[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wxeK7mC.png[/img][/center]

[color=SpringGreen]“It would appear the matches shall be starting soon,”[/color] Gaia told Connie and the others at her table once she’d returned from her chat with Mariette. [color=SpringGreen]“Would you like to go watch them? I am fairly certain Mayra shall be one of the participants.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Uh, I g-guess we could…”[/color] Connie replied hesitantly, still a little saddened by how the previously festive mood had been shattered. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I, mean, I r-really want to c-cheer M-Mayra on, b-but umm… W-What even [i]is[/i] K-Keijo?”[/color]

Despite her normally serene disposition, her friend’s question brought an awkward smile to Gaia’s face. [color=SpringGreen]“W-Well, the answer to that is somewhat complicated, little sister,”[/color] the verdant girl began hesitantly. [color=SpringGreen]“Some consider it a sport, others a respectable martial art… and still others a rather scandalous form of entertainment.”[/color] Sighing, she reluctantly continued her explanation. There really was no easy way to say this was there? [color=SpringGreen]“Essentially, it involves two competitors on a floating platform, who each try to knock the other into the water. However, they can only use two very limited parts of their body to do so- their chests, and their rears.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Uhh.. T-That s-sounds r-really s-strange…”[/color] Connie observed with an uncertain frown.

[color=SpringGreen]“It certainly is, little sister,”[/color] Gaia agreed with a sigh. [color=SpringGreen]“And I completely understand if it’s not something you’d want to watch.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“N-No, i-it’s fine…”[/color] Connie replied still sounding a bit uncertain. [color=DarkOrchid]“A-And it c-could even be f-fun!”[/color] she added with a hopeful smile.

Returning Connie’s smile with one of her own, Gaia placed a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder. [color=SpringGreen]“Then shall we be off?”[/color] she inquired.

With everyone in agreement, Gaia and Connie, along with Rose, Iris, and Shane set out for the Keijo arena.

Although she had been a member of the magical community for some time now, it still amazed Connie how she was able to travel from winter to summer in a single step. Making their way along the palm tree lined paths of the central tropical island, the small group soon arrived at the arena. However, the sparkling waters of the beach, as well as the myriad fountains and pools they’d passed, reminded Connie of something she’d been thinking about ever since her first visit to Dan’s dimension, something she had finally gathered the courage to act on.

[color=DarkOrchid]“Umm… Mia?”[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/kHQ9y4g]Connie[/url] spoke up hesitantly, after they’d taken their seats in the viewing stands. 

[color=SpringGreen]“Hmm?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“S-So, uh, you k-know how I c-can’t s-swim? W-Well… I was w-wondering if m-maybe w-we could c-come back here s-sometime a-and you could h-help me l-learn…”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Of course, little sister,”[/color] the [url=https://imgur.com/YXNMxN5]nymph-like girl[/url] replied with her warmest smile. [color=SpringGreen]“I would be more than happy to do that for you.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“T-Thanks, Mia,”[/color] Connie told her softly, while giving the verdant girl a big hug. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-With you h-helping me, I j-just [i]know[/i] I’ll be s-swimming in no t-time at all!”[/color]

Giving voice to a melodic giggle, the botanical beauty returned Connie’s hug with interest. [color=SpringGreen]“That is only because you have already overcome your greatest obstacle,”[/color] she replied. 

[color=DarkOrchid]“Huh?”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Your fear, Connie,”[/color] Gaia explained, her voice filed with admiration. [color=SpringGreen]“You conquered your fear of the water. If you hadn’t done that, then I couldn’t even begin teaching you the basics.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, w-wow…”[/color] Connie whispered, her eyes widening with understanding. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I guess you’re right…”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“As I have always said, my dearest Connie, you possess far greater strength than you realize, and it fills my heart with such joy when you display it.”[/color]

Soon, the matches commenced, and Connie found herself captivated by each contest. While the “sport” was indeed more than a little strange, it was still fascinating to see the incredible feats each pair of competitors managed to accomplish, even under the confines of Keijo’s bizarre rules. This was especially true in the case of Mayra’s match, which saw Connie gasping in awe at her draconic friend’s abilities, culminating with a metamorphosis into a full dragon! However, her awe swiftly turned to alarm, as she watched Mayra slam into the water and then sink into the depths. 

[color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mayra!”[/color] she cried, leaping up from her seat. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-Is s-she okay?!”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“I believe she [i]will[/i] be, little sister,”[/color] Gaia reassured her as they watched Jelena leap into the pool after the defeated dragon. [color=SpringGreen]“But if you would like, we can see if we might be able to check up on her, once she recovers.”[/color] 

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yes, please!”[/color] Connie nodded vigorously, her trembling hands clasped over her heart.

A few minutes later, they were outside the door of Mayra’s locker room. After being granted permission to enter, Connie rushed inside, her eyes filled with concern. Although that concern appeared to be unwarranted, at least if the draconic girl’s cheerful demeanor was anything to go by. [color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mayra? A-Are you okay?”[/color] Connie asked as she nervously played with her hair. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I saw what h-happened and…”[/color]

[center][url=https://i.imgur.com/wYcB1yb.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/lo9nct4.png[/img][/url][/center]

[color=fc6828]‘Oh, I’m feeling great! I’m ecstatic! Such a powerful opponent! Aaah, I wish I could have kept fighting! Silly water rule, if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have fallen to that attack alone! But, aaah, I wish I could keep fighting. There’s gotta be more powerful opponents in the tournament. Oh, whatever! I had fun! Hahaha! Aaah, I want to fight her again sometime…’[/color] Mayra said dreamingly as she thought back on the battle.

Connie was understandably a bit surprised by the draconic girl’s cheerful enthusiasm, but she was happy that her friend was unhurt, and was taking her loss a lot better than she’d expected. After exchanging a (nearly bone breaking) hug with the dragon girl, Connie and Gaia returned to their seats to watch the next few matches. However, if Connie was expecting them to be less shocking than what she’d just witnessed, she would be sorely disappointed…

As upsetting as the conclusion of Mayra’s match had been, the ending of Penny and Sam’s had been far worse. Clasping her hands over her mouth in horror, the timid girl could only watch in stunned silence as medical teams rushed to aid the fallen competitors. 

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh my gosh…”[/color] she whispered, her eyes beginning to water. 

[color=SpringGreen]“Come on, little sister,”[/color] Gaia said gently as she rose to her feet and held out an elegant hand to help Connie do likewise. [color=SpringGreen]“Let’s take a little stroll. It will help you relax and free your mind from all this unpleasantness. Okay?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay, Mia,”[/color] Connie replied, allowing Gaia to support her trembling legs.

[color=SpringGreen]“That’s my little sister,”[/color] Gaia told her warmly, while giving her an affectionate head pat. [color=SpringGreen]“We’ll be back shortly,”[/color] she told their companions, before leading Connie towards the exit.

With the first round concluded, everyone was slowly beginning to file out of the stadium for a food and restroom break. Gaia decided to avoid the crowds by choosing to explore a seemingly unnoticed path through the tropical foliage. The path led them to a secluded hut, which, if the sign above the entrance was to be believed, contained a book shop. Stepping inside, the pair discovered a quaint and cozy little store, filled with books on fish, ships, lighthouses, pirates, and other nautical topics. There were even a few comfy chairs to sit and read in. It was the perfect place to calm one’s mind, and it wasn’t long before Connie had picked out a book to look through. Sitting side by side, the two friends looked over page after page of beautiful landscape paintings, each depicting a ship, lighthouse, or palm tree decorated with Christmas lights. The images were a perfect merging of the tropical nature of the summer islands and the holiday spirit, which so suffused the winter island, reminding the two magical girls that it was still Christmas, even if it didn’t much feel like it, currently. A few minutes later, the chime of a small bell above the door alerted the pair to the arrival of a new visitor, and Connie smiled upon seeing who it was.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EGwNMc0.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Amanda!”[/color] she greeted the dream magician with cheerful surprise. 

[color=SpringGreen]“It is very nice to see you, Amanda,”[/color] Gaia added warmly. [color=SpringGreen]“My dearest Connie and I were just taking a little break to de-stress after all the recent drama,”[/color] she explained. [color=SpringGreen]“So, what brings [i]you[/i] here?”[/color] 

Amanda managed a tired smile when the two spotted her. [color=Violet]"Yo..."[/color] She waved. When asked what brought her to them, she simply shrugged. [color=Violet]"Same as you, I guess? I just...wanted to see you guys for a bit."[/color] Once she walked over and sat down next to them, she detransformed back to her [url=https://cdn.donmai.us/original/96/8e/__ninomiya_asuka_idolmaster_and_1_more_drawn_by_2_nostg__968e91eaf1236b6d64cdb42d142335fa.jpg]normal[/url] self. [color=Mediumvioletred]"Ugh, I feel like I'm gunna puke."[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“W-Why?”[/color] Connie asked, her concerned demeanor having returned in full force. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-What h-happened?”[/color]

[color=Mediumvioletred]"Take a guess."[/color] Amanda only said.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“U-Ummm…”[/color] Connie frowned, looking thoughtful. [color=DarkOrchid]“D-Did o-one of t-those, uh… Ascendancy p-people do s-something?”[/color] she asked, clasping her shaking hands over her chest. 
 
The magician rose a brow. [color=Mediumvioletred]"No?? Did I miss something else?"[/color] She then shook her head. [color=Mediumvioletred]"Nah, it's just...the last tournament. This whole thing. Penny. It- It ain't right."[/color] She frowned. [color=Mediumvioletred]"I just don't wanna think about it."[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh! N-No,”[/color] Connie hastened to clarify. [color=DarkOrchid]“N-Nothing h-happened… A-At l-least, n-nothing t-that I k-know of. I was j-just g-guessing…”[/color] She then listened with increasing distress as the weary magician expressed her displeasure with the tournament. And with Penny…

[color=SpringGreen]“Mmm, that last match was indeed intense,”[/color] Gaia agreed, [color=SpringGreen]“But something tells me that [i]isn’t[/i] what you’re referring to. I completely understand if you do not wish to speak of it further, whatever it may be,”[/color] the verdant girl added in a tranquil voice as she placed a reassuring hand on the magician’s shoulder. [color=SpringGreen]“But please know that my dearest Connie and I are here for you if you need someone to talk to.”[/color]

Amanda sat back up, and smiled. [color=Mediumvioletred]"Thanks. Most of it's out of my hands anyways."[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Then perhaps taking some time to relax with friends is precisely what you need?”[/color] Gaia suggested with a warm smile. [color=SpringGreen]“And the local ambiance [i]is[/i] quite calming, don’t you agree?”[/color] she added, gesturing at the cozy shop around them.

Amanda looked around. [color=Mediumvioletred]"Bookshop..."[/color] She giggled. [color=Mediumvioletred]"Hehe, ironic. Yeah, I could stay here for awhile, nice and quiet."[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mia and I were l-looking at this b-book with t-tropical landscapes decorated with C-Christmas lights,”[/color] Connie told her. [color=DarkOrchid]“O-Our c-chairs are s-so c-close together w-we c-could all p-probably see the p-pages if M-Mia held it in her l-lap,”[/color] the timid girl observed. [color=DarkOrchid]“S-So… W-Would you l-like to l-look at it w-with us?”[/color] 
 
[color=Mediumvioletred]"Sounds neat. I'm in."[/color] Amanda nodded.

[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/b4zwGbK.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/TiCSHec.png[/img][/center]

[i][b]Sometime before Penny's match...[/b][/i]

The tournament was ongoing, and so was Dina’s work behind the scenes. Not much of a fighter, despite being chosen by Dan as one of her girls, she instead had decided to take a less direct approach than the slugfest Penny and Dan had proposed. 

It was a draining affair, and she was aware that her party butterfly self was reeling from it. She was a socialite, not a backstage general, nor a wizard of strategy. Well, at least so far no major setbacks on their side. Sann was a bit rough, but a little force would not hurt to deter people from acting against Sanctuary, and Penny was being her immovable self as ever.

Sakura had been a wild card, and the less she thought of it the better. 

So much sunken in thought she was, she did notice the person in front of her until it was too late to avoid contact.

“Ugh...you.”

[color=DeepPink]“Huh~? Oh~! Hi Dina Wina~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP greeted the aristocratic cat-girl with a happy smile. It was between matches, and the whimsical Princess of Dreams was getting some refreshments from one of the food stands in the tropical courtyard. [color=DeepPink]“Like, have you been enjoying the Keijo Weijo matches~?!”[/color] she asked excitedly. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies they’ve been, like, super duper fun so far~! (giggle!)” [/color]

“I have seen them, Princess.” She said, her ears downcast. “But this is fun where people are getting hurt.” She gritted her teeth and balled her fists. Was this Penny’s idea of a companion? Two sentences and already she was getting on her nerves. Yet, she exerted herself to remain calm. She was a Builder. Not a Destroyer.

“Well, at least some people are having fun with it.” She pondered. “Could I rob you a few minutes of your time? There’s something we need to talk about.” She said. There was none of her usual flair, nor her commanding aura. She just looked… like a tired grandmother.

MDP tilted her head slightly when Dina mentioned people getting hurt. After all, weren’t some minor injuries to be expected in a sporting event? And wouldn’t Dan’s magic heal those injuries in a matter of seconds? In any case, Dina went on to ask if she could talk with her for a bit, causing the whimsical girl to return to her usual bubbly demeanor. 

[color=DeepPink]“Like, totally wotally~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP confirmed with a playful wink. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess would [i]wuv[/i] to talky walky with Dina Wina~! (giggle!) But, like, Dina Wina looks super duper tired wired…”[/color] she noted, a look of concern on her cute face. [color=DeepPink]“Is everythingie wingie okie dokie~?”[/color]

Dina raised an eyebrow. “No, not everything is alright, I’m afraid. But it is beyond what you can do to be honest.” She indicated to follow her inside a private lounge. 

[color=DeepPink]“Awww…”[/color] MDP replied with a frown as she followed after Dina. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess is super duper sorry to hear that… Would a huggy wuggy helpy welpy~?”[/color] she asked once they’d entered the lounge, spreading her arms wide.

“I’m not that starved for affection right now.” Dina huffed, in a very grouchy cat fashion. She could need a hug, but she would never admit it.

[color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie…”[/color] MDP replied with a dejected sigh, her arms falling to her sides. The poor girl looked like a deflated balloon, having lost nearly all of her cheerful enthusiasm.

Dina rolled her eyes. “Just a little one.” 

MDP gasped with delight, her typical cheerful demeanor instantly returning. [color=DeepPink]“Yaaay~!”[/color] she cheered, jumping up and down, before glomping Dina and squeezing her tight. [color=DeepPink]“That makes Magical Dream Princess soooo super duper happy wappy~! (giggle!) Like, she just [i]knows[/i] a nice huggy wuggy will make Dina Wina feel lots better~! (giggle!)”[/color]

Of course Dina reacted very much like a cat being given an unwanted hug. Few people ever hugged her, except perhaps that stupid grabby Sanngridr. She had a taste for social distance most of the time.

As one might expect, MDP was blissfully oblivious to Dina’s discomfort. She let the hug linger for a while longer, before finally releasing the cat girl and giving her a big smile. [color=DeepPink]“Like, does Dina Wina feel better nowie~?”[/color]

"Sort of." She lied through her teeth, as her tail swished. She breathed deep and then went for the kill.

"If I may be so bold, what is the current relationship between you and her Highness?"

​​MDP’s eyes seemed to sparkle at the sound of Dina’s question, and her smile grew even wider. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Penny Wenny is Magical Dream Princess’s super duper wuvy dovey girlfriend wirlfriend~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl declared, clasping her hands over her chest, while small hearts formed in the air around her.

So it was true then. It was somewhat vexing and surprising for Dina that Penny had chosen such a girl as companion. But then again, a self-called infant machine entity borne of a small portion of a human’s bound was to have some queer tastes. 

Well, that meant less comfort for the regent, who even sometimes wanted company from the machine girl… but she had been once a mother and a grandmother. Sometimes you just had to let the young ones fly.  She bit her lip, she probably had shown her jealousy before. She wanted to be beside Penny and enjoy tea, but now an empty title and work behind the scenes awaited, most of it being thankless.

“Young love, always a beautiful thing.” She mused. It was mostly a lie. Young brats were known not for their level headed decisions, but what could she do but support the Queen she had helped to rise? Doing otherwise would make her seem treacherous. “Still, I should warn you. Being a girlfriend to a Queen will expose you to no small amount of vexations and anger.” 

“You’ve witnessed it. People have used you to hurt Penny.” 

MDP frowned at that last part, averting her gaze while a small blush colored her cheeks. [color=DeepPink]“Like, there are always gonna be meanie weanies who hurt other people weple, but Magical Dream Princess’s wuv for Penny Wenny is lots stronger than anywany of them!”[/color] the whimsical girl declared. [color=DeepPink]“If Penny Wenny gets hurt, Magical Dream Princess will be there to make it aaaall better, and, like, she just [i]knows[/i] Penny Wenny would do the same thingie wingie for her~! (giggle!)”[/color]

"Your dedication is admirable. And worrisome." Dina replied. "However, do you honestly think that because love is involved, things will go your way?" She paused. "You have strange powers, but even those fall short when there is an entire city craving for a crown."

[color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies that wuv can conquer anythingie wingie~!”[/color] MDP replied emphatically. [color=DeepPink]“She knows that thingie wingies might get super duper toughy wuffy, but, like, if Penny Wenny and Magical Dream Princess do their very wery best, then they’ll totally wotally make all their dreamy weamies come true~!”[/color]

"If only I could share your optimism." Dina replied, blinking at how… naive this outlook seemed to be. "Okay, look. You are a specially annoying womanchild, but you seem to make Penny somewhat happy, and the satisfaction of a Queen is good for its subjects." Dina carefully measured her inflections, as if talking with an hyperactive child. "I want you to focus on what I am going to say. This tournament might fail and we might have to fight for our lives." Dina said.

"When that happens, come to me and I shall see you are evacuated. Don't try to demonstrate the power of love to zealots. You don't need to fight our battles. Just evacuate with the rest."

She eyed the whimsical being, awaiting an answer 

MDP frowned slightly when Dina called her annoying, but didn’t say anything to refute the cat girl’s claim. After all, even with her current, ditzy mindset, she was still well aware of how bothersome her behavior could be to others. Indeed, one of the reasons she loved Penny so much was because none her childish idiosyncrasies seemed to bother the mechanical monarch, who had even gone so far as to say she actually [i]liked[/i] them.

However, when Dina mentioned evacuating in the event that Rachel was victorious, the whimsical girl’s visage took on a look of righteous indignation. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess believes in Penny Wenny, and she thinkie winkies Dina Wina should, too!”[/color] she declared placing her hands on her hips. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, even weven if that meanie weanie with the glasses wasses decidey widies to destroy Danny Wanny’s placey wacey, then Magical Dream Princess will helpy welpy to protect it with all her heart, ‘cause that’s, like, totally wotally what magical wagical girls do~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added, striking a triumphant pose. 

"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Even Penny can fail." Dina said, as her eyes narrowed to slits upon the display."It's not your war, princess… and once you are made an enemy of Beacon they tend to hold grudges."

[i]Besides Penny herself might side with Beacon[/i] Dina grimaced at the thought. None of this seemed to work with this particular girl. Dina herself had always boasted about her diplomacy, and indeed her magical girl powers somehow reflected that. 

No, It wasn't this particular girl. Nothing had ever worked as of late. The party, a mostly joyful affair, had ended in a fight and a tournament. Oros had gone back to her ways after just a token agreement to her convincing.

She was so tired. She wanted to summon a dream eater and scare this perp off. Better to be feared. But she did not. Instead she made sure the door was closed, before closing the distance between the two.

Her hands took the Princess hand, and clasped around it.

"I implore you, be reasonable. For all what's important in the world. Once you got involved with Penny, you have basically involved yourself with the entire Sanctuary. If either of you is crippled or maimed this will be bad for all of us. I cannot ask Penny to just… leave the front and seek safety, but I can ask you."

She then swallowed. "I am [i] begging[/i] you. Please… I am so tired of people not being reasonable at all…"

While it was true that MDP often had trouble following along with complex subjects while in her magical girl form, if anyone around her was feeling distressed, she was always quick to pick up on it, and it was clear to her that Dina was feeling [i]very[/i] distressed. Placing her free hand atop Dina’s, she gave it a gentle pat. [color=DeepPink]“Awww, it’s okie dokie, Dina Wina~”[/color] she told the cat girl with a reassuring smile. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess knows you’re worried about Penny Wenny, and Danny Wanny, and lots of other wother stuffy wuffy, but, like, Dina Wina doesn’t have to worry about everythingie wingie all by herselfy welfy~ Magical Dream Princess is here to helpy welpy~! Even if Penny Wenny doesn’t beat that meanie weanie, and even if Fanfany Wanwany can’t convince her that Danny Wanny’s placey wacey doesn’t need to be destroyed, Magical Dream Princess will still do everythingie wingie she can to helpy welpy everybodywody escapey wapey safey wafey and soundy woundy~! But, like, Magical Dream Princess can’t just run and hidey widey if that meanie weanie starts doing nasty wasty stuffy wuffy…”[/color] she added, a look of determination filling her eyes. [color=DeepPink]“She’s gonna do everythingie wingie she can to make them stoppy woppy! Magical Dream Princess knows you’re super duper worried about Sancuwanctuwary, but, like, she thinkie winkies [i]you’re[/i] more important wortant to it than [i]she[/i] is~ That’s why she’s [i]also[/i] gonna do everythingie wingie she can to keep you safey wafey~! And she’ll keep Penny Wenny safey wafey, too~! That’s, like, her super duper special wecial magical wagical girl pinky winky promise~! (giggle!)”[/color]  

Dina looked at MDP, but she was far from being appeased. "What is so shameful about relying on your elders? No one here is asking you to hold the line. I may be important, yes, but I cannot abide throwing the likes of you into the fray just so I can be protected. That is Sann's job."

[color=DeepPink]“Shameful wameful~?”[/color] MDP asked, tilting her head in obvious confusion. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess doesn’t understandy wandy… She’s gonna stay and helpy welpy because she wants everybodywody to be safey wafey and happy wappy~! You don’t need to ask her to do it, Dina Wina, ‘cause that’s, like, totally wotally why she became a magical wagical girl in the first placey wacey~! (giggle!) And, like, if she didn’t helpy welpy people weple in needy weedy and make their dreamy weamies come true, then she wouldn’t be Magical Dream Princess anymoresie, and that would be, like, super duper awful wawful, ‘cause she wuvs being Magical Dream Princess sooo much, and, like, being Magical Dream Princess and helping welping people weple in trouble wuble is how Magical Dream Princess met Penny Wenny~! (giggle!)”[/color] 

Dina just rose to her feet, her anger growing by each second. "You are not even going to listen to my pleas, aren't you? I [i]need[/i] you to stay out of trouble for Penny's sake."

[color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess [i]is[/i] listening wistening!”[/color] the whimsical girl shot back. [color=DeepPink]“But Magical Dream Princess couldn’t live with herselfy welfy if Penny Wenny got hurt and she wasn’t there to helpy welpy her!”[/color] she added, becoming increasingly upset. Indeed, just the thought of such a terrible thing had caused tears to well up in the childish girl’s eyes, with the waterworks threatening to erupt at any moment. [color=DeepPink]“Can’t Dina Wina understandy wandy that?!”[/color]

"And do you think Penny will approve of me willingly let you get in the fray so you can be hurt? She already mistrusts me." Dina answered back. 

[color=DeepPink]“Penny Wenny knows that Magical Dream Princess can handle wandle herselfy welfy,”[/color] MDP replied with an indigent huff. [color=DeepPink]“And besidey widey, Dina Wina isn’t in charge of Magical Dream Princess, so, like, you can’t order her aroundy woundy like you do with other people weple! And Penny Wenny knows [i]that[/i], too! Like, did she [i]ask[/i] Dina Wina to keep Magical Dream Princess from helping welping her, or is this just something womething [i]Dina Wina[/i] wants?”[/color] she asked pointedly.

"I am the Regent. It is on my plate to safeguard Sanctuary and those involved with Penny in that stead should she be not present." Dina would answer. "If it were up to me and me only, we would not even be in talking terms." She then pointed. "Besides, trying to help and actually being helpful might not even be the same thing."

She let a deep breath."You don't even need to prove anything to her Highness. She was elated to see you. That much is plenty. It's true I cannot order around, and I am loath to use force, which is why I am trying to convince you are giving yourself into folly at a whim!"

[color=DeepPink]“But it’s [i]not[/i] folly wolly!”[/color] MDP shot back. [color=DeepPink]“And Magical Dream Princess [i]knows[/i] she doesn’t have to prove anythingie wingie to Penny Wenny! She wants to helpy weply because she wuvs Penny Wenny with all her heart, and because it’s the right thingie wingie to do!” [/color]

Dina then looked as if she was going to reply, but instead pulled something out of her pockets. "You have forced my hand in this." She said… as she called Penny with her phone.

The call would be picked up within the first ring. Penny’s voice sounding out almost before the ringing stopped in fact. [color=9e0039]‘Dina’[/color] The queen would greet her voice a bit more worn than would be expected [color=9e0039]‘How can I help?’[/color] She would ask readily.

"I beg you pardon, your majesty, but your paramour… is hard to deal with. Worst case scenario… she doesn't wish to evacuate and claims to want to protect everyone. Naturally I am trying to convince her otherwise and be evacuated to safety should the worst happen, but she won't budge. Since I cannot order her, I am letting you know of this fact." Dina answered, before fiddling around with the phone settings until she managed to find the loudspeaker.

There was a crackle of static from the phone that almost sounded like muttered swearing just as Dina switched it to loudspeaker. [color=9e0039]‘Princess, Dina’s right’[/color] Penny’s reply was quick and sure [color=9e0039]‘More than she knows in fact. As the worst case would be back to back evacuations. Because I found out recently, and by recently I mean a few minutes ago, the Sanctuary is even less hidden than we feared. We’ll get everyone we can out, but staying might do more harm than good because of that’[/color]

MDP frowned. [color=DeepPink]“B-But, doesn’t Penny Wenny want Magical Dream Princess’s helpy welpy?”[/color] she asked, sounding somewhat saddened by the mechanical monarch’s response.

[color=9e0039]‘That’s not what I’m saying at all’[/color] Penny would say softly [color=9e0039]‘If worst comes to worst I’m not going to be sticking around either. The Ascendency has good reason to believe they can destroy a dimension, and as far as I am aware they don’t need to be here to do so.’ She would explain, even if it wasn’t as cut and dry as she was making it out to be. ‘I am absolutely going to need your help getting people out of the beach and back to Penrose if they decide that they are done with all of this, and that might include Dan. The loss of the beach will be a big one if that does happen, but keeping everyone else safe and Dan alive will give us the chance to rebuild it.’[/color]

[color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie…”[/color] MDP conceded. As much as she hated to admit it, Penny made some good points, and if the mechanical monarch herself wasn’t going to stay behind to oppose the Ascendancy, then there was little point in MDP staying behind either. [color=DeepPink]“But, like, Magical Dream Princess doesn’t thinkie winkie that’s gonna happen wappen, ‘cause she believes in Penny Wenny with all her heart, and she just [i]knows[/i] Penny Wenny will stoppy woppy that meanie weainie before she can do anythingie wingie terrible werrible~!”[/color] she added cheerfully.

[color=9e0039]‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, and I don’t think it will get that bad either.’[/color] Penny would agree with a chuckle. [color=9e0039]‘But it’s always better to have a back up plan in place.’[/color]

“Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.” Dina would add, as she eyed MDP. “It seems I will need to revise my prediction.” Dina would then add, aghast at the revelation that Penny had brought. Why can’t anything ever work.

[color=DeepPink]“Sooo, like, Magical Dream Princess knows you don’t really like her all that muchy wuchy, but she’d still really like to helpy welpy if she can, so is there, like, anythingie wingie she can do for Dina Wina right nowie~?”[/color] MDP asked the cat girl.

[color=9e0039]‘Sorry Dina’[/color] Penny would chime in [color=9e0039]‘I wanted to tell you as soon as I learned but time was against me. Silver lining is we won’t be blind sided by it. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help as well. Though I’m going to be limited by more than just the matches, as it seems that the dear Inquisitor has her eye on me.’[/color]

Dina's ears would droop, as her tail set itself tightly around the leg. "Just… stay out of trouble. If trouble somehow finds your way to you, meet with me or her Highness with haste." The catgirl said, as she then mumbled something under her breath.

"Worst comes to it, we can just lock Rachel somewhere to win time."

[color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie~! (giggle!)”[/color] MDP replied with a playful salute. [color=DeepPink]“Magical Dream Princess is gonna go and get some refreshment wehsments nowie~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added, while turning and skipping towards the door. [color=DeepPink]“See you later water~!”[/color]

Dina just sighed, as her shoulders visibly slumped. There was much work to do yet. “I’ll continue on doing things behind the scenes.” She said, finishing the call.

Before the line would terminate Penny would have one last thing to say [color=9e0039]‘Thank you Dina. And I owe you an apology, let me know when you have time so we can talk about it. Until then keep up the good work.’[/color]