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Once Maura had decided to leave Justine and Lily to practice on their own, the two of them began to practice aerial combat, to further improve on Justine’s close-combat skills. While Lily herself wasn’t able to fly, she could slow down her time spent in the air to simulate flight.

[color=fff200]”When your opponent is below you, I think you should go for a straight downward slam!"[/color]
She advised her.
[color=fff200]”Now, I’ll speed up, so try to hit me with your attack."[/color] 

Justine nodded as she flew above.
[color=bc8dbf]”Very well! Here goes!"[/color] 

Justine swooped down, and with a forward spin caught Lily before she dodged, knocking her into the water.

Watching the performance before him, Alexander couldn’t help but think out loud “[color=aba000]I wonder which is more bullshit; flight, or being able to make barriers wherever you want? Actually, is there any kind of rule in place to keep someone from just staying in the air?[/color]”

[color=9e0039]“I friggin hope so”[/color] Penny would chime in suddenly. She had finished her rather peaceful chat with Oliver and Finn a bit ago and had taken to simply meandering around the area. Lily and Justine’s bit of aerial combat caught her eye since that wasn’t really something one expected in regards to Keijo and she came over to get a better look.

[color=9e0039]“Otherwise that’s going to be a tough act to beat”[/color] She would add with a gesture to Justine. [color=9e0039]“I suppose that’s what the time limit is for though”[/color] Not that Penny didn’t have an idea or two for how to take someone out of the air. It was more that she wasn’t sure just how effective the ideas would be against someone with actual flight capabilities.

Justine was helping Lily back to the platform when she turned and saw Penny. She stared at her for a moment, her expression still.
[color=bc8dbf]"Penny…"[/color] She mumbled. 

Alexander shrugged “[color=aba000]It sometimes feels like this ‘sport’ wasn’t made with magic in mind, but later got slightly adapted to include it[/color]” he sighed “[color=aba000]So what about you? Are you going to be a part of this mess, or are you just planning on watching?[/color]”

[color=9e0039]“It would not surprise me at all”[/color] Penny would agree before sighing. [color=9e0039]“If it was only about the Mirror I would have willingly stayed in the stands to point and laugh at people”[/color] She would explain [color=9e0039]“But since the Beach is on the line I don’t feel right sitting back and doing nothing after Dan helped me out. So I’m going to be involved in this mess.”[/color] Another sigh [color=9e0039]“Unfortunately.”[/color]

“[color=aba000]I’m starting to wonder how Beacon still exists[/color]” Alexander said “[color=aba000]With zealots like these inquisitors, how have they not made enough enemies to get destroyed yet?[/color]”

[color=9e0039]“Far as I can tell the Ascendency is only sent out to problem places”[/color] Penny would scratch the back of her head as she spoke, not fully liking the mental image that Alex gave her. [color=9e0039]“And Beacon was one of the first groups founded. That gave them time to entrench before they got too many enemies.”[/color]  She was sure there was more to it than that, like city shattering lasers and what not, but she didn’t want to bring those into the discussion right now.

Once Lily was out and dried herself, she also noticed that Penny had arrived.
[color=fff200]"Oh, hi Penny! Long time no see! So, what's going on?" That was when she noticed how Justine was staring, and waved a hand in front of her. "Uh, you okay, Justy?"[/color]
Justine seemed to snap out of her trance-like state.
[color=bc8dbf]"Oh, sorry...I just…I didn't expect to meet you so soon…"[/color] She averted her eyes, and looked nervous. Lily scratched her own head in mild confusion.
[color=fff200]"Well, that's all right. I'm sure Penny won't bite."[/color]


[color=9e0039]“Hey Lily”[/color] Penny would wave at the other girl. [color=9e0039]“Nothing going on was just in the area when I saw your flying spar”[/color] She would say with a shrug.

[color=9e0039]“And relax Justine, you’ll quickly find out I’m about as atypical as possible for a Beacon member.”[/color] she’d reassure the Vampiric girl. [color=9e0039]“If anything I should be the one nervous here, not you. We’ve never had any personal interactions, but I did destroy your house.”[/color]

“[color=aba000]Huh, yeah, I almost forgot about that[/color]” Alexander thought to himself “[color=aba000]You looked a lot different back then. Did something happen?[/color]”

[color=9e0039]“Lots of system and hardware upgrades”[/color] Penny would answer with a grin. [color=9e0039]“Back then I was barely out of the beta stages. Now I look as good as I function”[/color] She would glance down at herself [color=9e0039]“Dan’s illusions notwithstanding on that.”[/color]

Justine managed to take another look back at Penny, but didn't manage to keep eye contact with her for more than a couple of seconds before averting her gaze again.
[color=bc8dbf]"That is fine. The castle was given to me by my old Patron anyway…"[/color]
One of Lily's cheeks puffed as she witnessed the continued social awkwardness.
[color=fff200]"You're right about looking good!"[/color] She then commented. She stepped closer to Penny and looked her over.
[color=fff200]"You're a real beauty in Dan's dimension! Maybe that's why Justy's so nervous?"[/color] She held back a giggle, resulting in a head shake from Justine.
[color=bc8dbf]"It's not like that, but...For the Queen of Penrose, you seem less ruthless than I imagined."[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Nah, if that was the case She’d have had trouble talking with you Lily”[/color] Penny would retort with a look. Before nodding along with Justine’s statement.

[color=9e0039]“There’s a few reasons for that I’d wager”[/color] She’d say shifting her attention to Justine. [color=9e0039]“I’m here to say hi to some friends I’ve not seen in a while, for one. I am not looking to set up an empire for two. And lastly I’ve got no reason to deny you empathy. I am aware that you’ve got quite the history, but I can also tell that something big happened recently that changed you. If that wasn’t the case I’m not sure you would have that opinion of me”[/color] She’d smile, but if it was meant to be kind or not would be hard to tell.

Justine nodded, deep in thought. 
[color=bc8dbf]“I see...This gathering must have been beneficial for you, since you have been able to converse and form alliances. In any case, I’m glad you don’t carry resentment towards me…”[/color]
She looked down, and Lily hugged her from behind.
[color=fff200]“See, it wasn’t that bad! You just need to be a bit more confident, Justy! Now the only person you’d need to make up with is-”[/color]

At that moment, Dan’s announcement could be heard, and Lily gasped.
[color=fff200]”Oh, it’s time!”[/color]
She turned towards the television set on the table next to the pool. Justine gasped as the chart was revealed.
[color=bc8dbf]“No way...”[/color] Justine was aghast upon seeing who her opponent was.

[color=bc8dbf]“M-Mariette...”[/color]

Alexander groaned “[color=aba000]of fucking course. I bet that dolphin did this on purpose. [/color]” he sighed as he shook his head “[color=aba000]If it makes you feel any better; she apparently [i]was[/i] having her mind messed with by her old patron, and is feeling pretty different now. I mean, she doesn’t hold a grudge against Lily for that stunt she pulled at the end. So if you make your feelings clear, I’d say you have a good chance at making up with her.[/color]”

Justine turned to Alex, a hand held up to her arm.
[color=bc8dbf]"Really? I...I didn't know that…"[/color]
She put a finger to her chin, in deep thought.

[color=9e0039]“Nah, Dan’s just a moron, not malicious.”[/color] Penny would counter Alex’s statement as she too took in the tournament bracket. Noting with some amusement that she was getting a rematch, after a fashion. It wasn’t how she was expecting to encounter Sam again, but it was going to be interesting.
[color=9e0039]“And while you are right about Mariette, try to keep it quiet. She’s not spreading that fact around since she is still working under them for now. So reconciliation might not be able to happen in the middle of the ring.”[/color] She would add turning back towards the group. [color=9e0039]“And I wish we had more time to chat but it seems that the time to relax is over.”[/color] With a sigh she would take a step away. 

[color=fff200]"Hey, Dan's not a moron!"[/color] Lily spoke up. 
[color=fff200]"He's just a bit simple-minded."[/color] She leaned her head on Justine's, causing her to blush.
[color=fff200]"I'm sure he has good intentions in pitting Justy here against her."[/color]
Lily then widened her eyes on hearing that Penny was leaving.
[color=fff200]"Aww, already! And we just met! Phooey!"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Feel free to drop in at the Sanctuary once this is all over. I’d like to get a chance to hang out with you all more when there isn’t as much going on.”[/color] Penny would give them all a wave before turning to leave. Stopping to look at Justine [color=9e0039]“And yes that includes you”[/color] She’d point at the vampiric girl to leave no ambiguity.

[color=fff200]"Sure thing, Penny!"[/color] Lily answered with a hop and a wave of her hand.
[color=fff200]”Byeee!”[/color]
Justine bowed.
[color=bc8dbf]"Thank you for visiting. And if, umm, we are to meet in the tournament itself...I'll do my best. Goodbye."[/color]

Time was always against Penny having a bit of relaxation it seemed. As there was still one more thing she wanted to do before dismissing this particular Counterfeit.

“[color=aba000]Well she seems to be doing well for herself[/color]” Alexander mused as Penny left “[color=aba000]Still, I’m a little surprised to hear that she’s part of Beacon. I thought she was a robot monster girl. And sure, the local Beacon has mellowed out a lot since that meeting in the park way back, I didn’t realize they had mellowed out [i]that[/i] much. I wonder when she joined up[/color]”

[color=fff200]"Yeah, Alicia told me the local Beacon's been through a lot,"[/color] Lily chimed in, and leaned her head down towards her after her mood seemed to be down again.
[color=fff200]"Justy…"[/color] She spoke quietly, but the lavender-haired girl frowned.

[color=bc8dbf]"Lily, Alex...Thank you for the support you've given me."[/color] She turned to the two of them.
[color=bc8dbf]"It's been difficult...But it's time I finally face her...And settle the bad blood between us. See you later."[/color]

She then walked away,and Lily took Alex' hand as she watched her leave.
[color=fff200]"Hey Alex, wanna go to see the matches?"[/color] She asked, sounding less cheerful than usual.
[color=fff200]"I'd like to be there for Justy's battle, if that's not too much to ask."[/color]

“[color=aba000]I mean, I kind of assumed that was the plan[/color]” Alexander replied as he got to his feet. “[color=aba000]I just hope they have concessions of some kind there, I’m starting to get kind of hungry[/color]”

Lily giggled.
[color=fff200]"Now that you mention it, I'm also feeling peckish. Let's see if Dan's got chili dogs! I sure could use one!"[/color]