[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/O8nmsAY.png[/img] [i][color=crimson]"..."[/color][/i] [color=darkgray]- Maura[/color][/center] Maura would tense up when Sann and Tenebra appeared to help her. But regardless, she would nod as thanks, before continuing to mend Sam with the extra help. She couldn't afford to loose one of her best agents...right? Before she knew it, the witch had frozen in place appearing lost. It wasn't the same painful feeling as one of her magicals outright dying, yet her mind felt blank, out of bounds. Or was it that her heart felt more...empty? What had happened? Maura blinked out of her daze. Was Sam getting better? She couldn't tell. Or perhaps she was panicing too much to see. Or perhaps, she was too late. She would hold the girl close to her with a regretful frown. And in a way, she didn't want to let go. [color=crimson]"I'm so sorry..."[/color] Someone. Someone from their group had to know. Eliza, Oliver, [i]anyone[/i]. Maura didn't like the thought of proding through their thoughts, but she had to know. She had to know if everything else was okay. ... .. . Of course the departure of the Lord of Change's group didn't go unnoticed. Elizabeth didn't care for the tournament, or the rest of the event. So she boredly spied on anyone outside of things. She was almost back to her normal self again. She still had some inner turmoil to sort through, but hopefully this'll be a step towards improvement. She can even go check on her family, her brothers! And yet, things went wrong. Again. Again. Again. People were driven away. Because of some bullshit set up. Sam was probably killed during Keijo. Because of Penny, someone she thought of as one of her best friend! [Color=BDB5D5]"Damnit...[i]Damnit!!![/i]"[/color] The profanity slipped out from her lips, as she kicked down a nearby chair. There was no point in delay, she had to inform everyone else. She called every agent that wasn't busy or currently dying, telling them to meet up at the dining hall, then shadow hopped back there herself. ... .. . As expected, most of the reactions were...not so pleasant. [color=lightsteelblue]"I knew this party was fucked."[/color] The android shook her head, a look of disdain paired with crossed arms. The magician's anger dispated. There was no point in it now, if Oros had left. But it didn't feel right when it came to the implied favoritism for Penny. MDP, no, Violet was dating her. Yes a part of her did feel jealous, but if she was happy, it's all that matter. But now? She felt a bit nauseous. [color=violet]"I...I'm gonna go find Connie. A-And Mia..."[/color] Amanda walked off without another word. Elizabeth herself understood their reasoning, if only a little. Penrose was becoming a cursed place, bound to drive people mad in time. She knew that well. And she was tired. Tired of things becoming worse. If she didn't know better, it would be easy to steal her soul jar back and-! She turned away to breathe. Don't think about it. Don't think. Oliver didn't really know what to say or do. His partner and him had just got there, and things were spiraling into a goddamn domino effect. There wasn't much he could do beside comfort them the best he could. Finnegan, on the other hand... Finn had stepped outside to smoke, strangely calm. Atleast that's what it looked like to others. Inhale. Exhale. A scarlet colored smoke left his lips. He took a few steps to the side, the nearest wall at his reach. Inhale. Exhale. He was still for a moment, taking the cigar out of his mouth with one hand. Then without warning a fist colided with the wall, a boost of strength from his Beast magic leaving visible cracks. Furrowed, enraged brows broke into a regretful frown. [i][color=C41E3A]"Damnit, Bets. Couldn't even wait to say goodbye...?"[/color][/i] He swallowed down the urge to break down. He had to stay calm. Inhale. Exhale. But was there any point? Inhale. Exhale. Incompitence, chaos, conflict, arrogance, pride, wrath. Wrath... Penrose was a shitty town. That he knew by now. But were the people any better? A cycle of conflict, a cycle that people weren't even trying to stop. Were they bloody masochists?? Was there something there that drew people to it?? And what about their dear so called "royalty"? Pah! A rightful monarch wouldn't let their people live in fear! A rightful monarch wouldn't cave into the enemy's whims despite claims saying otherwise! A rightful monarch wouldn't let their power go to their [i]fucking head[/i] to where they weren't actively keeping their kingdom safe! In fact, it seems most factions are looking after themselves! Where's the logic?? The reasoning?? The Mint he could understand, but who the hell is the hero here? Nobody! Finn could feel it. A familiar burning rage that started as a small flame, then grew. Grew and threatened to engulph him. Something had to be done. He dropped his cigarette and put it out with a single stomp. He began marching back to the other island. [i][color=C41E3A]"Maura? Can you hear me?!"[/color][/i] [i][color=crimson]"Finn? Is everything okay?"[/color][/i] [i][color=C41E3A]"Okay? OKAY?! No shit everything isn't okay, everything is fabulously fucked in fact, and it has been for awhile, AND NOBODY DID JACKSHIT ABOUT IT!"[/color][/i] [i][color=crimson]"I know, I know, we've been trying to keep things in order, but it hasn't been easy-"[/color][/i] [i][color=C41E3A]"No shit, you think!? I know how bad the Mint and Beacon are, Maura!"[/color][/i] [i][color=Crimson]"Things were progressing slowly before I ended up becoming the Cradle Mother. I don't know the full extent of Veronica's plan, but our goals aligned. But it seems pointless now. Christmas got ruined, most of the old agents are gone...I might never see Ronnie again..."[/color][/i] Finn frowned in remorse, then sighed. [color=C41E3A]"Maura. Just say the word. I can end this, here and now!"[/color] On the other side Maura allowed her eyes to close, setting Samantha down. Once she opened them again, her eyes shone an ominous red. If she had to lend Finn a bit more of her power to override Dan's magic, she was more than willing. [color=Crimson][b][i]"Do it."[/i][/b][/color] At that moment, Finn's eye mirrored Maura's with a pure red. He sprinted off, whether to find the accursed dolphin, or to face the queen herself.