[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/q4au2SQ.png[/img][/center] [center][hider=Connie and Mia Stats] [center][color=DarkOrchid][h2]Connie[/h2][/color] 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 5 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 5 Oddball: Nightmares | Tentacles Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Mystic Artifact | Ally | Interdimensional Home Focused | Mental Link | Hidden Death | Mana Font | Mystic Might Alien Mind | Formless | Rival Force | Clueless [/center] [hr] [center][color=SpringGreen][h2]Mia[/h2][/color] 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 5 | 8 | 7 | 22 | 5 Wood | Barrage Enhanced Weapon | Dual Weapon | Purification Artifact | Big Red Button Blessing | Divine Competence | Gifted Item | Mana Font | Mystic Might Rites| Arrogance | Big Brother | Clueless [/center][/hider][/center] Things seemed to be going well. Alexander had been rescued, the immediate danger had passed, and the magical boy’s animal friends were being especially adorable. Sadly, that brief period of tranquility was shattered by Lily’s horrified scream, one echoed by Connie when she saw what had prompted it. She didn’t know Chloe very well, but what the girl was doing to their captive foe was beyond sadistic... [color=SpringGreen]“Mother’s Mantel…”[/color] Gaia gasped, before swiftly moving to position herself in front of her now hyperventilating best friend and wrapping the masked maiden in a tight hug. [color=SpringGreen]“It’s okay, Connie. It’s okay,”[/color] she reassured the shuddering girl in a soothing tone, before covering her ears in an attempt to block out Caterpillar’s tortured cries. It took some time, but eventually, Connie’s shuddering started to subside and her panicked breathing began to slow. [color=SpringGreen]“That’s it, little sister,”[/color] Gaia told her with a reassuring smile. [color=SpringGreen]“Deep breaths. In and out. Just focus on my voice,”[/color] she continued as she gently ran her fingers through her whimpering friend’s hair. [color=SpringGreen]“I’m right here. Everything’s going to be okay.”[/color] [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I-It w-was s-so h-h-horrible, M-Mia…”[/color] Connie sobbed, her shaky voice filled with anguish as she pressed her face into her friend’s chest. [color=SpringGreen]“I know, little sister,”[/color] Gaia replied somberly. [color=SpringGreen]“I know…”[/color] By that point, Caterpillar’s shrieks of agony had quieted, replaced by an unnerving monotone, calmly relaying information. This was followed by an enraged Lily vowing to make Chloe pay for committing such a vile act. Yet, their altercation wasn’t nearly as important to Gaia as Connie’s wellbeing, and she firmly intended to remain with her friend until she was certain the timid girl had fully recovered. Thus, it came as something of a surprise when she heard the newly restored tree’s sagely voice call out to her. Casting her gaze in its direction, while continuing to hold Connie close, the verdant maiden saw that a face had formed on the trunk of the great tree. When it offered to journey with them and assist in their efforts, the nymph-like young woman treated it to a warm smile. [color=SpringGreen]“We would be greatly blessed, indeed, if you were to grace us with your accompaniment and generously bestow upon us your wise counsel, my venerable friend,”[/color] Gaia told the great tree. Then, taking the now mostly recovered Connie by the hand, she gracefully glided over to the tree and gently placed her other hand upon its drooping branch. [color=SpringGreen]“And the gift of mobility is one that I would be only too elated to bestow,”[/color] she told the tree, her emerald hand glowing with mystic power as she caressed the branch. Within moments, the great tree’s roots would twist together into a pair of mighty legs, enabling it to travel with the motley group as they continued their journey. [color=SpringGreen]“Now then, my venerable friend, would you be so kind as to lead us to the Queen of Heart’s castle?”[/color] the botanical beauty inquired. Then she heard Alexander inquire about a Nexus and its Guardian… [color=SpringGreen]“Yes, I am familiar with the Guardian,”[/color] Gaia replied, being careful not to reveal too much. [color=SpringGreen]“And I believe I should be able to arrange a meeting with them, once we return to Penrose. Why do you ask, if I may be so bold?”[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/udsgqgr.png[/img][/center] [center][hider=MDP Stats] [center][color=DeepPink][h2]Magical Dream Princess[/h2][/color] 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 4 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 9 Oddball: Sweet Dreams | Barrage Wealth and Resources (not while tf'd) | Enhanced Weapon | Power Artifact | Dual Weapon | Natural Aging | Money | Intuition Focused | Mental Link | Hidden Death | Mana Font | Mystic Might Alien Mind | Formless | Rival Force | Clueless [/center] [/hider][/center] As MDP led her whimsical procession across the desert sands, she was blissfuly oblivious to Mac’s (and not Ashley’s) reappearance atop a now tamed Chicken Ultra Crushing Mega, or to the normally unflappable Rachel’s little tsundere moment with a monster that was partnered with one of The Beacon’s most hated enemies. Instead, she was fully absorbed with playfully twirling her wand like a baton as she skipped along, while singing a silly marching song. [color=DeepPink]“Let’s havey wavey a paradey wadey today~! Let’s havey wavey a paradey wadey, horaaaay~! It’s super duper funsie wunsie and nothing wothing will go wrong~! Not when Mister Wister Sunny Wunny singy wingies along~! (giggle~!)”[/color] Indeed, the smiling sun which warmed the desert sands had begun harmonizing with the Princess of Dreams, helping her ensure that her little army walked with rhythm. That way, if there was a giant sand worm in this desert, they would be sure to attract it, and then make friends with it. Needless to say, with all this going on, MDP didn’t hear Rachel’s warning about the approach of potential hostiles, but it wasn’t long before she caught sight of the strange cactus creatures as they shuffled over the dunes. Also unsurprisingly, the sight filled the childish girl not with alarm, but with [i]joy.[/i] [color=DeepPink]“Oooh~! New friendy wendies~! Yaaay~!”[/color] MDP cheered, doing a cartwheel and jumping into the air. [color=DeepPink]“Aww~! And, like, they look sooo super duper adorable worable, too~! (giggle!)”[/color]