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Initially, MDP had been so happy as she watched Penny’s second match. Just as with the mechanical monarch’s prior match, the whimsical girl had taken up the role of a vivacious cheerleader, jumping around with her usual hyperactive glee as she encouraged her girlfriend to do her best. However, the childish girl’s bubbly demeanor dissolved in an instant, as she watched a clearly concerned Penny concede the match by dropping into the pool. [color=DeepPink]“P-Penny Wenny…?”[/color] MDP gasped, her eyes going wide with shock and her pompoms vanishing in twin puffs of glittery pink smoke. A moment later, the cybernetic girl emerged from the pool and began walking away, only to pause as a sudden eruption of power from the bottom of the pool violently warped and twisted the water. [color=DeepPink][i]L-Like, what’s going onsie?[/i][/color] the whimsical girl wondered. Her ADHD addled mind struggling to make sense of what she was seeing, MDP watched in stunned silence as Dina leapt into the pool, followed by Penny herself, before another massive detonation of mystic power blasted Penny and Tenebra into the stands. [color=DeepPink]“Penny Wenny!”[/color] MDP cried as she rushed to her robotic girlfriend’s side. The mechanical monarch appeared to be fine, however, as she quickly jumped back into the pool, presumably to retrieve the still unaccounted for Dina. Once Penny had done so, MDP promptly raced over to make sure everyone was okay. Thankfully, with Penny and Tenebra’s help, Dina’s very unpleasant-looking injuries were soon completely healed, and MDP found herself feeling warm and fuzzy at the sight of the former opponents working together.

Then Dan announced that the tournament was being put on indefinite hiatus because the Black Mirror had disappeared…

Now, MDP wasn’t too sure about what, exactly, the Black Mirror was, but she [i]did[/i] know that it belonged to a horror, and if it was missing, that could only mean trouble. [i]Lots[/i] of trouble… Penny apparently agreed, seeing as how the mechanical monarch wasted no time in heading back to the winter island. MDP followed after her, but decided to give her girlfriend some space. Penny was clearly on edge, but despite how much MDP wanted to wrap the cybernetic girl up in a big hug, and cuddle and snuggle with her until everything was better, even the innocent Princess of Dreams knew that this wasn’t the time or place for such things. MDP would still be nearby, of course, ever-ready to help her girlfriend should the robotic girl need it, but she would be far enough removed so that her bothersome hyperactivity wouldn’t get in Penny’s way. Thus, she used every ounce of her willpower to keep herself at a respectful distance and allow Penny the freedom to do things at her own pace. She only hoped that, ultimately, everything would work out…
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Upon MDP and Maribel’s departure, Connie, Gaia, and Amanda had gone back to looking at books, but a short while later, the dream magician informed them that she, too, had to get going. Bidding her friend farewell, Connie gave Amanda a big hug, before presenting her with a Christmas gift (A book of whimsical landscape paintings, along with a painting by Connie herself). Once Amanda had taken her leave, Connie and Gaia had continued to relax in the bookshop until Dan's announcement about the missing mirror shattered the small store’s peaceful ambiance.

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh, g-gosh!”[/color] Connie exclaimed upon hearing the troubling tidings. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-What do you t-think h-happened to it?”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“I don’t know, little sister,”[/color] Gaia replied with a frown. [color=SpringGreen]“But regardless, I sincerely doubt anything good will result from this development… Come on, Connie,”[/color] she added, rising to her feet and returning the book to its place on the shelf. [color=SpringGreen]“We should probably get back to the others and decide our next course of action.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay,”[/color] Connie said with a nod, as she followed after her verdant friend.

Soon enough, they had rejoined Shane, Rose, and Iris, who had just exited the arena. Unsurprisingly, the twins and magical boy were equally concerned by the recent turn of events. Rose and Iris, in particular, said that they needed to rejoin Kayli at once. After promising to meet up again later, Connie gave a shaky wave as the twins hurried off. Meanwhile, after talking things over with Shane, Gaia had decided that they should return to the lodge and see what they could do to assist with resolving the situation. As they headed out, Connie couldn’t help but frown at the current state of their “Christmas Party”. So much drama had already taken place, and it seemed as if even worse was to come. Not only that, but many of her friends had either left for various reasons, were far too busy to bother with her, or were simply nowhere to be found. Now she was just left with Gaia and Shane, making her once again feel like something of a third wheel. At least they would be returning to the winter island, she reflected. That would surely make things seem a [i]little[/i] more festive, right? She certainly hoped so…