In the two weeks that had passed, the situation in Penrose began to develop in an unusual manner. The crowd of homeless corrupted girls returned back to the Sanctuary; some were enthusiastic by their return back home, while others seemed less eager, missing the warmth and the sun. Dan was saddened, but still glad for the brief visit of so many visitors, claiming it gave him a great boost in magic, as well as ideas on how to utilize it.

Covington Industries began to influence the city through marketing and other means as they announced that they were hiring for various new projects they were beginning to develop. Because of this, new blood began to slowly pour in from other cities, drawn in by the promise of cheap apartments and the good reputation the company held in the industry. Penrose, while still a city on the verge of abandonment, had begun to see hope in the form of new life on the streets. Some were suspicious on the attention the company was giving to the city, but none could deny the profitability of their move, drawing in other companies who also wanted a slice of the action. 

Rachel was furious from the twins' disappearance, but in the end decided not to pursue them, focusing on the situation in Penrose. The Ascendancy thus kept to their regular patrols, but now only found regular monsters to hunt, with only a few spottings of monster and dark girls; most have either found refuge at the Sanctuary, or joined the Ebon Mint family, with scarce between. Elora also made a small update to the Beacon's website which caught Penny's attention, but she found nothing major aside from a few small bug fixes and optimization changes. 

As magical girls increased in monster hunting activity, the streets were beginning to become safe again. The drug cartels that had previously haunted it were scattered; some blamed the Ascendancy and their policing, but some believe it was the Sanctuary's and Penny's influence on the underground community that caused such a change. A few even claimed it was a ploy by Ebon Mint, but none could tell the rumors from the truth.

Things seemed to calm down for once despite the tension between the factions, which was a rarity for the Penrose magical community.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/72bEcUi.png[/img][/center] 

[color=fff200]“Aaah, it’s todayyyy!”[/color]
Lily was ecstatic that morning when a blue portal resembling a swirling vortex appeared; she had eaten her breakfast faster than Alex could wake up from all the noise she was causing, followed by clapping her hands to the tune of “Jingle Bells.”
[color=fff200]“Oh, I can’t wait to see what Dan has in store! Knowing him, it’s going to be amazing!!”[/color] When Umukamui arrived to check on her, the ferret-like being was greeted by a Christmas card that Lily held in her hands.
[color=fff200]“If you’re not too busy at the moment, would you like to join us? I think you’ll get to meet lots of magical girls at this party!”[/color]

[hr]
Once they were ready, they entered through the enchanted passage, and arrived in a place completely different from what they were expecting: a large wooden hall decorated with wreaths and lights that sparkled like the colors of the rainbow. The lodge had a second floor visible beyond the railings. At the very middle of this lodge, surrounded by chairs and tables, stood an enormous Christmas tree with countless ornaments hanging from it’s leafy branches, and a shining star at the very top. Various present boxes lied at the base of the tree, wrapped in pretty ribbons. At the back of the hall was a lit hearth, it’s gentle flames exuding warmth to every corner of the place as if it was the beating heart of the building itself. Of course, the fire itself was behind a protective pane of glass, and pipes delivered the heat before dissipating from a chimney outside. The faint scent of peppermint could be caught in the air.

[hider=Lodge][img]https://i.imgur.com/4ETkF2V.jpg[/img][/hider]

[color=fff200]“B-Bwuh?”[/color] Lily exclaimed, her eyes wide open as she took in the sights, and then at herself. Unlike at the beach, her uniform had changed into a Christmas-themed costume, complete with a hat that sat snugly on her green locks of hair.

[hider=Lily][img]https://i.imgur.com/1sDAVkF.jpg[/img][/hider]

[color=fff200]“Wow, it’s so comfy!”[/color] Lily spun in place with her arms out, causing the dress to slightly flare out from the motion.
[color=fff200]”Are we really at Dan’s beach? It looks so different now!”[/color]
She ran over to the nearest window, wiped away some of the fog on it, and peered outside.
This was immediately followed by audible awe as she saw the world they ended up in:

[hider=Winter Wonderland][img]https://i.imgur.com/2xVGJWK.jpg[/img][/hider]

It was an island covered in pure white snow that seemed to glitter like diamond dust. There were lamp posts and other lights illuminating the whole place, as well as some hills and trees. Around the building seemed to be various other buildings in festive style, giving the place the atmosphere of a Christmas-themed amusement park, with strange spherical white creatures resembling feline snowballs rolling around. 

[hider=Snowbun][img]https://i.imgur.com/qtG1Tih.png[/img][/hider]

In the far distance, Lily saw the ocean, and other islands with no snow on them. [color=fff200]“This isn’t the beach! It’s another island!”[/color] She told Alex, and took both of his hands.
[color=fff200]“There’s so much snow!”[/color] She bounced up and down in excitement.
Soon enough others also arrived from portals of their own.
[color=fff200]“Oh, Alicia! Dina! Connie, Mia!”[/color] She waved to the various girls she recognized, and ran up to hug them. [color=fff200]“I’m so glad to see you all here too! You look super cute!”[/color]
 Among the people she didn’t recognize were FanFan, who had arrived with graceful poise.

“Oh my, this is quite the extravagant party,” the courteous Ascendancy girl stated, and examined the fingerless gloves she now had.
“Such strange magic...Well, I suppose it does fit with the theme~”

[hider=FanFan][img]https://i.imgur.com/LsEHVgH.jpg[/img][/hider]

“Oh, you look positively fabulous, FanFan!” Sally grabbed FanFan’s arm, her smile wide.

[hider=Sally][img]https://i.imgur.com/kzrsCcf.jpg[/img][/hider]

“Oh, I just know we’re going to have the most fortunate fun here!”

[color=8dc73f]“Yep! Isn’t that right, Alicia?”[/color] Kimble asked as she took Alicia’s hand in her own, a warm smile on her face.

[hider=Kimble][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6bTtAn.jpg[/img][/hider]

Another arrival was a girl who at first attempted hiding behind Maura, staring at her surroundings with a vacant expression before she sighed and gave up, stepping into view with a blush.

[hider=Justine][img]https://i.imgur.com/qshzeQh.png[/img][/hider] 

[color=bc8dbf]"...I should have stayed [s]dead[/s] in the Cradle,"[/color] she mumbled.