Well, tough luck. Despite their efforts, nothing was stopped. In fact things could become worse now that there was no reason for Rachel to find out Finn's identity. She did, and at some point she'll try and kill him. As much as he empathized with her, with what Penny disclosed about her going through hellish stuff as well, she didn't seem the type to easily listen. For now he had to play nice. He had to prepare for the worst. 

 [color=faed27]"So now what? You gonna call Riona back?"[/color] Oliver's question broke him out of his thoughts, as the two idly searched for a cabana to rest in. Finn shook his head.

 [color=C41E3A]"No need. Sent out a group text, we'll meet up early tomorrow."[/color] he explained, showing Oliver the message on his phone as proof. Just cause he can't tackle the magical side of Penrose thoroughly, doesn't mean they cant focus on restoring the mundane side. Might be good business oppertunities too! 

 [color=faed27]"Oh. Okay, but what then? You still wanna leave? They're gonna do the tournament no matter what so..."[/color] Oliver asked him. 

 [color=MediumSeaGreen]"Fate's a bitch like that."[/color] Lauren spoke up, having walked up ahead of them at some point. She turned her head to glance at the two. [color=MediumSeaGreen]"You either gotta wait to do something, or you can't at all. We all had that feeling. Anyways, the others should be near here..."[/color] She trailed off, looking around. Then Lauren spotted the other witches sitting in one of the cabanas. [color=MediumSeaGreen]"There they are, come on then."[/color] The judge walked over to meet up with them, motioning for Finn and Oliver to follow.

 The two looked at each other, then hesitantly followed.

 It was one of those seating area cabanas, rather than the ones with the beds. A couch, and two separate chairs. Surprisingly, Maura was with the other two witches. But she appeared lost in thought, leaning against Rowena who quietly sat beside her. Maribel herself took one of the corner seats, casually drinking a Bloody Mary. The nightmare witch was the first to notice the three, looking over with her usual smile.

 [color=9966CC]"Well, well! If it isn't Wrath and his wraith~!"[/color] Maribel giggled. Finn was too tired to care that they knew him at this point, though something crossed his mind.

 [color=C41E3A]"...You spied on us?"[/color]

 [color=mediumvioletred]"She spied on alot of people, apparently. Didn't even think that can work with our type of portals."[/color] Amanda appeared from besides Maribel, still untransformed. She collaped onto a spare chair. [color=mediumvioletred]"Anyways, guess your plans went to the dogs?"[/color] She asked Finn. He hesitantly nodded.

 [color=9966CC]"Oh don't feel bad, Dear. Lots of ideas get shot down in the same day~"[/color] Maribel tried to reassure him. [Color=9966CC]"A bit suspicious though..."[/color]

 [color=MediumSeaGreen]"Frankly I didn't want to clean up after them if shit hit the fan, but...hmmm. Oi, 'Manda. You know of Pinkie Pie's relation to Penny?"[/color] Lauren asked the magician.

 [color=mediumvioletred]"Girlfriends."[/color]

 [color=PaleVioletRed]"...And the catgirl?"[/color] Rowena spoke up.

 [color=mediumvioletred]"Regent. They're royals, remember?"[/color]

 [color=C41E3A]"Obvious bias..."[/color] Finn grumbled with his arms crossed. Oliver gently nudged him. 

 [color=faed27]"Playing nice, remember?"[/color]

 The wrathful boy looked back at his partner with an eyebrow risen. [color=C41E3A]"They're not all-hearing, Oli."[/color] He then looked back to the group, then to Maura. She's been strangely quiet. [color=C41E3A]"Ma'am? Hey, is everything okay?"[/color] He quietly tried to get her attention. Nothing. He frowned in worry. [color=C41E3A]"Maura?"[/color]

 [color=MediumSeaGreen]"I think she dissociated or some shit. Okay, anyone got an answer for-"[/color]

 [color=PaleVioletRed]"I do."[/color] Rowena spoke up once more, wrapping an arm around the smaller woman. She mirrored Finn's frown. [color=PaleVioletRed]"Your friend, that Samantha girl...I don't know if she made it. I'm sorry."[/color] The quiet witch of life let them process the information she gave them, before continuing. [color=PaleVioletRed]"I don't understand how, there were no external injuries or broken bones. But judging by the amount of blood, it was like her innards ruptered, or even melted if that's possible."[/color] She then sighed. [color=PaleVioletRed]"I don't think Maura took it too well..."[/color]

 Finn, too tired to react at this point, facepalmed. He gave Lauren a side glance. [color=C41E3A]"What was that about Fate being a bitch again?"[/color] then something hit him. [color=C41E3A]"What do you know about the Grand Magstrates?"[/color]

 [color=MediumSeaGreen]"The Magwhomina? Oh, the big bosses. Well, I guess they sometimes act like the Fates."[/color] Lauren shrugged, grabbing a tablet from her hammerspace. [color=MediumSeaGreen]"They're the ones who made the Laws of Magic and other lore stuff, so either the bigwigs of each patron faction got together to do our job, or there's some higher rank no one speaks of. Either way."[/color]

 At that explanation, Finn sighed. [color=C41E3A]"....That explains so much."[/color] He checked back on Maura, who after a while, finally said something:

 [color=crimson]"Have...I failed...?"[/color]

 [color=PaleVioletRed]"Maura, don't think like that-[/color]

 [color=crimson]"Haven't I been trying to?!"[/color] Maura weakly snapped back at Rowena, then hugged her knees. [color=crimson]"My first day as leader and everything's gone to hell! I shouldn't have let Justine join, damnit!! And now they're gone!! T-They're..."[/color] She had to silence herself, or break down again. Her sister pulled her back into a side hug.

 [color=9966CC]"You shouldn't be blaming yourself for the inevitable, Dear."[/color] Maribel told her without looking at her.

 [color=crimson]"Wh-What are you..?"[/color]

 The nightmare witch smirked, taking another sip of her cocktail. [color=9966CC]"Y'know, with all this talk about fate, mayhaps this was unavoidable. One way or another, they would've left. They just needed a catalyst~ If they hadn't left earlier, they probably still cared about you."[/color] Maribel stopped Maura before the reaper could argue back. [color=9966CC]"Atata~ No regrets now~! This may be a burden now, but tomorrow's another day. Take what you're given and make use of it!"[/color] She then turned to everyone else.

 [color=9966CC]"I know there might not be a point in such an endeavor, but what's stopping us from telling the Fates to fuck off already~? Maura, I know you're unwell, but we can help you! If you'd rather ditch this dump, well, I hope my Horror friends find this world delectable~"[/color] Maribel shrugged. [color=9966CC]"So what do you say? You're the one most experience in this field."[/color]

 Other than being surprised Maribel swore, Maura thought. Then her brows furrowed, and she sat up straight. [color=crimson]"If this world must burn, then let there be fire. We'll give them all hell in time, every last one..."[/color] She sighed. [color=crimson]"But not now. Not here. Not where we can be stopped like Finn was."[/color] Maura stood up from her seat. [color=crimson]"I think we overstayed our welcome. Let's go."[/color] With that, the witches and Amanda left for the exit. Finn and Oliver remained by the cabana.

 [color=faed27]"Okay, [i]now[/i] we're alone. Unless you want me to scare off the next person to bother us, what do you wanna-"[/color] With a thump, Finn had let himself fall onto the couch. [color=faed27]"....do."[/color]

 [color=C41E3A]"Ah, sweet peace and quiet, I have missed you so!"[/color] The other boy tiredly chuckled. Oliver stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. The ghost sat down next to him while he adjusted himself, summoning his satchel back to him and setting it down beside their seat.