[center][h1][i][color=cfff04]M[/color]eet the W[color=e3bbc6]a[/color]i[color=C41E3A]f[/color]u/Husband[color=faed27]o[/color][/i][/h1][/center]

The days following the raid on Bolorton were interesting for Cradle. Beyond the attack that was no doubt coming from Wonderland, Finn had managed to get some of his trials under his belt, and Mac had sought out some new contacts. It was time for a meeting. 

After taking a shower, Mac was ready. But this meeting was going to be a little more awkward than her last one.

Mac was standing in one of the hallways in Maura’s mansion with Finn and Oliver in front of her. 

[color=cfff04]"...And after the raid, there wasn’t time to tell anyone. So I decided to wait until now to spill the beans.”[/color] Mac tipped her hat. [color=cfff04]"So yea! Iron Mouse doesn’t exist, and I was her the entire time. In hindsight, it was extremely reckless to not tell you guys this at first, but given my past interactions with Oliver, I felt it was best to keep the charade up for one more mission. So…”[/color] She extended her hand. [color=cfff04]"Tonya Murphy, but everyone calls me Mac. Well, the few people who know I exist. I’m not quite as annoying as Iron Mouse, nor am I as small, but I have the same dedication to the mission.”[/color] She extended a hand to both magical boys. 

The duo had to take a moment to process the information given, moreso for Oliver, who had a look of sheer dumbfoundment on his face. Finn was the first to snap out of it and shake Mac's hand.

[color=C41E3A]"Quite an impressive use of illusions! Admittedly I hadn't expected a new agent so suddenly, but you sure as hell showed promise back there!"[/color] And not cause her impersonating a member of Beacon was hilarious to think about.

[color=cfff04]"I’m glad you’re taking my deception in stride. I don’t think just anyone would do that.”[/color] She breathed a sigh of relief. [color=cfff04]"In other news, post Bolteron I was able to speak with Beacon and pick their brain about a few things. Seems they’re not nearly as rigid with their old policies as I thought they were, and it may be possible to forge an alliance with the darker side of penrose. I also put on a show for Mayra. Remember how she said she thought we were a cult?”[/color] Mac grinned. [color=cfff04]"I may have pretended to be an entire cult for her and initiated her into the ‘Sisterhood of the Black Behemoth.’ I think we can count on her to help us out in the future. If she was willing to help you on a whim, she’s going to be stoked to do so next time. Hahaha, I really need to be more straightforward with people.”[/color] She set a hand on her hip. [color=cfff04]"How about you guys? Do anything crazy I need to know about?”[/color] 

[color=faed27]"Other than getting our heads cleaved off in a pointless battle?"[/color] Oliver blurted out. Once he realized what he said could've come off as harsh, he glanced aside with a downcast frown. [color=faed27]"Sorry. Still angry about that."[/color]

At the mention of that incident, Finn ghosted a hand over his neck. A thin band of reinforcement magic was the only thing keeping it from falling off. He didn't know how long he'd be stuck like this, [i]if[/i] this could be fixed. He wasn't even aware of the haunted look in his eye, thinking back.

...He shook the thought out of his head. [color=C41E3A]"Frankly, not much besides some personal 'errands' I've been running. It's hard to explain..."[/color] Finn trailed off. [color=C41E3A]"But really? [i]A whole cult?[/i]"[/color] He curiously tilted his head.

Mac adjusted her cap so that neither of them could see her eyes. [color=cfff04]"It would have been a lot harder if Mayra was interested in the cultists themselves. But I only had to speak for their leader and Iron Mouse. It wasn’t like I had to pretend to be each individual member of the cult.I’d have been screwed if she tried to do something weird.”[/color] She pushed the brim of her hat up. [color=cfff04]"Actually, I never thought about the role you would play in this cult. Maybe we should brainstorm that. It’s the sisterhood, so maybe you could be Korone’s brother?”[/color] Her grin was getting wider. [color=cfff04]"We can get Oliver in on the fun too!”[/color]

Brother?

Finn's brows rose. He did have an older sister before he became a magical boy, but he didn't doubt the fact that she's been dead for years. He was bound to get a headache trying to think about what his family tree probably looked like now. [color=C41E3A]"Maybe. But how would we incorporate Oliver?"[/color] The spirit in question comically squinted his eyes in response to his friend's curiosity. Were they [i]really[/i] going to drag him into it?

Mac closed her eyes. [color=cfff04]"That’s easy! He doesn’t have a real connection to you other than being a friend, right? So maybe he and Iron mouse could-”[/color]

Mac’s eyes opened as a pair of feet walked their way. The rug muffled the sound, robbing her shoes of the dynamic sound they might have had on a hardwood floor. But the girl’s purple outfit was loud enough to make up for that. 

[color=e3bbc6]”Relax, everyone.”[/color] Aria raised her hand. [color=e3bbc6]”Maura knows I’m here.”[/color] She looked at Finn. [color=e3bbc6]”Refresh my memory. Have we spoken? Do you know who I am?”[/color] Finn simply shook his head.This seemed to please Aria more than it should have. [color=e3bbc6]”I’m Aria Rizzo, owner of Monarch Artificing! I’ve recently moved to the Golden Trove in Penrose, and I’ve heard that you’ve been, oh, let’s call it training.”[/color] She giggled. [color=e3bbc6]”I think I can help you out, but I’m going to need some help.”[/color]

Oh.

While Oliver was reasonably tense at the presence of the unfamiliar woman talking to Finn, the latter quickly understood what Aria was refering to. [color=C41E3A]"I'm listening."[/color]

[color=e3bbc6]”I know you are.”[/color] Aria stared at Finn for a few seconds. [color=e3bbc6]”What I’m saying is that I’m going to need someone else to help me help you.”[/color] She looked over at Oliver and Mac. [color=e3bbc6]”And while I do like the idea of working with Oliver, I think Mac is a bit more ideal for what I have in mind. I’m one of your oldest friends here, aren’t I?”[/color] Mac didn’t respond. [color=e3bbc6]”Well! Do come see me later. I’ll be waiting at the Golden Trove when you’re ready.”[/color] And with that, Aria turned around to leave. 

The two watched as the strange woman left.

[color=C41E3A]"You know, Maura should [i]really[/i] amp up securi-"[/color]

[color=faed27][i]"What. The hell. Was that?"[/i][/color] Oliver interrupted Finn, turning his attention from glaring at Aria while her back was turned back to him.

[color=C41E3A]"Look, Oli, I'll explain everything I can at another time, just trust me when I say everything's going to be okay. Alright? Mac's good people."[/color] Finn tried to reassure the ghost. Oliver's mental mutation must've been affecting him.