e0039]'Good to hear that, I know things didn't pan out like you were hoping, but I'm glad that you made it through whatever it was that happened out there.'[/color] Penny didn't know all the details. The file on that Op was above the mechanical girl's clearance, and while she could slip in anyway doing so seemed like a good way to piss off Elora.

[color=9e0039]'While I've got you on the line, how would you feel about meeting up? It's been a while since we've had a chance to hang and we could probably both use the chance to unwind.'[/color]

Alicia shrugged, once again mostly to herself. Penny always had some good sense of her feelings, and this was just another example of that.[color=aba000][i]’Sure, that sounds fun.’[/i][/color] she quickly agreed. Like Penny had said, it had been a while. She could use something a bit more casual.

Of course, they couldn’t just leap into it. Not with the responsibilities both of them had. [color=aba000][i]’So where did you want to meet up?’[/i][/color] she asked. [color=aba000][i]’It’s a bit cold to be hiding on the roof of my house again’[/i][/color] 

[color=9e0039]'Sadly true, but the stargazing then is still one of my better memories from when I was back seating.'[/color] Penny would muse aloud as she sifted through ideas.

[color=9e0039]'We could hunt down a cafe in the Overcity'[/color] She would offer [color=9e0039]'Or I could find a space heater or something like that and we could meetup Downtown at one of the skyscrapers, if your wanting to stay in the city'[/color]

[color=aba000][i]’I’m not even sure what stargazing would be like in the Overcity,’[/i][/color] Alicia admitted. She’d been there before of course, but she had not thought of doing that sort of thing there. Would they be able to recognize the constellations there, if there were even stars at all? [color=aba000][i]’Skyscraper could be fun, as long as you promise to catch me if I get too relaxed.’[/i][/color]

[color=9e0039]‘I think it would depend on where in the Overcity you are’[/color] Penny would reply, even as she too pondered that thought. She’s rarely had reason to look up while in the Overcity after all. Always fighting or on the move when she is there.

[color=9e0039]‘And I promise, If I can get you relaxed enough to forget the drop I’ll be there to catch you’[/color] She would remark with a smile. It was nice just talking with Alicia. [color=9e0039]‘When do you want to meet? My schedule is pretty open so I’m free whenever.’[/color]

Alicia nodded along to herself as Penny assured her that there wouldn’t be any problems with their high rise perch. Asked about timing, she glanced at the documents she was working on and considered the time her responsibilities would take before providing any answer. [color=aba000][i]’I should be free around 8;30 or so? Just got a few things I need to wrap up here.’[/i][/color]

[color=9e0039]‘Sounds good’[/color] Penny would reply [color=9e0039]‘I’ll send you a text with the location once I get set up?’[/color] She would state more than ask, but the question was still notable.

[color=aba000][i]’Sure,’[/i][/color] Alicia agreed. She would be able to manage that. After all, what good leader could not delegate? 

[color=9e0039]‘See you soon’[/color]

[hr]

It was well past sunset by the time they were able to meet up. The winter season was in full effect after all, but the cold hardly bothered Penny as she set about setting up. Clearing a bit of snow from the rooftop of choice, she set down a tarp she had brought along as well as her jury rigged heater. It worked well, and was safe, it just didn’t look all that elegant. The rooftop was part of an office building Penny thought, she had never been inside. So she was only guessing from the looks she got from the windows. It was one of the taller buildings in Penrose, and she chose this one because of the small lip around the rooftop itself.

With one last look about the place she would send the location off to Alicia, before sitting down to wait. Idly she wondered if any of the other supplies she brought would see any use, but would worry about that later.

It would take several minutes for Alicia to arrive, having made her way downtown in anticipation of Penny’s message. Just because she was not the one deciding the location did not mean that she could not be proactive. Once she did know the location there was not much time wasted as she parkoured her way up to the roof. She could probably have used her wings, but that wasn’t very subtle and she would like to avoid the extra attention from other magical girls.

Arriving at the top of the office building, Alicia smiled and waved to Penny. [color=aba000]”Well, fancy meeting you here,”[/color] she said with a laugh to accompany it. [color=aba000]”It feels like it’s been forever, doesn’t it?”[/color]

Penny bit down on the desire to flirt back and simply waved as Alicia came over. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I know what you mean”[/b][/u][/color] She would agree instead [color=9e0039][u][b]“Feels like a lot more has happened then really has.”[/b][/u][/color] She shrugged, last time they had gotten together was when they had sparred, which wasn’t all that long ago, but it felt like it had been longer than it was.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“On that,”[/b][/u][/color] she would shift to give Alicia a more critical look [color=9e0039][u][b]“How are you holding up?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask genuinely concerned for her friend. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve not read the report, didn’t want to step on Elora’s toes to get it, but Mariette did make a brief appearance while I was dealing with an issue. That’s how I know things didn’t pan out like you were hoping”[/b][/u][/color]

Stepping away from the edge of the building, Alicia glanced around at everything Penny had brought with her for this meeting. Trust her to have everything covered. They’d just need to see how the heat worked out up here. 

A sigh escaped as Penny brought up Mariette. Alicia idly kicked her feet, and she scratched at the back of her neck with a frown. [color=aba000]”Turns out Mariette has a lot of friends. A lot of familiar faces among that number too. She got away, material losses are unclear but can probably be recovered from in time. She may have been purified but she’s also still with Asengav so who knows how long he’ll let her stay that way.”[/color] She was still subservient to a Horror after all. Independent thought was something of a premium there.

As if that were not bad enough, that was not the end of the story. [color=aba000]”Oh, and Leena’s seriously injured and won’t be able to be out in the field for a while, the rest of the girls involved also had it rough, and Justine was captured by the Cradle so there’s no way we’ll be able to do this again if we have to.”[/color] There were no tears shed for the vampire. Only frustration at being so deprived of resources when they had not secured what small victory they had. 

Penny withheld a wince. As there was another, less charitable, way to describe the outcome. A total loss. Which couldn't be easy to swallow after all the work that had been put into the assault.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"I'm sorry to hear that"[/b][/u][/color] She would say, which felt inadequate. [color=9e0039][u][b]"I might be able to help Leena, assuming that she'd be willing to trust me."[/b][/u][/color] She would offer. Information on Mariette's friends or the Cradle was also on the table, Penny supposed, but neither of those would be as instantly helpful.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"All things said, I'm glad that you didn't get hurt."[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say as she pulled the heater over and started it up. Less for her sake and more to do with the fact she could see Alicia's breath. [color=9e0039][u][b]"And as much as I wish I could say I wanted to be there, I'm more glad I stayed behind."[/b][/u][/color] She would set the heater on the edge of the tarp once it was up and running, pointing more towards Alicia than herself. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Mint tried to trash the Sanctuary, but something botched their plans so only structural damage stuck around."[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia was grateful for the offer, and Penny’s continued willingness to help despite all the difficulties that the Sanctuary had introduced into their relationship. Aside from the other difficulties, of course. [color=aba000]”Well, she’s on the mend. But I’ll let her know you offered.”[/color] If Rachel would allow it of course. That sort of thing wasn’t her decision to make.

Penny’s gratitude then earned a wince and a look of chagrin. [color=aba000]”Well, what’s a couple broken ribs in the grand scheme of things.”[/color] she observed. Alicia had given as good as she had gotten, so she could take some comfort in that despite their failures. The heater hummed to life, though it would take a few minutes or so for it to really alter the temperature here. 

She tensed a bit at the mention of the Mint, though at least it seemed like things had not gone too badly. [color=aba000]”Any idea why?”[/color] she asked. It didn’t seem like the sort of move they would pull.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hurt too badly”[/b][/u][/color] Penny corrected with a roll of her eyes, hoping to hide the flash of red in them after hearing Alicia did get hurt. It was irrational, and she knew it. But Penny still cared for Alicia deeply. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And because the Sanctuary is a massive threat to their normal hiring scheme”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would continue with a grimace. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s not something I feel that most people at Beacon would think about, especially no one from Ascendency, but most girls of the darker persuasion don’t really have a lot of options.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“On the streets everyone kinda knows that the Mint is a terrible idea, but for those that need to eat or other specific needs there isn’t really anywhere else to turn to. Normal girls don’t have the resources to help, if they care to figure things out in the first place, and outside of Penrose Beacon oaths kill any cooperation.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain leaning back to gaze up at the stars. It wasn’t a good situation for the Dark or Monster girls out there, and Penny knew that because she had lived it.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“So Mint offers them just enough rope to hang themselves. But morals get hard to hold on too when you’ve not eaten for a few weeks”[/b][/u][/color] She gave a sorta helpless shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not everyone has it bad, some have Patrons that are willing to take care of them, but for the rest? Before the Sanctuary there wasn’t anywhere they could reliably turn to for help.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s my guess anyway”[/b][/u][/color] She would add after a moment [color=9e0039][u][b]“Didn’t exactly get a chance to beat any answers out of the bastard before they ran.”[/b][/u][/color] She didn’t bother to hide the flash of red or the growl in her voice at that declaration. They attacked her home, that would never be something Penny would take lightly, even without the Sanctuary added on top.

[color=aba000]”Fair enough,”[/color] Alicia conceded as Penny laid out the reasons for the Mint’s attack. She would admit, her own perspective usually came from the notion that the Mint only ever sought to increase its own power. She was less informed on how it interacted with normal magical girls, and the sort of methods they would use to recruit someone. If Penny said it, then she had little reason to doubt the veracity of her statement. 

Still, at least they had come out of the attack alright. Damage could be fixed, given enough time. [color=aba000]”Between this and the Rave, they’re getting pretty proactive. I’d say they were getting spooked, if we weren’t doing so badly ourselves.”[/color] It had been hard to go after the Mint following the Rave with everything else that had been going on with Justine. Now there was the opportunity again, but she wasn’t sure where to start. It was the same old problem. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It almost seems like they are trying to provoke a reaction if I’m being honest.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would claim. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not sure if it’s because so many of us came back, or it just took them time to get set up, but they just seem to be trying to stir up conflict.”[/b][/u][/color] Perhaps it was simple paranoia, but the mechanical girl couldn’t help but assume that all of it was building towards something. Only question is what.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Tracking them down is a pain as well”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would continue on, unknowingly voicing Alicia’s thoughts [color=9e0039][u][b]“I might be able to scrounge up one lead but if it doesn’t work I’m in the dark unless I want to go asking for favors.”[/b][/u][/color] Which Penny really didn’t want to do, but she also really, really, wanted to put some hurt towards the Mint for their attack.

Alicia nodded along as Penny laid out her thoughts. She moved at last, going to take a seat at a spot where she could enjoy the warmth of the heater while still having a good view of the city as they enjoyed their rooftop perch. That was what they had come to do after all, so it would be a shame to just stand around and converse. 

Feet idly kicked in time with the frustrations she had. [color=aba000]”Well, if that’s their plan then it’s working,”[/color] she grumbled. If Penny had a lead, it was more than what she had at the moment. [color=aba000]”I had hoped we might find something by targeting the Independent, but that’s come up as a bust so far.”[/color] Not for lack of effort of course. Beyond that, they could just keep patrolling and responding to things as they happened. Not exactly the sort of mindset she had gone into leadership wanting to have, 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Really?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny was honestly a bit shocked at that. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I would have been willing to put coins on them being a part of the Mint.”[/b][/u][/color] She mulled over that for a moment, wondering if it was something they had interrupted or if the PI just had different goals in the first place. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Means that buying it up isn’t as bad an idea as I thought it might have been.”[/b][/u][/color] She would muse aloud.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“My lead”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say using air quotes [color=9e0039][u][b]“Might not even be of any good anymore. But I was given a location I could go too to try and get in contact with the broker I was under. Only problem is that my Broker was the one who split off to make the Crimson cradle so following that line might just blow up in my face worse than leaving it alone.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And tracking her down to get leads on the Mint is the realm of favors that I don’t want to touch.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would let out a sigh. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Surprised that Rachel isn’t more interested in hunting them down herself.”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia shrugged. [color=aba000]”I thought so too. But if they’re connected then someone did a really good job of hiding it.”[/color] She didn’t claim to know the full circumstances yet, but this was just what her investigation had uncovered so far. 

A twitch ran through her as Penny mentioned who her ‘source’ was. [color=aba000]”Probably for the best. Between helping Mariette and everything else, the cradle seems as shady as the Mint ever was.”[/color] Maybe she was just being bitter, but after what they had gone through it felt like it was a deserved anger. 

As for the mention of Rachel, she met that with a shrug. [color=aba000]”She cares, but in a more general sense. If an opportunity arose I’m sure she would take it. But right now she’s more concerned with order in the streets and preventing stuff like the Rave from happening again. You know, priorities.”[/color] Where once she had thought they could remove the Ascendancy easily, that was no longer the case. Alicia wasn’t sure what would happen from this point on. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hah, you don’t know the half of it”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would let out a bitter chuckle [color=9e0039][u][b]“Joining the Cradle gives access of all of your memories to the founder of it. She claims it’s to help keep everything transparent but it just makes my skin crawl”[/b][/u][/color] She would shudder for effect. [color=9e0039][u][b]“At the very least I trust them to hate the Mint, but they haven’t differentiated enough in my opinion to fully trust them.”[/b][/u][/color]

She would flop back onto the tarp with a sigh. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I wish that didn’t make as much sense as it did”[/b][/u][/color] Penny didn’t want to like Rachel, but knew that the Inquisitor had a point. After all neither Penny nor Alicia had any solid leads on the Mint either.

Reaching into her leg compartment she pulled out one of the varied goodies she had stored away, a large D battery which she tossed up and let fall into her mouth. [color=9e0039][u][b]“You ever think about moving?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask, her voice not affected at all by the battery she was crewing on.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Getting away from Penrose and all of its insanity?”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia shivered along too, unnerved by Penny’s revelation. [color=aba000]”I’m not sure if that’s paranoia, or just excessively controlling. It’d explain why she broke off the compartmentalized Mint at least.”[/color] It definitely did not do anything to endear Veronica to her, that was for sure.

She leaned back slightly, and moved to avail herself of one of the drinks that Penny had brought for her. As opposed to Penny and her taste for mechanical parts, though that was not exactly unusual by this point. A hum escaped as Penny raised a question, and Alicia paused for a few moments to think about what she wanted to say and how to say it. [color=aba000]”I’ve considered it,”[/color] she admitted as her head fell. 

Memories flashed by, of everything that had happened since her journey began. [color=aba000]”Sometimes it gets unbearable, with all this bad stuff happening and people turning against you. But Beacon wants me here and thinks that there is still good that I can do. The Ascendancy stuff sucks, but if people like Cardinal ishtar still have faith in me then I can’t give up.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I know what you mean”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would admit [color=9e0039][u][b]“There was a long minuet after my reforging where I was so very tempted to just leave. Go somewhere, east maybe, or into the Overcity. Somewhere no one knew me, so that I could find myself without Jason’s memory lingering overhead.”[/b][/u][/color] It was one of the first thoughts that Penny had once she was whole again. One that didn’t get easier after finding the override chip.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m glad I chose to stick around though”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would keep her gaze up at the distant stars and pointedly not mention that Alicia was one of the key reasons why she had stayed. Any chance of that had passed, ruined by Jason’s thoughtlessness. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“What’s the Cardinal like?”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to ask. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve been thinking of trying for a meeting with her like I did with Rachel”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia nodded along, glad that penny had stuck around as well. It was good to have friends here, and without her around she would be that much more isolated. And probably the worse off for it too. But there was no use dwelling on what might have been. At least, those sorts of ‘might have beens’. There were others that she did not mind dwelling on though, like the most recent raid. But at least she had plenty of distractions on hand. 

She grinned as Penny asked about the Cardinal. [color=aba000]”Honestly, I’m not sure what I can say without it sounding like a cliche,”[/color] she mused aloud. [color=aba000]”She’s compassionate, considerate, a lot less hardline than Rachel is, and she walked to that park meeting despite knowing it was probably a trap because she believes that much.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Huh"[/b][/u][/color] Penny would muse over that for a moment. [color=9e0039][u][b]"Sounds like the kind of person we need more of in Penrose."[/b][/u][/color] And while it was cliche, sometimes that was the truth of the matter.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Oh!"[/b][/u][/color] Suddenly sitting up Penny would be grinning, [color=9e0039][u][b]"That reminds me."[/b][/u][/color] She would say before plunging her hand into her chest, the plates and other mechanical parts seamlessly parting.

A moment later she pulled out a small glass looking orb that was filled with streaks of white plasma. [color=9e0039][u][b]"What do you think?"[/b][/u][/color] She would ask Alicia, offering up the glass orb for her to hold.

Alicia was about to agree with Penny when her friend suddenly seemed to remember something. Bracing herself, Alicia’s eyes widened as she beheld the glowing orb that Penny produced. 
[color=aba000]”Wow.”[/color] she took the orb, lifting it and examining it from different angles while also feeling what it was like. [color=aba000]”You’ve been busy with more than just repairs.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That one is on you actually”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a smirk. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I always got the impression that my magic is fundamentally different than most peoples as far as I can gather, pulling that up just proved my theory”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain as Alicia examined it.

It felt slightly warm to the touch and carried a sense of purity that was strangely familiar to the angelic girl. It also felt slightly unreal, like a held dream or physical idea.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s also physical proof that Rachel and the Ascendency is wrong, same with most of Beacon if I want to be petty.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say drawing out the tension about what it was that Alicaa was holding.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Because, that’s my Shine Spark”[/b][/u][/color] 

Alicia’s eyes widened as Penny revealed what she held, and the girl suddenly found herself a lot more self conscious about what she was holding. She subtly adjusted her grip, just to make sure that there were no accidents atop this very tall building. That would have been very awkward.

After a few moments she gingerly passed the orb back to Penny. [color=aba000]”So you pulled out part of your soul to prove a theory about magic. What are we proving Rachel wrong about again?”[/color] she asked, figuring she might as well get this out of the way before they got much further. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Give me some credit”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would scoff as she accepted the Spark back [color=9e0039][u][b]“My soul is damaged enough I’m not going to go tearing it more. Especially since I don’t have that Spec.”[/b][/u][/color] She would shake her head, though she got where Alicia was coming from [color=9e0039][u][b]“All I did was give it a physical form, that was what I was proving about my magic.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say holding the orb up so that Alicia could clearly watch it as it slowly sublimated back into her. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not saying that someone couldn’t do some serious harm to me if they got their hands on it, but normally it’s not actually a physical thing for them to grab. Though I will admit how that works isn’t something I’m really sure on other then ‘Magic’”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“As for what it proves Rachel wrong about, that’s simpler”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on with a shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“That Monstergirls aren’t inherently evil. Shocking revelation I know, but I can prove conclusively that the Spark doesn’t clash within a Monstergirl.”[/b][/u][/color] Granted Penny knew that the odds of another Monstergirl mimicking what she was capable of when it came to adaptation was effectively zil, but it was still proof that being a Monstergirl wasn’t an automatic exclusion from having Humanity.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Though I’m still half way conceived that if I showed Rachel that, she would just straight up punch me”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia watched as Penny returned the Spark to herself, a bit more relaxed for it but still with a heavy helping of disbelief that it had been there in the first place. [color=aba000]”Oh definitely,”[/color] she agreed with a quick nod. [color=aba000]”I’m pretty sure that’s super heresy or something.”[/color] She wasn’t sure how else one would label physically manifesting a Spark. 

She sat back to relax once more, though it was a gesture which did not make its way through her entire body. [color=aba000]”Well, at least you’re making some progress. I’m a bit frustrated right now, though admittedly for selfish reasons.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Perhaps”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say bobbing her head side to side, [color=9e0039][u][b]“Kinda just feels like I’m spinning gears most of the time if I’m being honest.”[/b][/u][/color] Because yes she was getting work done, but it didn’t feel like it amounted to much some days.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But enough about me, what’s got you frustrated?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask as she settled down once more. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’ve got a flask of rum if you're wanting a drink.”[/b][/u][/color] She would offer. Most of the stuff she had brought was simple snacks, granola bars, couple juice pouches and the like. Same foodstuffs at the Sanctuary, but she also brought along a flask or two of alcohol. As she did still have some of the stuff hidden away from when she was under Laat. Stuff was a good firestarter in a pinch.

[color=aba000]”A drink would be good,”[/color] Alicia agreed as she extended a hand towards Penny. Maybe she didn’t need it, but it would make her feel better. 

She would take a sip before elaborating. [color=aba000]”I just feel like I’ve wasted a lot of effort, you know? All that stuff to deal with Mariette, and I guess Janet went behind my back and fixed it with Ronin. The Cradle dealt with Justine, the Bates got handled offscreen, Eden’s gone. All these times when I got so determined and angry, and they just ended up getting solved without even being around. It wears you down, you know?’[/color] The same with Chloe, though she didn’t mention that with Penny here. She still had some level of tact after all. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“First conflict with Justine was that way as well, and can’t forget Chloe up and vanishing.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would add, because she didn’t care for tip-toeing around her own faults [color=9e0039][u][b]“Cindy and her whole dieing and not being fully dead thing going on. The absolute mess that was the Rave operation.”[/b][/u][/color] She would let out a sigh. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah I can see how all of that would be exhausting.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not much at the moment, but I’m sorry for my own role in some of those.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say [color=9e0039][u][b]“I know I wasn’t the cause of them, but I sure didn’t help make many of them better”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=aba000]”Getting frozen in a block of ice for most of that fight was pretty awkward. And what came after it…”[/color] Alicia fell off, doing her best not to think of the girl she had killed, before she knew Justine’s minions had been mind controlled. Just the first she had to make up for.

She shook her head after a moment, and took a sip of her drink, before she responded to Penny. [color=aba000]”I don’t think I’d have had the strength to make it this far without you, or the lesson you provided. I’d probably be just as eager as the Ascendancy is.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll drink to that having helped you from that”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say hoisting up another battery, more in the spirit of the statement then anything else. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And one of my own, for without you I’d still be stuck with Jason”[/b][/u][/color] She nearly spat his name, yet it was also spoken with an odd mix of nostalgia and affection.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That would be the darkest timeline I’m sure”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia shook her head. [color=aba000]”I think the worst timeline is the one where we’re all dead and darkness rules unchallenged, but that would be pretty bad.”[/color] she lifted her drink in a salute as well. What else needed to be said? They’d taken the paths they could, and history could not be changed. They just had to live with the consequences as best they could. 

Penny would shudder a little at Alicia’s proclamation of the ‘Worst Timeline’ because if Oros and her Patron were to be believed she had seen that, or at least a version of it. Reviewing those events did make Penny sit up a bit straighter though. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Been there, wasn’t pretty”[/b][/u][/color] She would say with a shrug knowing she would need to explain that eventually [color=9e0039][u][b]“But I was able to snag somethings that might help us make sure that we don’t find a new way to cause that outcome.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s out of date, and unverified, but I do happen to have a glimpse into what the Ascendency is up to. Plus a lot of other stuff as well that I've not fully sifted thought”[/b][/u][/color]

An eyebrow rose as Penny revealed she might know what the Ascendancy had in mind to do in penrose, among other things. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but Alicia would admit that it was not the sort of thing she felt was particularly urgent these days. 

For now she took things casually. [color=aba000]”Does it involve a city shattering laser? Because I knew about that already,”[/color] Alicia asked calmly, glancing over at Penny as she waited for her response. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Weaponizing Purification”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply dryly [color=9e0039][u][b]“And the retaliation of such”[/b][/u][/color] She would shake her head to focus “Got kidnapped to another dimension where the worst timeline came true. Over there, shortly after the Rave, things went downhill fast.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain quickly, now wasn’t the time for a deep dive into all of it [color=9e0039][u][b]“An arms race started up between Purification and Corruption. Pretty sure you can guess what the fall out of that would be”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“If the data I got is valid, this gives us a chance to stop a catastrophe before it happens.”[/b][/u][/color]

Penny’s explanation was unexpected as well as curious. Alicia could see how what she was saying might be the case, but at the same time it also seemed fairly far off. Unless the Ascendancy had more resources devoted to that than she knew of. 

[color=aba000]”I see. Still, from what I’ve heard Janet and Jenna have been having trouble making a Purification weapon. I’m not sure how feasible an arms race is if we can’t actually get our side of the race off the ground.”[/color] This was probably classified or something but it wasn’t as if Alicia cared. Penny could keep a secret.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Huh”[/b][/u][/color] it was obvious that Penny was a bit flat footed at this. It was ostensibly good news, but she couldn’t help but feel like they had been robbed of a chance to do some good. She took a moment longer, before blaming it on the horror that was lording over that dead realm. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Well I’ll keep an eye out for the other side regardless, but glad to hear that there is one less problem for Penrose at the moment.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You get an Invite to Dan’s party?”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to ask after a moment of quiet.

Alicia did not have much more to say on the matter of Weaponized Purification. It was entirely possible that the Ascendancy was still working on it, or that Janet and Jenna had been stonewalling on purpose, but she was not in a position to dictate whether that was true or not. For now, it seemed to be a dead end. [color=aba000]”Sounds good.”[/color]

For now the topic shifted, and Alicia quickly nodded to confirm her situation. [color=aba000]”Yep,”[/color] she replied. [color=aba000]”I’ve been assured that we won’t get time warped this go around, though sometimes I wonder if it wouldn’t be better if we were.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I wouldn’t be opposed to gaining time”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say [color=9e0039][u][b]“Go in for three weeks come back and only an hour has passed kind of thing.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain with a shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“I didn’t really notice until I was looking at Dan again, but the stolen time really got to me. So not looking forward to a repeat of that anytime soon.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“A chance to avoid all the drama of Penrose is still tempting though”[/b][/u][/color] Not that Penny would take such, she wanted to be involved regardless of how it eventually panned out. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Regardless I’m curious as to how we will end up dressed this time”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia nodded along, sipping her drink as Penny ruminated on the nature of lost or gained time via magic. She found it hard to argue the point, though at the same time she got the suspicion that there was a bit more to it than that.

[color=aba000]“Why do I get the feeling that we wouldn’t be saying that if we didn’t have so much responsibility now,”[/color] she observed with a chuckle. [color=aba000]“We’re our own worst enemies.”[/color] Admittedly they had not invited all this responsibility on themselves, but they had not refused it either. So here they were now, amidst a burden of authority while they sought refuge in this tiny way. 

For now they had the party to look forward to. [color=aba000]“Well it is Christmas themed,”[/color] she pointed out, extending a hand over the edge of the building. [color=aba000]“I expect a lot of Santa Claus outfits, ugly sweaters, and a lot less keijo.”[/color] Admittedly she could be wrong, particularly on the Keijo from, but she was fairly confident with making that guess. 

Penny agreed with Alicia, if they weren’t under the yoke of leadership neither of them would be as stressed, yet there were few people in Penrose that Penny really trusted to be in these leadership positions. So hopefully together they could plot a better way through all this mess that seemed to fall onto Penrose every other day.
 
[color=9e0039][u][b]“Well, I’m going to build a Snow Castle and throw snowballs at everyone I’m annoyed with while ensconced within it, and not even Dan will be able to stop me”[/b][/u][/color] She would say with an over the top haughty expression on her face. Being a leader could wait for a bit longer, now it was time to plot out snowy shenanigans.

The notion of Penny building a Snow Castle seemed to hover near the absurd, but Alicia could picture that pretty well. Though it might just be because she knew Penny was fond of building things. There was no doubt that she was going to terrorize the party later. 

[color=aba000]“Really, you’re going to throw them?”[/color] she asked with a laugh. [color=aba000]“I figured you’d have a catapult or a cannon or something for more volume of fire.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Well, now that you mention it…”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a sly grin [color=9e0039][u][b]“Think that Dan would let me summon the Earthbastion again?”[/b][/u][/color] The cannons on that would be able to output a lot of snow power. Otherwise, Penny would just have to figure out a way to make a catapult out of snow.

Alicia scoffed, face twisted in amusement at the thought of the Bastion delivering powdery snowball justice en masse. But as amusing as it might be, she had the feeling that using it in such a manner would probably not be approved by the Dolphin.
 
[color=aba000]“I don’t think he’s going to go for that,”[/color] she mused thoughtfully. [color=aba000]“After all, the last time it was at least thematically consistent with the atmosphere that he was going for on the beach. A giant mechanical pirate ship thing isn’t what I’d consider ‘Christmas Spirit’.”[/color] Not that Penny was going to have much trouble coming up with a catapult. She just needed to make sure she had a spot inside the snow fort rather than being the one to try and take it.

A large sigh of disappointment would follow that proclamation [color=9e0039][u][b]“Drat. Well at least he can’t stop me from just using Gravity to fling it at people”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with false dejection. She already figured, but the mental image was just too fun not to bring up at least once.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Wait…”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would turn a suddenly bewildered look at Alicia [color=9e0039][u][b]“The Ascendency has a city shattering laser!?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=aba000]“No comment.”[/color]