[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/95oVLKV.png[/img][/center] [hr][center][h1][i]Meet...[/i][/h1][/center][hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/80e9YrG.png[/img][/center] [center][color=Red]"A big collab deserves a big banner!"[/color] [color=888888]-Kate[/color][/center] Both Betty and Justine won their first rounds. Okay, that's great! Is it? To be fair, Finn didn't know how to feel about it. He did see the bracket, it only meant Betty and Justine were going to face each other. Yes regardless of who wins that, it'd give their faction another step towards...whatever the hell's at stake at this point. But even he dreaded the escalation that would come from the matchup. He facepalmed with a sigh, letting his hand push his hair back. Why can't they just skip the tournament and go straight to culling? Would it even matter who wins? ...Must be the boredom talking. Here Finn was, sitting back at the Feast Hall watching the tournaments with his ghostly companion and a snowbun, questioning the validity of a sport [i]obviously[/i] designed for fanservice. Yeah no, he probably drunk too much. [color=faed27]"Well, looks like it'll be a bit before the next one. Wanna go find a harebringer or something?"[/color] Oliver asked him. Finn looked back at him with an uncertain expression. [color=C41E3A]"Not really?? All this info we got on Penrose makes me want to go back out there and help fix things, yknow?"[/color] He idly pet the snowbun resting on his lap. [color=faed27]"We could ask Maura if we can leave early, but it seems our main concern is stubborn enough to cooperate for now."[/color] The ghost shrugged. [color=faed27]"Too bad Dan doesn't allow real conflicts."[/color] Finn thought with furrowed brows. [color=C41E3A]"There's gotta be a way to bypass his pacifistic magic, even if it's for a moment. We can't leave any stone unturned. Atleast to make sure everyone else is safe..."[/color] he frowned. [color=faed27]"I dunno man, it'd be a small group versus the two of us. Maybe more. Maybe quality trumps quantity. Maybe that keijo shit's rigged for her to lose regardless."[/color] Oliver listed off, then turning to address the girl nearby, eating by herself. [color=faed27]"What do you think?"[/color] [color=Red]“Huh?”[/color] Kate asked, pausing in her ravenous consumption to look at the two boys. [color=Red]“Me?”[/color] she added, pointing to herself, while swallowing a mouthful of food. Oliver looked around them, then back at Kate. [color=faed27]"I mean, I could ask the snowbun. But I don't think they understand australian."[/color] He joked. Then it hit him. [color=faed27]"Wait, why [i]are[/i] you back here anyways? About everyone else went to the other island."[/color] He asked. Finn glanced over the other boy's shoulder. [color=C41E3A]"Before you ask, Oliver wanted to scout out any leftovers, and I only care about three of the people in the tournament."[/color] Finn shrugged. [color=Red]“Oh, uh, I’ve… kinda got a private viewing area upstairs,”[/color] she replied hesitantly, while pointing above her. [color=Red]“And besides, the food here’s [i]way[/i] too good to pass up! I mean, I don’t know if you’ve ever been to this dimension before, but Dan really outdid himself this time!”[/color] [color=faed27]"Oh, okay then. That's kinda smart!"[/color] Oliver smirked. [color=C41E3A]"Actually, it's our first time here. And already someone wants it destroyed. Fuckin' hilarious if you ask me."[/color] Finn shook his head, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. Though he did draw it back, had to behave after all. [color=C41E3A]"Forgive us if we're bothering you. I'm Finn. Er, Vanhorn."[/color] He waved slightly to Kate. This was getting tiring. [color=Red]“Kate Carson,”[/color] Kate replied. [color=Red]“And I wouldn’t be too worried about that Ass-endancy bitch,”[/color] she added with a chuckle. [color=Red]“There’s no way she’s beating Penny AND Oros. Anyway, this place is supposed to be for vacations. You should just try to relax and enjoy yourself. Y’know, get rid of some of that tension.”[/color] The both of them snickered at the jab towards Rachel. [color=C41E3A]"Yeah, we were- are fine. Just their little intervention irritated the best of us. But it's not back to work mode [i]yet[/i], ya get it? Though I do prefer solitude like this."[/color] He explained to Kate. Though an eyebrow did rise when Penny and Oros were mentioned. [color=C41E3A]"So it is rigged??"[/color] He tilted his head. [color=Red]“I wouldn’t say [i]that,[/i]”[/color] Kate grinned. [color=Red]“It’s just that I’m pretty sure Rachel’s never played Keijo before, and I’m [i]positive[/i] both Penny [i]and[/i] Oros have more than a few tricks up their sleeves.”[/color] [color=C41E3A]"Well, with one of them being able to defy known logic, it's almost expected for Penny to win."[/color] Finn said, resting an arm against the table. [color=C41E3A]"Dunno much about this Oros though. Assuming it's the...ambitious one who amped up the stakes, she comes off as unpredictable. Who knows, one may trump over the other."[/color] He explained what he could piece together. [color=Red]“Yeah, Oros is kinda nuts,”[/color] Kate agreed with a chuckle. [color=Red]“But she definitely makes things more interesting. So, I take it you guys are new to Penrose?”[/color] The two of them nodded in unison. Didn't even bother with verbal answers at this rate. [color=Red]“My condolences,”[/color] Kate told them with mock seriousness. [color=Red]“I’ve heard that place can be really bad for your mental health.”[/color] [color=C41E3A]"Hah. Assuming I haven't already lost it??"[/color] Finn joked(???) back with a crooked grin. [color=faed27]"Assuming it won't affect your anger problem too?"[/color] Oliver spoke up, giving the other boy a comical look which he nervously laughed off. [color=C41E3A]"Eheheh...[i]right.[/i]"[/color] Admittedly, he forgot about that in the moment. [color=Red]“Wow… You’ve really got some serious issues, huh?”[/color] Kate asked with a lopsided grin. Finn went blank faced. It took a moment for him to continue talking. [color=C41E3A]"......Perhaps. Look, for how long I've been around, I've been through and witnessed some shit. He can vouch for me,"[/color] Finn motioned to Oliver. [color=C41E3A]"So I can say that there are, and were, worse people than I could be. So what if I'm a little bit nuts?"[/color] He looked down and picked up his pet snowbun, gently holding it in his arms.[color=C41E3A]"I'm not as bad as people may think..."[/color] [color=Red]“Hey, I’m not sayin’ you’re psychotic or anything,”[/color] Kate replied, while holding up her hands in a placating manner. [color=Red]“Just that you could maybe use someone to talk to,”[/color] she added, frowning slightly. [color=Red]“PTSD’s nothin’ to mess around with.”[/color] Finn waved it off. [color=C41E3A]"I know, I know, I've been doing my best getting better. I was just saying."[/color] Though he frowned slightly as well. [color=ed1c24]"...Sorry."[/color] [color=Red]“S’okay,”[/color] Kate told him, after taking another bite out of her meal. [color=Red]“I’m just concerned about ya. Penrose is a really crazy place, and worrying about all the shit that goes on there’s enough to give [i]anyone[/i] a nervous breakdown. Me, I try not to sweat the big stuff. I’m just here for a vacation. I’ll leave all that ‘saving the world’ crap to the ‘important people’. And honestly, who wants [i]that[/i] job? As far as I’m concerned, the background’s the best place to be. Like, take those two over there,”[/color] she added, pointing at a pair of obviously related girls who were clearly enjoying themselves while eating a bucket full of chicken. [color=Red]“[i]They’ve[/i] got the right idea. You guys should take notes.”[/color] Finn smiled. Her concern ment well to him. Unlike those that seemed okay with him and Oliver helping out, Kate suggested they leave Penrose's problems to other people. [color=C41E3A]"That's the thing, we [i]have[/i] been in the background. Just, somewhere else."[/color] He moved his snowbun onto Oliver's head, earning a look from the ghost. [color=C41E3A]"As much as I'd love to let the important people handle things here, when those important people aren't enough to keep the world safe from fuck-knows-what, sometimes the little man has to step up. One of the things I abhor is incompitence after all.[/color] [color=Red]“That so?”[/color] Kate asked with a chuckle. [color=Red]“Then you’re gonna LOVE Penrose. From what I hear, the leaders of most of the major factions are total idiots.”[/color] [color=faed27]"Uh...yeah I hope you're not including Cradle's leader in that regards."[/color] Oliver finally spoke up. [color=C41E3A]"Long story."[/color] Was what Finn could tell Kate. [color=Red]“Actually, I haven’t really heard much about Cradle’s new leader,”[/color] Kate replied. [color=Red]“But whoever they are, they’ve certainly got some big shoes to fill.”[/color] She paused for a moment as she gave the pair a closer look. [color=Red]“I take it the new boss of Cradle’s your patron?”[/color] The both of them nodded in unison again, though only Finn sighed afterwards. [color=C41E3A]"Tell me about it. From what Maura told me, the two dunces that stayed behind were more than happy to ditch her after she gave this Justine lady another chance."[/color] He explained, though it didn't feel right calling Betty a dunce. [color=C41E3A]"Look, I dunno the full story yet, and I'm not exactly a basket of roses either. Betty's testimony was enough to make my current moral confliction see red flags, but...christ, it's a dime a dozen for your local villains to seek redemption like Justine, and I'm not saying they should just kiss and make up, that'd make me a bloody hypocrite against my own traumas. But why drag Maura into it?? Yes, she can be a bit stupid, but her heart's in the right place. Charging at her all pissed off, assuming she's replacing everyone; which is also rude, considering she cares for everyone all the same, and then thinking her lesser than their old boss? Of fucking course she'd reconsider her position! I mean,"[/color] Finn ranted on. [color=C41E3A]"If they really miss Veronica that badly, then why bother staying? You can just...leave, yknow? Nothing's holding you back."[/color] Oliver on the other end blinked twice, before handing the snowbun back to Finn. [color=faed27]"You may need this more than I do. [Sub]Ya big grump.[/sub]"[/color] He said, his expression unphased. [color=Red]“Justine?”[/color] Kate echoed. [color=Red]“You mean, Justine von Visceral? The vampire girl who wanted to destroy love itself? Wow… And people wonder why Penrose gets called ‘Drama City’…”[/color] She chuckled while shaking her head. [color=Red]“Seriously, though, if these two dunces you’re talkin’ about are as loyal to Veronica as you claim they are, then that’s probably the only reason they’re stickin’ around. I mean, think about it. If she told them to follow her replacement, then leaving would mean disobeying a direct order from their beloved former boss. I gotta say, though, that Maura lady’s really got her work cut out for her… I don’t envy her one bit.”[/color] Finn took a deep breath. [color=C41E3A]"Y'may have a point there. Apparently Justine was purified after their last bout with her, so I guess Maura wanted to see how she fairs fresh out of corruption."[/color] He shrugged. The small bit of information about Justine herself did give him some more insight, that he was thankful of. [color=C41E3A]"But it's never that easy, is it? Reception was lukewarm when the two of them first arrived at the party."[/color] [color=Red]“Well, [i]that’s[/i] understandable,”[/color] Kate replied. [color=Red]“Even if she’s been reformed, someone with [i]her[/i] reputation is gonna turn more than a few heads. I’m not really one to hold grudges,”[/color] she added, [color=Red]“but I can easily see how others might, especially after all she’s done.”[/color] [color=C41E3A]"See, at least you get it."[/color] Finn shrugged. [Color=C41E3A]"I can't really see the point in grudges. Maybe back then, but not now."[/color] [color=Red]“Yeah, some people can’t even let go of shit that happened centuries ago,”[/color] Kate agreed. [color=Red]“But I’m glad to see that you’re not one of ‘em,”[/color] she added with a grin. [color=Red]“I guess you’re not [i]completely[/i] hopeless after all!”[/color] [color=C41E3A]"Heh. Told you I've been trying to get better."[/color] The boy smiled. It was at that moment the trio heard the sound of maniacal laughter, just before a deranged-looking young woman entered the hall. [color=DarkMagenta]“Nyahahaha! Hey, Kate!”[/color] she called excitedly. [color=DarkMagenta]“I just finished chatting with her mechanical majesty, and thanks to my incomparable super-scientific genius, I was able to…”[/color] her voice trailed off when she noticed that Kate was no longer alone. [color=DarkMagenta]“Oh. It’s [i]you[/i] two…”[/color] she observed, her previous gleeful demeanor having shifted to one of obvious annoyance. They both tensed up once the scientist glared at them. [color=faed27]"Oh shit. Who'd you piss off this time, Bud?"[/color] Oliver nudged Finn. [color=C41E3A]"Me?! You're the walking lab hazard here, you tell me!"[/color] Finn loudly whispered back, the ghost comically shrugging. He then looked back to Nykannis. [color=C41E3A]"Do we happen to know you? By chance??"[/color] [color=DarkMagenta]“Probably not,”[/color] the new arrival replied in a dry tone. [color=DarkMagenta]“I’ve been trying to keep a low profile. Allow me to introduce myself,”[/color] she added as a maniacal grin began to spread across her face. [color=DarkMagenta]“I am Doctor Nykannis, Queen of the Mad Scientists!”[/color] [color=Red]“Self proclaimed,”[/color] Kate added. [color=DarkMagenta]“Shut UP, Kate!”[/color] Nykannis snapped. [color=DarkMagenta]“ANYWAY,”[/color] she added, once more addressing the two boys Kate had been talking with. [color=DarkMagenta]“The only reason I know [i]you[/i] is because I’ve been watching you chatting it up with nearly everybody here! You don’t strike me as the type to make big plans, so what are you, professional busybodies, or something?”[/color] [color=C41E3A]"Oy vey..."[/color] Once more, Finn gracefully faceplanted into the table. Before Oliver could answer for him, he quickly sprung back up all the same. [color=C41E3A]"LOOK- Look, it's part gathering information about Penrose, and part [i]my goddamn Power of Friendship seeing a gold mine here.[/i] Whether or not it proves useful, hell if I know, but I'm not planing on anything besides a plan B against the Ascendancy!"[/color] There was a hint of tiredness in his voice as he explained. Then Oliver raised his hand. [Color=faed27]"I'm just here with him??"[/color] [color=Red]“Yeah… He’s kinda… [i]tense…[/i]”[/color] Kate added, giving Finn a concerned glance. [color=DarkMagenta]“Oh, I get it,”[/color] Nykannis said with a nod. [color=DarkMagenta]“You’re new to Penrose, and you're just [i]now[/i] beginning to understand exactly how nuts the place really is. Let me give you some free advice- if you’re trying to change the status quo, don’t bother. Unless you’re on personal speaking terms with one of the Grand Magistrates, or your name is Penny, it [i]ain’t[/i] gonna happen.”[/color] [color=faed27]"Eh, he's always a bit of a grump. Hey,"[/color] Oliver turned to address Finn. [color=faed27]"Once this is done with, we can swing by Riona's bar on the way home, that okay?"[/color] Finn nodded in response. [color=C41E3A]"Anyways, I dunno what the hell the Grand Magstrates are, but what's Penny gotta do with it?"[/color] He asked Nykannis. [color=DarkMagenta]“Heh, Penny’s the biggest big shot in Penrose,”[/color] Nykannis explained. [color=DarkMagenta]“She’s an incredibly unique monster girl with an [i]insane[/i] power level, not to mention Queen of the city. It’s pretty obvious she has the Grand Magistrates’ favor, but if you don’t know who [i]they[/i] are, then I really wouldn’t worry too much about that. You sound like you’ve got enough issues without adding stuff like [i]them[/i] into the mix.”[/color] [color=C41E3A]"I mean, I already got the hint. A purfied monster girl's bound to have a few aces in the hole. But..."[/color] Finn took a moment to think. [color=C41E3A]"If she's as much of a big cheese as you guys claim, then why hasn't she taken initiative to go against the-"[/color] His eyes widened. He then groaned with a facepalm. [color=C41E3A]"Right. Same faction. If she's failed to do anything about the Ascendancy until now then they're probably chummy for all I care."[/color] He'd note, despite Penny's claims to be against them. [color=DarkMagenta]“I wouldn’t know anything about that,”[/color] Nykannis conceded. [color=DarkMagenta]“But since [i]she’s[/i] the one who decided to do this whole ‘tournament thing’, I’m willing to bet she doesn’t see eye to eye with the Ass-endancy on [i]everything,[/i]”[/color] she added with a smirk. [color=C41E3A]"But that still offers a chance for their cooperation doesnt it? Good or bad, beats me."[/color] Finn sighed, then the mention of Penny being the one to kickstart the tournament made his eye twitch. [color=C41E3A]"Yep. Now I'm certain it's all rigged. Some convoluted plan this is."[/color] [color=DarkMagenta]“Well, [i]yeah,[/i]”[/color] Nykannis chuckled. [color=DarkMagenta]“She’s trying to save this dimension from those fanatical idiots, so of [i]course[/i] it’s gonna be rigged. You honestly think she’s not gonna use every advantage she has against them? Still, you’re pretty paranoid, huh?”[/color] Atleast she admitted it. Though Nykannis calling him paranoid was a bit rude. [color=C41E3A]"Uh, the correct term would be irritated, ma'am."[/color] He corrected, unamused. Oliver snorted. [color=faed27]"With you? Irritated's an understatement."[/color] He managed to stop Finn's elbow from connecting to his stomach, moving it back to the table. [color=Red]“Hey, why don’t we all chill out a bit?”[/color] Kate suggested. [color=Red]“Y’know, like I was saying earlier? I mean, there’s really no reason to get worked up about all this, since I’m pretty sure it’ll all work out okay in the end.”[/color] [color=DarkMagenta]“Yeah,”[/color] Nykannis agreed. [color=DarkMagenta]“This place is waaay too important to the Grand Magistrates for them to allow a bunch of zealots to erase it from existence.”[/color] For as long as he was quietly listening to the other three talk, the ghost took his turn to sigh. His partner can be a real piece of work sometimes, but he was patient with him regardless. He knew him best. Finn was about to argue back, when Oliver pulled him into a hug. An attempt to calm him down that caught him by surprise. [color=faed27]"Finn? Finnegan?? Buddy?? I know you're a stubborn asshat, but you gotta stop overthinking things."[/color] The ghost quietly told him. After a second, Finn burried his head into the other's shoulder, letting out a frustrated groan. [color=faed27]"I know, it's a lot to take in all at once. We can help when the time is right, but you gotta relax, man. There are plenty of people here that can make sure things don't go haywire."[/color] Oliver tilted his head with a smile. [color=faed27]"At least cheer up for me?"[/color] It wasn't clear if Finn decided not to answer verbally, but the other boy can be seen returning the hug in response. Oliver giggled. [color=faed27]"That's more like it."[/color] [color=Red]“Awww.. You two are adorable,”[/color] Kate chuckled. Oliver turned his head back to the other duo, playfully shaking his head at Kate's comment. [color=faed27]"Y'better not be assuming things. I just ran out of ideas at this point."[/color] He tried to clarifiy, yet he didn't break away from the hug yet. [color=faed27]"Anyways as long as no one has any alternative motives, ya might be right."[/color] [color=DarkMagenta]“Of [i]course[/i] I’m right,”[/color] Nykannis replied pointedly. [color=DarkMagenta]“I’m [i]ALWAYS[/i] right! Nyahahaha!”[/color] [color=Red]“So, I’m guessing you guys have been friends for quite a while?”[/color] Kate asked, completely ignoring her companion’s maniacal laughter. Oliver nodded with a smile. [color=faed27]"Yep. Even before we became magical boys, we've always stuck by each other. Besides the dying bit on my end, but you get it."[/color] [color=Red]“That’s cool,”[/color] Kate said, offering the pair a genuine smile. [color=Red]“The universe is a pretty crazy place, to say nothing of the multiverse, and knowing that you’ve got someone you can rely on is a really nice feeling,”[/color] she added, glancing over to Nykannis. The ghost chuckled, glancing back to Finn himself. [color=faed27]"It really is."[/color] [color=DarkMagenta]“Uh, Kate, if you’re about done here, I think the matches are gonna start soon,”[/color] a somewhat bored-looking Nykannis noted. [color=DarkMagenta]“Y’know, I [i]was[/i] gonna bring the rest of this food upstairs, but I didn’t expect there to still be people down here…”[/color] she grumbled. [color=faed27]"Oh, go on ahead! I don't really need to eat much anyways. But can ya leave some of the sweets? We planned on taking some home if the magic persists outside this place."[/color] Oliver asked. [color=DarkMagenta]“Yeah, I [i]guess[/i] I can allow that,”[/color] Nykannis grinned. An instant later, all the food not being eaten (minus a few snacks) vanished in several flashes of yellowy-green light. [color=DarkMagenta]“Come on, Kate!”[/color] the mad scientist called over her shoulder as she began walking towards the exit. [color=DarkMagenta]“I don’t wanna miss Penny’s first match!”[/color] [color=Red]“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,”[/color] Kate replied as she got up from her seat. [color=Red]“Well, it was nice meeting you,”[/color] she told the two magical boys. [color=Red]“Hopefully we can chat again before the party’s over.”[/color] [color=faed27]"You too, see ya later!"[/color] The pair waved goodbye as Kate and Nykannis left. [color=faed27]"...Okay wise guy, you can let go now."[/color] [color=C41E3A]"...Nah."[/color] Oliver's eyebrows rose, but he conceded anyways with a chuckle. [color=faed27]"Fine. But I ain't afraid to carry you like a goddamn koala."[/color]