[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/udsgqgr.png[/img][/center] [center][hider=MDP Stats] [center][color=DeepPink][h2]Magical Dream Princess[/h2][/color] 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 4 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 9 Oddball: Sweet Dreams | Barrage Wealth and Resources (not while tf'd) | Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Dual Weapon | Natural Aging | Money | Intuition Focused | Mental Link | Hidden Death | Mana Font | Mystic Might Alien Mind | Formless | Rival Force | Clueless [/center] [/hider][/center] Despite multiple calls for her to retreat, MDP continued to blast the Wonderlanders with barrage after barrage of whimsical objects and prismatic beams. She was far too enraged to hear her friends’ concerned voices, and even if she had, it wouldn’t have made any difference. Like a child in the midst of a temper tantrum, all one could really do was wait for them to finally calm down, or somehow resolve whatever situation had upset them in the first place. [color=DeepPink]“GO AWAY!!! GO AWAY!!! GO AWAAAAY!!!”[/color] she screamed as the endless tide of Wonderlanders drew ever-nearer, in spite of her best efforts to force them back. Although her mystical powers were vast, her enemies were just far too numerous. Yet, even if some small, still-rational portion of her brain knew that it would only be a matter of time before she was completely overwhelmed, MDP stubbornly refused to listen to it. [color=DeepPink][i]Like, the bad people weple [b]can’t[/b] win…[/i][/color] she told herself as tears continued to stream down her cheeks. [color=DeepPink][i]T-They just [b]can’t[/b]…[/i][/color] And yet, they [i]had.[/i] The town was as good as demolished, her friends had been forced to flee, and Mister Wister Pillow Willow was… Returning to life before her eyes…? MDP’s flurry of attacks ceased as her full attention was drawn to where her pillowy pal was reforming himself amidst a swirl of lavender energy. In fact, she was so focused on his wondrous resurrection that she didn’t even notice the shadowy void beneath her until it had completely swallowed her, Mister Wister Pillow Willow, and all his fellow pillow pals up. The next instant, MDP found herself in a strange, though admittedly far more peaceful, place. And she wasn’t alone… [color=DeepPink]“PASTEL CHAAAAAAN~!!!”[/color] she cried in unbridled joy, before rushing over to give her best friend and Mister Wister Pillow Willow a big group hug. [color=DeepPink]“You saved him~! You saved him~! (giggle!) Thankie wankies~! Thankie wankies~! Thankie wankies~!”[/color] Amanda tightly wrapped her arms around MDP in relief. She was okay. Thank god she was okay... [color=violet]"I'm so so sorry I wasn't here sooner! I came back as quick as I could and wanted to surprise you and then Valerie told me what was happening and apparently we have a new recruit a-and-!"[/color] She quickly spoke. Maura stood a small distance away from them, wanting to give the two a moment to themselves. [color=DeepPink]“I-It’s okie dokie, Pastel-chan~!”[/color] MDP hastily reassured her friend. [color=DeepPink]“You saved Magical Dream Princess [i]and[/i] Mister Wister Pillow Willow and, like, Magical Dream Princess missed you sooo muchy wuchy and, like, she’s sooo happy wappy to see you againsie wensie~! (giggle!) Like, if anybodywody should be sorry worry, it’s Magical Dream Princess, ‘cause it was [i]her[/i] dummy wummy mistakey wakey that made you have to go bye bye in the first placey wacey…”[/color] she added with a frown. [color=violet]"Nonono, you didn't do anything wrong! We didn't expect the Mint to try and target me and Connie like that, it's okay!"[/color] The magician reassured her in return. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess [i]knows[/i] thatsie watsie, but still…”[/color] the whimsical girl pouted. [color=DeepPink]“[i]She’s[/i] the one who started everythingie wingie…”[/color] A moment later, however, and her infamously short attention span was drawn to the intriguing features of the space the pair were currently standing in, as well as the other young lady present. [color=DeepPink]“Like, what [i]is[/i] this placey wacey, Pastel-chan~?”[/color] MDP inquired as she looked around in wonderment. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, who’s [i]that[/i] lady wady over theresie~?”[/color] At that, Maura finally spoke up. [color=crimson]"My name is Maura, I am the head of the Crimson Cradle, and Amanda's patron."[/color] She introduced herself, walking over to the two. [color=crimson]"And [i]this[/i] is the Cradle, an integral part of our organization."[/color] [color=violet]"We didn't know how else to get you out of there, so Maura opened the cradle up from under you."[/color] [color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~!”[/color] MDP exclaimed, her eyes widening at Maura’s introduction. [color=DeepPink]“Like, [i]you’re[/i] Amanda Wanda’s patron watron person werson~?! But, you look like a normal wormal person werson~! And, like, what’s the Cradle Wadle~?”[/color] she asked, tilting her head, before she smiled brightly as an idea came to her. [color=DeepPink]“Oh~! Is that like your super duper secret wecret headquarters placey wacey~?! Is it~?! Is it~?! Is it~?!”[/color] Maura chuckled. [color=crimson]"Not quite, but you're on the right mark. My mansion [i]is[/i] in here, if you wish to move to somewhere more comfortable."[/color] She offered. [color=DeepPink]“Maura Waura has a mansion wansion~?!”[/color] MDP asked excitedly, her eyes seeming to sparkle. [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess would [i]wuv[/i] to go theresie weresie~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl told her happily. [color=DeepPink]“Like, can Pastel-chan and Magical Dream Princess’s pillow willow pally wallies come, [i]too~?![/i]”[/color] she asked. [color=DeepPink]“Can they~?! Can they~?! Can they~?!”[/color] [color=crimson]"Like I wouldn't let one of my own into our headquarters."[/color] The witch smiled, stepping aside to open a door to her interdimentional lair. [color=crimson]"Right this way!"[/color] She beckoned her guests to enter first. [color=DeepPink]“Wowie zowie~!”[/color] MDP exclaimed as she skipped through the door, her pile of pillow pals floating behind her on a glittery pink cloud. [color=DeepPink]“This placey wacey is super [i]duper[/i] fancy wancy~!”[/color] she marveled as she took in the mansion’s extravagant interior. Walking behind MDP and her pillow friends, Amanda glanced back at Maura. [color=violet]"Thank you for helping her, Ma'am."[/color] [color=crimson]"I know how much she means to you."[/color] Maura nodded. [color=crimson]"The others should be returning soon, best you two catch up before then, hm?"[/color] [color=DeepPink]“So, like, what have you been doing lately wately, Pastel-chan~?”[/color] MDP asked as she wandered around the mansion’s main hall, her attention briskly moving from one interesting sight to another. [color=DeepPink]“Like, have you had any super duper exciting witing adventure wenturs~?!”[/color] Amanda shrugged. [color=violet]"Not exactly. I did spend some time catching up with Aiden though."[/color] [color=DeepPink]“Awww~!”[/color] MDP squealed in delight. [color=DeepPink]“That must have been super [i]duper[/i] nicey wicey~! (giggle!) Thingy wingies in Penrose Wenrose have mostly wostly been normal wormal~”[/color] the whimsical girl explained. [color=DeepPink]“Well, excepty wepty for when those meanie weanies attacked that poor towny wowny, just nowie…”[/color] she added with a petulant frown. The magician furrowed her brows. [color=violet]"Like we needed MORE nim-broads making things more complicated in this town."[/color] She sighed. [Color=violet]"Unfortunate they technically won that fight, from what I gathered. Just hope everyone else is okay."[/color] [color=DeepPink]“Like, Magical Dream Princess thinky winkies she saw Connie Wonnie and Gaia Waia escapy wapey through a teleporter worter thingy wingie,”[/color] MDP replied. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, all the towny wowny people weple were rescue wescued, too,”[/color] she added. [color=DeepPink]“But, like, now they don’t have homey womeies anymorsie…”[/color] the whimsical girl noted sullenly, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. [color=violet]"Just means there's more residents of Penrose now."[/color] Amanda walked up next to MDP, gently rubbing her back to comfort her. [color=violet]"At least until they can find somewhere more permanent to stay at. [i]Maybe[/i] somewhere less likely to get hit with a magical terrorist attack."[/color] MDP definitely thought that was a good idea, but where could such a place even be found? After all, Bolorton didn’t appear to be anywhere special, and it had been invaded and burnt to the ground… Thankfully, conversation soon turned to more pleasant topics as the pair wandered around the mansion, MDP eagerly exploring every nook and cranny, while Amanda did her best to keep up. Eventually, however, even the hyperactive Princess of Dreams began to grow tired, and the two friends decided to say their farewells for the time being. [color=DeepPink]“Like, it was super duper nicey wicey to see you againsie wensie, Pastel-chan~!”[/color] MDP told the dream magician once the pair had returned to the mansion’s main entrance. [color=DeepPink]“Hopefully wopefully, we can have lots more funsie wunsie together wether super duper soony woony~! (giggle!)”[/color] she added with a cheerful smile as she gave her best friend a big farewell hug. Amanda returned the hug in full. [color=violet]"Be careful out there, Dreamy. And make sure Penny's treating you right!"[/color] She grinned. [color=DeepPink]“Okie dokie~!”[/color] MDP replied with a peace sign and a playful wink. [color=DeepPink]“And, like, don’t worry, Pastel-chan~!”[/color] she added. [color=DeepPink]“Penny Wenny is, like, the super duper nicey wiciest~! (giggle!) Oh~! And Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies her pillow willow friendy wendies should stay heresie weresie so you won't get lonely wonely when Magical Dream Princess isn't aroundy woundy~! (giggle!)”[/color] the whimsical girl informed her friend with a gleeful giggle. [color=DeepPink]“Like, bye bye for nowie~!”[/color] With that, the Princess of Dreams skipped out of The Cradle and onto the rooftops of Penrose, as if she had never even left them. [hr] [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/11844121-70b4-40d4-8d27-6274ede736b1.png[/img][/center] [color=BlueViolet][i]What a night…[/i][/color] a weary Violet Covington thought to herself after arriving back at her private office and returning to her mundane form. It had been a veritable roller coaster of events, that was for sure, and the tired heiress was very much looking forward to a good night’s sleep. However, before she could enter her bed chambers, the sound of an unexpected voice completely stopped the young woman in her tracks… "...Mustard was close to winning, but Sparkler caught up just at the finish. Didn't think he had it in him, but what can ya do?" She heard Al's voice in the chamber, and realized he was speaking to someone else: a magical girl with jet-black hair.  [color=violet]"I’m not surprised."[/color] the black haired girl said with a grin. [color=violet]"You’re a horrible judge of character. Look how long it took you to see my potential?"[/color] He turned to Violet. "Oh, excuse me, Miss Covington. Thought we'd drop by. First of all, I'd like to introduce you to Chloe. She's going to be helping me run things." The bikini-clad magical girl pushed a red scarf around her neck before setting a hand on her hip. [color=violet]"Oh my, aren’t you fair?"[/color] Chloe’s eyebrows bobbed up and down on her head. [color=violet]"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Covington. You’ll have to pencil a date with me into your schedule later."[/color]  [color=BlueViolet][i]W-What is [b]he[/b] doing here?![/i][/color] Violet’s mind raced. [color=BlueViolet][i]D-Did he see me transform?! Does he [b]know…?![/b][/i][/color] The heiress’s head spun. [color=BlueViolet][i]And did he just say [b]Chloe?![/b][/i][/color] Violet had heard about this girl from Penny, enough to know that she was dangerous in the extreme. But she had also supposedly [i]left[/i] Penrose. To encounter her here, [i]now…[/i] [color=BlueViolet][i]No, calm down,[/i][/color] she ordered herself. [color=BlueViolet][i]This is no time for hysterics. No matter what is going on, you are [b]still[/b] Violet Covington. So [b]act[/b] like it![/i][/color] Despite her shock, Violet quickly composed herself. [color=BlueViolet]“I see,”[/color] the heiress replied curtly. [color=BlueViolet]“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well,”[/color] she added, turning her attention to Al’s new ‘assistant’. [color=BlueViolet]“And I while I currently have no time for romantic engagements, I can certainly see the benefits of becoming better acquainted with one another, and it should be fairly simple to arrange a business meeting to facilitate such,”[/color] she conceded, her calm demeanor betraying none of the tempestuous emotions she felt. [color=BlueViolet]“However, I would ask that you attend said meeting dressed in more…. [i]modest[/i] attire.”[/color]   [color=violet]"Oh this old thing? It’s just my work uniform. But I don’t mind getting dressed up for you."[/color] She winked at Violet.  Al coughed into hist fist while giving a quick glance at Chloe. "Excuse my associate's…unprofessional mannerisms. She's new, you see.” [color=violet]"New [i]and[/i] fun."[/color] Chloe added. “Now, let's get to brass tacks: I have some good news to share." He pulled out a paper from his jacket and handed it over to Violet with a smile. "Your daddy dearest is finally free from the curse. As for how that happened, my best guess is that the caster who hexed him ended up on the wrong side of the tracks and took up early retirement. I'll still have people checking up if they can find anything, of course. Anyway, might take some time for him to recover, but he's no longer in danger." Despite her considerable willpower, Violet couldn’t keep her eyes from widening upon hearing this latest revelation. Honestly, it was the [i]last[/i] thing she would have expected, and it was more than a little coincidental, in light of recent events. Indeed, only a day earlier, Ruby, the djinn girl, had presented her with a pair of mystic items, which would hopefully cure her father, and now the Mint were here, saying they had done it themselves? It begged the question: [i]why?[/i] Yet, Violet knew she couldn’t ask that. After all, she wasn’t supposed to know that the Mint were behind the curse in the first place. Thus, she would continue to play her part and hope that an answer would eventually present itself. [color=BlueViolet]“T-That’s wonderful news,”[/color] Violet said after a moment. [color=BlueViolet]“I am so glad to know that my father will finally be free of that dreadful affliction.”[/color] "Indeed, and just at the right time, it seems." Al's positive demeanour turned cold. "Now for the bad news. Our intelligence department has confirmed that Penrose will soon be invaded by a magical monarchy called Wonderland." He gave a photograph to Violet. "The Queen of Hearts runs that dictatorship. Comely lass, but not one I would suggest trying to be amicable with. Even for you," he added, once again glancing at Chloe. 

Chloe folded her arms and looked away from Al. [color=Violet]“I would never befriend a buzzkill  who struts around and pretends to be part of some ‘nobility’”[/color] She placed a hand over her mouth. [color=Violet]“Well, maybe [i]one[/i], but it’s not her.”[/color]  Al resumed speaking to Violet. "It might be a month, a week, or maybe even only days before she rolls the red carpet. However, we at the Ebon Mint put the safety of our clients at top priority, and so we have developed a new weapon." He snapped his fingers, and a shadow extended out from his feet, taking the shape of a girl familiar to both Violet and Chloe. Soon the silhouette rose up and took three-dimensional shape: it was Penny, or at least, looked like her, though it differed in having a black-and red color scheme. The android had an unnerving neutral expression as it stood still. Al, however, grinned. "Powered and Enhanced Near-Needless cYbot, or P.E.N.N.Y for short. Based on a local robot girl's design, these magitek machines are capable of autonomous patrols, security detail, and even combat against magically potent adversaries." He tapped the android's forehead, eliciting only audible beeps and whirrs. "They are linked to a network, allowing them to share and utilize combat data gathered by all units. They are also equipped with both close-combat and ranged armaments, capable of engaging at practically any situation." He offered a winning smile at Violet. "We have developed a prototype set and produced promising results from field tests, including data against multiple Mahou. Though they are a bit expensive, we assure you that they are worth the cost. So, what do you think?" Before Violet could say anything, Chloe had approached the P.E.N.N.Y. unit and stroked its cheek. [color=Violet]“And speaking of!”[/color] Her grin widened. [color=Violet]“All that power bending to your will.”[/color] One of her eyes flared up as she examined it.  [color=Violet]“Oh it [i]is[/i] powerful too. I can hardly tell the difference between the real thing.”[/color] She spun around and leaned against the P.E.N.N.Y. unit, reaching behind her head to stroke its face. [color=Violet]“If you aren’t impressed by just looking at it, rest assured that your father could [i]never[/i] build something like this. I think anyone could sleep soundly with a few of these around, well, maybe not your enemies.”[/color] Violet was silent for a moment as she studied the Mint’s new war machine, while doing her best to ignore Chloe’s antics. [color=BlueViolet]“I think,”[/color] she said, fixing Al with a hard stare. [color=BlueViolet]“That you are trying to sell me improved versions of the automaton you had my company construct for you several weeks ago. Or did you forget about all the work your people did retooling one of our largest factories so that it would be able to manufacture them? In any case,”[/color] she added before the broker could reply. [color=BlueViolet]“I thank you for the warning, and I would be only too happy to employ this fascinating design in the defense of Penrose. But I am curious, if what you say is true, how large do you anticipate this invasion being?”[/color] Though Al hid his own reaction, Violet could tell based on subtle hints that he didn't expect her reaction. "Based on what we know, it's not going to be pretty. Wonderland supposedly holds the kind of threat that even Beacon, one of the major players in the magical community, is averse to direct conflict with them. There is a real risk that Penrose could become a giant pile of rubble. Or maybe they'll simply capture the city intact." He then produced a binder with papers inside. "In any case, you can view details for the product and purchase proposal in these documents before giving your final say. Please notice the special discount included, for your company's contribution in the production and materials." He handed the binder to her. "If you change your mind, the Ebon Mint is available to contact any time. Goodbye for now, Miss Covington." He then opened a shadowy black portal, and disappeared through it, leaving the portal behind for Chloe. She approached the portal, placing a single foot inside before turning to look at Violet. [color=Violet]“I’ll call you later. We can discuss a time and what you’d like me to wear then.”[/color] She tossed her scarf over her shoulder. [color=Violet]“I can assure you, you won’t regret it.”[/color] She didn’t look away from Violet as her form disappeared inside the portal’s murky surface, at which point it vanished. Now that she was finally alone, Violet allowed a shudder of disgust to run down her spine. Keeping up this charade when it was just Al was unpleasant enough, but now having to deal with this “Chloe” as well? The heiress could see why Penny had such a low opinion of her, and she dreaded the idea of having to endure her flirtatious advances during a (hopefully short) business meeting. Still, these developments weren’t [i]entirely[/i] bereft of benefits. With Wonderland planning to invade the city, Violet would take all the help she could get defending it, especially when the odds were good that Penny could hack into these new knockoffs as easily as she’d done with the [i]first[/i] series. Yes, the heiress reflected, she’d need to discuss these matters with her girlfriend as soon as possible…