[center] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/11844121-70b4-40d4-8d27-6274ede736b1.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200312/bd228c426d0da7459764cb788d45b1cd.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/TiCSHec.png[/img] [Sub].:⋮New(s) management⋮:.[/Sub] [/center] As things were wrapping up after the wendigo fight, Penny had taken MDP aside to express her interest in having a formal business meeting at Covington Tower, something the whimsical girl was only too happy to agree to. Upon returning to her private office, the detransformed heiress had checked her schedule and texted Penny on their secure communications link with all the relevant details. Around noon, two days later, Melisa’s cheerful voice informed Violet that her guests had arrived. [color=BlueViolet]“Thank you Melisa,”[/color] the heiress told her secretary in a calm and professional tone. [color=BlueViolet]“Please send them in.”[/color] Penny was the first to walk through the door, her bright amber eyes scanning the room as she entered. She was dressed much more formally than her normal jacket and jeans in a dark gray pantsuit, though she was without a tie, and was carrying a folder under one arm. The suit was notably worn, and wasn’t a perfect fit for Penny, but helped her stand out less in the corporate building. The tattoo of gears around her left eye, and waist length neon blue hair, however meant it was impossible to go completely unnoticed. But it did help distract away from some of her unsealed qualities bleeding over, such as her unnaturally bright eyes. or the fact that she was wearing gloves that went past her wrist. The doll-like joints that resided on her hands in this form would be just as impossible to explain after all. Overall she looked like a teen, but at least one who was trying to make this visit work. She would walk straight over to the desk even as she continued to examine the office, noting and cataloging everything she saw. But she was quiet, not nervous, but unsure exactly on how disconnected to keep the Magical and Mundane in Violet’s office. Thus she would wait for the heiress to set the pace. Dina for her most part, had erased all traces of her feline features, but she still stood out significantly. She was wearing a brocaded dress worthy of a princess, and her hair hung long and luscious cascading down her neck. She did look even too high class for a corporate environment, a stark contrast with Penny. She checked the room with a neutral stare as she advanced closer. Violet smiled as the two young women entered and approached her desk. [color=BlueViolet]“Penny, Dina, it’s good to see you,”[/color] the heiress greeted them with a polite smile. [color=BlueViolet]“Welcome to Covington Tower. Please, have a seat,”[/color] she added, gesturing to the pair of comfy-looking chairs in front of her desk. [color=BlueViolet]“And you need not worry about anyone listening in on our conversation,”[/color] she told Dina in an attempt to assuage some of the regent’s anxious concern. [color=BlueViolet]“Penny was kind enough to assist me in thoroughly scanning the room for bugs. But please don’t let that stop you from looking around,”[/color] she clarified with a small smirk. The chamber, while quite luxurious, was still somewhat spartan, possessing a crisp, clean, futuristic aesthetic. Nothing extraneous seemed present, only what was needed at that precise moment, the only decoration being several paintings of august visages which resided in recessed alcoves on either side of Violet’s desk. A substantially larger image of her father was located behind, and just above, where she was sitting, as if the elder Covington was passing judgment on all gathered. [color=BlueViolet]“Those portraits depict esteemed members of my family’s lineage,”[/color] Violet explained. [color=BlueViolet]“I find they serve as suitable reminders of the legacy I am tasked with upholding.”[/color] [color=9e0039]”Still have to say it’s an interesting look.”[/color] Penny would comment as she turned her gaze to Violet. [color=9e0039]“Not used to seeing my aesthetic all over the place.”[/color] Which had a lot to do with the fact that she lives in an abandoned warehouse, but also that most of the world was always going to be playing catch up to Penny’s own systems in one degree or another. [color=9e0039]“Here is what I could find about the Penrose Independent.”[/color] The sealed monarch would go on to say, sliding over the folder she had. [color=9e0039]“Magically there isn’t much to do, since Eden up and vanished, so letting those who are currently working there know about the change in ownership is about it on that side.”[/color] It was the mundane side of things that Penny was running into issues with. Since she didn’t exist according to the mundane world, and even if she did she would at best be considered a minor. To say nothing of not really having the money to buy it. Dina for the most part, would look at the portraits, then at Violet. "New money huh." She would add as an afterthought. "I still can't get used to the spins and turns of the world." She would add, her head tilting at Violet. "But still some things ring true. In Business trust is essential. It would be too foul to listen on us. And pretty little gain to get. I am not concerned with that regard, child." "A propaganda machine at our service with mortal aides should help… but I am afraid our timing is the worst." [color=9e0039]“Our timing is closer to now or never unfortunately”[/color] Penny would say [color=9e0039]“The Sanctuary is barely keeping a float even if it doesn’t seem like it. We need some kind of income, and soon. Or we are going to have to start turning people away.”[/color] Violet couldn’t help but smile when Penny noted the similarity between the office’s aesthetics and those of her own transformed appearance. That fact was, after all, one of the reasons for the heiress’s initial attraction to Penny, and as she had gotten to know the cybernetic girl, that attraction had only grown more pronounced. Still, as much as she wanted to enjoy this time with her girlfriend, and possibly even give her a full tour of Covington Tower, Violet knew that this was a business meeting, first and foremost, and so she allowed it to proceed uninterrupted. [color=BlueViolet]“Hmmm…”[/color] Violet murmured as she skimmed over the files Penny had presented her with. [color=BlueViolet]“I would have thought the Independent’s magical members would have fled the city along with Miss Campbell,”[/color] she observed with a raised eyebrow. [color=BlueViolet]“Amanda told me all about what she did at the rave, and honestly, with the Ascendancy essentially making them public enemy number one, I would think that even the mundane assets associated with that name would have abandoned it fairly quickly. Speaking of, while I am completely in favor of making full use of its various assets, I do not think it particularly prudent to continue to make use of the Penrose Independent name. We shall have to come up with a new identity, one that will not be misconstrued as perpetuating the twisted and openly antagonistic ideology of Miss Campbell’s organization.”[/color] At Dina’s comment, Violet would turn to address the former noble. [color=BlueViolet]“Old money, actually,”[/color] she clarified, her voice taking on a slightly sharper tone. [color=BlueViolet]“My family’s business empire was built over more than a century and a half of beneficial partnerships and insightful patronage of revolutionary new technologies, and it continues in much the same manner today,”[/color] she added, clearly quite proud of her prestigious heritage. [color=BlueViolet]“But you are correct, trust [i]is[/i] essential, which is exactly why you need a means of letting people know what the Sanctuary [i]really[/i] sands for, without detrimental rumors and harmful biases getting in the way. And I believe having control of a news agency is one of the best ways to accomplish that.”[/color] Turning back to Penny, she added in a more sympathetic tone, [color=BlueViolet]“As for the Sanctuary’s current resource shortages, I believe CI may be able to assist with alleviating them. As you might be aware, we’ve recently begun undertaking an array of charitable projects to improve the city’s quality of life. I do not believe it would be too difficult to divert some of those resources to aid what is essentially a local homeless shelter.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“Most people seemed to hyper fixate on Eden from what I can gather.”[/color] Penny would explain the odd discrepancy [color=9e0039]“Beacon even ran a full investigation, but there aren't any ties with the organization as a whole to Mint. It was only ever Eden. I’m not saying that everyone stuck around, but since Eden left most of the heat being brought about on them is gone.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“There is likely only a skeleton crew left on either side of the divide, I’ve not gone digging too deep into the paper trails to verify. But right now most of the infrastructure is still in place and at least a few people are still working there. The need to be rebranded is still a valid point however.”[/color] Dina's ears twitched as her tail swished ever so slightly. Her eyes gazed at Violet's comment, clearly disliking the fact that she thought century and half was enough to qualify as an old lineage. She could alone recite 200 years worth of ascendants gone up in smoke and flames so that the children of merchants and traders and communists could take power. She kept watching as she went on the tirade of a public propaganda machinery. "Calling the Sanctuary a homeless shelter is a little too much, Covington."She would reply, unable to go silent any longer. "I am sorry, your Highness, but I believe I no longer qualify to be a part of this. I will take my leave now. I will try to find other methods." Dina would then excuse herself with the most elegant curtsy she could, awaiting Penny. [color=9e0039]“If you’re sure”[/color] Penny would state, with a note of minor confusion. [color=9e0039]“I’ll catch up with you later and give you a run down of what we covered.”[/color] [color=BlueViolet]“Very well,”[/color] Violet replied politely as she rose from her seat. [color=BlueViolet]“I hope the rest of your day is more productive. Well,”[/color] the heiress added with an annoyed scowl once the regent had departed. [color=BlueViolet]“[i]That[/i] was certainly unpleasant. If anything, I think she has grown even [i]more[/i] unbearable since last we met… I am sorry Penny,”[/color] she apologized after exhaling a weary sigh. [color=BlueViolet]“I simply do not know why she seems to detest me so much. I can understand if she finds my behavior in my transformed state somewhat… [i]difficult[/i] to tolerate, but I would like to think I was being very civil and courteous just now.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“Your guess is as good as mine unfortunately.”[/color] Penny would say gaze lingering on the door in which Dina just recently departed. [color=9e0039]“I mean the Sanctuary is a homeless shelter, effectively, so I’m not sure why that was such a sticking point.”[/color] She would shrug before returning her attention back to Violet. [color=9e0039]“I guess her vision of the Sanctuary and mine are just different, and that distinction is growing more noticeable by the day.”[/color] She would offer up even if it was somewhat easy to tell that Penny wasn’t fully sure herself. [color=9e0039]“Stuff like this has been cropping up more and more often since the Christmas party.”[/color] Dina for the most part stopped in her tracks just outside. Her hairs were bristling, as she allowed herself to calm herself down. [i]...Think again, Dina. There’s a lot of people counting on you. What good is your pride if it lets you get in the way of things. Mayhaps the body does have an influence on the mind. Sometimes I feel like i’m truly fourteen.[/i] With a heavy sigh, she resolved herself, and opened the doors. “I’m sorry.” She admitted. “These are trying times. Mayhaps I got too attached to what you call a homeless shelter. I lost people defending them, and I nearly lost my life doing so. Being addressed as such makes one wonder if all our struggles meant something. But I must face the truth. I’m just a cat with no money. Defending our wounded pride will not go very far.” She offered a bow. “I would like to make amends for those under my charge, if you would have me.” Violet couldn’t help but be surprised when Dina returned and apologized for her earlier behavior. Still, although this was not something the heiress had expected, she was pleased to see it, nonetheless. [color=BlueViolet]“Of course,”[/color] Violet replied with a demure nod. [color=BlueViolet]“And there is no need to apologize,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“If anything, [i]I[/i] am the one at fault here. I did not intend any offense by referring to the Sanctuary as a homeless shelter, and you have [i]my[/i] deepest apologies if my words came across as such. Please know that I have nothing but respect for what you and Penny are working to accomplish there, and I would never seek to demean such a worthy endeavor.”[/color] Penny was also surprised at Dina’s reappearance, but it was very much a pleasant one. Listening to the short byplay gave Penny a better idea at what it was that must have gotten to the Regent. From there it wasn’t hard for Penny to assume that various girls who lived at the Sanctuary would likely react along similar lines if faced with hearing their home referred to as a homeless shelter. [color=9e0039]“I suppose it might be better to call the Sanctuary an enclave at this point.”[/color] Penny would say, though she was thinking more aloud. [color=9e0039]“Originally it was just supposed to be a mix between a homeless shelter and halfway house. But we’ve grown past that stage haven’t we.”[/color] Likey it grew past that point while Penny was first stuck at the beach, and Cindy was using it as a base. The reminder was useful, even if it wasn’t what Dina had intended. Penny would have to set some time aside to go over this more at another time. “If I may…interject.” She added after coughing. “Rebranding is fairly simple. All we need is to imitate the real world. The people we need to reach are fundamentally teenagers. Now, I may be 105 years old, but if I’m not mistaken, fashion, and good looking boys should catch the attention. We can then slip some more… elaborate and conventional news in between. But if we want to rake in cash we need to cater to people's vanity and need for entertainment.” Violet’s eyebrow rose at Dina’s observation. [color=BlueViolet]“Are you suggesting that instead of publishing a respectable news periodical, we lower our standards to that of a gossip-filled tabloid?”[/color] she asked somewhat incredulously. [color=BlueViolet]“Forgive me, but I had assumed you would be the very [i]last[/i] person to suggest such a course of action. How do [i]you[/i] feel about this, Penny?”[/color] Penny would ponder the idea for a moment [color=9e0039]“We could do both”[/color] She would offer up. [color=9e0039]“We’d already be running two different types of outlets as is. One of them would by necessity but stuck to reporting on the mundane side, while another would tackle the magical one.”[/color] Would come the explanation. [color=9e0039]“Ideally we would be a trusted news source, money is the driving goal at the moment, yes, but not my only one. There are those out there that don’t believe that anything good can come out of the Sanctuary, or anything like it. Building a reputation of being a trustworthy news source will help with that.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“But writing tabloids can be a fun outlet. Especially since so many of us can’t easily move around in the mundane world. We could turn it into a conspiracy tabloid that is talking about the magical world in such a way only those in the know would be able to tell.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“I will admit to not having much of an investment in the mundane world though.”[/color] Penny would admit with a somewhat sheepish shrug. [color=9e0039]“My position, and Penrose in general, means that I tend to focus more on the magical side of things.”[/color] Dina nodded, her gaze resting on Violet. "Well, that is the best idea I came up with to wash Eden's imprint. I do not think people will ever raise arms against… this kind of vulgar publishing. It could allow us a respite, get us some funds, and test if the Penrose Independent can still work as a proof-of-concept. Going from tabloid to serious might be tough, but at least the staff won't be reviled." [color=BlueViolet]“Hmmm…”[/color] Violet mused. [color=BlueViolet]“Those are both good points, and I agree that running two contrasting publications would serve to cover all our needs, but we would have to ensure that they remain separate,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“That is to say, there shouldn’t be a discernible link between them. With that in mind, we would actually be creating two separate agencies, with little to no overlap. However, I think the real question we need to consider is who shall be running each organization? When I was working under the assumption that we would be operating only one agency, I had initially intended for Amanda to fill that role, but due to the Mint’s recent machinations, she has decided to leave Penrose for the time being. I could still perhaps convince her to work remotely, but I feel it would be better to have someone physically present, and even then, we would ideally need a [i]second[/i] individual to head up our other agency. Do either of you have any suggestions in this regard?”[/color] Penny’s confusion was readily apparent even before she spoke up [color=9e0039]“Why would they need to be separated?”[/color] She would ask not seeing any issue with running both publications side by side. [color=9e0039]“If we are running the divide down the masquerade line it wouldn’t matter that the magical side knows we are running both wouldn’t it?”[/color] "Hmm…how about..what was it…supplements? We just bundle them together." She paused. "As for who… Well, I don't think there will be shortage of volunteers at Sanctuary. Maybe Dullahan can. Goblina… " Dina would then ponder. "I even knew of a teleporter but she seems to have faded out of Penrose recently." Upon hearing Penny’s confusion, Violet would give voice to a tired sigh. [color=BlueViolet]“I suppose it is simply my paranoia talking, but I am reluctant to allow such a sizable group of people, most of whom I have yet to meet, to have full knowledge of something that could easily be used against us. As I am sure I don’t need to remind you, Penny, we have no small number of enemies, and in light of that, limiting potentially compromising information to as few people as possible only makes sense. For example, what if one of the people responsible for publishing the magical tabloid leaked the information that we were also responsible for publishing what is ostensibly a credible news source? Even if that information wouldn’t make any difference among the magical community, it would do possibly irreparable damage to our reputation among the mundane population. In particular, having Covington Industries’ name associated with a conspiracy theory-promoting tabloid would have a noticeable effect on how we are viewed as a company, and not a positive one.”[/color] Turning to Dina, she added, [color=BlueViolet]“While I am glad to hear that such a large number of the Sanctuary’s residents are willing to assist us, ideally they should have at least [i]some[/i] experience in journalism, and if they wish to take on a leadership role, team management as well. With that in mind, would it be possible to take a survey of the volunteers’ skill sets and occupational histories, if applicable? That way, we can assign them to the tasks they would be most suitable for.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“I can set up a survey for everyone without too much trouble.”[/color] Penny would reply. Turning one of the dead arcade cabinets into a survey station shouldn’t take too much work. And then letting everyone there know that it was to streamline things for when jobs came in wouldn’t be much of a hassle either. [color=9e0039]“The paranoia, and your company’s reputation are good points as well.”[/color] The mundane reputation was one thing Penny had already admitted to overlooking, but the paranoia was worth a second look. The Mint, presumably, knew a fair bit about the Penrose independent due to their dealing with Eden and could likely use that information against them. The monarch didn’t think that they would have a lot of sensitive information to sit on at first, but eventually? Who knows. [color=9e0039]“Building off your company’s reputation, we might need to keep both sides serious from the start. Otherwise the jarring divide might get people to look deeper than you might be comfortable with.”[/color] Dina would bring her hand to her chin, pondering options. "Looks like we have forget about the fast pay off option. No matter. We can still use gossip to work for us. While we are building our serious publication, we leak the rumour that someone is here to take Eden's spot. What is it what they call it, mamis? Meowmes? That sort of thing. If need be I bet I can conjure a few creatures for extra hands." [color=BlueViolet]“Possibly…”[/color] Violet mused after Penny had made her suggestion. [color=BlueViolet]“Although I think we can still proceed with our initial plan, as long as no link can be drawn between the two publications, or, more importantly, between the tabloid and CI. With that in mind, perhaps the Sanctuary itself could assume full ownership of, and control over, that side of things, with minor, covert assistance from CI, if and when necessary?”[/color] [color=9e0039]“Memes”[/color] Penny would correct Dina’s uncertainty off-handedly. [color=9e0039]“And yeah the Sanctuary could take full ownership of the tabloid.”[/color] She would answer Violet [color=9e0039]“Only assistance I can foresee us needing would be keeping us in the black, but I’m not sure if we’d need much assistance with that. Once people learn that it's the Sanctuary putting out that side of things that should be enough of a draw to get at least a stable base to work from.”[/color] Or at least that was Penny’s hope on the matter. "So it's settled then." Dina would then say. "If I was 70 years younger I would engage myself, but even If I smiled and posed I do not think I could keep up with people and their… excessive lack of modern clothing." [color=BlueViolet]“Excellent,”[/color] Violet declared with a pleased smile. [color=BlueViolet]“In that case, I shall contact the relevant parties and draw up the appropriate paperwork in regard to the mundane side of things. I would ask to remain apprised of all future developments on your end,”[/color] the heiress added with a teasing smirk. [color=BlueViolet]“But since Penny and I chat every day, I don’t foresee that being an issue.”[/color] "Mew?"Dina replied in slight surprise. "What do you mean by that?" [color=BlueViolet]“Simply that we have a secure means of conversing with each other,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“Is that really so surprising?”[/color] "For someone so mundane, yes." Dina would answer. [color=BlueViolet]“[i]Penny[/i] is not mundane,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“And neither am I, for that matter,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“Even if I was, Penny alone is fully capable of establishing the kind of covert communications link we require. As it is, we worked on it together, while making use of some unintentional assistance from a few other friends of mine.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“The never ending wonders of the digital worlds”[/color] Penny would remark with a smile of her own. [color=9e0039]“There are a half dozen different ways to hide or mask a network. And that’s before you start getting magic involved. Add that, the fact I’m an AI, or that Violet is on the later end of the bell curve when it comes to intelligence to the equation and that number grows exponentially.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“Main reason I’ve not done more for the Sanctuary in that regard is that there is a start-up cost for a lot of those if you want them to be more than a peer to peer set up. But that’s what the computer terminal I’ve set up is for.”[/color] "I am saying your involvement with the Magical world is concerning, Miss Covington. Despite the fact we wish for a joint endeavour I do wish to insist that you still have a way to go back to a normal life and you should think carefully." Dina would add. [color=BlueViolet]“Oh, I have thought [i]very[/i] carefully about it,”[/color] Violet replied with an amused smile. [color=BlueViolet]“With Penny’s assistance, I have taken every precaution possible to ensure that no one, the Ebon Mint most of all, learns of my connections to the magical community, or of my magical alter-ego.”[/color] Dina sighed. "Then it is already too late. It's not a matter of whether they know. It's a matter of when." She then added. "There are always ways of knowing things." Dina replied. "Not only electronic espionage works, but the old fashioned vermin network, spirits. Even plants can be used. These three methods often tend to be overlooked because they do require particular powersets." Dina would then say. "And Penny cannot tap in any of these three." [color=BlueViolet]“Perhaps,”[/color] Violet conceded. [color=BlueViolet]“But I believe Penny and I are more than capable of creating devices that can not only detect, but completely jam such avenues of espionage. And as it is,”[/color] the heiress added. [color=BlueViolet]“They should have no reason to suspect anything. After all, I have been fully amenable to every suggestion and offer they have made, regardless of how repulsive I might actually find them.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“The Mint isn’t one to rock the boat if they don’t need to.”[/color] Penny would chip in [color=9e0039]“They aren’t omniscient, so as long as they’ve not got a good reason to go poking about their agent’s business they don’t”[/color] Something that Penny knew from personal experience. "That is not very reassuring, but I will not dwell on something that cannot be changed. Remember that pride comes before the fall." Dina would simply reply. [color=BlueViolet]“I prefer to think of it as confidence,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“Confidence that, when Penny and I work together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“Hope for the best”[/color] Penny would quote with a nod to Dina [color=9e0039]“But prepare for the worst. If the situation starts changing we will have back ups in place. For now things are holding and should stay that way.”[/color] To be honest Penny felt that Dina was likely more in the right than anything. All secrets had a way of coming to light one way or another. She did disagree with the effort to give Violet a way back to the mundane however. Penrose as it was didn’t allow easy stepping away from everything. That and the Magical world tended to be very clingy. Simply ignoring everything wouldn’t cause it to go away, Violet was entrenched already, this meeting for the Sanctuary wouldn’t be much in the face of an active Patron. Dina’s ears twitched. “Should you find yourself in trouble, come to me if Penny is unavailable. I might be able to do something, as meager as I am.” Dina would then add. She knew she was right, but youths would rarely see the bitter lessons of life unless experienced firsthand. [color=BlueViolet]“Of course,”[/color] Violet replied with a nod. [color=BlueViolet]“You have already proven yourself to be quite resourceful, and I would be foolish not to make use of your vast experience. Now then,”[/color] the heiress added, folding her elegant hands atop her desk. [color=BlueViolet]“Was there anything else you wished to discuss?”[/color] [color=9e0039]“That’s the basis I think”[/color] Penny would reply leaning back in her chair a bit. [color=9e0039]“Anything else would need information we don’t have currently I believe.”[/color] “Just don’t hog Penny all the time…” Dina would then reply. “Magical Dream Princess.” [color=BlueViolet]“I shall do my best not to,”[/color] Violet replied with a wry smirk. [color=BlueViolet]“And I would ask that you please refrain from referring to me by that name,”[/color] the heiress added, her tone becoming slightly pointed. [color=BlueViolet]“When I am my mundane self, I would prefer if you simply addressed me as Violet, or Miss Covington, if formality is required. I know that the chances of anyone overhearing this conversation are virtually nonexistent,”[/color] she continued, her attention firmly on the regent. [color=BlueViolet]“But I would still like to take as few chances as possible, something I am sure you will agree with.”[/color] Giving voice to a small sigh, Violet allowed a smile to slowly return to her face. [color=BlueViolet]“You know, I think it shall be a rather exciting prospect to own a news agency,”[/color] the heiress mused, rising from her chair and stepping over to one of the portraits on her wall. [color=BlueViolet]“My great-grandfather, Cornelius Covington, once owned a very successful newspaper, and the thought of following in his illustrious footsteps fills me with great pride.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“Well then, let's make the Sanctuary Inquirer worth the effort then shall we?”[/color] Penny would add, a confident grin breaking out as she did. [color=BlueViolet]“Yes,”[/color] Violet agreed with a grin of her own. [color=BlueViolet]“Let’s.”[/color] Dina just nodded sagely, before pondering. She really hoped this wouldn’t do them in like the one known as Eden.