Throughout the annals of war, information has always played a major part in deciding the victor. Knowing when your opponent might make a certain move, what they are capable of, and how you might be able to nullify or turn it to your advantage can be even more decisive than skill or strength alone. This Samantha Howard knew, so she chose to learn as much as she could before the beginning of the tournament. 

She took to the shadows, disappearing into them as she skittered around. Sam avoided being bold or careless with her movements as she couldn't be entirely certain which people had a third eye, so she took paths that kept her out of line of sight entirely. Her snooping led her to watching over Rachel as she was being taught the basics. It was no surprise the girl hadn't participated in Keijo, so she didn't exactly make the most precise movements on the ring. But Samantha could feel the speed and power behind Rachel's behind, and that simply reinforced the fact Samantha would be at a disadvantage even with experience. 

[color=red][i]Hmm...wait...[/i][/color]

Samantha realized she was going about this all wrong! Here she was, tunnel-visioned on Rachel when in reality, the tournament had been won if she reached Rachel! The opportunity to publicly embarrass Rachel, snatch away something she wanted, and best her in a form of combat was all the reward she could ever want! She could worry about actually beating Rachel when she got there. [color=red][i]These other people think they need to win the tournament, though. But I refuse to allow them to halt my march, to deny me what is rightfully mine! And... well, Emily likes this place, so it wouldn't hurt to gaurantee its existence, too.[/i][/color]

And so, Samantha decided to spy on other people. 

...which brought her to the warmer side of Dan's dimension, after she noticed Maura's presence being so far away. Sam originally desired to avoid Maura for the duration of the event, but that was before she got involved in Keijo. And Odin, too? Honestly, this particular tournament was far from normal, but such is expected nowadays. It didn't change the fact she intended to boot each other player, patron or not, off the stage if they stood in her way. Would Maura be one of them? That was her question as she observed, opting to hear them from her mouth instead of contacting her through the admittedly more convenient, secretive way the Cradle could. 

[color=red][i]Oh...[/i][/color]

It should not have come as a surprise, but alongside Maura was Justine, as well as a fair amount of others. She recognized her fellow time-spec, and Alex. She wasn't sure who the other person was, but had seen them a few times today in passing. The problem here was how irritatingly gushy everyone was being. Samantha was... not particularly fond of such an environment typically, but seeing Justine as part of it rubbed her the wrong way. Disgust, anger, and contempt all tugged at Sam, but even were she not part of the shadows, she wouldn't let that show. 

[color=red]"Maura."[/color]

Samantha remained out of the way until she saw an opportunity to speak with her patron while the others were distracted. She was still hidden in a nearby shadow on the ground from a tree. 

[color=red]"What do you intend on doing?"[/color]

 Of course, Samantha's sudden appearance caused Maura to tense up. Like the assassin, the witch prefered them not to encounter eachother again, due to not wanting a round two of a verbal beatdown. She planned on shutting that down quick regardless, but what now? Sam appeared calm at the moment, but that could change depending on how she responded.

 So much for ignoring.

 Without moving, Maura glanced at Sam. Her expression remained neutral. [color=Crimson]"Well I am planning on entering. The form you see here is to blend in with the opponents."[/color] She calmly explained. Her brows then furrowed. [color=crimson]"Of course if someone wants to try and be an ass about it; Not directed at you, honest, I might as well forget about it. Don't wanna enter if it makes it unfair for everyone else."[/color] Sure, there was a genuine reason why she wanted to join. But she couldn't say, especially not to her.
 
Samantha might've frowned if she wasn't currently just a shadow on the ground. She probably didn't believe Maura's claim that the statement wasn't directed at her. [color=red]"It would be a lie to say that wouldn't be a preferable outcome for me. I [i]need[/i] to win this tournament, and the less competition the more likely that outcome."[/color] The shadow almost trembled as if to emphasize the importance this was to Sam. [color=red]"But whether you participate or not, that's your choice and I do not intend to ask you to withdraw. Rather, I am curious to know what drives you to participate."[/color]
 
 Maura relaxed back into her chair. [color=Crimson]"It'd be too bold to say a temporary control of the dimension could let us ambush the Ascendancy here and now, but my main interest is the mirror."[/color] She looked back forwards. [color=Crimson]"I know Mariette is an ally of ours, but I want to see what this Black Mirror is capable of. If there's a chance to...negotiate...with Asengav over his influence on her, I might as well take that chance too. Something like that may prove useful to us."[/color] She explained.

 [color=crimson]"Though if it's connected to that Interdimentional Home we, or really, you all last fought at, may have to expect some damages. Guess you have your reasons too?"[/color]
 
[color=red]"While I would like to think your intentions are noble, I am not sure it is a wise decision. I believe someone tried to help her similarly during our battle against Justine and she did not care for it, to put it lightly. But, honestly, I think even joining this tournament is bound to put someone on her bad side, so I guess it doesn't matter, and would be hypocritical of me to act like I am not doing something to draw her ire either. Ultimately, in that regard, I don't care."[/color] Maura could almost feel the shadow shrug in indifference to the potential consequences. But her mood shifted, indicated by an almost feral tone of voice when Maura inquired about her goals. 

[color=red]"I only have one reason: I want to defeat Rachel -- need to. It's not a hope or a dream, it's like a hunger... a thirst I can't quench until her defeat. It is for this reason alone that I have joined, I'll admit. The Mirror and the fate of Dan's dimension don't interest me nearly as much."[/color]

 [color=Crimson]"Denisova tried to with Beacon, right? Seems reckless in the midst of battle. As much as I don't want to, I can only assume she was looking out for herself. And besides, I'm not saying I wouldn't give the mirror back to Mariette, but it wouldn't hurt to look."[/color] The corner of her mouth quirked up. 
 
Though it did fade, her uttering a silent "Oh." at Samantha's explanation. Didn't she have a Warrior mental mutation? Seeing Rachel again must've irritated it somehow. Understandable. Maura thought for a moment. [color=Crimson]"The participants are grouped in teams aren't they?"[/color] She asked.

[color=red]"I do not believe this one is supposed to be,"[/color] she answered, perhaps insinuating that this might not be a rule people would go out of their way to follow. [color=red]"I imagine a large part of the tournament is going to be people who want to assist Mariette in recovering her mirror, had I a guess."[/color]

 [color=crimson]"Sounds irritating."[/color] Maura sighed. [color=crimson]"Here I was hoping we could team up. Yknow, reach both our goals? I'm aware I'm not that popular at the moment, but you're still my agents."[/color] She explained with furrowed brows, shifting over to sit across from Sil. [color=crimson]"While you're here, I'd like your thoughts on something."[/color]
 
The deepest part of the shadow swirled until it almost seemed to form a question mark. [color=red]"And that 'something' is?"[/color]

Maura looked around them, then back to Sam. [i][color=crimson]"We'll have to discuss it through magicoms, can't risk anyone overhearing. Justine recently came into contact; Albeit unwillingly from what I can tell, with a mint agent she once collaborated with. Sanngridr, aka Reaver. I'm not sure if you ran into them yet, but apparently they know the whereabouts of Justine's missing sister, Caroline."[/color][/i] She glanced away, arms crossed. [i][color=crimson]"I'll be honest with you, even a scarecrow can tell it's suspicious, Caroline dissapeared into nothingness months ago, how could they have found her now? It reeks of a trap to recorrupt Justine. We can't afford that to happen."[/color][/i] Be it at death or purification, Maura did care not to let their efforts be wasted.

Samantha scoffed, displeased at where this had headed. [color=red][i]"I can't imagine you wouldn't already know what I would suggest, so you're not asking for advice, I see. So what do you intend to do, then?"[/i][/color]

 Disregarding Sam's obvious response, Maura continued. [i][color=crimson]"Whether they're truthful or not, I wanna plan an ambush, and perhaps snatch little Caroline away from under their noses. Yes, she could still be connected to Father, that's why I can have Eliza get a purification potion from Penny just in case. I know, you might be skeptical concidering who's involved. But done right, we could pull a fast one on our dear competitors. ....Are you in?"[/color][/i]
 
There was a long pause of close to twenty seconds before the shadow seemed to shiver and Maura could hear a sigh through coms. [color=red][i]"Since the obvious, simple solution to this problem is out of the question, I can't really decline. If the worst-case scenario happens and she becomes like she was, it would probably be better to be around."[/i][/color]
 
 With a smile, Maura breathed a sigh of relief. [color=Crimson]"Thank goodness. It may take longer to convince everyone else, but I'm glad I asked you first."[/color]
 
 [color=red][i]"Don't be relieved until we find out if that plan is even going to succeed. Plans have a nasty habit of falling apart completely around Penrose,"[/i][/color] she warned, her shadow suddenly beginning to move away. [color=red][i]"Anyway, I would rather not speak any more about her and plans involving her more than I have to presently. There are plenty of other people attending this tournament, so until then, I'll focus on the immediate future."[/i][/color]
 
 And with these words, Maura was relieved of Sam. 

 ...

 ...

 [color=C41E3A]"...Well?"[/color]

 After the talk between Samantha and Maura, Finn finally spoke up to the latter. He did notice her talking with...something. But it seemed important, so he waited.

 In response, Maura flopped back into her seat with a groan. [color=crimson]"Somehow it went better than I expected. But now I'm worried about how Betty will react."[/color] There was a mix of hope and dread in her voice.

 [color=C41E3A]"Uhuh...should I be concerned over any of this?"[/color]

 Maura quickly shook her head. [color=Crimson]"Nono- No. This is my problem to solve, I don't want you getting vilified cause you wanted to help. Already explained to you that things, everything's tense right now. We'll worry later, Okay?"[/color] With that, she continued watching Lily and Justine practice.

 Though Finn was in thought. How bad was Justine before any of this? As bad as some of the stuff he witnessed, or worse? He didn't see the point in grudges, they often proved unfruitful. And yet the concept of redemption's been challenged. He'll have to catch Betty and this Samantha at some point, ask them about it.