[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NgWhiMr.png[/img] [color=cfff04][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_j8W-SDefU]”Activity done, sir. Activity done!”[/url][/color] [color=888888]— Tonya “Mac” Murphy[/color] [hider=Tonya “Mac” Murphy] [b]Age: 24/11 | Gender: Female/Female | Illusion, Gravity Body | Power of Friendship, Regeneration, Third Eye | Moirai Coercion, Soul Jar, Martial Training, True Sight, Parasite, Gifted, Awareness, Overcity Shift, Mystic Artifact Magical Overload, Paragon, Blessing, Gifted Item | Monster Form, Big Brother, Arrogance, Vendetta Redirected Magic, Second Specialization | Non-Standard Limbs, Destroyer[/b] STR: 05 | AGI: 04 | VIT: 05 | MAG: 03 | LCK: 03 +49 STR: 21 | AGI: 21 | VIT: 21 | MAG: 20 | LCK: 20 Earnings this post: Zilch Remaining: 3 Gold, 28 Silver, 38 Bronze Total: 10 Gold, 160 Silver, 182 Bronze [/hider][/center] Mac usually felt pretty good after a shower. But it didn’t always wash away all of her problems. These days, it was becoming less and less efficient at doing so. The christmas party wasn’t too far off now, and she had no way to join it. Getting in should be easy, technically. All someone had to do was hand her a ticket, one of which could replicate indefinitely to whoever held it. But in order for her to receive one, that would require her to exist as a person. To lower her illusion magic and be noticed by the outside world. That was not in the cards for her. Veronica was no longer in Penrose, and visiting Aria was too risky. Less because of Aria herself and more because of the company she was with. She did not want to risk a run-in with Oros at this time. Certainly not for a party. But that was fine, really. There was no reason for her to really go there herself. But it would have been fun to go. At the very least, it seemed like Penrose was doing better. The city was starting to see a turn around economically. Mac had sat down on a park bench to watch people come about. It was still cold weather, so there weren’t a lot of joggers or people playing with their dogs. But seeing anyone out here was better than what it had been. As Mac continued to take in the sights of the wintry park, the sound of cheerful humming would reach her ears, punctuated now and then by a stream of sweet giggles. The source of the lighthearted tune soon revealed itself as a smiling girl with pink twintails and wearing a stereotypically “cute” magical girl outfit. A trail of glitter and sparkles followed in her wake as she skipped and twirled her way along the path, seemingly without a care in the world. Stopping in front of Mac’s bench, the whimsical girl gave voice to a squeal of delight as the lamp post next to it turned on, revealing that the pole had been wrapped in a string of colorful Christmas lights. [color=DeepPink]“Ooooh~! Sooo pretty witty~! (giggle!)”[/color] the girl declared in a sickeningly sweet and annoyingly high-pitched voice. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess just [i]wuvs[/i] Christmas Wistmas lights~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added as she bent over to inspect them in more detail. Mac already had goosebumps. You don’t walk out into the winter straight after taking a shower without feeling something. But they felt a bit tighter now, and the hair on the back of her neck was standing up to. She was fortunate it was too late in the day for coffee, as she might have been wearing it if MDP had surprised her earlier in the day. With a deep inhale, the winter air filled her lungs. But wait, was this an opportunity? MDP was one of the girls that had one of those tickets! All she had to do was get her to share one with her and she’d be all set. Of course, she had to do so in such a way that she didn’t reveal herself. More importantly, word about her couldn’t spread. She had to do this carefully, less her cover get blown over at a christmas party. Mac had to laugh though. For all of her abilities, everything that she had done, talking to people was something she was a little out of practice with. But it was something she used to be good at, so, what should she do? Mac stood up and walked just out of sight. She walked around the back of a tree and, upon coming out the other side, she looked like an entirely different person. Someone who could be a magical girl, but otherwise unremarkable. A teenager with a yellow jacket and a bob cut. She grinned a bit before approaching MDP, still unsure what she was going to say to get a copy of that ticket. Perhaps an icebreaker was a good way to start. [color=cfff04]”They’re great, aren’t they?”[/color] Mac’s delivery was a little late, but she hoped the girl wouldn’t notice. She had just mentioned the lights a moment ago. [color=cfff04]”Christmas is my favorite time of year, but decorating is my favorite part. All the lights go up, and everything shines like the stars!”[/color] It had been a while since Christmas was anything more than one of the holidays where she treated herself to a dozen donuts, but that was really good for some people. It certainly was to Mac. MDP whirled around with an overjoyed smile upon hearing the “new arrival’s” comments. [color=DeepPink]“Like, it’s Magical Dream Princess’s most favorite wavorite timey wimey of the yearsie wearsie, too~! (giggle!)”[/color] she agreed. [color=DeepPink]“Like, she can’t decoratey watey anythingy wingie herselfy welfy, so, like, she wuvs to look at all the pretty witty decoration wations around the city witty instead~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl explained, jumping up and down in barely contained glee. Even though Mac was covered in illusion magic, there was little she could do from preventing her eyes from squinting in pain with every syllable MDP spoke. [color=cfff04]”W-wonderful.”[/color] Mac extended her hand. [color=cfff04]”I’m Ashley. What’s your name?”[/color] Although it didn’t seem possible, MDP’s smile grew even wider when the new girl introduced herself. [color=DeepPink]“Like, it’s super duper nicey wicey to meet you, Ashley Washley~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP replied, shaking the girl’s offered hand perhaps a little [i]too[/i] enthusiastically. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, Magical Dream Princess’s namey wamey is Magical Dream Princess~!”[/color] [color=cfff04]”Ah! Right, a fellow magical girl!”[/color] The brunette pounded a fist into her palm. [color=cfff04]”Ashley is what the public calls me, but my friends and enemies know me as, bum-bada-bum!”[/color] After some campy effects went off around Mac, just enough to conceal her form, she had changed yet again. Her bron bob was a brilliant red, and she looked like a pilot for a space craft in a sci-fi show. [color=cfff04]”[url=https://i.imgur.com/dmbtYQW.png]The Knight of Tonight![/url]”[/color] A futuristic steering wheel appeared in her hands, as she couldn’t think of a more suitable weapon for this dubious, thrown together identity. [color=cfff04]You’re the first Magical girl I’ve met since I arrived in Penrose, ah, can we be friends?”[/color] [color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~!”[/color] MDP exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with childish wonderment. [color=DeepPink]“You’re a magical wagical girl, too~?! Like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies that’s totally wotally amazing wazing, and, like, she just wuvs your super duper spacey wacey outfit woutfit, and she’d, like, super duper totally wotally [i]wuv[/i] to be your friendy wendy~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added, giving the girl a possibly bone-crushing hug. It was fortunate that Mac was one of the more Durable Magical girls in Penrose. However, her durability wasn’t really the issue with being this close to MDP. It was that she needed to use gravity magic to simulate the feel of her outfit to anyone close enough to touch it. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem as Ashley’s costume was more or less as form fitting as her true form. Though with MDP hugging her so tightly, simulating the bulkier parts of her suit became a necessity to keep up the illusion. Would MDP notice otherwise? It wasn’t something she was willing to chance. Moreover, MDP was even [i]louder[/i] in such close proximity. [color=cfff04]”A-and I think you look positively stunning as well! Like the stars even!”[/color] Mac was unsure if she wanted to wrestle herself out of MDP’s grasp. [color=cfff04]”So! Um, yea.”[/color] Her arms were pinned at her sides. [color=cfff04]”The hug was very nice, but I don’t think I can feel my hands.”[/color] [color=DeepPink]“Golly wolly! Magical Dream Princess is sooo super duper sorry worry!”[/color] the whimsical girl apologized while quickly releasing her new friend. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess just wuvs making new friendy wendies sooo much, she guesses wesses she got kinda winda carried away…”[/color] she noted with a small frown, before quickly brightening up once more. [color=DeepPink]“‘Cause, like, making friendy wendies is, like her most super duper favorite wavorite thingie wingie in the whole wide worldsie~! (giggle!) Friendy wendies~! Friendy wendies~! Yay~! Yay~! Yay~!”[/color] she cheered while doing a silly dance around the “Knight of Tonight”. [color=DeepPink]“Friendy wendies~! Friendy wendies~! Hip hip horaaaay~! (giggle!)”[/color] While Mac was not oblivious to MDP’s eccentricities, she had underestimated how pleased she would be to get a new friend. This was a bit of a problem though. There was the chance that MDP would try to find her new friend at the party, and had powerful connections she could make use of to that end. This could alter the foreseeable future in ways none of her previous actions had. In hindsight, she should have just asked MDP if she had a spare ticket because she lost hers, and then broke away as soon as possible. Mac might have been the master of going unseen, but being forgettable was not one of her stronger skills. But she was able to think of something while MDP was parading around her. [color=cfff04]”Which reminds me, I heard about a Christmas party for magical girls. You wouldn’t happen to have a ticket for that party I could have, would you?.”[/color] [color=DeepPink]“Golly wolly~!”[/color] MDP exclaimed, bringing her little dance to an abrupt end. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess totally wotally forgot about that~! ‘Cause, like, her memory wemory is, like, super [i]duper[/i] terrible werrible when she’s Magical Dream Princess~! (giggle!) And, like, she totally wotally [i]does~![/i] Heresie~!”[/color] the bubbly girl declared, holding out an invitation to her new friend. [color=DeepPink]“Oh~! And, like, this invitation wation thingie wingie is magical wagical, so you can, like, make copy wopies for all of your other wother friendy wendies, too~! (giggle!)”[/color] Mac pinched the ticket and dragged it out of MDP’s hand, slowly, like she was handling a smelly sock or someone’s underwear. [color=cfff04]”Thanks…”[/color] After stashing the ticket away, she folded her arms. [color=cfff04]”However, Magical Dream Princess, I do not think I will be able to make much use of the ticket’s ability to duplicate.”[/color] [color=DeepPink]“You won’t?”[/color] MDP asked with a frown, while tilting her head in obvious confusion. [color=DeepPink]“Like, why not?”[/color] Mac smiled, but it was bitter sweet. [color=cfff04]”Well, it’s just that I can’t have too many people learn about me.”[/color] Her eyes half closed. [color=cfff04]”I’m not exactly real. I’m, well, a make-believe friend.”[/color] She sighed before placing her hands on her hips. [color=cfff04]”If too many real people learn about me, I could disappear forever. So it’s important that I only ever talk to other make-believe people. Though you’re an exception, because I’m part of your imagination.”[/color] Mac raised a finger to her lips. [color=cfff04]”Which is also why I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about me. Because I might not be able to show up at the party otherwise.”[/color] Did Mac go overboard with that one? It sounded like it might work when she thought about it, but now that she actually said it out loud, no one could possibly believe that. Right? [color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~! You’re an imaginary waginary friendy wendy~?!”[/color] MDP gasped in childish wonderment. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess has had [i]lots[/i] of those beforesie~! (giggle!) But, like, she wasn’t supposed to, ‘cause Daddy Waddy says imaginary waginary friendy wendies are, like, super duper childish wildish, so she had to be extra wextra careful wareful to keep them a super duper secret wecret, so, like, Ashley Washley can count on Magical Dream Princess to not tell anybodywody about her at allsie~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl declared with a playful salute. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Ashley Washly will be Magical Dream Princess’s super duper special wecial secret wecret imaginary waginary friendy wendy, and that’s, like, her super duper special wecial pinky winky promise womise~! (giggle!)”[/color] The bitter sweet smile Mac was faking before became a whole lot more genuine as she listened to MDP go on. She couldn’t remember much of her own childhood, but there had been times where her own parents had told her she couldn’t do things. Their requests that she decided were less reasonable she still did, just less openly. On more than a few occasions she purchased a candy bar from a vending machine, despite her parents being concerned about her weight. She’d also stay up late, and watch shows her parents deemed inappropriate. Though her parents had never attempted to restrict her creativity. While Mac couldn’t remember any of her imaginary friends, she didn’t remember ever being told she couldn’t have them. Mac had fully planned on never using this ridiculous cover identity again, but maybe, just maybe she could show up for MDP from time to time. When she felt like she could tolerate her antics. [color=cfff04]”Alright.”[/color] While “Ashley” extended her hand to receive the pinky promise, Mac had stepped away from her illusion. [color=cfff04]”Pinky promise it is.”[/color] Once their pinkies locked together, the knight of tonight’s form flaked away. [color=cfff04]”See you at the partyyyyyyyyyyy!”[/color] Giggling with delight, MDP wrapped her pinky around “Ashley’s” and gave it a shake. [color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie~!”[/color] the whimsical girl called out once her new friend had departed. [color=DeepPink]“Bye bye for nowies~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added with a happy wave, before setting off down the path once more, cheerfully humming as she skipped along. What an unusual character. It was a shame her voice was so grating, as Mac might have liked to talk with her a bit longer. But it was probably for the best she didn't get too attached to her. MDP was just a mark after all. A means to an end. With a sigh, she brought the ticket up in front of her face and smiled. She'd need to think of a better weapon for "Night of Tonight" while she was at it. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/kQjuu2h.png[/img] [color=tomato]"…Shit."[/color] [color=888888]— Oros[/color] [/center] Oros was a bit perturbed this morning. She was having a good old time chatting with radio personality [url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaM1hPUVAAEmi4d?format=jpg&name=large]Pac-a-fist[/url], only for Broken promise’s antivirus to go haywire and erase all progress. See, for some reason, Avast thought that it was suspicious that a word processor was trying to create and modify files, so it stopped its ability to do those things without warning. It even did this to BP image editing software, which was when he finally noticed it. So a lot of work got flushed down the toilet. But we’re not quitters here at DbD, so what can you do but start over? The studio room was small. a table ran down the middle of the room and was divided by a single sheet of plexiglass. The guest’s side of the room was cozy, with gold and brown colors swirling over the back wall. There was just a table microphone, without any other distractions in the room. On the radio personality’s side, things were a bit different. There was a monitor on either side of Pac-a-fist’s console, which was covered in switches buttons, and a keyboard. The microphone and a cup holder had to be hung from the ceiling because there was simply no place to put them on her compact working space. [color=orange]”…And that was ‘smells like teen spirit’ by Nirvana, for the two of you who didn’t know. And hello, hello, hellooooooooooo! Jame’s shift is over and Pac-a-fist is with you all live, here at KPAK-Penrose!”[/color] KPAK-Penrose was the most popular radio station in Penrose. With only soulless organizations like Starbucks and Mcdonalds staying open in such a dangerous place, its primary listenership was teenage boys. Though KPAK is enjoyed by many young girls too. This is largely due to most wage slaves fitting in that demographic. That was also what made Pac-a-fist so popular in the morning time slot. Not only did KPAK focus on the types of songs teens in the area liked to listen to, Pac-a-fist’s talking segments happened to focus on things like videogames, movies, and occasionally talked about tech. Even when she’s not on air, people love to watch her streams that she does in her spare time, and she’s worth keeping in your social feeds if you like pictures of cute gamer girls doing cute things. She’s remained popular largely because of how genuine she seems while doing all these things. [color=orange]”Before we play more music, I’ve got a guest with me here today. She recently acquired a hotel in Penrose. Now I know most of you aren’t interested in hotels, but she’s really turned the Golden Trove into a cool hangout spot for the locals. And she’s hiring! Thank you for coming on air with us Oros, the previous owners turned down all my invitations.”[/color] Oros was filing her nails. [color=tomato]"Well, the old crew was kind of old fashioned. Me? I can always reschedule my massage for later. Though it is important that you know I missed out on that because of you. "[/color] [color=orange]”Hah! Well, we can have someone give you one right now if you’d like.”[/color] [color=tomato]"Could you give me one?"[/color] [color=orange]”Ahhhh…”[/color] She chuckled nervously. [color=orange]”Why not? It would just be kind of alkward walking back and forth between the switch board and your side of the studio.”[/color] [color=tomato]"Never mind then. Wouldn’t want my date getting jealous."[/color] [color=orange]”Hah! Is she the clingy type? I guess we should get started with the interview.”[/color] She looked at Oros. [color=orange]”Now I know the ownership of the Golden Trove is kind of a weird topic, right? You own it, but you also don’t own it?”[/color] [color=tomato]"Yea, you know how huge bushiness chains work? It’s kind of like that, only on a smaller scale."[/color] Oros folded her hands into her lap. [color=tomato]"There was a family emergency, and the head manager was looking for someone who could run things in their absence. So Mr Boteg still owns the Golden Trove, but I make all the decisions. I only have to answer to him if we go into the red, but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for a long time. I guess ownership really depends on how you want to phrase it."[/color] [color=orange]”I see what you mean. Now, let’s talk about some of the big changes you made. I used the arcade the other day and WOW! You’ve got a nice selection of games in there! Pac-man is always going to be my favorite, but I really like the Batman driving game too! You can take any bat mobile ever for a spin!”[/color] [color=tomato]"I knew a regular hotel wasn’t going to make it in Penrose. The old management team had the right idea going for a themed hotel, but I wanted even more spectacle. So we’ve been upgrading all of the rooms to make them the best they can be. A lot of our customers aren’t even hotel guests. You can just purchase a day pass if you want to go on an outing with your friends. The arcade is cool because it’s finished, but the Golden Trove also has an auditorium we’re going to convert into a theater."[/color] [color=orange]”Do you think the local businesses see you as a threat?”[/color] Oros grinned. [color=tomato]"Maybe? I dunno. I think the types of services I offer differ enough from everyone else that it shouldn’t be a problem. You won’t be getting the newest movie releases at my theater, and Penrose hasn’t had a proper arcade in a long time. I think I’m creating places for all the workers at those mom and pop places to come work. The only business left in Penrose are these huge chains, and I’m glad I could stand against that. But in the end, we live in a capitalist country, so people are gunna chose who wins with their wallets."[/color] [color=orange]”Which leads me neatly along to my next question: You’re still hiring?”[/color] [color=tomato]"Yea! I could use a cute radio personality! You’d make an excellent receptionist!"[/color] Pac-a-fist chuckled. [color=orange]”Afraid I’m pretty attached to my job. But you’ve got lots of openings?”[/color] [color=tomato]"You bet your sweet bipster I do! We’re full on hotel staff, but I need people with skills. Someone who can maintain the arcade machines, stuff like that. We’ve also got a lot of roleplayers staying with us, so anyone who has something that might appeal to them is welcome to an interview."[/color] [color=orange]”Roleplayers, huh?”[/color] Pac-a-fist occasionally did “roleplaying sessions” where she would talk about the more magical aspects of penrose, but that was often a very small part of her show. Trying to turn what the general public viewed as a tragedy into some kind of magically inflicted nonsense was sure to drive away the normals, which was their core audience. But it did offer a way to subtly talk about magical girls in a way that didn’t make the whole thing sound like nonsense to the average radio goer. Everyone was aware of the cosplayers around Penrose, this was just a way to address them to the public at large. [color=orange]”Do you get along with most roleplayers?”[/color] Pac-a-fist let her hands rest on a switch board. [color=tomato]"I’m pretty okay with most of them. Some take their roleplaying a bit too far."[/color] Oros wasn’t smiling anymore. [color=orange]”Well I mean, I’d think you’d be good friends with ‘Penny’ right? She’s created a sanctuary for roleplayers, or do you see her more as competition?”[/color] A snort escaped Oros’s nose. Then a shrug. Then her shoulders seemed to tremble, only for the trembling to amp up until it was clear she was trying to hold back a laugh. That was when she brought her fist down on the table. She wasn’t transformed, but it was hard enough to cause all the instruments on Pac-a-fist’s side of the table to jump. [color=tomato]"Right, Cindy ford lost her life, and that [i]parasite[/i] moved in and claimed her title all for herself, denying Cindy’s friends even a square shot at it. Then after she declares herself queen, what does she do? She moves into some warehouse to hide from the world. She’s not queen of Penrose, she’s just barely queen of her own home."[/color] Oros folded her arms. [color=tomato]"I kicked her butt anyway! So where’s my crown? Does Dina have it? She kicked my butt afterwards, but all I’m hearing about is how glorious this cockroach is!"[/color] Oros took hold of the microphone and held it up to her face. Her eyes looked red and blood shot. [color=tomato]"Tell you what, Penny. I’m not sure if you get radio in that dingy sewer you’re the queen of, but I’ve got a little proposal for you. Being the queen is old news, I’m the president of Penrose! If you want to challenge the power of democracy, just march your butt over to the Golden Trove and my secretary would gladly schedule a rematch if one loss to me wasn’t enough for you. Should you win, you’ll be the proud owner of two hollow titles."[/color] [color=orange]”A-ah…”[/color] Pac-a-fist was frozen in place. [color=tomato]"Too much?"[/color] Oros’s grin returned. [color=tomato]"It’s just roleplaying, they eat that stuff up."[/color] [color=orange]”Of course! Hah!”[/color] She scratched the back of her head. [color=orange]”It was a very convincing performance.”[/color] [color=tomato]"I am thinking of running for mayor though."[/color] [color=orange]”Hold that thought. We’re going to take a break and play some Pearl Jam, along with some messages from our sponsors!”[/color] During the brief time Pac-a-fist was looking away from Oros, a dark shadow expanded behind her. Oros noticed it just in time to start screaming, but the shadow closed around her and pulled her into the floor before any sound could get out. The radio host only noticed that she wasn't there when she was done making her anouncement. [color=orange]”Probably just took a bathroom break.”[/color] She sighed. Oros was kind of obnoxious, but there was no way she, a heterosexual white girl, would get away with silencing a bisexual Indian girl. For the moment, she just relaxed and listened to the radio play. [hr] [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDaOgu2CQtI[/youtube] [h3][right][i]Oros ~ Fin?[/i][/right][/h3]