[center][h1]A Metrick Frack-ton of Magical Girls[/h1] [sub]And a magical boy cameo![/sub] [color=Magenta]”...But I'm posting, so I get to write the header quote.”[/color] [color=888888]— Ultra Instinct Lord of Change[/color] [/center] As Eliza left the two Ascendancy members, she would, if she hadn't noticed it when dealing with Violette and Rachel, see a shadow trailing her that seemingly 'scurried' towards her. Stopping a couple of feet or so away, it bubbled and a black tar-covered figure emerged from it. The tar dripped away at a rapid pace until all that was left was Samantha. She struggled to contain a shiver as she was not particularly covered with her outfit. Still, she addressed Eliza in a neutral tone. [color=red]"Rare is it to have a... civil conversation with one of 'them',"[/color] she noted. [color=red]"How are you feeling?"[/color] [color=gold]"Eh?"[/color] Eliza turned to look at Sam. She crossed her arms. [color=gold]"To be fair, the fact that they haven't seen me beforehand contributed to that."[/color] She shrugged, and when asked how she was feeling, she rose a brow. [color=gold]"Hah, I should be asking you guys the same question. Weeell, right now I'm waiting on Oros to get back. But other than that I'm...actually not tired. For once."[/color] Eliza blinked at the realization. [color=red]"I hope you'll understand my frustration. But I don't feel proud of the outburst,"[/color] Sam rubbed her neck awkwardly. [color=red]"Anyway, I doubt many of us would feel too comfortable during a meeting like that, so it is good to see that the Ascendancy isn't bothering you too much. Especially given who you saw there,"[/color] she warned. [color=red]"Rachel is as zealous and dangerous as you can get from that faction. Thankfully, you don't need to learn that the way I did."[/color] Sam's mostly neutral expression wasn't enough to cover the shame she felt as she recalled that memory. The witch sighed. [color=gold]"It's understandable, Sam. Hell, when Maura told me about you-know-what, my first instinct was to facepalm. But there are more important things to focus on now, and there shouldn't be anyone besides me having outbursts of anger."[/color] Eliza patted Sam's back, making a quick jacket out of dark and light magic to cover her up, seeing how uncomfortable she appeared to be. [i][color=gold]"Besides, as long as Rachel and her goons don't realize who I work for, I could try and get some info out of them. Anaya can get me out of trouble, if anything happens."[/color][/i] Eliza explained through magicoms. She didn't want to risk anyone overhearing. [color=red]"I appreciate it."[/color] Samantha thanked her for the clothing. It had effect almost immediately and the shivers soon seemed to disappear. Breathing out, Sam didn't quite look like she liked the idea of people getting near Rachel, but she didn't protest. [color=red]"Just trust your instincts if you believe things are going south. It'll keep you alive."[/color] Samantha advised, adjusting the jacket Eliza provided her so that it was more comfortable. Clearing her throat, she opted to change the subject despite bringing it up. [color=red]"If you don't mind my asking, how are you attached to Oros, exactly?"[/color] [color=gold]"Uh...Oros is my date. Not even I know how that happened."[/color] When the fact that Oros and Eliza were on a date, Sam raised an eyebrow. [color=red]"Is that so?"[/color] she looked off to the side for a moment. [color=red]"Well, considering my relationship with Trixy, I guess it isn't near as surprising. But..."[/color] It was faint, but when she was thinking about Trixy, there was almost a smile on her face. [color=red]"...surprising isn't a bad thing."[/color] Sam looked towards where she last saw Emily, narrowing her eyes. [color=red]"That said, Oros is in for a surprise if she keeps Emily for too long. I hope you can excuse my rudeness, but I don't believe she's the best influence for Emily."[/color] Eliza chuckled. [color=gold]"Look at you, being the mom friend of the group!"[/color] She joked. [color=gold]"I know she's eccentric, but I'm sure she'll be nice to her. I can always scry in if you're concerned."[/color] She smiled to Sam. [color=gold][i]"And understood, on that end."[/i][/color] [color=red]"M-mom friend?"[/color] Sam repeated in surprise, struggling to maintain composure. [color=red]"I-it's just that since we came together that I should keep an eye out! That's all,"[/color] she tried to downplay it. She looked away from Eliza for a second, only to spot someone of note. Standing next to the exit of the building (and next to what appeared to be a body?) was Tetrad, but more importantly past that was Emily. It wasn't possible to hear them from this distance. Samantha turned back to Eliza. [color=red]"I believe that's Emily over there, so Oros shouldn't be too far away,"[/color] she mentioned. [color=red]"That reminds me. Have you met Emily?"[/color] Eliza only shook her head in response. [color=red]"She is a pretty cheerful girl for the most part."[/color] Samantha informed Eliza, beginning to walk towards Emily and whoever was around her. [color=red]"It would not surprise me if she went out of her way to track you down later,"[/color] she joked. [color=red]"From what I've seen and experienced, she's quite eager to befriend anyone she can. That would normally put me off but... well, she hasn't ever made me doubt those intentions aren't genuine."[/color] Meanwhile... Emily could be seen leaning over the man on the ground. She seemed beyond worried as she pulled him to his feet and even help pat off anything that might've stuck to him. After asking if he was alright, Emily turned to Tetrad, and surprisingly accepted the drink. [color=turquoise]"I-I'm old enough!"[/color] she proclaimed. Eliza and Samantha wouldn't be able to hear it, but she also muttered, [color=turquoise]"...the Rave was a one-time thing..."[/color] under her breath. The drink she took out of the cup was small enough that 'sip' was a generous term. Before she could reply to Tetrad what was undoubtedly going to be a 'yes' to playing in the snow, she noticed the pair of Sam and El [s]pulling up[/s] approaching. [color=turquoise]"Sam!"[/color] she met with them and, to Sam's dismay, gave her a spontaneous hug, making sure not to spill her drink in the process. [color=turquoise]"Oros wanted to do something later if you're up for it! Oh, but we'll have to find Betty and... Eliza?"[/color] [color=red]"Well, do I have news for you,"[/color] Sam replied in a monotone, but then she realized the drink in Emily's hand. [color=red]"Hey, what do you have there?"[/color] Ignoring the memory of Eliza's earlier comment about her being a mom friend, she still asked this. In what was perhaps the slyest social maneuver ever seen, Emily skillfully changed the subject. [color=turquoise]"F-forgitaboutit! A-anyway, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"[/color] Eliza waved. [color=gold]"Emily, right? I haven't gotten to introduce myself properly. I'm Eliza! And I got a feeling you already know Oros."[/color] She held out a hand for Emily to shake. [color=turquoise]"Eliza? Oh, isn't that a coincidence! Like I just said, Oros is looking for you!"[/color] she swapped her drink over to the other hand so she could shake with her dominant hand. [color=turquoise]"But yes, I'm Emily! Feel free to call me Em if you want."[/color] she looked back towards Tetrad, who was hanging around outside. [color=turquoise]"Oh, um, were either of you interested in a snowball fight?"[/color] Samantha nodded as if it was already in agreement. [color=red]"Sure. But you what about Oros? Eliza was looking for her, actually."[/color] [color=turquoise]"You were?"[/color] Emily asked the girl. [color=turquoise]"Oh, um... well, I didn't see exactly where she went since I was paying more attention to who she bulldozed..."[/color] [color=gold]"Eh, I can wait on her a little longer."[/color] Eliza shrugged. [color=gold]"A snowball fight sounds fun though! I may need the practice."[/color] [color=75c159]”Hey! Whatchu talkin’ bout Eliza?”[/color] Tetrad walked back into the doorway. [color=75c159]”Isn’t your whole deal that you know every- AHHHHH!”[/color] She hopped backwards. [color=75c159]”What happened to that strangely beautiful boy-girl!?”[/color] Tetrad had almost finished her first drink, and was noticably red in the face. Eliza shrugged once again, with an eyebrow raised. [color=gold]"She went off to talk to someone too. I'm not gonna intru- Are you already drunk???"[/color] She asked back, noticing how red in the face Tetrad was. [color=75c159]”Are you?!?!?!”[/color] She pointed at Sakura with both hands. [color=75c159]”How did this happen? Isn't Dan suppose to be protecting us from things like this?”[/color] A snow-covered Oros stepped into the lodge. [color=tomato]”Hey El! Looks like-whomga carrot!”[/color] Oros pointed at Sakura. [color=tomato]”What happened to her!?”[/color] Though the others were too distracted to notice it, Oros' question had caused Emily to narrow her eyes for a second. [color=75c159]”I don't knowwwwwww!”[/color] Tetrad pouted. [color=tomato]”Well we have to do something! Like, uh, mouth-to-mouth or some shit! That always seems to work.”[/color] Oros folded her arms. [color=tomato]”I'd do it, but I'm on a date with El right now. That means my lips can only touch hers for the duration of this date, even if it's an emergency!"[/color] She looked to the witch. [color=tomato]”That means you're out too!![/color] [color=gold]"I don't think mouth-to-mouth is the right treatment for someone who got trampled, looks like."[/color] Eliza explained, sitting Sakura down to the nearest seat to check for any wounds. [color=gold]"We should look for stuff like head trauma or broken bones. Hey, how many fingers am I holding up right now?"[/color] She asked the feminine fellow, holding up three fingers. [color=red]"I also do not see how mouth-to-mouth helps here,"[/color] Samantha commented. Emily set her glass down so that she could search Sakura's head for any signs of damage but not before taking a drink. [color=turquoise]"Oh, I hope you're alright..."[/color] she worried. Despite Eliza voicing her doubts about the idea, Oros didn’t stop pursuing it. [color=tomato]”And Sam is out too, since she’s got a girl friend. Which means if someone’s going to give her mouth to mouth, it’s gotta be Em or Rad.”[/color] Tetrap moved Emily aside. [color=75c159]”Alright, I think I practiced this in swim class. Just, just get me something to drink.”[/color] Oros didn’t question the quad colored card dealer. She promptly grabbed a stein full of ale and handed it to Tetrad. [color=tomato]”Godspeed, lifesaver! Have as much liquid courage as you need.”[/color] She saluted. [color=75c159]”Do patronize me!”[/color] She knocked back the mug, and her adam’s apple bulged out of her neck with each gulp. [color=tomato]”You can tell she went to collage.”[/color] Oros turned to Emily and Sam. [color=tomato]”I know it’s hard, but we’ve gotta keep our spirits up. Dan’s magic is dependant on our good mood, right?”[/color] she smiled at her companions. [color=tomato]”Anyone else want something to drink? We could also have a snowball fight.”[/color] Eliza stood comically dumbfounded for a moment. Was the check-up moot? Did she really have to waste her time like this? And on a date too?! [color=gold]"...OKAY! If nothing else is going to interrupt me before I get a spliting headache,"[/color] She walked back over and pulled Oros into a hug, resting her head against the other's shoulder. [color=gold]"Sorry for taking so long. And we already agreed on the snowball fight, unless you have any other ideas..."[/color] She quietly apologized. Sam pointed to the 'injured' male. [color=red]"You guys have been wasting so much time that I'm doubtful he'd still be alive if he needed treatment,"[/color] she pointed out. [color=red]"Anyway, does anyone know him? Did they come with anyone?"[/color] she asked. [color=turquoise]"Samantha, are you joking? You know him!..."[/color] Emily asked, before it dawned on her. [color=turquoise]"O-oh, that's right! This is your first time seeing them since... We made a new friend who helped us out a lot! She helped Sakura become like this. So this is Sakura now."[/color] The assassin blinked. [color=red]"O-oh, well isn't that lucky for them. I bet it was a happy day for you guys. Anyway, it sounds like we are all having a snowball fight?"[/color] Emily nodded, retrieving the drink she had set down. [color=turquoise]"Yeah, when we're all ready! Um,"[/color] she glanced at Sakura. [color=turquoise]"Hopefully no more accidents happen, though."[/color] Emily put the glass up to her lips once more, and when she removed it, her cheeks became slightly flushed. Oros chuckled. [color=tomato]”She’s a guy now, huh? Guess some people are into that, if the survey is anything to go by.”[/color] [color=75c159]”I’m gunna make sure he lives!”[/color] Tetrad cried into the heavens. Her face was flushed red, and there were some tears running down her cheeks. [color=75c159]”No one can escape me by retreating into the cold embrace of death!”[/color] she leaned over and proceeded to fill his lungs with air. [color=tomato]”…ANYWAY! Yea!”[/color] Oros Pulled Eliza closer. [color=tomato]”Looks like it’s a slaughter out there. I say we raid the queen’s fort and take it for ourselves. We can even raise a flag, which I prepared specifically for this occasion.”[/color] She shrugged. [color=tomato]”Or we could play a game among ourselves if you don’t feel like [i]utterly crushing[/i] our rivals.”[/color] The queen? Penny was out there? It kinda felt pointless if she was currently slaughtering the opposition outside. But at the same time... Eliza herself hadn't had the chance to go up against Penny, has she? A mischevious grin tugged at her face. [color=gold]"I'm in."[/color] [color=turquoise]"I'm so happy we can all play together!"[/color] Emily cheered, raising an excited fist to the air in celebration and taking a drink with the other. Her face would twist as the taste got to her but she powered on through. [color=turquoise]"Yay!"[/color] Sam watched Emily with the smallest trace of concern creeping over her features. It was clear she would be watching Emily closely. [color=red]"Yeah,"[/color] she agreed with the rest for now. [color=red]"Let's show them a good time."[/color] [color=tomato]”Time to kick some ass!”[/color] Oros picked up Sakura and slung him over her shoulder. [color=tomato]”Well I’ll be, he does weigh a bit more! He really did become a man.”[/color] [color=75c159]”What?”[/color] Tetrad pointed at Oros. [color=75c159]”Where is he going?”[/color] [color=tomato]”I’m not going to leave anyone behind!”[/color] Oros patted Eliza on the shoulder. [color=tomato]”If we’re going to play in the snow, we’re all doing it together!”[/color] She stomped her way out the door. [color=tomato]”If we’re going to play in the snow, we’re all doing it together!”[/color] And with that, Oros marched outside with Eliza in one arm, and Sakura hanging off of her shoulder. Tetrad clenched her fist tight. [color=75c159]”Wherever he goes, I follow!”[/color] She said before following after everyone. [hr] When the siege party got to the snowball [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grtO6zxMY6I]fight[/url], Oros let go of Eliza and stepped forwards. She surveyed everything that was going on, and nodded. [color=tomato]”I guess we could plan a strategy or something like that.”[/color] She grinned. [color=tomato]”But who wants to be that up tight over a little bout in the snow? Let’s take the fort! I’ll hold Aggro!”[/color] Oros swung Sakura off of her shoulder and charged towards the “enemy fortification” like a homesick angel. She was using Sakura as a human shield to block any incoming snowballs. [color=tomato]”Let me know when you’re awake, tater tot, this is all for you!”[/color] While Oros herself wasn’t throwing any snowballs, Tentacles did surface out of the snow to whip snowballs at the many pennies that were running around. Tetrad fanned her cards out in front of herself. [color=75c159]”Well, that’s refreshing. Almost as refreshing as a glass of ale!”[/color] she turned to Samantha. [color=75c159]”I’ll follow your lead, Samantha. We never went on an operation together, so this is as close as I get.”[/color] Tetrad never took her eyes off of Samantha, even as she packed her first snowball. [color=red]"I noticed that. A real shame."[/color] Samantha nodded, summoning a simple schatten to her side, which would begin making a few snowballs for Sam. [color=red]"Since they're drawing attention, let's try to flank and see if we can score a few good shots on them."[/color] Saying this, Samantha dashed off in a curved path, obviously attempting to strike any Penny clones from the side. Tetrad followed closely behind her. As they began their assault on the opposing [s]one-man[/s] team, Eliza stood back for a moment. She glanced around the battlefield in thought. [color=gold]"Hmmm... Might wanna watch out on using our magic. We could give her the upper hand, and not realize it soon enough."[/color] She explained, such was the reason why she didn't use her scrying power. Three pairs of shadowy arms would form as makeshift tentacles, two for making snowballs, and one for juggling them. Eliza would stick with dark magic for now. She looked to Emily. [color=gold]"Guess you're stuck with me, huh? We can try and take advantage of their intervention to sneak inside the fort, find the real Penny, and take her out. But we'll have to be prepared for anything, got it?"[/color] [color=turquoise]"Oh, don't say it like that! I'm happy to team up with you!"[/color] Emily assured Eliza. She looked a bit conflicted as she made a few snowballs for herself. [color=turquoise]"I can melt a path through if things get a bit too cramped! Um, but otherwise you'll have to trust my throwing arm."[/color] Emily would mention. Eliza smiled. [color=gold]"You can leave most of the offense to me."[/color] With that, she'd use her shadow magic to try and sneak them both inside. [@Snowfight People]