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[Sub].:⋮Tis the Season⋮:.[/Sub]
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While Connie led her gathering of girls off to the after party. Penny would slip away from the pack with only a quiet word to her girlfriend. Snoopy would stick with MDP to ensure that Penny would easily find her way back, while the Queen herself went off in a different direction. 

It wouldn’t take long to find her quarry, Rachel wasn’t a subtle person after all. Still, Penny would call out as she approached, [color=9e0039][u][b]“Rachel, a moment if you would?”[/b][/u][/color]

Rachel was at another corner of the lodge, her arms crossed and a tired look on her face.
“...If this is about the tournament, drop it,” she answered. “I made myself clear on that matter.”

[color=9e0039][u][b]“No, that wasn’t why I wanted to talk to you.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a shake of her head. She knew that for whatever reason the Inquisitor had for holding off on destroying the beach, Rachel wasn’t likely going to be forthcoming about it any time soon. [color=9e0039][u][b]“You do have my thanks for that”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But In truth I just wanted to give you this”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would go on to say, holding out a small piece of metal. It was the size and shape of a business card, which was fitting since it more or less seemed to be one. As it had a phone number, and what looked to be an IP address cut into it. [color=9e0039][u][b]“In case you want my help for something.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I know that the Ascendency isn’t in need of my assistance, but on the off chance.”[/b][/u][/color] She would give a half shrug. [color=9e0039][u][b]“There isn’t a lot we agree on most likely, but keeping that Mirror out of Mint or Horror hands is one of them.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And if not that perhaps as a sparring partner. Won’t lie, I am a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to clash in the tourney, granted it’s neither of our preferred areas of combat but .”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say with a small smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m curious as to how I stack up.”[/b][/u][/color]

Rachel took the metallic card and took a cursory glance at it. “I see.” She placed it in her pocket, and looked at Penny with another of her trademark stern looks. “Our objectives seem to align, I must admit. But don’t get used to it. Still, I appreciate the gesture.” She then rolled her eyes upon hearing her remark on future sparring. “You stack up alright..” She gave a small smirk, and adjusted her glasses. “But whether you stand up when you’re knocked down is a different question altogether.” She turned away. “In any case, consider your invitation accepted.”

She stood silent for a few seconds, before she spoke again. “Merry Christmas, Penny. Goodbye.”

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I chose Hope for a reason”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she too turned away, a small smile visible. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Merry Christmas Rachel, and Happy hunting.”[/b][/u][/color] With that said Penny would walk away. Her destination was the after party. As much as she wanted to get right on tracking down the Mirror, she didn’t have the contacts or resources to really get started on that. Other than calling Mariette directly, which didn’t seem a good idea. So instead, she would put her efforts towards something that was potentially equally important. Recapturing the holiday spirit.

When Penny did make it back to the party, she stayed close to MDP. She would still mingle though, freely and happily. The end of Dan’s party was a flop, and her own actions before that could easily be seen as a stumble. But so long as she didn’t give up there was always Hope.

Penny knew that better than most, and here she would do her best to help everyone else feel it as well.