[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nBgNtpQ.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4c0MzYG.png[/img][/center]

[color=bc8dbf]”Lily? Are you okay?"[/color] Justine frantically asked, as Lily came to grips with the pain from the handshake. Even though Alex was ready to defend her from Rachel’s wrath in the case of the worst case scenario, the green-haired girl still felt a shiver of fear, having stood in her way; she had a feeling even he couldn’t prevent the zealous Ascendancy officer from turning her into a human meatball.

[color=fff200]”I-I’m fine,"[/color] Lily answered with a shaky breath, and stood up, taking support from Alex. She saw as Dina approached the two of them and denounced her challenge.

[color=fff200]”B-But Mariette needed help, and-!"[/color] Lily tried to defend herself, but she felt Dina’s disapproving gaze on her, and was silenced. In her impulsive action to rescue Mariette from the Ascendancy’s ire, she had accepted a deal that could hurt many more than she realized. She frowned, and shirked away.
[color=fff200]”I-I understand."[/color]

Rachel herself seemed curious at the monstergirl’s chivalry, even as she was slapped. The Inquisitor did not seem to react, having formed a paper-thin barrier on her cheek, making it feel like Dina had struck a stone wall.
However, rather than be furious at such an offense, the Inquisitor looked down at the glove in the floor, and then back at Dina, a mocking look on her lips.
“So you will take responsibility for her foolishness,” she stated.
“For a beast, you understand basic etiquette. Unlike others.

She glanced at Oros, seemingly disgusted by her as she interrupted them. She took an offended gasp as Oros paid attention to the garish jacket she was wearing and made her unwholesome trade offer.
“Do you take me for some weak-willed woman? I take pride in my celibacy!”
Violette stepped in her way, seemingly to prevent Oros from approaching Rachel.
“You stay out of this, jester,” she ordered the taller girl. “The Inquisitor has more important business to attend to.”

Having resumed her attention on Dina, Rachel created a barrier that shot the glove up from the floor, letting her catch it without removing her eyes from the catgirl.
“I accept the offer of substitution for the duel. But know this: your wretched Gomorrah shall fall before the trumpets of faith, no matter who will be my opponent.”

While Rachel was confronted by Finn and the various guests of the party, Dan heard Mariette’s voice subtly speaking to him, and he responded with a whisper of his own:
“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mariette. Rachel might get mad and destroy my home! But don’t worry, me and Penny came up with a plan to improve our odds!”

With that said, Dan summoned a microphone, and tapped on it lightly.
“Um, a moment, please?”

Rachel stopped walking away, and turned with an irritated expression.
“You test my patience, demon. Out with it!”

Dan visibly sweated bullets.
“Right, right. So, I now announce a new Keijo tournament! Whoever wins gets to have the Black Mirror as the grand prize! Doesn’t that sound exciting!”

However, there were no clapped hands or signs of cheer from the audience, but dead silence, broken by Rachel herself:

“A tournament? I have only agreed to a single duel, no more. Your attempt to complicate this matter is futile.” She scoffed.
“But very well. You may hold this inane proceeding. I will simply duel the contender who has triumphed beyond others, and proven themselves worthy of challenging me.”

Dan’s nose dropped down, drooping like an elephant’s.
“Well, that’s fine, I suppose. Well then everyone, if you’d like to register for the tournament, please apply over with Ruby,” he said, and gave an apologetic look to the djinn girl for heaping more paperwork on her.

Rachel walked briskly back to the table where the Ascendancy had taken their seats. That was when FanFan spoke.

“Umm, Inquisitor...” she was interrupted by Rachel dropping the jacket into her hands. 
“Find a use for this. It’s tacky design is ill-fitted for me.”
“Very well. But...” FanFan sighed. “Is it really necessary to erase this dimension?”

Rachel was about to pick up a present box when she stopped. “Of course. This place is but a trap designed to corrupt the magical girls of Penrose into hedonism and vanity. Once I have succeeded at my task I will send an extermination squad immediately.”
FanFan bit her lip.
“But isn’t that too hasty, Inquisitor? Perhaps we could first have it examined, see if it truly does have a corrupting effect as you say? And if not, perhaps we could use it as a base of operations? It would be a safe location at the very least.”

Rachel turned to glare at FanFan.
“FanFan...You’ve become weak.”

FanFan gasped.
“What?”

“You’ve spent too much time with the locals, and let them influence you. I hereby forbid you from meeting with any of the locals without my approval. And this place will be erased. I won’t accept any more questioning of my orders. Understood?” Before FanFan could protest, she had already walked away from the feast hall, speaking to her communicator device:
“I will be bringing the present as you’ve requested for analysis, Elora.” Violette followed after, looking a bit nervous herself. "Umm, so about this Keijo..."

FanFan twirled a finger around one of her hair drills, looking sad as she looked at the jacket draped over her forearm. Then, she subtly glanced over to Ruby.
“...I wonder what Leena would do...”

[hr]
Lily slumped on the table, having buried her face in her arms.

[color=fff200]”So Dan’s gonna hold a tournament...I’d usually be all for it, but...”[/color]
She sniffled.
[color=fff200]”I’ll probably make things worse if I entered..."[/color]

Justine sighed, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
[color=bc8dbf]”It’s okay, Lily. At least you stopped Rachel from tearing apart the feast hall. You showed admirable bravery out there."[/color]

[color=fff200]”I guess..."[/color] Lily leaned her head to the side. Justine put a finger to her chin, in deep thought.

[color=bc8dbf]”Hmm...What if I were to enter this tournament?"[/color]

Lily snapped back to attention, a shocked look on her face.

[color=fff200]”You, Justy? Really?"[/color]

[color=bc8dbf]”Well, I may not be the strongest magical girl, but I have a diverse array of skills and experience. That should give me an edge in this competition, as abrasive as it may be. It would be embarrassing, yes...But I would try to make an honest attempt, if only because you’ve inspired me, Lily."[/color]

Lily stood up and took her hand, a bright smile on her face; she was still sad, but she made an effort to be supportive of Justine.

[color=fff200]”In that case, let’s have you signed up and practising right away! I can show you some basic moves I’ve learned to do!"[/color]

[hr]
Kimble looked on as Lily and Justine went to talk with Ruby, a curious expression on her.

[color=8dc73f]”It seems Justine’s decided to try Keijo! Isn’t that crazy?”[/color]
She asked Alicia. Then, as if a light bulb had been switched on, her eyes cleared, and she slammed her hand on the table.
[color=8dc73f]”Hey, this might be my chance to get even with Justine! What do you think, Alicia? I bet I could beat a newbie like her in Keijo! After all, even Penny fell before my Butt Gatling technique!”[/color]

And then, the feast hall trembled as a certain scream resounded from outside:

[h2]"WHAT?!"[/h2]