[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/72bEcUi.png[/img][/center] The Cheshire Cat smiled a cat smile with her eyes closed as Alex recounted his encounter with the Baroness. “Oh, she is nyanderful indeed, to rescue a gallant prince-to-be…” As Lily listened to her friends’ opinions, she started to relax a bit: she had come to realize the magical girl before them, while strange, had common interests with their group. [color=fff200]”Uh, thank you for being willing to help us, miss…”[/color] “Cheshire Cat. I am a cat,” she said with a most pleased look as she struck a paw pose with her hands, as if she had uttered a most poignant and meaningful sentence. Branch Nose nodded. “Oh yes, I’ve heard about this book. Natsume Soseki, 1906. “Quite a fascinating piece of literature.” The Cheshire Cat’s eyes beamed. “So you also love books. Nyanderrific!” However, as her fellow companions expressed a desire to return back home, Lily joined the fray. [color=fff200]”We’re kind of in a hurry, well actually really in a big hurry, so can you tell us how you can help?”[/color] The Cheshire Cat turned to look at the globe. She noticed little dots gathering around the front gates of the castle. “Of course! But I see that the Gryphon has been knocked off its roost. Let’s go meet with the victors~” She walked towards the bookcase, took a book out, and then pressed a switch hidden inside the bookcase: the window nearby opened, and with a low rumble, a slide extended down from the window aisle: it precariously spiraled around the castle tower, even making a vertical loop, before it ended at the courtyard. Lily blinked in surprise, and then gasped as Cheshire Cat jumped out the window to traverse the slide on her feet, as if she was skating. “See you at the bottom!” Lily sighed, and followed suit, her dexterity enabling her to also slide on her feet. [color=fff200]”Alex, might wanna put barrier railings!”[/color] She yelled as she got to the loop. At the end of the thrilling ride, the Cheshire Cat and Lily ended up at the very bottom, where the other Mahou had gathered. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/K2ssvzh.png[/img][/center] “Greetings, everynyan!” The whimsical magical girl spoke to the group as Lily stood up and moved aside, letting any others who are also using the slide to reach the end undisturbed. Rachel lifted an eyebrow. “Are you surrendering?” She asked, not expecting a straight answer. The Cheshire Cat smiled cutely. “Actually, I would like to make a peace agreement on behalf of my mistress, the Baroness. Though she has little love for the Red Queen and her malice, she wishes for peace to return to Wonderland, with Princess Alice on the throne and my mistress granted the mercy of acting as her chancellor. Oh, and I would like to stay as a maid for the adorable princess~. In return, we are willing to do what we can to assist you, including working towards ending this cruel war, and getting you to where the wicked queen is~” “So, where is this Baroness then?” Rachel asked. “Shouldn't she be negotiating herself?” The Cheshire Cat’s ears drooped, as she held a sad expression. “She is currently hiding until the Queen is dealt with. You know her kind, always dropping heads from shoulders.” “Tch. Coward,” Rachel spoke with a scoff, and casually walked over to give healing magic to Violet, waking her from her slumber. Justine chimed in. [color=bc8dbf]”That may be so, but I wouldn’t be opposed to the conditions of this truce, especially since we have far more important matters to deal with.”[/color] [color=fff200]”Penny! Justine! Mermaids? MAYRA? Whaat?”[/color] Lily was too distracted by seeing the return of Penny, Justine and Caroline, the Mermaid Princess, the sight of a giant dragon, and other casual insanity at the site to really pay attention to the discussion. [hr] The Queen of Hearts had heard Mariette speak as she headed through the portal, but for the moment simply assumed it was to help round up the newest freed servants that once obeyed their dark master without question. Her strange command delivered, she smiled as Mikayla responded. She was about to speak up when Mariette interrupted her, insisting on a diplomatic approach. The mad queen sighed, and drew forth a biscuit from a small portal. “Very well, Alice. I suppose you are right, as often has been the case. Go, then. We shall take this biscuit…AND EAT IT!” Her words were followed by a mighty chomp, the biscuit held as if she pretended to bite off Mikayla’s head. [hr] Tsuki was not amused by Chloe’s haughty words. “Bold words for a cutting board!” She snapped back, only for Hudie to sigh and shake her head slowly. “Tsuki, you shouldn’t use insults that apply to yourself as well. It makes you look foolish before our foes.” Tsuki realized her mistake, and lowered the brim of her witch hat to hide her embarrassment. “Th-That was just…” Hudie promptly ignored whatever retort the mage girl was about to say, and turned her attention back to the coin broker. “We were investigating strange reports of undead roaming amok and battling plant monsters, as well as the appearance of the mirrors.” “No to mention the draining of ambient mana all over Penrose,” Tsuki finally chimed in after having regained her composure. “Our readings indicate that the mana draining keeps accelerating. At this rate, even the Masquerade might start to fail.” “That won’t be an issue if Asengav gains enough power to manifest. Then the world will end.” As if on cue, Pennybots descended from an aperture, causing the Ascendancy girls to grit their teeth and point their weapons. “So Penny really is going to do it…” Hudie muttered. Tsuki nodded, and addressed the robots. “Still in progress. We could use more surveillance coverage. Spread out and keep a look out for any signs of Mariette or her cronies. And you,” she turned to point at Chloe. “If you want a reduced sentence for your crimes, you’ll start assisting too.”