[Center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/37FouJv.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200312/bd228c426d0da7459764cb788d45b1cd.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img] [h1][b]Kimble[/b][/h1] [Sub].:⋮Merry Meetings & Festive Fallouts⋮:.[/Sub] [/center] Dancing across the Ice alongside MDP was a wonderful experience. Given their innate skill and the magic inherent to the ice skates it was easy to get lost in the playful atmosphere that grew between the two of them as they glided alongside each other, or pulled off unnecessary yet flashy techniques and tricks. Or at least Penny thought so, it was enough of a good time that Penny ended up losing track of Amanda and Maribel. Of which she was slightly abashed about. She had wanted to spend some of the time at the rink getting to know at least Amanda better, but she would shrug it off without much difficulty. The time spent with her girlfriend was worth it. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I think we lost Amanda and Maribel”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would point out as she came to a slow stop looking around to see if she could see where the wayward friends had ventured off to. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Oh! But I see Alicia and Kimble.”[/b][/u][/color] She would exclaim with a note of joy. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Want to go meet my best friend?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask looking back at MDP with a smile. MDP was also having the time of her life as she and Penny glided around the ice rink, which, as it happened, was far larger than they had initially thought. The lake upon which the rink was formed had a meandering shape, which created small alcoves in the surrounding, snow-covered forest, and the pair soon discovered that that had not only escaped Oros, but Amanda and Maribel as well. This didn’t bother MDP all that much, as she was confident that her best friend would be fine. If anyone needed to worry, it was Oros… [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess feels just like one of those snow fairy wairies from [i]Fantasia Wasia[/i]~!”[/color] MDP told Penny with a happy giggle. [color=DeepPink]“She always wuved that part the mosty wostiest~! But Daddy Waddy said she wasn’t allowed to watch it,”[/color] the whimsical girl explained. [color=DeepPink]“So she had to be super duper sneaky weaky about it~! It was, like, her super duper special wecial secret wecret~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP’s eyes glittered when Penny pointed out two of her other friends, and asked if she wanted to meet them. [color=DeepPink]“Like, totally wotally~! (giggle!)”[/color] the bubbly girl chirped. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess just [i]wuvs[/i] making new friendy wendies~!”[/color] Up in the distance, Kimble was about to head back to the lodge with Alicia when she noticed MDP waving to them, and waved back. [color=8dc73f]"Heeey! Penny! So good to see you!"[/color] She ran back to the fence surrounding the lake. [color=8dc73f]"I'm Kimble! Nice to meet you!"[/color] Standing next to Kimble, Alicia turned as Kimble spotted the approaching duo and made her way over. Registering the situation, a couple emotions made their way across Alicia’s face. First, a smile. Then a wince as she realized who it was that Penny was with. Well, no one had ever claimed that Penny couldn’t pick them. At least it wasn’t another psycho murderer like Chloe. Maybe a bit crazy, but not actively malicious. She wasn’t even sure how this team up had happened. Well, she’d just have to bear with it like the last time. [color=aba000]"Speak of the devil and she will appear. We were just talking about you,”[/color] she noted with a grin as she joined Kimble, Penny, and MDP. [color=aba000]"It’s nice to see you again as well,”[/color] she said to Magical Dream Princess with an offered hand, though that might not be entirely sincere. But who was keeping track? [color=9e0039][u][b]“Ha! Surprised then it was the real me you ran into then”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a grin. [color=9e0039][u][b]“There’s a half dozen of me wandering around at the moment, nicked cloning from someone during the snowball fight.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain. Alicia’s greeting, and it’s lack of sincerity hadn’t gone unnoticed by Penny, but she didn’t want to make it into a big thing, so simply raised a discreet eyebrow at Alicia. Though it would smooth away with understanding as she went on to say [color=9e0039][u][b]“I wasn’t aware you already met each other.”[/b][/u][/color] She could guess when they had met, and if she was correct she could understand the hesitancy. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Regardless, formal introductions. Alicia, Kimble, this is my girlfriend Magical Dream Princess. Princess, these are Paladin Seraph Alicia Hayden and her girlfriend Kimble. Alicia was the first friend I made here in Penrose.”[/b][/u][/color] She would gesture between everyone as she spoke. [color=DeepPink]“Like, it’s super duper nicey wicey to meet you too, Kimble Wimble~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP told the former catgirl, while smiling with innocent joy. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, Magical Dream Princess thinky winkies your namey wamey is, like, sooo super duper cute~! (giggle!)”[/color] Turning to Alicia, she tilted her head, looking slightly puzzled. [color=DeepPink]“Againsie~? Like, you [i]do[/i] look kinda winda familiar wiliar, Alicia Wicia… Has Magical Dream Princess met you beforsie~?”[/color] the whimsical girl asked as she took Alicia’s offered hand, completely oblivious to any insincerity on the Paladin Seraph’s part. [color=8dc73f]“Thank you!”[/color] Kimble responded to the compliment with a bright smile. [color=8dc73f]“Can I call you MDP for short? I have a bit of trouble remembering the names of new friends, tee hee~”[/color] Well, Magical Dream Princess was exactly as Alicia remembered her. She probably should have been annoyed that she had been forgotten, but there was plenty to be annoyed by already. It was probably for the best that it was the case. For now she turned back to Penny. [color=aba000]"Actually, I hadn’t really noticed that,”[/color] Alicia admitted with some chagrin. [color=aba000]"We were just discussing the possibility of getting some pictures while we were here. But I suppose there’s no rush, unless the Patron blows up the dinner hall.”[/color] To Princess she merely offered a simple [color=aba000]"It wasn’t very long.”[/color] The girl had just kind of vanished during the raid, so there was no reason making a fuss over it. [color=9e0039][u][b]“No worries”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would brush off the fact that the rest of her clones hadn’t been noticed. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Most of the counterfeits are away from the lodge, and I’m hardly the only one with clones wandering around. Anyway, I’d be more than willing to take a couple pictures for you if you wanted.”[/b][/u][/color] She would offer up. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Any one of me or Snoopy can handle that, just let me know what or where.”[/b][/u][/color] [color=9e0039][u][b]“Wonder if it was before we met for the first time.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to muse, looking at MDP as she spoke. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We first ran into each other when my home got caught up in a Mint thing,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain with a shrug. Knowing that the various people here would all take different bits of importance out of that statement. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It wasn’t until later on that we got to know each other better though. The bounty with the haunted school.”[/b][/u][/color] [color=DeepPink]“Like, of coursey worsey you can~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP told Kimble. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, Magical Dream Princess has a super duper terrible werrible memory wemory, too~!”[/color] she added, happy that they had something in common. [color=DeepPink]“Like, that’s totally wotally right~! (giggle!)”[/color] the bubbly girl exclaimed with a big smile after Penny mentioned the circumstances of their first meeting. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess remembers nowie~! She met Alicia Wicia when she went to Mariettey Wettey’s placey wacey with Samurai-chan~! And then Magical Dream Princess helped save Penny Wenny’s placey wacey from those meanie weanie Minty Winty people weople~! And, like, when Magical Dream Princess saw Penny Wenny for the first timey wimey, she thought she was sooo super duper pretty witty, but, like, she wasn’t able wable to talk to Penny Wenny for very longy wongy, but, like, then she got to go on a date with Penny Wenny, and it was, like, sooo super duper romantic wantic, and Penny Wenny and Magical Dream Princess talked about all sorts of stuffy wuffy, and then Penny Wenny said she’d be Magical Dream Princess’s girlfriend wirlfriend, and that made Magical Dream Princess sooo super duper happy wappy~! (giggle!)”[/color] Having concluded her hyperactive ramblings, the whimsical girl gave Penny a big hug. [color=DeepPink]“Like, how did you meet Alicia Wicia, Kimble Wimble~?”[/color] MDP asked after she’d finished snuggling up to her girlfriend. [color=8dc73f]“Great~”[/color] Kimble wrapped her arms around Alicia’s arm, giddy about Penny agreeing to take pictures. When MDP asked her about her first meeting with Alicia, she blushed, averting her eyes. [color=8dc73f]“Oh, our first meeting...We were fighting each other,”[/color] she admitted, sounding embarrassed. [color=8dc73f]“It’s a long story, but in the end Alicia saved my life. Ever since then, I knew it was true love~!”[/color] Alicia nodded, surprised that Magical Dream Princess had had her memory jogged. [color=aba000]"That's right. I'd have gone but I was dealing with some broken ribs at the time."[/color] It was unfortunate, but everything had worked out regardless. So she didn't feel too bad. Looking to Penny, she followed that with a shrug. [color=aba000]"One now might not be a bad idea."[/color] She listened as everyone recounted how they had met, her memory straining a little to pull up the details. [color=aba000]"It feels like it's been a really long time,"[/color] she agreed with Kimble, doing little to remove that presence around her arm. [color=aba000]"She was being mind controlled by a bad guy when we met. In the course of that she was freed, and things kind of progressed from there."[/color] Still, she was leery of the term 'true love' with this. That was why things had taken so long. Penny accepted the hug with a smile. She was never one to turn down physical affection after all. She was some degree of touch starved, a remnant of Jason, but thankfully didn’t have the phobia anymore. Silently she agreed with Alicia, though it was mostly unknowingly, ‘True love’ was a lofty term to apply to either of their relationships. Penny was willing to put in the effort with her own relationship to try and reach that goal however. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Penrose is like that, months ago feels like years and years feel like lifetimes.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would also agree with Kimble. She always felt that it was because there was so little true calm in Penrose. If it wasn’t one disaster it was the recovery, and before one could start to relax after that the next problem was already on deck. It was draining. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Pictures though”[/b][/u][/color] She would go one to say as Snoopy would pop up [color=9e0039][u][b]“They do make it easier to keep things in line”[/b][/u][/color] She would add as the drone would float about waiting for them to pose for pictures, both as couples and as a group. After a few pictures had been taken, each with a happy beep boop from Snoopy, she would speak up. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Guess we should head inside and see what all the fuss is about?”[/b][/u][/color] She’d ask as she drew MDP close and rested her chin on MDP’s head. [color=DeepPink]“Yaaay~! Picture wicture time~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP cheered, bouncing up and down with childish glee. After striking a series of cute poses with Penny, as well as taking part in a few group shots, the whimsical girl heard Dan’s voice call out over the wintery landscape, announcing that Christmas dinner would soon be served in the lodge’s feast hall. [color=DeepPink]“Goodie woodie~! (giggle!) Like, Magical Dream Princess can’t wait to try all the yummy wummy food Danny Wanny made for us~!”[/color] The whimsical girl gave voice to yet another stream of sweet giggles when Penny pulled her close and rested her chin atop her head. [color=DeepPink]“Like, totally wotally~!”[/color] MDP replied, looking up at her girlfriend with a big smile. Kimble happily posed and gave out peace signs as pictures were taken, oblivious to the somewhat strange mood that her words had caused. [color=8dc73f]"Not to mention the gifts!"[/color] Kimble added. [color=8dc73f]"I really hope Alicia got my gift!"[/color] Alicia did not dwell in the past for too long, not with the painful regrets that lurked there. Instead she rejoined the others in the present as Penny released her drone to get some photos. Pictures would be taken, with all sorts of poses and all sorts of combinations of individuals. Admittedly being serious was difficult, but an attempt was made at least. [color=aba000]"That sounds good to me,”[/color] she agreed as they wrapped up that particular activity and Penny suggested heading inside. [color=aba000]"It’ll probably be super long tables, but we can probably sit together.”[/color] That was what she’d expect from a place whose name ended in ‘hall’ anyways. But there was no reason they had to part so soon after meeting up. Penny, for her part, just gave Alicia an amused look as the girl tried to maintain her serious demeanor. Making sure to give the girl a raised eyebrow look when she could get away with it. Regardless, the four of them would venture into the hall together. Penny would let out a low whistle at the whole set up. It was an impressive display to be sure. Whatever she was planning on saying was interrupted by Goblina’s arrival however. [color=9e0039][u][b]“No worries. I’ve only just started being more social myself.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say looking a bit bemused at the glass of ale in her hand. She would look up in time to see the goblin wander away downing yet more alcohol and simply shake her head. Placing the ale down she would cast one more look around the hall, looking for food that was more to her odd pallet, instead she would catch sight of Rachel and let out a sigh. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Looks like the Inquisitor got an invite as well”[/b][/u][/color] There went her hopes of keeping her status as queen from the Ascendency quiet, at least that was her assumption at this point. Once again she was cut off from further expounding as Ruby would pop up and deliver gifts to all members of their little band. Though Penny was able to get a quick [color=9e0039][u][b]“Thanks Ruby”[/b][/u][/color] Before the girl vanished again. Looking at her gift with more than a fair amount of curiosity she’d speak up, asking [color=9e0039][u][b]“So who wants to go first?”[/b][/u][/color] Turning in time to see Kimble tearing into her own gift. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I suppose that answers that”[/b][/u][/color] She’d add with a chuckle. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Interesting gift for sure”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would comment once Kimble was done opening her challenge poster. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Who's next?”[/b][/u][/color] [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess wants to see what she got~!”[/color] MDP exclaimed, bouncing up and down with barely contained excitement. Opening her present, she found a slip of paper within. [color=DeepPink]“[b]Magical Dream Princess’s gift is to have more wisdom,[/b]”[/color] she read aloud, after which, the paper transformed into a fairly sizable tome. Not wasting any time, the whimsical girl quickly paged through the book, a look of wonder on her face. [color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~ This thingie wingie looks super duper interesting winteresting~! It’s, like, supposed to make you more insightful wightful, and, like, that’s something womething Magical Dream Princess really, really needs~! (giggle!) But she should probably wobably read it later water when she’s her normal wormal selfy welfy,”[/color] she added, knowing full well how hard it was to concentrate on anything for very long while transformed. Or at least anything that wasn’t Penny. [color=DeepPink]“Like, what did [i]you[/i] get, Penny Wenny~?!”[/color] the bubbly girl asked her girlfriend. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess can’t wait to see~!”[/color] [color=9e0039][u][b]“Let’s find out”[/b][/u][/color] Without further prompting Penny would open her own gift noting the slip of paper within much like everyone else's. [color=9e0039][u]“[i]Your gift is an ornate gem with the power of healing.[/i]”[/u][/color] She would read aloud while holding the slip of paper up. A moment later the paper would transform into a teardrop dragon fire opal pendant. The gem was just the right size to comfortably sit in Penny’s palm and the red within it was glowing and would swirl about the gem in a slow rhythmic beat. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Oh.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would be a bit mesmerized at her gifts appearance. [color=9e0039][u][b]“This will be very useful.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say after a moment. It was a better healing aid then what she could cobble together with her nanites after all. So they retired to the dining hall. Good food was had, many laughs were made, and the quartet enjoyed each other's company in simply hanging out. Alicia even got a bit more comfortable with Magical Dream Princess and her mannerisms, though not completely. Eventually the big event arrived in the form of the White Elephant. Alicia nodded as her gift was handed out, and she watched with a smile as the others unwrapped their gifts. The biggest surprise was probably Kimble’s present, though she was likely biased. But with the others done, she turned to her own gift. Unwrapping it, her gaze narrowed as she examined the item inside. [color=aba000]"It’s Sailor Moon. Everything that ever came out in an animated format at the very least.”[/color] A hum escaped as she turned the DVD over. Admittedly she had not been the biggest fan before, but it seemed she was to become one now. Or at the very least someone at Beacon could use this. Placing the gift down, she nodded to Kimble. [color=aba000]"I guess we know what the next few community nights are going to be at least.”[/color] [color=9e0039][u][b]“A bit on the nose I’d think, but I’ve never actually seen the show,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say peering into the box at the DVD case. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Anyone see anyone opening their gifts out there?”[/b][/u][/color] She’d go on to ask, turning her attention to the rest of the hall. Kimble giggled at Alicia’s remark. [color=8dc73f]“I’m sure the girls will like it,”[/color] she added, leaning her head on Alicia’s shoulder. [color=8dc73f]“Ah, it’s so romantic here...”[/color] She mused, and watched as Dan continued with the show program. [color=DeepPink]“Oooohh~ Soooo pretty witty~!”[/color] MDP gushed as Penny showed them her gift, the whimsical girl seeming transfixed by the shiny object. Alicia then opened [i]her[/i] gift, and MDP’s eyes sparkled with glee when she saw what it was. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess totally wotally wuvs that show~! (giggle!)”[/color] she announced excitedly. [color=DeepPink]“Like, would it be okie dokie if she comes over to watch it~?! Would it~?! Would it~?! Would it~?!”[/color] Suddenly finding herself subjected to the full force of Princess’ pleading efforts, there was little Alicia could do to resist as she inwardly sighed. [color=aba000]"I guess,”[/color] she agreed. At least she knew Princess wouldn’t do anything malicious deliberately. Once that issue was resolved, the quartet looked around to see if anyone else had opened their presents, and in the process, MDP caught sight of someone familiar. [color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~!”[/color] she exclaimed, her eyes going wide. [color=DeepPink]“It’s FanFany WanWany~! (giggle!)”[/color] Bouncing over to the elegant Ascendancy girl, MDP gave her a big hug. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Merry Werry Christmas Wistmas, FanFany WanWany~!”[/color] she told the girl amidst a stream of happy giggles. [color=DeepPink]“Like, that cakey wakey looks super duper yummy wummy~! (giggle!)”[/color] FanFan was pleasantly surprised by MDP, and giggled at her cheerfulness. “Merry Christmas to you too, Magical Dream Princess~” When MDP pointed out the cake she had, she nodded with a smile. “Indeed. It was the gift I received in the gift exchange. I was really fortunate to have this. Shall we give it a taste?” Penny was surprised to learn that MDP knew FanFan and was curious if they met the same way that Alicia had met her. Upon learning that the Ascendency girl had gotten cake Penny wasn’t able to help the chuckle that she gave out. [color=9e0039][u][b]“All sorts of interesting gifts today. And that’s twice you’ve received a wish cake if I remember right.”[/b][/u][/color] Glancing over to FanFan and her gift, Alicia nodded in approval. It seemed to have lightened FanFan’s day,and that was good. [color=aba000]"You can save my portion for Leena. Or yourself. There’s plenty to eat here as it is,”[/color] she demurred from the offer of a taste of this magical cake. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess would wuv to~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP replied when FanFan offered to share her cake with them. [color=DeepPink]“Having cakey wakey with friendy wendies is, like, the super duper besty westiest~!”[/color] FanFan courteously nodded to Penny’s remark, having retained her positive demeanour, though there was an underlying tension beneath her smile. “I’m glad to hear that,” FanFan answered, and smiled gently as MDP agreed to her offer. “Now, let’s open this box-Ah!” She heard Rachel yelling down the hall, and stood up from her seat. “Please excuse me,” she abruptly stated, and joined the Inquisitor as she made her declaration, leaving the cake box on the table. To say Penny was surprised at FanFan’s reception of her presence would be a lie. She was able to keep from rolling her eyes though, since FanFan was apparently a friend of MDP’s. Those thoughts were rendered irrelevant however once Rachel started shouting, and Penny would let out an aggrieved sigh. She didn’t need to get closer to hear what was going on over there. Her ears were sharp enough to cut though the rest of the din in the area, plus a few of her counterfeits had arrived for various reasons. She could hear the yelling in surround sound if she wanted. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Whelp there goes the cheer,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would deadpan, though there was notable annoyance in her eyes. [color=9e0039][u][b]“What do you think the Odds that Rachel has any idea what it is she just agreed to is?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask as she locked her eyes on Lily, worried for the girl. Though Dina stepping forward tore her attention away from the jovial girl. The slap that followed had only a sole thought stealing through Penny’s mind. [color=9e0039][i]‘Gods damn it all’[/i][/color] [color=9e0039][u][b]“This is turning into a mess.”[/b][/u][/color] Kimble nodded, looking disappointed in the way things had turned out. [color=8dc73f]“Oh, you have no idea.”[/color] Glancing over at the commotion, Alicia held back a sigh. [color=aba000]"Well, I hate to concede that she has a point, but giving the mirror back sounds like a really bad idea, regardless of whether she’s purified or not.”[/color] After all, she certainly didn’t trust Mariette’s patron with that thing either. Of course demanding the dimension be destroyed was excessive, but it seemed like everyone else was overlooking the other thing. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Honestly I agree as well”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would remark [color=9e0039][u][b]“But destroying the place is excessive”[/b][/u][/color] After a moment Alica rose to her feet. [color=aba000]"I’ll be right back,”[/color] she told the others before heading off. She should probably warn Rachel, before things went even more badly. MDP gasped in horror as Rachel stated her intention to erase Dan’s dimension, and quickly ran over to FanFan. [color=DeepPink]“Like, please don’t let her destroy Danny Wanny’s placey wacey, FanFany WanWany!”[/color] the whimsical girl pleaded, clasping her hands together as tears began to roll down her cheeks. [color=DeepPink]“Like, even if that mirror wirror thingie wingie is totally wotally evil wevil, Danny Wanny’s placey wacey is super duper nicey wicey! So, pretty pretty please don’t let her destroy it!”[/color] FanFan turned her eyes back to MDP as she was stopped by her, a look of regret twisting her mouth into a frown. "Magical Dream Princess..." she spoke back quietly, and looked back to see Rachel receive the slap from Dina. "I...I'll talk to the Inquisitor. She'll understand." With that said, she turned away, her hands balled tightly as she restrained her shaking. Silently Penny wished FanFan luck, before sitting down at the table that FanFan just left. Penny’s plans were already in motion, to what end it was too early to tell. But she could protect FanFan's present in the meantime. And hope that everything turns out for the best. [hr] [color=9e0039][u][b]“Damn it all”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would mutter to herself as she surveyed the situation in front of her. She wasn’t surprised that Rachel had flipped out at the Black Mirror being given back to Mariette. If Penny hadn’t talked to Ronin and Miko, or even Mariette herself, she would have been right there with the Inquisitor. Not on the whole destroying the plane bit, but the outrage bit. But as it stood, this was rapidly turning into a mess. Glancing about she would take note of Dan a bit of a distance back from the main squabble, looking worried and as soon as she saw him an idea came to her. One she didn’t like, but it was better than doing nothing. Carefully she would sneak her way over to Dan, making sure to stay out of Rachel’s line of sight. A task made simpler by Penny Prime also being in the hall. To say nothing of the other distractions. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Dan”[/b][/u][/color] She would say softly once she got close enough to the Patron to talk. Dan nearly squeaked from surprise, only to quickly muffle his voice by attaching and detaching a tactical silencer to his nose like how one would to a gun. He stealthily created a field around the two of them that dampened their voices to outside listeners. "Penny? Am I glad to see you," he whispered to her. "I'm in a bind. Rachel's going to destroy my home!" He looked afraid. "What do I do?" [color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s why I came over actually. I have an idea to keep Rachel from winning if you are up to it”[/b][/u][/color] "Really? I'm up to it a 100%! What's the idea?" [color=9e0039][u][b]“Lean into the challenge and make it a tournament with the Mirror as the grand prize.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say, internally boggling at the silencer on his nose. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That will let a lot of people defend your realm, me included. And if you aren’t opposed to it make sure that me and her are in the same bracket”[/b][/u][/color] “A tournament?” Dan rubbed his brow with his fin as he thought hard about Penny’s suggestion. “Hmm...It would mean Rachel would need to get through more opponents...It might just work.” He nodded, having gained confidence in the idea. “Alright, let’s go with that!” [color=9e0039][u][b]“Glad to help”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a nod [color=9e0039][u][b]“As much as I might have issues with you, you don’t deserve to lose your home, and you did help those at mine.”[/b][/u][/color] With that the counterfeit would slip away leaving Dan to make his announcement. Afterall it wouldn’t do for her to be standing nearby when he did make the announcement since she was trying to keep her involvement in this away from Rachel.