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[Sub].:⋮Date Night⋮:.[/Sub]

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Penny stared out the large, floor to ceiling, window in front of her, a vast nebula seemed spread out on the other side of the glass. Not that she actually was paying attention to anything from her optic sensors at the moment. Her mind had returned, as it was often to do as of late, to the confirmations and considerations she had gotten from Serenity and her Father. The stellar displays did seem to soothe some part of her when it did enter her focus at least.

She was in her room aboard the Bastion. Hidden somewhere deep within the hidden folds of the Starship's true passageways. She didn’t need to hide this room, there wasn’t anything in here that she wanted to keep hidden or was worried would be stolen or anything like that, but it was simply habit at this point to do what she could to hide what was hers.

It was a split level room. The entrance had a living room type of space. A couch and a pair of loveseats sat around a low coffee table off to one side, with a smaller dining table set up on the other side. Between the two of them a short staircase leads down into a workshop type area. Tools of all kinds, both mundane and advanced. Sat ready to use on a number of work benches all specialized for one type of work or another.

All save for one corner, which held just a mound of blankets and pillows, with various knick knacks on shelves above the nest. A shattered flute repaired via kintsugi. A pair of plush dolls, one of an older version of Penny, the other of Godzilla. An ice skate, a throwing ax, and a half melted microphone. A homemade pager and a stop sign.

All of this is then overlooked by the window to the nebula. A decent room, nearly an apartment save the lack of a restroom or kitchen area.

That said, her room was a little more cleaned up than normal. Her active projects were stored away, subtle air freshener had been piped in, and the nest of blankets looked somewhat in order.

The reason for that was also why not all of her mind was absorbed with the endless question about her own existence. Part of it was waiting for the confirmation from her girlfriend to come though. Something that Penny was looking forward to. Penrose had once again fallen into the rhythmic lulls that it had, though that was only true for the city itself. The outskirts and surrounding cities seemed to have gained more and more activity due to Wonderland. 

But hopefully she could step away from all of that for the next while. Perhaps she’d even salvage some of her decaying code from all of this. Hope was never something she set aside before, and stranger things have happened. 

A moment later, Penny was notified of an incoming message.

[color=BlueViolet]“Ready for transport at your convenience,”[/color] a calm voice informed her. 

[color=9e0039][u][i]“Stand by”[/i][/u][/color] Penny would send her reply. And a moment later she would feel as much as hear the transdimensional wormhole that pulled open at the entrance to the room. As much as she was unsure of where she stood with the Queen of Mad Scientists, she had to admit that she had yet to be disappointed with the exchange she had done. 

No sooner had the interdimensional doorway opened, then Violet Covington stepped through. Although there were still important matters to discuss with her girlfriend, the main purpose of this evening was to spend some much-needed time relaxing together, and the heiress had [url=https://i.imgur.com/Ra7HnIC.png]dressed for the occasion.[/url] [color=BlueViolet]“Good evening, Penny,”[/color] Violet greeted with a smile. [color=BlueViolet]“Um, h-how do I look?”[/color] she asked tentatively, a blush beginning to slightly color her cheeks as she showed off her new outfit. After all, despite her usual perfectly composed demeanor, she was still rather new to the whole “romance thing”. Furthermore, this would be her first true dinner date, and so she wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

Penny would turn around at the greeting, a soft smile over taking her features as she took a look at her girlfriend. [color=9e0039][u][b]”You look great.[/b][/u][/color] Penny would look down at herself half self consciously. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Got me feeling underdressed that’s for sure.”[/b][/u][/color] She looked back up at Violet as she brushed the worry aside. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve got an idea for that in a moment.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But first”[/b][/u][/color] She would step forward to give Violet a gentle hug. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Welcome to the Star Bastion. Welcome to my home.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Thank you, Penny,”[/color] Violet replied as she returned her girlfriend’s hug. [color=BlueViolet]“You look amazing, as always,”[/color] she reassured the robotic girl. [color=BlueViolet]“And so does your home,”[/color] she added, her eyes scanning over the room, before fixing on the shimmering nebula beyond its sole, massive window. [color=BlueViolet]“A-Are… Are we really in [i]space[/i] right now?”[/color] the heiress inquired, her voice filled with wonder.

Penny would turn back to the window with a larger grin due to the reaction it caused. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We are, but not quite as deep in space as that would make you think.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d say half turning toward the window. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s the Orion Nebula. I've always found celestial iconography to be comforting in one way or another. But in truth.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d gesture with one hand towards the view, the image suddenly rippling as it faded into a view of Earth. It showed the blue marble in all its glory from horizon to horizon. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We are only in low earth orbit.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve contemplated just riding off into space. More than once if I am honest. But I’ve given my word to people in Penrose, so I’ve got to stay close for now.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d explain, a wistful note in voice.

[color=BlueViolet]“Oh, I see,”[/color] Violet murmured as the view changed. It was just as stunning as before, and even though she had seen many incredible things in her time as a magical girl, including a visit to multiple pocket [i]universes[/i], the ability to look at her home planet from space was still a breathtaking experience. [color=BlueViolet]“And I know how you feel,”[/color] she added with a sympathetic smile. [color=BlueViolet]“Although it fills me with great pride to know that I’m continuing my family’s legacy, a considerable part of the reason I love being a magical girl so much is the freedom it affords me, the ability to be my true self, bereft of all the facades I’m so often forced to uphold.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I get that, less the facade part, and more the freedom part.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would remark. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But I get it. Though you might only have a few more years before it won’t matter one way or another. Unless you’ve got the ability to age from your Patron that is.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“While I’m thinking about it, how much does your magic influence you while you are transformed?”[/b][/u][/color]

Violet thought for a moment, before she replied. [color=BlueViolet]“I would say that while it affects my behavior a not inconsiderable amount, it is not by nearly as great a degree as one might initially think. For the most part, it simply frees me from my usual restraints and inhibitions, allowing me to be the carefree, whimsical person I’ve always wished I could be. I think that, since I never really had the opportunity to enjoy a normal childhood, those repressed feelings now fully manifest themselves in my transformed state. I will admit, there are some regrettable drawbacks inherent to such a childish regression,”[/color] she conceded with a resigned sigh. [color=BlueViolet]“In particular, my greatly impaired memory, limited attention span, diminished intellect, lack of self-control, and significantly heightened irrationality. But I would like to think they are an acceptable trade-off, when placed against all the many blessings being Magical Dream Princess has given me,”[/color] the heiress concluded with a smile as she gently took Penny’s hands into both of her own.

Penny would nod her understanding. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I mentioned once to you while transformed that a Dream Journal might help.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d say as she looked down at their entwined hands with a smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not sure if that ever crossed ‘the divide’ as it were.”[/b][/u][/color]

As Penny spoke the room would shift, the coffee table would drop away as the love seats moved out of the way creating space for the couch to slide over next to them so they could sit without needing to go anywhere. 

The benefits of having total control over her ship and its metal spaces.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Still curious if that would help. That or a similar totem of some kind, to ground the euphoria of sweet dreams in some aspect of the waking world. Or something like that.”[/b][/u][/color]

Violet marveled at Penny’s ability to reconfigure the room with just a thought, but she remained fully attentive to what her girlfriend was saying.

[color=BlueViolet]“Yes, I remember,”[/color] the heiress confirmed. [color=BlueViolet]“And I have begun using one, as you suggested. It has certainly been beneficial, although it is somewhat difficult to consult in the midst of battle. Of course, I do have additional methods of remembering an important piece of information while transformed,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“In particular, there is a… song I can sing that often helps with my recollection,”[/color] she explained with a slight blush. [color=BlueViolet]“But, as with the journal, there often isn’t time for a musical performance in the heat of combat. As for the hyperactivity and general immaturity, I think both are necessary in order to empower my magic to its fullest potential, and I cannot say I am particularly opposed to acting that way, since it serves as an excellent form of stress relief. I am curious, though,”[/color] she noted with a thoughtful frown. [color=BlueViolet]“To what ‘divide are you referring?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ah, glad to hear it’s helped.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a smile as she pondered what kind of song would resonate the same way with her magic. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I was mainly hoping to help with the memory and possibly the self control. The ability to simply cut loose without much worry has always seemed a perk of your magic really, so glad it’s not impinged on that.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“The ‘divide’ was mostly an assumption. An erroneous one as well from the sounds of it.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It came from the fact that there are facets of my magic and understanding of it that can’t breach the gap between a human’s perspective and an unconstrained monster’s perspective. Figured that your magic might have a similar issue considering the vast mental distinction your magic places on you.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I see,”[/color] Violet replied with an understanding nod. [color=BlueViolet]“And I completely understand why you might assume such to be the case,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“Yet, despite the considerable changes in my demeanor and thought processes I undergo whenever I become Magical Dream Princess, I am still entirely myself. In addition, due to my photographic memory, I am able to fully recall everything that transpires while I am transformed as soon as I return to my mundane state.”[/color]


[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah, pretty sure that no matter how fun it is, not being able to remember it afterwards would suck.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would muse. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Huh, It would resemble getting black out drunk in that case. Make every time you transform into a bit out of the Hangover movies.”[/b][/u][/color] She would give an exaggerated shudder. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Probably more stress than it’d be worth at that point.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Thanks for answering the questions by the way. Always interesting to talk to OddBall specialists, since your magic works so differently compared to anyone else's.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“You are [i]more[/i] than welcome,”[/color] Violet replied, giving her girlfriend a warm smile. [color=BlueViolet]“I am only too happy to answer whatever questions I can. Besides,”[/color] she added with slight amusement. [color=BlueViolet]“I cannot say I find [i]your[/i] abilities any less fascinating. And yes, not being able to recall my actions while transformed would indeed be highly problematic,”[/color] the heiress agreed. [color=BlueViolet]“Although I do not believe I am familiar with the movies you referred to. They are comedies, I assume?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah. Not that I have the memories of their entirety anymore, seems like that was part of what I lost back during the Christmas party.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a hum. [color=9e0039][u][b]“More context clues of them overall. I think Jason enjoyed them, but not sure I’d say the same personally. Idea is a group of friends wake up after a long night of drinking and have to piece together everything they did while very drunk in the attempt to get something back that was missing.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And feel free to ask about anything I can do that you are curious about. I’ll answer what I can, though most of it is wrapped up in my physical nature.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d tack on.


[color=9e0039][u][b]“How have you been doing recently by the way? I know you ended up at Bolorton, which was a brush closer to disaster than anyone wants to admit I think.”[/b][/u][/color]

Violet frowned at the mention of lost memories, but she allowed Penny to continue. [color=BlueViolet]“Recent events have been… [i]interesting,[/i] to say the least,”[/color] the heiress replied. [color=BlueViolet]“And what transpired at Bolorton was particularly troubling, especially in light of the very real possibility that something similar may occur in Penrose in the not so distant future…”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You missed them, weaponizing a different story since you were late to the call.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would snort, she agreed to the interesting moniker for things. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Wizard of Oz as told by the Brothers Grimm.”[/b][/u][/color]

She let out a sigh before continuing on. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not sure if they will try the same with Penrose though. I’d guess either a protracted siege, or more black ops to destabilize us. Which wouldn’t surprise me to mean I’ve got a target squarely on my back.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would tilt her head side to side as she voiced her ideas. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Though with what I saw they don’t have large scale transit. At least not a magical type. So we will see the siege coming.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Wish I knew what it was that they were wanting the Nexus for though. What few ideas I’ve heard about it being capable of leads me to believe that nothing good will come of anyone messing with it.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Nexus?”[/color] Violet inquired. [color=BlueViolet]“I believe I have heard it mentioned a few times, but I am afraid I am unfamiliar with its exact nature.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s the reason that Penrose is such a hotbed of activity.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m not fully aware of the technical specifics. But a Nexus is a congregation of vast wellsprings of magical power and potential. They open up at seemingly random locations and times, anywhere on the planet, or possibly the planes. But when they do they tend to draw in more and more magicals as time progresses.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“The area that houses a Nexus tends to develop magically and non magically rapidly as things just keep getting drawn towards it. Rome was the last major Nexus that opened and was sustained for any notable length of time. And as you can see from Penrose, things just don’t calm down. Since from what I can gather the Nexus didn’t open up until about a year ago.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“There is at least one party of interest that is looking into it for the sake of granting everyone on earth magic. A few radical Beacon members have tossed around the idea of using it for a world wide purification, which Rachel was thankfully against, and I can guess at a few people who would like to use it for a worldwide corruption event. No idea what Wonderland wants with it, but we know that is what they are after.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Now, personally I’d like to just close the damn thing, but finding the core of the nexus is difficult. Semi sentient from what I gathered. But I got removed from Beacon before I could go digging more into it.”[/b][/u][/color]

Violet listened intently as Penny explained. It seemed that this Nexus was undoubtedly the reason for Penrose’s excessive quantity of magical activity, but she refused to see it become the cause for the city’s destruction. Still, that wasn’t the only troubling piece of information her girlfriend had to impart…

[color=BlueViolet]“Removed?”[/color] Violet asked with a concerned frown. [color=BlueViolet]“I admit, my knowledge of Beacon in limited, but, for the most part, they seem to be good and understanding people. Why would they no longer wish to include someone as kind and selfless as you among their ranks?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Racism”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a grimace. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That or politics, take your pick.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Beacon is, fundamentally, an organization that is working towards the protection and preservation of humanity.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And by truth I am not part of that collection. I am an artificial inhuman entity, created by a force outside of their direct purview and that has actively plotted against them on more than occasion. One that openly flaunts and revels in my inherent corruption.”[/b][/u][/color] She would give a half hearted shrug.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m not surprised that the upper echelon finally had enough of me. I’m surprised just how far I got before it happened. I’d be hunted down for half of what I’ve done by just about anyone else in Beacon outside of Penrose. It's why I’m rooting for Alicia as much as I can. She, and a lot of the Penrose branch that’s been around for a while, are radicals in the extreme in regards to Beacon’s doctrine.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Granted I can still be bitter about it, but I have to admit that Beacon as a whole bent or outright broke a lot of their rules in regards to me. So I’m hoping that Alicia’s got more support than we are aware of.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“You may not be human,”[/color] Violet said after a moment. [color=BlueViolet]“At least, not in the biological sense. But you are [i]not[/i] a monster. You’re a good person,”[/color] she stated emphatically, while placing a comforting hand on Penny’s shoulder. [color=BlueViolet]“Someone who always seeks to help those in need. If this ‘upper echelon’ of Beacon can’t see that, then they are simply blind.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Humanity isn’t only for humans”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would quote herself, a small smile on her face. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I told them that when they gave me their ultimatum. I know what kind of person I want to be, what kind of person I am.”[/b][/u][/color] Her smile would turn soft as she looked over at Violet.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t need their validation, it will make it all the sweeter when The Sanctuary becomes just as well known as they are.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I have no doubt of that,”[/color] Violet replied, returning Penny’s smile. [color=BlueViolet]“Especially with you leading them. Now then,”[/color] she added, glancing at the nearby table. [color=BlueViolet]“I believe this was to be a dinner date, was it not? I must admit, I am rather curious to see what sort of meal you have planned for us.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Well, your food will likely look better than mine will.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she stood up. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And thankfully you won’t be subjected to my own attempts at cooking. Being able to eat just about anything tends to make one worse at that.”[/b][/u][/color]

As she helped her Girlfriend stand the room would once again shift in accordance with Penny’s thoughts. The couch and its sitting area would resettle before sinking into the floor. With the dining table and its chairs shifting to take center stage of the upper area.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Monica, who I’m not sure if you’ve met before, was happy to help however. She has one of the few Patrons I’ve heard of that I’d be happy to serve under; Hestia. And apparently Hestia’s patronage comes with some exceptional cooking skills, according to her and everyone else in the Sanctuary. As she likes feeding people.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain as a bare metal plinth would rise off to the side of the table. A cubic portion of the top would retract into the plinth to reveal two cloche cover plates. 

One of them was clearly marked with ‘Queen’ the other ‘MDP’. 

Setting the covered dishes at either end of the table Penny would pull out Violet’s chair before moving to sit at her own spot. 

Upon uncovering her dish Violet would see, and smell, a richly prepared stew of some sort. It had cubed beef alongside peeled shallots and red potatoes in a light broth. It came with a side of rice and a few triangles of pita bread with a small cup of dip.

Penny’s dish seemed to be a set of three larger billots of metal, with another half dozen smaller circular ingots. The metals in all of them seemed to be blended imperfectly as there were spirals or streaks in them showing that they were alloys rather than pure.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not sure what to call my own food. Ashlyn, Monica’s girlfriend, helped put it together. Even if Monica did the ‘technical cooking’”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain as the plinth disappeared and reappeared this time with a large pitcher of ice water and a pair of glass cups.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You, however, have stifado with a side of lemon rice and pita bread with tzatziki,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would state as she pointed to the various dishes. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve never had any of it, I just know that it’s all greek food. Which is Monica’s specialty.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“It all looks wonderful, Penny,”[/color] Violet replied with a smile as she took her seat and gazed down at her meal. [color=BlueViolet]“Please give Monica my compliments,”[/color] she added as she poured herself a glass of water. [color=BlueViolet]“And I know what you mean about unpleasant patrons,”[/color] she continued with a small frown. [color=BlueViolet]“A dear friend of mine is currently forced to contend with a most despicable one indeed. Thankfully, my own patron is a kind and caring being who seeks only the best for others, and I am glad to hear that your friend Monica serves someone of a similar disposition. If my admittedly limited knowledge of greek mythology is accurate, Hestia is the goddess of home and hearth, correct?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yup, and she’ll be delighted to hear that you enjoy the food.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer as she picked up one of the smaller disc ingots and carefully, though blatantly, tore off a small section of it. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Honestly I likely know more mythology than is really needed. When I finally learned that my patron was a god the first thing I did was start researching all the gods and myths I could find. Which hasn’t helped as much as one would think all together.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s plight. Reminds me of a side project I’ve been working on in the limited free time I get. As there are more than a few girls that live in Sanctuary that have similar problems. Though I’m pretty sure if I get anywhere near a working theory on forcibly breaking Patron bonds I’ll get even more people trying to kill me than I already do.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Well, I would be more than happy to assist you in your search,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“After all, I have made it a personal mission to free my friend from the hold her Patron has on her, and if such a thing [i]is[/i] possible, I [i]know[/i] we can find it if we work together,”[/color] she added with a confident smile. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Oh, I know it exists. Beacon’s White Coin’s already have that property. It’s what inspired the idea in the first place.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she popped the bit of metal in her mouth. Her voice came out unchanged as she chewed on it. The advantage of speakers for vocalization. [color=9e0039][u][b]“The problem is isolating just that aspect, as the White coins come with an enforced Patron bond to Beacon, and I’m not sure if you can break a bond and leave it free. Then, after that is figured out, is keeping the information from being weaponized. To say nothing of how we would go about testing in the first place.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’d love to work on it with you, but as so often seems to be the case, something bigger has come up.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d add with a sigh. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Just hope that Wonderland won’t be as hard to deal with as it’s looking like it will be.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I’d imagine the newest iteration of the knockoffs the Mint made of you will be a major asset in that regard,”[/color] Violet noted. [color=BlueViolet]“Once you’ve taken full control of them, of course,”[/color] she clarified with a smirk. [color=BlueViolet]“I have been wondering, though. While they bear more than a passing resemblance to you, they still do not appear to be a perfect visual copy. Do you suppose that is simply the Mint’s way of differentiating them, or might it be that they are working from an incomplete schematic?”[/color]

Penny would return the smirk at the idea, brushing off the frisson of dread that stole though her at the same time. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m kinda glad I got a chance to try running multiple platforms back at the party, means I won’t be running blind when it comes down to it.”

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And it’s the latter.”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I know the exact time frame from which they got a hold of my schematics, and it was perhaps the worst time for it to be for them. Plus I’ve undergone more than one upgrade and update from then as well. I’m not going to simply stagnate on my design, so all the time they’ve spent getting the copies up to functional I’ve already made them obsolete.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That, and I doubt that some of the materials that I’m comprised of are that easy to replicate at the scale that they are working on.”[/b][/u][/color] She would tack on, and that was all avoiding the fact that Penny was technically divinely built, which was another thing that would complicate replication. 

[color=BlueViolet]“A fortuitous turn of events, to be sure,”[/color] Violet agreed. [color=BlueViolet]“And, to return to the subject of patron problems, I recently received a ring from Ruby, the djinn girl, which is supposedly capable of weakening a patron’s influence, so perhaps [i]that[/i] might be a profitable avenue of investigation,”[/color] the heiress suggested, before taking a bite of her meal. [color=BlueViolet]“Speaking of profitable developments,”[/color] she continued after taking a moment to savor its delicious flavor. [color=BlueViolet]“This dress is something of a bonus from CI’s recent partnership with the Grail Garment Corporation. If you’d like to browse their online catalog, I would be more than happy to purchase you any that catch your eye, say as a birthday present? Although…”[/color] she added with a slightly embarrassed smile. [color=BlueViolet]“I do not believe you have ever mentioned when that is…”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"I've met Ruby, both before and after her change. She used to be twins."[/b][/u][/color] Penny would mention. [color=9e0039][u][b]"Her magic is incredible, so that ring will definitely be a great place to start."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"I'll be sure to take a look and let you know"[/b][/u][/color] she'd go on as she sampled from the rest of the smaller ingots. [color=9e0039][u][b]"And you're right that I've never mentioned my birthday, so no need to worry. I've not mentioned it because I'm not entirely sure when my birthday [i]is[/i]."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"There are a mess of dates that all could fit for my birthday, but for different reasons. And picking one hasn't been all that high on my priorities, as before now no one else has asked."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“If memory serves, you once told me that you’ve always been a machine, and initially, I assumed that was something similar to how Mayra started life as a dragon, only becoming half human when she met her patron,”[/color] Violet replied, her brows furrowing in thought. [color=BlueViolet]“But you [i]also[/i] mentioned memories of going to school, memories that were not your own. I do not mean to pry, and please do not hesitate to let me know if any of this is making you uncomfortable, but I would love to know, exactly how [i]were[/i] you created, Penny?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"A God needed a champion, and as Gods are wont to do, they took one without asking."[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say after a moment. For a human it might not have been noticeable, for a machine it was unmistakable.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"A not uncommon thing to hear."[/b][/u][/color] She would go on leaning back in her chair,gaze drifting off to the side. [color=9e0039][u][b]"Because of this God's edicts their champion needed to be more than human. And you know well enough what that means."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"But magic works in strange ways, even for the Gods. I think, originally, I was closer in concept to an onboard V.I. a link to facilitate easier use of monstrous instincts and capabilities. But something went wrong in that."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"I can pinpoint the exact second I came online. But I wasn't the one piloting things back then, not unless a metamorphosis happened. But I was constrained by hard coded priorities and even then my time out was limited to minutes at best."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"And even then, I can't say that I was sapient. That came later, though I can pinpoint that second as well."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Then later still came a point where I finally got a body of my own. It was a crude and inelegant thing that was pieced together with scraps and a prayer. But the process of setting that up wasn't very well done and it was killing both of us, not surprising really since we basically hacked our soul in half."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"I survived, got a customized red coin to facilitate a remerging. One that would have blended us more completely. They just wanted out."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Rather than merging they let themselves fade away. And when that was done it was just me, wholly and solely me. For the first time in my existence. But I could remember everything of them as well. Because they left everything of themselves they could as they faded away."[/b][/u][/color]

Violet was silent for several seconds as she processed what Penny had said. It was absolutely extraordinary, but more than a little tragic as well. [color=BlueViolet]“You mentioned a Jason earlier,”[/color] the heiress noted. [color=BlueViolet]“Was… Was [i]he[/i] who you were bonded to?”[/color] 

Penny would give a strained smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah, Jason Oliver. That was his name.”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I go back and forth on how I feel about him. I know him as well as he knew himself, for all that I often disagreed with him. And he was terrified of me.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=BlueViolet]“Terrified?”[/color] Violet echoed, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. [color=BlueViolet]“[i]Why?[/i]”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Because for most of our time bonded I didn’t understand or even have emotions. And due to the aforementioned priorities, I kept plotting viable methods to destroy everything I could see, which was limited to what Jason saw.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain with a soft shrug, she held no illusion about what she had been once, not all that long ago either. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I was just a screeching, passably understood, voice lurking in the back of his mind endlessly watching and constantly supplying the methods of breaking everything and everyone he saw.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It doesn’t help that the first emotion that I learned was anger, and most of it was directed at him. He tried to shove me down and forget about me, and I refused to be quiet as he kept destroying himself.”[/b][/u][/color] It was a miracle, in Penny’s honest opinion, that their problems never spilled out into the open. Too few people bothered to ask, she guessed, for better or worse.

[color=BlueViolet]“I… I suppose I can understand that,”[/color] Violet conceded after a moment. [color=BlueViolet]“As… A-As much as I hate to admit it, a part of me was afraid of you, too,”[/color] the heiress confessed, her voice and visage filled with shame. [color=BlueViolet]“I hadn’t even realized it, but, recently, I had the opportunity to look deep inside myself and face my darkest fears, my fears about what you might do, and what might be done [i]to[/i] you… But I realize now that that’s all they were, baseless fears. You may have once been little more than a simple program, but you [i]grew,[/i] you [i]learned…[/i] You became a [i]person[/i], Penny, a wonderful, caring person. A person who inspires others, who inspires [i]me.[/i] Because of you, I found the strength to finally realize that it’s [i]okay[/i] to be myself, that I don’t need to hide who I really am,”[/color] she explained, placing a hand on her chest. [color=BlueViolet]“Of course, we’ll face hardships, but if we do so [i]together[/i], if we help each other stay true to the best parts of ourselves, then I [i]know[/i] we have [i]nothing[/i] to fear.”[/color]

There was another pause after that declaration. One in which a soft, almost fragile, smile would slowly grace Penny’s features. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say softly. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Thank you for your words. And you are absolutely correct. There is nothing we can’t handle so long as we have each other.”[/b][/u][/color]

She would lean forward to take hold of Violet’s free hand and give it a soft squeeze. She would let the moment linger, savoring it.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And thank you for being honest, both with me and yourself.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say after a moment. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I know it isn’t easy to do so sometimes.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“You are [i]more[/i] than welcome,”[/color] Violet replied, giving Penny a warm smile. [color=BlueViolet]“And like I said, it was [i]you[/i] who helped me find the strength to do so. Now then, perhaps we should move to less dramatic topics?”[/color] the heiress suggested with a hint of amusement. [color=BlueViolet]“As I recall, this was [i]supposed[/i] to be an opportunity for us to unwind.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Sorry, sorry”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say, though the smile on her face undercut her apology a bit. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m something of a workaholic so not the best as simply unwinding.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d admit as she returned to her food.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Any shows that have caught your eye lately?”[/b][/u][/color] She’d go on to ask. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That or any movies? Depending on how long you can stay we could always watch one after we are done eating.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Sadly, my schedule prevents me from seeing as many movies and shows as I’d like,”[/color] Violet confessed with a sigh. [color=BlueViolet]“Even so, I do have a few old favorites I like to watch whenever I am fortunate enough to have some time to myself, and, seeing how I ensured that I would be free for the remainder of the evening, I would love to watch some of them with you. Are you familiar with Prism Princess?”[/color] the heiress inquired. [color=BlueViolet]“It was my favorite magical girl series growing up, although I had to watch it in secret, as my father didn’t approve. As far as he was concerned, it was far too whimsical and childish a program for the future CEO of Covington Industries to waste her time on…”[/color]

Penny didn’t bother hiding the snort. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Little did he know it was just as important for you to learn about the Mahou and all our resident insanity.”[/b][/u][/color] That fact alone was more humorous than it really should be, she felt. [color=9e0039][u][b]“To answer the question; No, I’ve not seen it. But I’d love to sit down and watch some of it with you.”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer as she tore a chunk off her bar ingots.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“On a side tangent. Do you think we’d be able to prove the magical world to your father? And would it be of any help to you if we tried?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I imagine proving its existence would be easy enough,”[/color] Violet replied before having another spoonful of soup. [color=BlueViolet]“That said, I am afraid I cannot see such a revelation having any kind of positive outcome,”[/color] the heiress added with a despondent frown. [color=BlueViolet]“Please understand, I love and respect my father a great deal, but he is still a deeply flawed man, one for whom profit and prestige are everything, while things like morals and ideals are seen as mere hindrances. He is someone who would gladly enter into a partnership with the Ebon Mint, even knowing full-well how completely abhorrent they are. For the longest time, I was content to ignore his less savory aspects in my efforts to constantly win his approval, but I’ve come to realize just how foolish I was being. That said, even though I am striving to do everything I can to place Covington Industries onto a more noble path, I am still unsure how I could even [i]attempt[/i] to challenge my father directly, especially now that it’s likely he will be reassuming direct control of the company… And that is just in regard to business matters,”[/color] she clarified. [color=BlueViolet]“I can only imagine his reaction if I were to tell him I’ve been spending my evenings running around the city as a childish and carefree magical girl, but I can assure you it [i]wouldn’t[/i] be a favorable one… In all honesty, he would probably forbid me from becoming Magical Dream Princess ever again, and if I refused, there is a considerable chance he would completely disown me for bringing such great shame to the prestigious Covington family…”[/color] she concluded with a weary sigh, while idly stirring her soup.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m sorry to hear that.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a grimace. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll put some spare processing on idea generation and we can try and tackle the problem later.”[/b][/u][/color] Because all of that was a problem to handle, but, again, right now was supposed to be about them and relaxing.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Shifting back to Princess Prism, how well does the show stack up against reality?”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to ask, knowing at least this topic was safe for the most part. 

[color=BlueViolet]“Well, as I said, it is a very idealistic show,”[/color] Violet noted as she dipped a slice of pita bread. [color=BlueViolet]“The heroes always win and the villains always lose. At first, I thought being a magical girl in real life would be the same way, but I’ve learned from painful experience that such an outcome is far from guaranteed… Even so,”[/color] she added with a smile. [color=BlueViolet]“I know that I can count on my friends to alway be there for me when I need them, so, in that respect, perhaps being a real magical girl isn’t so different from Prism Princess after all.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Being idealistic is never a bad thing.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would point out as she chewed on some more of her discs, [color=9e0039][u][b]“Power of Friendship, and Emotions are absolutely things that exist after all. Aurelio, not sure if you’ve met him, is a good example of just how potent staying positive can be.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And being there when you need it goes without saying.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d add with a smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“How does the magic stack up against the truth?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Fairly well,”[/color] Violet explained. [color=BlueViolet]“Although ‘real’ magic is vastly more varied than what is possible in Prism Princess,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“And I have indeed met Aurelio,”[/color] the heiress confirmed after taking a sip of water. [color=BlueViolet]“He and another acquaintance of mine possess the most intriguing ability to manifest multiple fully tangible duplicates of themselves. Now that I think about it, the simple fact that magical [i]boys[/i] even exist is another major difference between reality and show’s universe.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Clone is an interesting Power for sure, playing with it during Christmas was fun. It sucks that Copycat wasn’t good for me, though I’m not exactly displeased with what I got to replace it.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would muse a bit. She knew how she facilitated Clones was not the norm and entirely a byproduct of her being a robot, but having extra copies of herself around was useful, and fun.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Never quite understood why the magic is so dead set on turning everyone into young girls myself.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would add. [color=9e0039][u][b]“The age bit I can sorta understand, so long as my assumption it is the neural plasticity inherent to that age, that is the goal. Open mindedness, and ease of adapting to new stimuli and such. But why girls? Nothing but shots in the dark on that one.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Turning into…?”[/color] Violet asked with a raised eyebrow. [color=BlueViolet]“In every magical girl show I’ve ever seen, the girls were girls to begin with, and I assumed the was the case in reality as well. At least, everything I’ve encountered so far seems to support that,”[/color] the heiress added. [color=BlueViolet]“Are you saying some males are changed into females when they transform?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not sure if anyone undergoes that level of transformation,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would tilt her head to the side as she contemplated that idea. [color=9e0039][u][b]“At least not after they join the magical world, that is, not everyone who ends up in our world gets to keep the gender they were before, is what I was meaning.”[/b][/u][/color] She would add.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Jason is one example, as our original model wasn’t male, even though he was before. But I have met a few others who’ve also lost their original gender. Even a girl who became a guy once.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“My goodness…”[/color] Violet whispered, her eyes widening. [color=BlueViolet]“I-I never even [i]imagined[/i] such a thing… Although, in light of everything I’ve seen since becoming a magical girl, I suppose it shouldn’t be so surprising. And I can see now why Jason was less than pleased about being forced to join the magical world,”[/color] the heiress added somberly. [color=BlueViolet]“It must have been quite an unpleasant experience for him…”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“The dysmorphia wasn’t pleasant”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would confirm, [color=9e0039][u][b]“But it wasn’t all that often a problem. My presence and the loss of his humanity weighed in more frequently. He was also fascinated with magic, all of it, which he let distract him from the other troubles. It's one of the reasons I like to learn about magic myself.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Pretty sure he would have done better with Evo and Copycat then I did as well. Though Prime and Clone wouldn’t have been something he was very fond of.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I see,”[/color] Violet replied. [color=BlueViolet]“I imagine if he hated what he had become, the thought of being presented with multiple reminders of that would not be an appealing one,”[/color] the heiress agreed. [color=BlueViolet]“Although I must admit, I do not believe I am aware of what Prime entails, so I am not entirely sure why he would be so averse to that particular ability. Also, I don’t mean to pry, but did you ever discover why your Evolution and Copycat abilities were so detrimental to your wellbeing?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not completely, but I’ve got a pretty good idea regardless.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer. [color=9e0039][u][b]“There is an inherent instability in my code. Which didn’t play nice with the junk data that Evolution and Copycat produced. Fixing that flaw isn’t something I’m sure how to go about doing at the moment, but I’ve got some ideas I’m workshopping at the moment.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Prime though, Prime is fun.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d say with a smirk. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It lets me flashforward my physical self to its best state. Limited use and duration each day, but still has plenty of versatility.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I can show it off if you want to see.”[/b][/u][/color]

Although the mention of an instability in her girlfriend’s code was somewhat concerning, Violet was confident that Penny would find a solution, and she silently vowed to help to the fullest extent of her abilities. The Mechanical Monarch’s description of Prime, on the other hand, sounded quite fascinating indeed…

[color=BlueViolet]“I’d love to,”[/color] Violet replied with a smile, while trying to imagine how her girlfriend could become even more beautiful than she already was.

Penny would give an excited look as she stood up and moved off to the side. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve never actually triggered it, so I’m kinda curious myself.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d explain as she shifted to a more relaxed stance. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But I can, and have, run simulated projections with it though. Which is a fun way to pass the time, as due to my nature I don’t have a ‘locked in’ Prime. As more than most people I can always change.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And those changes ripple[/b][/u][/color] [color=crimson][u][b]Forward.”[/b][/u][/color] At that final declaration a burst of crimson light enveloped Penny. It lasted for only an instant, but in its passing the change was unmissable.

Penny was normally rather tall, now she was dominantly statuesque. She stood a full foot and a half taller than normal. Her hair was closer to spun silver now, rather than sterile white, and went down to about her hips. Her gold eyes were mostly unchanged, save for a sharp ring of red that lined the outside of them, and the tendrils of a soft purple connecting it to the electric blue inner ring of her pupil.

Her face was sharper, her features aristocratic and regal. Though her smile was open and genuine. And her figure was much the same, proportionally, though a discerning eye would note that she had actually slimmed down a bit. 

Her outer chassis also hadn’t undergone a drastic change in appearance. More plating on her upper torso mainly, but the roughness of her limbs had smoothed out. It was now a subtler transition from possibly human to outright machine. Though even with that it was hardly as if her mechanical nature was being hidden. Just no longer being shouted out. Still, the articulation on her hands and joints was breathtaking from a technical standpoint

Her legs were much the same, with the biggest difference being that they ended in actual feet now, rather than the bulky industrial stabilizer looking things they were before.

[color=#9E007E][u][b]“Oh?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would vocalize, [color=#9E007E][u][b]“That’s an interesting direction for that to take.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say more to herself than anything as she too was giving herself a perusal. Her voice had changed as well. It was a bit deeper, more sultry, but still identifiably hers. 

The last thing to note was that she seemed lesser, in some undefinable aspect. Penny always had a presence to her, one that seemed to demand attention. And that was missing now.

[color=#9E007E][u][b]“Seems like I’ll figure out that midpoint sealing idea I had once upon a time.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say as she wiggled her toes before tapping her foot against the floor in curiosity at the new phalanges.

For several seconds, Violet was utterly speechless as she beheld her girlfriend’s altered form. The woman before her was absolutely breathtaking, from both an aesthetic and technical standpoint. [color=BlueViolet]“Wowie zowie…”[/color] the heiress whispered, before snapping out of her trance and picking her metaphorical jaw up from the floor. [color=BlueViolet]“Y-You look incredible, Penny,”[/color] she told the Mechanical Monarch. [color=BlueViolet]“S-So, this an extrapolation of how you might appear in ten years time?”[/color] she inquired as she slowly got up to take a closer look. [color=BlueViolet]“What improvements does it offer? Aside from the obvious, of course,”[/color] she added with an appreciative smile.

[color=#9E007E][u][b]“A lot.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say somewhat distractedly. [color=#9E007E][u][b]“All systems are showing at least a twenty percent increase in output and the optimizations are endless.”[/b][/u][/color] With a wave of her hand her armor plating would shift to a matte onyx coloration. In that same transition additional layers of plating would appear reinforcing her. Large gauntlets seemed to materialize on her arms as well, lined with mass drivers and cracking with destructive energy. And her legs had reverted to the stabilization platforms that they normally were.

Her spider limbs unfurled from her back showing similar enhancements, but alongside them three bladed mechadendrites also unwound from the base of her spine, giving her a twisted approximation of a tail.

Along with the mecha dendrites four sloped diamond shaped funnels also detached from somewhere and began zipping around.

Her ‘antenna’ also seemed to have gained additional reinforcement, and were now curved to be used as goring horns if needed. In addition there was visible plating on her face and an experimental motion showed that her jaw was now segmented and opened much wider than was human. Likely to be used with the mass amounts of razor sharp fangs that lined the inside of her mouth.

A second later holographic armor force fields would snap into existence covering everything in yet another layer of defenses. 

[color=#9E007E][u][b]“This is just a phase one response configuration.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would state in wonder.

[color=BlueViolet]“Amazing…”[/color] Violet whispered in awe as she slowly walked around the massively upgraded Penny, taking in every impressive new aspect of her girlfriend’s appearance. [color=BlueViolet]“And this is only [i]phase one?[/i]”[/color] she asked, before her mouth curled into a smirk. [color=BlueViolet]“Wonderland doesn’t stand a chance, especially if we stand against them together.”[/color]

[color=#9E007E][u][b]“You, me and everyone in Penrose.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree. [color=#9E007E][u][b]“I wish I had enough time to run a diagnostic over all my configurations.”[/b][/u][/color] She would lament. [color=#9E007E][u][b]“I’ve got time for one thing before I let it drop though.”[/b][/u][/color] She would state before her aura suddenly made its presence known, and with it her oddly absent presence returned like a punch to the chest. Sharper and more magnetic and more demanding than ever.

It was suddenly very, very hard to miss just how lethally dangerous Penny was. Making it hard to look away from her as instinct did not want you to look away from the threat she posed.

A moment later and there was a soft [i]Ding![/i] and with a muted flash. Penny was once again her normal self. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Oh, that last trick is going to be nasty in a fight.”[/b][/u][/color] She would state with a soft laugh.

[color=BlueViolet]“What exactly… [i]was[/i] that?”[/color] Violet inquired, sounding even more astonished than she already was.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Aura manipulation.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply as rolled her shoulders, getting used to her lesser optimized form. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Mine has always been notable, and Gravity just added to it. But I’ve wanted to find a way to hide it for a long while, stealth and assassinations would be much easier after all if I could.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d explain as she walked back to her chair. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Future me can twist the dial from zero to fifteen on command. So If I actively fluctuate the aura intensity I can force people off rhythm, as dangerous things can feel inconsequential and inconsequential things can feel dangerous. Or only every third attack is weird or it flips back to back regardless of how dangerous the attack is.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Highly skilled organics rely on instinct a lot to ease processing in a fight, by forcing them to think about each and every attack I throw at them, they slow down and get worse.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Fascinating…”[/color] Violet would marvel, before slowly returning to her own seat. [color=BlueViolet]“I can see how useful disrupting someone’s senses would be in a fight, but to also interfere with their supernatural senses is something I’ve never really given much consideration to,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“At least, not until recently…”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"Which I am glad to hear"[/b][/u][/color] Penny would remark as she returned to her food. Though at this point there wasn't a lot left for her. [color=9e0039][u][b]"For me, at least, most of the reason I've always been thinking about these things was a matter of survival. So the fact you haven't had to is a good thing in my books."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Have… Have you always been hunted for what you are?”[/color] Violet asked with a frown after taking a sip of her soup. The thought of her girlfriend having to constantly fight against those who would kill her simply because of how she had been created thoroughly disgusted the heiress, and stood in complete opposition to her sense of justice.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That or exploit me for the same reason.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would confirm with a joyless smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s why the Sanctuary and Penrose mean so much to me. The city I started in housed a much more traditional branch of Beacon, which meant I was kill on sight regardless of circumstances.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And finding another Monstergirl to shelter with was just as risky. Because too many of us grouping together would attract attention from Beacon, if they didn’t stab you in the back to save themselves, or you ended up tearing each other apart due to conflicting mental mutations.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to explain an exhausted look in her eye.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“A lot of Monstergirls go feral just to survive, or get picked up by the Mint. Or taken out by Beacon.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d let out a sigh. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I get why Beacon is traditionally so high strung though. In my first week I nearly destroyed two blocks of downtown and demolished at least one warehouse, all mostly by accident. We are dangerous, I can’t deny that, just as I can’t deny that a lot of the damage I caused was just trying to keep myself alive from people who wanted me dead for reasons that I didn’t understand.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I understand that there are things out there that can’t be talked down, actual evil that has to be taken out for the good of all. I just wish there were more people like you or Alicia, people who are willing to look a bit closer before making the call that all Monstergirls are in that category as well.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I admit, I do not exactly have extensive knowledge about how the magical world operates,”[/color] Violet conceded after Penny had finished her explanation. [color=BlueViolet]“But even if becoming a monster girl often affects one’s mind, would it not be better to try and cure those dangerous individuals, rather than simply exterminate all monster girls entirely?”[/color] the heiress inquired. [color=BlueViolet]“I do know that several methods of purification exist, so why not employ [i]them[/i] instead, especially with regard to those who did not choose to become monstrous in the first place?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Because most patrons that would make a Monstergirl aren’t very trustworthy, and that distrust carries over?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would offer though the shrug she gave as she did showed her own uncertainty. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Though it was only recently, to my understanding at least, that multiple viable and quick types of purification became available. And outside of Penrose I don’t know how common those methods are.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I see…”[/color] Violet murmured, her brows furrowed in thought. [color=BlueViolet]“I was present when a mutual friend, Melisa, was recently purified via a Beacon ritual,”[/color] she added. [color=BlueViolet]“We were told that it was a traditional and long standing process, which made me wonder why offering it to the unwillingly monsterized would be their [i]last[/i] recourse, rather than their first.”[/color] 

Penny would shrug at that. [color=9e0039][u][b]“All I can offer is blind guesses at this point. Didn’t get a chance to go reading into old Beacon records. But my assumption was that when it was founded Purification rituals weren’t a thing, at least not that could be used on a Monster or Monster girl. So Purge was the original plan, and the weight of age kept it as the go to option even when more humanitarian options were developed.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“That does make a certain amount of sense,”[/color] Violet conceded with a sigh. [color=BlueViolet]“Indeed, I am regrettably well-acquainted with how hidebound certain groups and individuals can be, clinging to outdated methods, even when unequivocally superior alternatives are available for adoption. I am only glad that at least [i]some[/i] members of the Ascendancy are willing to respond with kindness instead of immediately resorting to hate-fueled violence,”[/color] she added, a smile returning to her face.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Agreed.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would pop the last of her food into her mouth. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m sad that I’m not able to talk with the Cardinal more, as she was an Ascendency member that I liked. But I’m still friends with Alicia, and we’ve got a plan to try and bridge the gap in the short term. It’s to deal with Wonderland, but hopefully something can come out of that.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Finding common ground is always a good place to start,”[/color] Violet agreed as she finished her own meal. [color=BlueViolet]“Now, then, shall we begin the evening’s entertainment?”[/color] she inquired with a smile. [color=BlueViolet]“I admit, I am quite interested to see what you think of Prism Princess.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That makes two of us”[/b][/u][/color] Penny remarked as she stood [color=9e0039][u][b]“Where would you like to watch it? The couch or the blanket ball?”[/b][/u][/color] She’d gesture to the nearby couch and the nest of blankets on the level below as she spoke.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Figure I could just reconfigure the window to act as a TV screen.”[/b][/u][/color] Something she had technically already done, [color=9e0039][u][b]“Just want to know how it is you want to kick back while we watch it.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Hmmm…”[/color] Violet hummed as she placed a finger to her chin in thought. [color=BlueViolet]“Well, which one would you say provides the best opportunity for cuddling?”[/color] she asked after a moment as her cheeks began to redden.

Penny would stall for a second, her body’s coloration flickering out for that moment, before she gave a soft smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That would be the blanket nest.”[/b][/u][/color] She would answer as she stepped closer to her girlfriend, extending a hand for her to take. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That, and I will need to change into something more comfortable. But I was wanting to do that earlier anyway.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Oh?”[/color] Violet asked with a raised eyebrow as she took Penny’s offered hand. [color=BlueViolet]“And what, exactly, might that entail?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Now that would be telling”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply as she led Violet down to the blanket nest. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Though you won’t need to wait long really.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d leave Violet at the blankets as she stepped away to one of the containers nearby. A thin small wall of metal would separate them for a few moments as Violet would be able to hear Penny rummaging around. [color=9e0039][u][b]“There it is.”[/b][/u][/color] A muted flash of light would spill over the divider, and a couple of moment’s later Penny would step around the divider. 

But she was different now, sealed for one, and wearing a simple if, a tad snug, short sleeved white blouse and a knee length black dress skirt. A worn, nearly threadbare blue jacket was folded over her arm. And she was giving it a look that was a mix of curiosity and understanding.

She didn’t stay focused on it for long though. Giving Violet another smile as soon as she finished rounding the divider. [color=9e0039][u][b]“There we go. I've got more structural give in this form.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d explain as she walked back over to her girlfriend. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Should be much more comfortable now.”[/b][/u][/color]

An increasingly curious Violet waited as Penny entered her makeshift “changing room” and began searching for something. When the robotic girl emerged a few moments later, Violet saw that she had reverted to her human appearance. [color=BlueViolet]“O-Oh, um, y-yes,”[/color] the heiress stammered, her cheeks seeming to grow an even deeper shade of crimson. [color=BlueViolet]“I-I suppose that would indeed be the case,”[/color] she added when Penny mentioned that her current form would greatly facilitate potential cuddling. [color=BlueViolet]“But, I would like for [i]you[/i] to be comfortable as well. I know that you don’t really consider this to be your true self,”[/color] she continued, taking her girlfriend’s hand. [color=BlueViolet]“And I would never want you to relinquish that sense of genuineness simply for my sake.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You're right that it’s not my true self, but I’ve grown to enjoy it regardless.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Recently my true self still peeks though”[/b][/u][/color] She’d raise her other hand so that Violet could more easily see the rather doll-like nature of her hand. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And there is a fair bit in this form that I don’t get to show off much that I’m rather fond of.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d gesture down to her legs to the delicate circuitry wings tattooed on them.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Lastly, when I’m like this I only have to worry about being ‘Penny’. As if I can take this form it means that, for a little bit at least, there isn’t anything burning down.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d give a soft smile. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I may not take this low power state often, but each opportunity that I do take is one that is special. Because as fleeting as this state is, I only ever enter it with people I trust.”[/b][/u][/color]

Violet took a moment to let the truth of Penny’s words sink in, before a warm smile formed on her blushing face. [color=BlueViolet]“In that case, I am so very honored, and so filled with joy, that you have chosen [i]me[/i] to be one of them,”[/color] she told her girlfriend as she put her arms around the now (mostly) human young woman and gazed lovingly into her eyes.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You earned this trust.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say meeting her girlfriend's gaze with one just as warm as she softly wrapped her own arms around her. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I am honored that I am the one that you saw fit to entrust your secrets and time to.”[/b][/u][/color] Gently Penny would rest her forehead against Violet’s and simply bask in the moment.

Closing her eyes and giving voice to a soft sigh of contentment, Violet would do the same. This could, perhaps be seen as the lead up to a kiss, but the young heiress was still quite inexperienced when it came to romance, and she didn’t want to rush things. Indeed, she and her girlfriend both had such stress-filled lives, that simply taking the time to enjoy each other’s company was a significant blessing, all on its own. [color=BlueViolet]“I could stay like this forever,”[/color] she whispered. 

This moment was so many things. It was quiet, slow, meaningful, heartwarming, but most importantly to Penny. It was humanizing. It soothed and stabilized a part of her she barely knew how to explain, despite how well she knew and felt it. 

Still, the potential for this to become a kiss wasn’t lost on Penny, but she also wanted to take this slow. Jason was more than willing to simply throw everything that he was into a relationship, and that was one thing that Penny didn’t want to repeat. So beyond just the kiss, she held back the three words she was starting to feel were appropriate. For now at least.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hmm, perhaps not forever.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say softly after a few long moments. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But always something to look forward to coming back to.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d say shifting back a little. [color=9e0039][u][b]“For now I think you’ve got a series to show me.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Yes,”[/color] Violet confirmed, opening her eyes once more. [color=BlueViolet]“So I do.”[/color] As much as she loved just sitting with Penny in peaceful silence, Violet was also eager to enjoy her favorite show alongside her favorite person. Indeed, it would serve as a wonderful capstone to a wonderful evening. Making herself comfortable, she snuggled up close to her girlfriend, before turning to face her with a smile. [color=BlueViolet]“Shall we begin?”[/color]