[center]
[img]https://a.l3n.co/i/mhPmAa.png[/img] 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/waJPaen.png[/img]

[color=violet]"I’ve met all the cute girls in Penrose. Nothing else to see here."[/color]

[b][color=b2b2b2]”Clearly you haven’t met my patron.” [/color][/b]

[color=violet]"E-Excuse me?"[/color]

[color=888888]— Chloe Irving, Warren James[/color]

[hider=Stats]
[u]Untransformed[/u]
[list]
[*]STR – 5 (Stone Specialization)
[*]AGI – 3 
[*]VIT – 3 
[*]MAG – 3
[*]LCK – 3	
[/list]
[u]Transformed[/u]
[list]
[*]STR – 16 - 4 +1 (LCK), +1 (Over Developed), +2 (Silver Coin), +3 (Specialization), +3 (Fist), +2 (Melee)
[*]AGI - 9 – 4 +1 (LCK), +4 (4 Bronze Coins)
[*]VIT - 13 – 4 +1 (LCK), +2 (Silver Coin), +2 (Melee), +2 (Uniform + Enhanced Outfit), +1 (Soul Jar), +1 (Environmental Sealing)
[*]MAG - 12 – 4 +4 (Gold Coin), +2 (Silver Coin), +1 (Eternal Style)
[*]LCK – 4
[/list]
[/hider]

[hider=Chloe Irving]
03 03 03 03 03
10 10 06 17 04
23/12 | Babe/Baby | Spirit
Mystic orb, Gauntlets | Third Eye, Focused Assault | Horror(!)
Wings, Enhanced Outfit, Big Damn Hero, Blood Magic, Interdimensional Home, Enhanced Transformation
Dominator | Dark Weapon
Marked(?) ??????????????????????????????

6 Gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze
[/hider]

[/center]

Chloe didn’t get a chance to tell Al anything. He started to monolog, got interrupted by a phone call, and then left Penrose in Chloe’s hands. It wasn’t an outcome she had expected, but she was happy with it. Chloe was a servant to no one, and that was doubly so now that her “boss” had left Penrose. A grin crept across her face.

[color=violet]"Perfect…“[/color] Chloe stepped out of Al’s office and into the street. Warren had followed Chloe and he couldn’t help but let his sarcastic personality shine through,
 
[b][color=b2b2b2]”So, I’m dyin’ to know, what was it that made you use your Coin? I mean, a princess like you it had to be something worth it like eh, not having enough for your daily coffee or something serious am I right?”[/color][/b]
 
With a casual shrug and a devious grin he reached into the breast pocket of his suit and pulled out a dull looking Black Coin, an old looking coin like it had been passed down from generation to generation and traded hands with multiple heirs before landing into Warren’s,
 
[b][color=b2b2b2]”See this here Coin? I’ve had this one coin for years and never had to cash in a favor. Guess that means I can handle situations a little better than you huh?”[/color][/b]

Chloe furrowed her brow. She looked straight at the coin that Warren was holding out. Or maybe she was looking past the coin at the man holding it. [color=violet]"I wouldn’t be too sure about that.“[/color] She folded her arms.  [color=violet]"It just means you haven’t encountered anything quite as nasty as I have. Any ‘debt collector’ can knock on a wimps door. But there aren’t a lot of soft marks in Penrose.“[/color] The corners of her lips curled into a smile. [color=violet]"But since you’re so curious, I used the coin as soon as I got it.“[/color] Chloe stated this like it was an achievement rather than a sign of weakness. [color=violet]"The best part of being a magical girl is being powerful. Why wouldn’t I use the coin as soon as I could? It’s good to be strong. I thought the magical girls in New York were strong too, but if your broker was done in by some Penrose randoms it’s no wonder you never had to use yours.“[/color]

Her jabs did little to deter Warren’s mood or grin, he had seen girls like this before. Headstrong, power hungry, looking to make a splash in the world. They were a dime a dozen.

[b][color=b2b2b2]”Heh, please all marks are soft marks, ya just gotta know how hard and where to hit ‘em at. We do agree on one thing though, it is good to be powerful. Ya just gotta know how to maximize the power you got. Take me for example”[/color][/b], gesturing at himself, [b][color=b2b2b2]”I know what I’m good at, I pummel faces and fight to win. I got earth powers, so I use everything in my power to win. Sand in the eye, pinnin’ feet to the ground you name it. It all comes down to winnin’ princess and I don’t need the coin to win.”[/color][/b]

Chloe smirked. [color=violet]"I’ll be a bit more impressed when I see thosefists in action.“[/color]

As he put the coin back into his coat pocket he couldn’t help but clinch his fist at the thought of fighting. He had done a lot of that during his tenure in New York and had helped in building what was known as the Mint through his fists and now the thought of starting over excited him to see what other strong Mahou he could contend with. As he glanced back at Chloe he let out an audible chuckle, 
[b][color=b2b2b2]”What could you possibly have to fight here in Penrose that was so much harder than New York?”[/color][/b]

[color=violet]"This is by no means an exhaustive list. But thinking back on it Penrose has seen...“[/color] She placed her hands on her hips, threw back her head, and inhaled. [color=violet]"A vampire girl that tried to destroy the very concept of love, an eldritch horror that nearly ended the world but instead became a maid, a monster queen/emperor combo, a group of extra deranged Beacon agents known as the Ascendancy, a trio of necromancers, a rave so ‘lit’ it caused a war between pure and corrupted girls-“[/color] She  cut herself off with a giggle. [color=violet]"I may have had something to do with that one. But if you want the strongest person in Penrose right now, that would be Penny. You could probably tell that she’s something of an issue the way Al spoke about her at the meeting. But there are plenty of others that approach her in strength. None of them have a personal army of monster girls to call on however.“[/color] She stretched her arms over her head. [color=violet]"What’s New York like? I’ve stopped by, but I can’t say I stuck around long enough to fight anyone.“[/color]

The question had merit, he hadn’t put too much thought about New York since he reassignment but the memories and experiences came flooding back, 

[b][color=b2b2b2]”Aw man, I had some good fights back home. There was a rival faction right, some goody two-shoes type like Sanctuary or whateva, and they thought they were gonna come in and [i]’bring down our corrupt organization’[/i] or whatever. And I kid you not, all these girls had some sort of angel/divine backing cause they all show up with their perfect halos and wings shining up the joint. I punched one so hard her halo flew off and landed on another girl's wing!”[/color][/b]

A hearty laugh escaped from him as tears could be seen forming behind his closed eyes.

[b][color=b2b2b2]”Man, but their main boss girl, she was a fun fight. Her thing was shields and spear, right? We struggled forever and she almost had me for a minute cuz for them light spears hurt. I finally got her though when I broke her footing with my magic and disrupted her concentration. Once I bet her, her and all her little goons took up Coins and became a specialist squad for us.”[/color][/b]

The smile slowly faded as thoughts of a friend crossed his mind but was quickly dismissed as his casual smirk returned to his face, 

[b][color=b2b2b2]”We did a lot of hush work, people didn’t know that we even existed. Hell most people thought we were the mafia IF they saw us, but those fights were personal ya know? It was either them or us just to survive in that area and I loved every minute of it.”[/color][/b]

Chloe Nodded along as Warren spoke. It wasn’t until he finished that she raised one of her fingers. [color=violet]"Just for clarity, Sanctuary’s members aren't [i]anything[/i] like the goody two-shoes at Beacon. They are thugs and cowards that hide under their queen’s skirt for protection. Secondly…“[/color] She extended a second finger, and her lips curled into a grin. [color=violet]"I see why Al likes you. If your ‘tough girl’ attitude isn’t all bluster you’ll go far in Penrose.“[/color] Chloe turned on her heel and sighed. [color=violet]"It’s just a shame he wastes so much time looking into his own agents. He’s driven a lot of them away with his need to keep them under his thumb. Even his most loyal agents aren’t above having the screws put to them just because he feels like it.“[/color] She looked over her shoulder. [color=violet]"I hope when it comes down to it, you’ll pick me over him when the time comes.“[/color] Chloe giggled before walking further down the street, only to stop. [color=violet]"Neither of us is date material for the other one, but I would like to get to know who else is pulling your strings. You know, your ‘side’ patron? If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine.“[/color] Chloe locked eyes with Warren. 

There was a sudden shiver down his spine, it was as if something had rushed up and planted themselves just beyond his vision. The maddening whisper had risen to a quiet roar as their eyes locked. As he stood there captured in something between fear and madness, Warren never dropped the facade that covered his face. The sheen of red turned his gray eyes almost pink,


[b][color=b2b2b2]”Aw sweetheart, at least buy me dinner first. I ain't some floozy ya know! But sure why not? Never actually called out to D directly before so it's something new for me. We should probably go somewhere more discreet. D ain't exactly one for subtlety when they're called so it’ll be a scene for sure. You got somewhere quieter?”[/color][/b]

[color=violet]”I was getting to that.“[/color]With a snap of her fingers, a door phased into existence beside Chloe. It wasn’t too remarkable aside from the eerie golden glow that seeped out of its seams. [color=violet]"Is an interdimensional home secure enough?“[/color] The question was rhetorical. She flung open the door and stepped inside. [color=violet]”Come on in.“[/color]

Chloe’s abode was no more special than any other interdimensional apartment. Aside from the window viewing an alien landscape, it was no different than a luxury apartment Warren might have seen in New York. Chloe said nothing as he entered, and just watched him expectedly. 

Warren could feel the eldritch energy flow through the space, it was a chaotic mix of comfort and terror as he could tell that Draddeth felt right at home and was itching to be released,

[b][color=b2b2b2]”Yeh, this will do nicely. Alright let’s do this before D ends up tearing me apart to get out here.”[/color][/b]

As he took a moment and closed his eyes he felt his mind begin to slip into a deep space within itself, as if it was being cut off from his physical form while he was still in it. It was not a feeling that he enjoyed, especially for what came next. Almost instantly an overwhelming shadow enveloped Warren's physical form and began to drastically change him; the almost brilliant silver hair slowly became darker and darker until it nearly became one with the surrounding shadows of the room which was matched by the rest of his form. His face, while stronger and more angular, became softer and more rounded as two sharp red horns sprouted from just above his brow line. His hand became smaller in size and almost a bone white as did his face. As a darker, more crimson colored halo formed around his horns the being known as Draddeth opened their eyes as all around the swirling mass of shadows many more bright red eyes with sickly yellow cat-like iris opened up and focused their attention on Chole. After taking a deep breath in their borrowed body Draddeth rushed forward and grabbed both of Chole’s hands as if they were old friends that hadn’t seen each other in years, 

[b][color=red]”OH, MY GOODNESS!!! HI!! Warren never lets me out, so to let me out and see someone as cool looking as you, EEEEHHHEEHHHH!! This is just the bestest, ooh your patron must be old, I can feel their energy all over you, this is sooo cool! Oh goodness where are my manners, I’m Draddeth, nice to meet you Chole!”[/color][/b]

Chloe, for her part, simply blinked while this all played out in front of her. Her eyes drifted between Draddeth’s face and their hands. [color=violet]”Ah, ah-ha!“[/color] She struggled to maintain her composure. [color=violet]”I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t for Warren to transform [i]into[/i] his patron.“[/color] Chloe had to activate her third eye just to make sure this wasn’t the work of illusion magic. [color=violet]”I wonder why Warren was keeping a cutie like you all locked up.“[/color] A grin spread across her face as she drew her hands in. She looked over Draddeth’s left shoulder, then her right.  [color=violet]”This is so surreal. Where did he go? Can he still hear us?“[/color]

[b][color=red]”Oh yeh, he can hear us, and to be clear, I only choose to appear this way cause it's something that Warren hates! TeeHee”[/color][/b]

[color=violet]”Oh, it’s like that.“[/color]

Suddenly all of Draddeth’s eyes stopped and looked up and to the left, as if they were listening to something far off. As they turned back to Chole a cheerful yet disturbing grin creeped across their face, [b][color=red]”He didn’t know that until now, but I can appear in any way I want. So what’s my bestie Warren got planned for you? If he’s showing me off then there's gotta be something cool you're gonna show us?”[/color][/b]

Chloe acquired a grin of her own, though it wasn’t quite as unsettling as Draddeth’s. [color=violet]”Well, I was going to show him the other patron I work with. Though if I’m going to be honest, I don’t think they are nearly as fun as you are.“[/color] She shrugged her shoulders. [color=violet]”Part of that is due to the fact that they are dead. But a promise is a promise.“[/color] A swirling purple portal opened on one of the apartment walls. [color=violet]”And Warren?“[/color] With Draddeth holding her hand, she guided her through the portal. [color=violet]”Girls like this are [i]absolutely[/i] my type. So let me know when you can surrender your body for a spell, eh?“[/color] 

[b][color=red]”Oh I can tell we’re gonna be the bestest of friends, we will definitely be spending a lot more time together Chloe!”[/color][/b]

The playful teasing ended after they walked through the portal. They were taken to a far more dreary place. It was dark, with only the emerald glow of the sky providing any light. Their feet clicked against a bone bridge that stretched off into the distance. On either side were endless dunes made out of black sand, and countless piles of bones rested among them. Though a careful look would reveal that those piles were actually structures: Pyramids with carefully crafted shapes, adorned with all manner of bone made decorations. It was even possible to see souls freely flying through the air, only to be sucked into one of the pyramids. As they walked along the bridge, they could see that it led to a hole in the side of one such pyramid. [color=violet]”You must know that nearly everything we have in our world is a god or horror in another. All religions follow this trend, but the same is true with board games.“[/color] The bridge of bone led straight into a giant dome shaped room. Several strange, bony contraptions resided inside. What could only be described as necromancers were extracting souls from their surroundings to be molded into… something else. Before Draddeth and Chloe was an ivory table that some necromancers were piling bones on. Another one was approaching the table with a green clowning mass between their hands: A cluster of souls.

 [color=violet]”You must know that nearly everything we have in our world is a god or horror in another. All religions follow this trend, but the same is true with board games. Are you familiar with Games Workshop?“[/color] 

[b][color=red]”I am aware of them, they have a “unique” vision of the future, I’m assuming that they have taken inspiration from your patron?”[/color][/b]

Draddeth drifted through the liminal seeming space taking in the sights as casually as a sight seer in a new land. It had been no less than an eon since she had seen another eldritch entity, let alone step foot in their realm and was definitely a moment that they would take with them back. Their eyes peered at the insignificants as they went about their tasks, they often pondered and mused about these lower forms and would think of new ways to make better toys of them.

[b][color=red]”I take it your patron happens to be one they pulled their inspiration from? Oh, you simply must show me now…I’m simply dying to see now!”[/color][/b]

Chloe grinned, but she rubbed the back of her head. [color=violet]”Well, I can’t really ‘show’ you them. As I mentioned, they are dead right now. But what’s death to something with dominion over the underworld? They do have a unique version of the future, but mine is inspired by a fantastical past. If you’re familiar with Warhammer Fantasy, you likely know who I’m referring to already. It’s Nagash: Supreme lord of the undead!“[/color]

The batch of souls were lowered onto the bones. They swirled like they were getting flushed down a toilet, but were sucked straight into the pile on the table. One by one, the bones glowed and floated into the air. They twisted and elongated, sharpened and stretched. The necromancers outstretched their arms and made gestures in the air. Before long, the pile of bones had been transformed into a siege engine of sorts. A trebuchet made of bone, but it had many legs and was capable of moving all on its own. 

[color=violet]”Let’s call this one… Amber.“[/color] Chloe grinned. 

[b]”A fine name.”[/b] One of the necromancers noted. 

Chloe turned to look at Draddeth before pointing at the necromancers. [color=violet]”Are you familiar with the Ossiarch Bonereapers? They’re all about fusing soul and bone together to make all manner of creations. But they’ve been a bit constrained by their own reality. But magical girls have extremely robust souls, and they make for some of the finest creations. Except…“[/color] Chloe trailed off. Her smile vanished. [color=violet]”...Nagash is still dead, and probably will be for a very long time. I could introduce you to Katakros, but he’s a bit boring. Lives for conquest and little else. Not to mention he’s usually fighting on the front lines in one of his spare bodies. But um, I hope this was worth the anticipation?“[/color] 


At the sight of the necromancy being performed and all of the neat and interesting things happening around them Draddeth, an eldritch entity of incalculable age and horror, squealed in girlish delight as their eyes widened and shimmered like the multitude of stars in the night sky. They quickly darted around the creation that sat upon the table at various angles studying the intricacies of the creation, peering into the soul aspect and watching the souls fusing to the bone creation. They went over to one of the necromancers and picked them up as if they were little more than a rag doll speaking in their natural eldritch tongue which sounded like gibberish to the uninitiated before tossing them clear into whatever lay of existence before grabbing Chole’s hand and bouncing like a child that has just received the greatest gift in its lifetime,

[b][color=red]OH MY GOODNESS, OH MY GOODNESS, OH MY GOODNESS!! CHOLE, THIS IS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!!!! YOU AND YOUR PATRON ARE SIMPLY THE COOLEST AND BESTEST EVER!!! I have been doing this for eons but never have I considered fusing a soul to anything to create another object, and you say that you need souls to animate your patron again, ok WE are definitely going to get them back. Plus you said that the Mahou have sturdier souls than most, if we take these Penrose Mahou and feed them into your patron, enough of them should at least pick them back up. Whattaya say bestie!”[/color][/b]

Draddeth dramatically stuck their hand out in accordance to make a deal with the other Mahou girl. 

Chloe’s eyes were spinning just from watching the horror bound around like an ADD school child off their meds. [color=violet]”Ah-“[/color] she averted her gaze.  [color=violet]”The bonereapers work on a specific principle. They’re less about razing everything to the ground and are more about cultivating. Like farmers.“[/color] With a chuckle, she looked into Draddeth’s eyes. [color=violet]”I doubt even Penrose has enough magical girls to sustain Nagash. B-But I do have some fun ideas for us!“[/color]

The necromancer, or a mortisan bone shaper to be exact, picked itself up and dusted itself off. [b]”That was a good throw, but I’d rather have a warning next time.”[/b] They folded their arms behind their back. [b]”Anything to report?”[/b]

[color=violet]”Not presently. Penrose is bracing for an attack.“[/color] Chloe nodded. [color=violet]”Keep creating soldiers. We’ll need them.“[/color] Once the mortisan bowed, Chloe power walked out of the necropolis with her strange friend. It wasn’t until Chloe walked back into a portal taking them back to her home that she exhaled. [color=violet]”My relationship with the bonereapers is a little complicated. I need to be careful with what I say to them. Nagash isn’t a huge fan of independent thought.“[/color]

As they left the pocket dimension Draddeth turned and watched the portal close to soak in one last look of the Old Ones realm. As they turned back to Chole with a bounce and giddy hopping they grabbed her hand and bounced in place,

[b][color=red]”Yeh, we typically like our thralls to be more subservient than that, with too much free thought it gives them the idea that they have a choice in their existence, which we both know isn’t true. I can’t wait for all the fun we have planned together. I've waited SOOOOOO long to be able to do anything but smelly Warren never lets me have any fun. I’m gonna have to force my way in more often, your too fun not to be around.”[/color][/b]
 
[color=violet]”Ha!“[/color] Chloe rubbed the back of her neck. [color=violet]”Well, I think you’re very cute. We need to go on a proper date some time.“[/color] With a sniff, she put her hands on her hips. [color=violet]”I think Warren has some business to attend to, so I’ll let you go for now.“[/color] Chloe didn’t even wait for a response before ushing Draddeth, who was now Warren, out the door. Once Chloe was alone, she collapsed onto her couch. [color=violet]”I wonder if it’s too late to get out from under Nagash? What am I even talking about?“[/color] 

It was an unusual situation she was in. Nagash, the Mint, even Draddeth had different plans for Penrose.

But what did Chloe want?

[hr]

Aurora clapped her hands together. [color=goldenrod]"Four teams? I wouldn’t expect you to know this Penny, but the eggs are-"[/color] She lifted a hand to her mouth. [color=goldenrod]"Oh! I shouldn’t be giving away this information so freely. Can everyone tell me their cellphone numbers so that I can text them a secret message? I’m sure Penny will just hack you and extract the information herself, but it’s the principle of the thing."[/color] The door to Chloe’s interdimensional home opened beside Aurora and Chloe stepped out. [color=goldenrod]"Oh good heavens! I’m glad you’re back. Do you want me to catch you up?"[/color] 

[color=violet]”Did anything important happen?“[/color]

[color=goldenrod]"Important? Not necessarily, but there was a development where-"[/color] 

[color=violet]”Excellent! Tell me later.“[/color] As soon as Chloe pulled out the contract again, Aurora rushed to create a metal desk for her to place all of the documentation on. [color=violet]”The boss gave to go ahead on everything. And yes, Penny, the details regarding sanctuary are not on the main contract, per your request.“[/color]  Chloe was pretty sure making the paperwork pointlessly complex was just some ‘dominance game’ the iron queen was playing with her. [color=violet]”Now let’s hear those additional conditions so that we can see about adding them.“[/color]