With the chaos of battle over, Alexander was finally able to be alone with his thoughts. He wandered over to the beach and laid down on the sand where the waves could wash over him, and just relaxed...or at least tried to 'Sure it ended up working out okay...I think, But I don't think the others care that much. As far as they're concerned; Lily betrayed them. Dammit, I can't just do nothing' he sat up and huffed 'Only problem is that I'm shit at talking to people. So how the hell am I supposed to get everyone to forgive her?' He groaned as he got to his feet "Screw it, I'll just try talking to Mariette"
---
Alexander made his way back to the hotel to find Mariette, but ran into Lily first
“Hey Alex...” She held an arm behind her back as she looked down at the floor with a frown in her face.
“I talked with Mariette, but it didn’t work out. She was still upset. I don’t know what to do next...”
For a brief moment, Alexander was reminded of how Lily was after Ixion died. 'It feels like just yesterday. I...I don't know if I could handle seeing her like that again so soon. Lily isn't like me; she doesn't seem as used to being alone as I am. Having so many people hate her...I don't think she'll take that well' He had already decided to do something before, this just bolster his resolve. Yet before he could do much of anything, something else happened
‘Dan’s holding a Christmas party, and everyone's invited. Please bring as many friends as you can. If you focus on the envelope, it will duplicate, so go ahead and spread them as far as you can. I will see you there,’ A portal opened above Lily and a letter fell down on her
"Christmas, huh?" Alexander mumbled to himself, suddenly feeling grouchy, when suddenly he realized something; this was his first Christmas since he got his powers. 'That's right...this year is different! No stuffy orphanage or lonely cold apartment. This year I'll be spending it on a beach resort. And not only that, but this year I actually have someone-' His eyes shot wide open "Fuck" he hissed under his breath before looking to an excited Lily who was bouncing around while handing him a letter, which he took 'That's right; there's a whole lot of people pissed off at Lily right now. If I can't fix this in time, it might fuck up her Christmas' His mind quickly imagined up a lonely Lily at a Christmas party with everyone either avoiding her or sneering at his. Tears in her empty looking eyes. He snapped out of it while quivering in equal parts fear and rage 'Fuckkkkkkkk! Now I'm on a time limit. Dammit, this is already going to be hard enough, I don't need the extra chal-'
“Ahem, may I have your attention please!” Dan interrupted the raucous crowd and Alexander's crazed internal panic with the sound of a Party Horn of In-Laws Slaying (with a +9 bonus) blaring out.
Now, I know you all may be excited for this party, but there is a crisis on our hands! The Penrose Sanctuary is under attack, putting everyone there in danger!” He then opened a blue portal. “This portal will lead you right outside the Sanctuary. If anyone here could please go there and help Dina save the locals, I would be grateful.”
Alexander was on the verge of extremely loud rage crying, but Lily's voice distracted him
“Not a problem, Dan! This is a job for us magical girls! Come on, let’s go, Alex!” She then grabbed his hand. “Oh, I’m fine now, no need to worry!” She then quickly blurted out, as if expecting Alex to raise a logical concern over her recovery.
'I highly doubt that.' Alexander thought to himself, not willing to call her out to her face. However, he was finding his rage fading away, leaving fatigue in it's place
As she ran through the portal, she waved at Mariette, who had arrived upon hearing the call for help.
“Thanks for the invitation Mariette! See ya at the partyyy!”
Alexander sighed "Let's...let's just get this over with"
And with that, the two disappeared through the portal.
---
The Sanctuary was a mess.
Not huge news, considering Penrose, but it was more of a mess than was normal for the area. Lily quickly got her motorcycle ready, and Alexander took his seat behind her, shifting to his Beast Mode as he did so. Once the magic settled, the screams became much more clear "I really hope this isn't as much of a chaotic mess as the last fight."