[H3][i]A Bunch of Angry or Concerned People, aka Maura Gets Lynched[/i][/h3] Oros would receive a glare from Samantha in place of a hug. [color=red]"I am not in the mood right now,"[/color] she 'gently' informed Oros, eying Maura from around her. [color=red]"Could you please move?"[/color] she asked in a threatening manner, with Emily finally arriving to the scene. The poor girl didn't seem to know what had put her friend in this sour mood, nor what she should do to make it better. She worriedly looked between all present. Oros didn’t flinch, instead remaining there with her arms stretched out. Though perhaps it was less that she wanted to hug Samantha and more that she wanted to act as a barrier between Samantha and whoever she was pursuing. But her gaze was on someone else. [color=tomato]“I wasn’t sure if you were going to come, Betty.”[/color] Betty didn’t say anything. It was clear she had moved past being upset about what was going on. Her brow was crossed, but she let Samantha do the talking for now. Eliza didn't even need to look twice to know why Sam was pissed off. She facepalmed. [color=gold][i]"Maura, raging bull at 6'o clock. Might wanna take it outside."[/i][/color] She'd warn the patron beforehand, glancing to the witch trio. Luckily they were busy talking to someone to notice. Eliza silently hoped [i]Christmas[/i] of all holidays wouldn't be ruined, frowning at the thought as she hugged her bee plush. Regardless, she was ready to pull Oros away if things turned physical. Maura on the other hand already saw the trio's approach from the corner of her eye. [color=crimson]"Oh great..."[/color] She groaned. Not only did she have to avoid her sisters, she had to calm her agents down before they expose her anyways. Tucking her ghost plush under one arm, she'd motion for Justine to go ahead and go. The glare she had given to Oros was leagues under the death stare that she gave Justine. And it [i]was[/i] a death stare. One could easily surmise it wasn't restraint keeping her from taking Justine's head. But, perhaps sensing the futility of the act, Samantha did not allow her attention to linger on Justine as the girl left. It instead moved to Maura. [color=red]"What the he---"[/color] Before Sam could start yelling at her, Maura would drag her outside. Well, more like lightly pushing her forward. [Color=crimson]"I'm more than aware why the hell you're pissed off but I'd rather not sour the mood of everyone else in this goddamned party so we're going to discuss this outside okay? Okay!"[/color] she'd say in a single breath, and a rather forced smile. Begrudgingly, Samantha agreed. [color=red]"Fine,"[/color] she huffed. [color=red]"Lead the way."[/color] Betty was about to follow them outside when Oros stepped in front of her. This didn’t amuse her too much. [color=A15EC0]“Move.”[/color] [color=tomato]“I don't think that's advised.”[/color] Betty took a step towards Oros. [color=A15EC0]“You're not nearly as cute as you think you are. This doesn't concern you.”[/color] Oros lowered her arms, and her smile left her face. [color=tomato]“Your feelings concern me more than you think .”[/color] She placed her hands on her hips. [color=tomato]“Let Silly handle Mau for now. There's someone else you want to talk to, isn't there? At least it sounded like it last time we spoke about her.”[/color] Betty folded her arms and looked over her shoulder. [color=A15EC0]“It's too early.”[/color] [color=tomato]“Now, when she can do nothing to hurt you, and vica-versa?”[/color] Oros's smile made a triumphant return. [color=tomato]“You're going to have to do it eventually. Rip that bandaid off, then we can enjoy the rest of the party...”[/color] With a huff, Betty stormed after Justine. The hotel owner let out a care free sigh before placing her hand on Emily and Eliza's shoulders. [color=tomato]“So, eggnog?"[/color] Emily's concern for her friends wellbeing was apparent but she still managed a soft, yet genuine smile for Oros. [color=turquoise]"Y-yeah. Eggnog!"[/color] [hr] Once they were out of the lodge, Maura made sure no one else was nearby to hear them. She'd then move over to sit on one of the benches, leaving some room for Sam if she decided to sit as well. She looked out to the snowy landscape. [color=crimson]"Winter was always my favorite season."[/color] She said with a faint smile, more or less trying to defuse the tension between them. Maura sighed, looking back to Sam. [color=crimson]"If you'll let me, I'll explain everything, okay? You have every right to be angry. All of you."[/color] Maura's attempt at easing the situation appeared ineffective. Samantha crossed her arms and tapped her foot. [color=red]"I don't need you to tell me that,"[/color] she answered curtly. [color=red]"What I do need is a reason why. Because this has to be some insane, complex plan I'm just too stupid to see, right? There's a big payoff for making what I assume is going to be at least half of anyone in Penrose our enemies? For invaliding that entire ordeal we had not long ago which resulted in a fair amount of resources being lost and casualties? Let me hear it."[/color] It seemed tempting for Maura to automatically put the blame on someone else, but how could one blame someone who technically didn't exist anymore? For now, she just talked. [color=crimson]"When Jenna helped us defeat Justine, she used a purification potion on her body. Not only did that sever her ties with Father, it was on the verge of reviving her. Atleast, until we intervened. I wanted to make sure my deal with Jenna, now known as Kayli, went through in full. So when I found out Justine's spirit still lingered, I decided to negotiate."[/color] Maura explained, looking back out to their suroundings. [color=crimson]"Mind you, the rest of the stiffs in the cradle were just that, stiffs. So this will be a one-time thing, assuming our other hits don't get purified. Anyways, I didn't trust her with any other patron, and I didn't want Father to corrupt her back to her wicked ways. So that was one of the reasons I took her in. I couldn't lie to Alicia, so I bent the truth a little. I know how light-users work."[/color] [color=red]"And yet you could've avoided all this convoluted bullshit by simply keeping Justine where she had been, couldn't you? What better way to show people that she'll never again bother them by entirely removing her from the picture?"[/color] she adjusted her stance. The space on the bench next to Maura remained empty. [color=red]"But instead we're just allowing her to, what, passively destroy relations with the copious amounts of people she's pissed off? What's her purpose, here?"[/color] With a bit of her magic, a strange chessboard would form in her lap. On one side, the pieces represented the Cradle's agents. On the other, their respective enemies. She moved some of the pieces around, Justine's dead in the middle. [color=crimson]"Another reason was that Sonia managed to escape somehow. No doubt she won't take her master's downfall lightly. Depending on how delusional the maid is in her condition, we may need the help. Not to mention we're still small compared to our dear compeditors, we have to make our quantity up for quality. Play our cards right, Justine can be a valuable agent. Most importantly..."[/color] Maura would then smile again, almost viciously. [color=crimson]"Her being under contract, I can take away her power, the same way as I can give it."[/color] She'd bring a fist down on Justine's chess piece, seemingly reducing it to ash. [color=crimson]"One false move, and I'll reduce her to her mundane self as I send her down to Hell by my hand. She'd be helpless with the arms of demons clawing at her, trying to claim such a valuable morsel as their lunch, or their pet even..."[/color] She chuckled grimly. Realizing how she sounded, Maura reoriented herself. The chess piece would reform. [color=crimson]"Uh, forgive me for that. But anyways, I don't want you to feel like your efforts were in vain. I probably wouldn't have got to talk with her, if we weren't able to defeat her. But for now, Justine's nothing short of a lost child. She needs someone to guide her on a better path. One that won't run us the risk of an apocalypse for what, the 8th time in a row?"[/color] Maura would look back to Sam with a raised brow. [color=red]"It's not enough,"[/color] Samantha shook her head. [color=red]"I'm not buying it. You're trying to tell me that it's worth it to keep Justine around because Sonia might be upset her smug, malicous master was finally served her just desserts? If anything the fact Sonia might be able to physically interact with Justine at any point is the biggest threat she could pose."[/color] Samantha's tone betrayed contempt for the very notion Sonia was worth considering when it came to this matter. [color=red]"Besides, if you've got such power over Justine, then Justine has no meaningful power. Replacing her with anyone else would not only be around as effective, but we'd suffer less recoil."[/color] Samantha tried her best to take deep breaths but it was hard to say if it worked. [color=red]"...I can't stand for this, Maura. Because what you're asking me and everyone else, is to play nice just because she was purified! Treat her like some pretty little princess despite the fact she nearly crushed my fucking heart?"[/color] Maura furrowed her brows. [color=crimson]"No. I'm only asking all of you not to turn against me over [i]one[/i] damn choice. If you can't do that, then what's the point of this? What's the point of me becoming leader, which I didn't even ask for, if I can't even do [i]that[/i] right?!"[/color] She'd take a moment to hug her ghost before she rose her voice any higher. [Color=crimson]"I don't wish for her to be forgiven. I only wish for her rehabilitation, not to mention this party's bound to be screwed already just by me and her being here. I won't force any of you to work with her, just..."[/color] She sighed, burying her face into the plush. [color=red]"If you had chosen to do just about anything else, almost ANYTHING else, Maura, I would probably have made less of a deal about this. But trying to rehabilitate Justine of all people? That's not 'just one choice'. Do not try to downplay it."[/color] Sam rebuked, angrily. [color=red]"And it's one that not only fucking pisses me off, but will actively become a detriment to us."[/color] Samantha was frustrated, and it became clear to her this conversation wasn't going anywhere. She opened her mouth, likely to spit more venom in Maura's direction, but then her phone vibrated. She pulled herself from the conversation just long enough to see a text from Trixy. Her expression became complicated, with lingering traces of her anger, realization, and a hint of sorrow. Her eyes almost seemed to water. She took in a deep breath, then exhaled. [color=red]"You know,"[/color] Sam said, her tone becoming a lot less intense. [color=red]"This party was the reason I even stayed in Penrose. It was for a friend's sake. And now, here I am, livid, and the most prevalent thought on my mind at the moment is how much I desperately want to tear someone's throat out instead of how I should be spending it with her. I don't think Trixy would want that, and I don't think Emily deserves it."[/color] Samantha looked off towards where she had left Emily, Betty, and Oros. [color=red]"...I'll ignore Justine for now, at least."[/color] Maura wouldn't look back at Sam, but a quiet "Thank you" could be heard from the former. Once she went back inside, the necromancer would reach into her santa hat and grab her phone. Well, the phone Eliza got her in the past. [color=crimson]"Weird, I thought I didn't bring this."[/color] she muttered, checking to see who texted her. Her eyes widened when she saw who was, but not just out of surprise. [color=crimson]"Oh no..."[/color] The message itself could mean many things, but at this point she was getting anxious. Did Veronica catch wind of what she's done? Did the others find out? Who's to say they weren't angry too? What if Veronica regreted her choice in giving her the Cradle? She already screwed things up, and with one of the best agents in the group at that, why not take everything back? [i]why not?![/i] But she shouldn't be thinking this way, should she? Maura took some deep breaths, looking back to the window to see what was going on. A horror. Of course. Maura pondered if she should even participate in...whatever the hell it has in mind. [s]Never trust a character with magenta as their dialogue color.[/s] But after what happened with Samantha, should she even risk it? Her ghost in one arm, she stood up from the bench and walked away from the lodge. Maybe some sight-seeing could calm her down.