[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]

Connie and Gaia watched as the battle’s aftermath unfolded before them. There wasn’t much for either of them to contribute to or comment on, and so they simply waited, helping to shield Violet until she could be taken to a more secluded location. Then they saw Miko run over to a pile of giant weapons, seemingly looking for someone named “Mac”. While neither of them knew anyone by that name, Connie’s kind heart compelled her to try and assist the pink garbed shrine maiden. However, she had only taken a single step when she felt Gaia’s hand on her shoulder.

[color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mia…?”[/color] She asked, her masked visage and shaky voice filled with confusion.

[color=SpringGreen]“It would probably be for the best if we remained here, little sister,”[/color] the Daughter of Mother Earth replied in a soft and serene voice. [color=SpringGreen]“I believe that we can trust our friends to be more than capable of aiding whoever might be trapped beneath that pile,”[/color] she explained. [color=SpringGreen]“After all, we still have another friend to assist, do we not?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yes…”[/color] Connie conceded glumly. [color=DarkOrchid]“S-Sorry, Mia… I-I s-shouldn’t have a-acted without t-thinking…”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“It’s okay, Connie,”[/color] Gaia reassured her, while giving the masked maiden’s shoulders a gentle massage. [color=SpringGreen]“I know how much you care for your friends and how greatly you wish to help them,”[/color] the botanical beauty added with a warm smile. [color=SpringGreen]“That compassion is one of the things I admire most about you, little sister, and it is something you should [i]never[/i] have to apologize for.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“T-Thanks, Mia…”[/color] Connie replied, her mask forming a happy smile as she gave her best friend a tender embrace.

Just then, a cry of panic reached their ears. 

Looking up, the pair were shocked to see Mayra, still in her full dragon form, flying off with a regal-looking (and understandably panicking) mermaid. 

[color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mayra…?!”[/color] Connie wondered, bringing her trembling hands up to hide the lower half of her face as her masked visage took on a look of frightened incredulity.

[color=SpringGreen]“Um… I… do not believe she plans to cause her any harm, little sister,”[/color] Gaia replied hesitantly. [color=SpringGreen][i]At least, I sincerely [b]hope[/b] not…[/i][/color] the nymph-like young woman thought to herself, while biting the bottom of her emerald lip. [color=SpringGreen]“I-In any case, her subjects appear to have matters well in hand,”[/color] the verdant maiden added quickly, giving her friend what she hoped was a reassuring smile. [color=SpringGreen]“Come, Connie. It seems our friends are preparing to depart. Let us join them.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay…”[/color] Connie relented, even as she looked over her shoulder at Mayra’s massive form flying off into the distance, the merman army in hot pursuit.

If Branch Nose was nearby, Gaia would take a moment to address him.

[color=SpringGreen]“Noble Branch Nose, I wish to thank you once again for your most generous assistance,”[/color] the verdant maiden told the venerable ent. [color=SpringGreen]“I am afraid my dearest Connie and I must bid you a fond farewell now, unless, of course, you wish to accompany us,”[/color] the nymph-like young woman added, unsure of what the ancient treeman’s plans might be.

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[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/11844121-70b4-40d4-8d27-6274ede736b1.png[/img][/center]

Violet listened as Penny relayed the recent happenings as well as possible courses of action for the immediate future. The fact that the Queen of Hearts had traveled to Penrose was more than a little concerning, but the heiress trusted that the other magicals remaining in the city would be able to hold down the proverbial fort until she and the others could return. 

[color=BlueViolet]“I see,”[/color] Violet replied softly. [color=BlueViolet]“In that case, I would be most interested in learning more about whatever non-combat tasks I could covertly assist with while I regain my strength,”[/color] she told the Mechanical Monarch.

Looking up, she noticed Mayra’s massive, draconic form soar overhead, before setting down to pick up the Mermaid Princess and fly off again. [color=BlueViolet]“I hope they will both be all right…”[/color] she murmured, a concerned frown marring her elegant features. She didn’t [i]think[/i] her fire-breathing friend would purposely harm an ally, but the dragon girl [i]was[/i] mischievous enough to make things problematic, at the very least. [color=BlueViolet][i]Though I can’t really blame her,[/i][/color] the heiress reflected. [color=BlueViolet][i]I don’t exactly have the best presence of mind when I’m transformed, either…[/i][/color]

With nothing further to do at the castle, the Penny copy carrying Violet followed the rest of the Penrose magicals and their allies through the cat-flap portal into the Bastion’s ultra-tech interior, surrounded by a concealing circle of additional Penny copies. Once there, the heiress was taken to Penny’s personal chambers, along with Connie and Gaia (and possibly Branch Nose, too ((Shit, I feel like Plat now...))). [color=BlueViolet]“Yes, I believe this will be most suitable,”[/color] Violet agreed when Penny explained that she would have full privacy here. [color=BlueViolet]“I think I should be strong enough to stand now. Thank you again for the rescue, Penny, and for accommodating me like this,”[/color] she added, giving her girlfriend an appreciative smile. [color=BlueViolet]“And thank you both as well,”[/color] she added, turning to address Connie and Gaia. [color=BlueViolet]“I am truly blessed to have such caring and supportive friends.”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Please, think nothing of it,”[/color] Gaia replied with a demure bow of her verdant head. [color=SpringGreen]“I am simply honored that you have allowed my dearest Connie and I into your circle of trust, and yours as well, Your Majesty,”[/color] the nymph-like maiden added, giving Penny an elegant curtsy.

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Y-Yes, t-thank y-you!”[/color] Connie stammered, the visibly nervous masked maiden giving a small, trembling bow. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m just g-glad y-you’re o-okay, Violet,”[/color] she told the heiress, before taking a look around the chamber. [color=DarkOrchid]“S-So, u-um… W-What s-should we d-do n-now…?”[/color] the timid girl asked, her mask forming an uncertain frown, while her hands began fidgeting with her hair. 

[hr]

[color=DarkMagenta]“Not much longer now, my pathetic little failure. Soon all will [i]finally[/i] be revealed. I know you can’t wait to meet your replacements, but you of all people should know that you can’t [i]rush[/i] perfection. After all, that’s why I wasted so much of my precious time on [i]you.[/i] Right, [url=https://images2.imgbox.com/dc/e3/eVlQx4yo_o.png]Finn?[/url]”[/color]