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In Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay

In stark contrast to her usual bubbly hyperactivity, MDP watched silently as the various participants of this latest drama arrived and made their cases. She was glad to hear that Rachel had decided to postpone the dimension’s destruction, at least for the time being, but the inquisitor’s obvious hatred for Dan’s realm still bothered the whimsical girl. Then there was the fact that Mayra was part of the opposing side in this little debacle… Nevertheless, when Penny moved to stand with the forces of Beacon, MDP was quick to join her. This move wasn’t exactly to show her support for Beacon, so much as her support for Penny. Indeed, the childish girl was firmly dedicated to staying by her girlfriend’s side, regardless of what anyone else might think. Whatever adversities presented themselves, she and Penny would face them together, and she had faith that if they did so, then a peaceful outcome for everyone would surely be attained. It may have been a painfully naive way of thinking, but it made perfect sense to MDP, and that was all that really mattered.

Taking Penny’s offered hand, she listened as the mechanical monarch stated who she believed the culprit to be. “Like, Penny Wenny’s totally wotally right!” the whimsical girl agreed. “Those Minty Winty people weple are, like, super duper meanie weanie heads! They’re super duper sneaky weaky, too! And, like, Magical Dream Princess would know, ‘cause she got tricky wickied by them herselfy welfy…” she added, frowning at the thought of just how big a mistake she’d made to ever work with the Mint. A moment later, however, she brightened back up as an idea occurred to her. “But, like, if everybodywody works together wether, Magical Dream Princess just knows we can put a stopy wopy to their evil wevil plany wanies and savey wavey Christmas Whistmas and Danny Wanny’s placey wacey, too~! (giggle!) We can make our very wery own Christmas Whistmas miracle wiracle of wuv and justice, ‘cause, like, that’s what magical wagical girls do~!”
In Symphony of Espers → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
In Symphony of Espers → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
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In Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay

Initially, MDP had been so happy as she watched Penny’s second match. Just as with the mechanical monarch’s prior match, the whimsical girl had taken up the role of a vivacious cheerleader, jumping around with her usual hyperactive glee as she encouraged her girlfriend to do her best. However, the childish girl’s bubbly demeanor dissolved in an instant, as she watched a clearly concerned Penny concede the match by dropping into the pool. “P-Penny Wenny…?” MDP gasped, her eyes going wide with shock and her pompoms vanishing in twin puffs of glittery pink smoke. A moment later, the cybernetic girl emerged from the pool and began walking away, only to pause as a sudden eruption of power from the bottom of the pool violently warped and twisted the water. L-Like, what’s going onsie? the whimsical girl wondered. Her ADHD addled mind struggling to make sense of what she was seeing, MDP watched in stunned silence as Dina leapt into the pool, followed by Penny herself, before another massive detonation of mystic power blasted Penny and Tenebra into the stands. “Penny Wenny!” MDP cried as she rushed to her robotic girlfriend’s side. The mechanical monarch appeared to be fine, however, as she quickly jumped back into the pool, presumably to retrieve the still unaccounted for Dina. Once Penny had done so, MDP promptly raced over to make sure everyone was okay. Thankfully, with Penny and Tenebra’s help, Dina’s very unpleasant-looking injuries were soon completely healed, and MDP found herself feeling warm and fuzzy at the sight of the former opponents working together.

Then Dan announced that the tournament was being put on indefinite hiatus because the Black Mirror had disappeared…

Now, MDP wasn’t too sure about what, exactly, the Black Mirror was, but she did know that it belonged to a horror, and if it was missing, that could only mean trouble. Lots of trouble… Penny apparently agreed, seeing as how the mechanical monarch wasted no time in heading back to the winter island. MDP followed after her, but decided to give her girlfriend some space. Penny was clearly on edge, but despite how much MDP wanted to wrap the cybernetic girl up in a big hug, and cuddle and snuggle with her until everything was better, even the innocent Princess of Dreams knew that this wasn’t the time or place for such things. MDP would still be nearby, of course, ever-ready to help her girlfriend should the robotic girl need it, but she would be far enough removed so that her bothersome hyperactivity wouldn’t get in Penny’s way. Thus, she used every ounce of her willpower to keep herself at a respectful distance and allow Penny the freedom to do things at her own pace. She only hoped that, ultimately, everything would work out…


Upon MDP and Maribel’s departure, Connie, Gaia, and Amanda had gone back to looking at books, but a short while later, the dream magician informed them that she, too, had to get going. Bidding her friend farewell, Connie gave Amanda a big hug, before presenting her with a Christmas gift (A book of whimsical landscape paintings, along with a painting by Connie herself). Once Amanda had taken her leave, Connie and Gaia had continued to relax in the bookshop until Dan's announcement about the missing mirror shattered the small store’s peaceful ambiance.

“O-Oh, g-gosh!” Connie exclaimed upon hearing the troubling tidings. “W-What do you t-think h-happened to it?”

“I don’t know, little sister,” Gaia replied with a frown. “But regardless, I sincerely doubt anything good will result from this development… Come on, Connie,” she added, rising to her feet and returning the book to its place on the shelf. “We should probably get back to the others and decide our next course of action.”

“O-Okay,” Connie said with a nod, as she followed after her verdant friend.

Soon enough, they had rejoined Shane, Rose, and Iris, who had just exited the arena. Unsurprisingly, the twins and magical boy were equally concerned by the recent turn of events. Rose and Iris, in particular, said that they needed to rejoin Kayli at once. After promising to meet up again later, Connie gave a shaky wave as the twins hurried off. Meanwhile, after talking things over with Shane, Gaia had decided that they should return to the lodge and see what they could do to assist with resolving the situation. As they headed out, Connie couldn’t help but frown at the current state of their “Christmas Party”. So much drama had already taken place, and it seemed as if even worse was to come. Not only that, but many of her friends had either left for various reasons, were far too busy to bother with her, or were simply nowhere to be found. Now she was just left with Gaia and Shane, making her once again feel like something of a third wheel. At least they would be returning to the winter island, she reflected. That would surely make things seem a little more festive, right? She certainly hoped so…
In Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay


Although she was somewhat upset that no one seemed to like her idea of having a group hug, MDP knew that she had more important things to worry about. There wasn’t much time left before Penny’s next match, and the playful Princess of Dreams had just remembered that she had yet to apologize to a certain friend for missing her match. Thus, the whimsical girl had set out to do so before the next round began. Upon finally catching sight of the friend in question, she gave a squeal of delight as she bounced over.

“Mayra Wayra~! (giggle!)” MDP called out, before glomping the dragon girl and squeezing her tight. “Like, Magical Dream Princess is sooo super duper sorry for missing wissing your matchy watchy!” the bubbly girl told her draconic friend. “She, like, really really wanted to be there to cheer Mayra Wayra on, but she was, like, super duper busy wusy training waining with Penny Wenny, but, like, Connie Wonnie told her all about it~! (giggle!) Like, she said that you were totally wotally awesome wasome, and that you even weven turned into an actual wactual dragon wagon~! (giggle!) Like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies that must have been sooo super duper cool~! (giggle!) But, like, Connie Wonnie also said that you losty wosty…” the whimsical girl added with a frown, before brightening back up again an instant later. “But then she said that you weren’t super duper sad about it, which made Magical Dream Princess super duper happy wappy~! (giggle!)”

The scene MDP walked into had three individuals in conversation. There was the green-haired, elfin girl Lea, looking at Mayra with a stern expression. There was Mayra, smiling right back and nodding. Then there was Jelena, who was sitting and kicking with her legs looking slightly bothered about something.





Then MDP called out, making Lea frown as she looked over, Jelena turn from looking bothered to chuckling, and Mayra turning to curiously look over before being promptly glomped.

‘Oh!’ Mayra called out in surprise at the realization that she’d been glomped, and immediately kicked to spin around with a minor fiery burst to spin with the dreamy girl while grabbing ahold of her in turn. ‘Heeey, it’s the dream princess!’ she called happily before eventually not actually coming to a stop but would totally try to keep spinning throughout the conversation.

‘Haha, no worries! You can’t be everywhere at the same time. That’d be a cool power…’ Mayra said, immediately distracted. ‘Anyway, training with Penny, eh? What kind of training? Did you beat her? Hahaha!’ The idea of MDP beating Penny in anything was hilarious.

‘Yeah, I did that! It’s too bad the rules say you lose if you just touch the water, because I could totally have beat her if it was a real fight! I’m tougher than that! Oooh, but that Avatar power, though. That is SO SWEET! I wonder if she’d tell me how she got it? Aaaah, I want to fight her again…!’ Mayra said, giggling about events that had transpired.

‘… Hmpf. Don’t forget,’ Lea just said, before turning and walking.

‘Yeah, yeah, I got it, I got it,’ Mayra replied, still focused on MDP as she waved off Lea. Jelena was leaning a hand on her chin as she was inspecting MDP clinging to the dragon girl for the moment.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mayra’s spinning hug didn’t seem to bother MDP in the slightest. In fact, the whimsical girl found it quite fun! “Weeeee~!” the playful girl cheered, while giggling happily. Then Mayra inquired about her training with Penny, and a small blush began to color her cheeks. “Weeeell… We mostly wostly just played aroundy woundy…” MDP conceded, while slightly averting her eyes. “But, like, Magical Dream Princess also helpy welpied Penny Wenny practice wactise some special wecial strategy watagies~!” she added, quickly brightening back up. Mayra went on to ask if MDP was able to beat her cybernetic girlfriend. “Like, she did manage wanage to do it one timey wimey, but that was only because Penny Wenny let her~” MDP replied with a giggle.

MDP grinned broadly as Mayra talked about her match, but her expression changed to one of slight confusion when her draconic friend mentioned a power she had never heard of before. “Avatar Wavatar~?” the innocent girl inquired. “Like, what’s that~?”

‘Hahaha! Yeah, play-fighting is fine. One of these days, I want to fight her, too. Not just fighting for fighting's sake, but like a real encounter with an objective beyond our control, and… hahaha…’ Mayra thought it was amusing to think about it. She listened to MDP’s bunch of comments, and then grinned at the last mention.

‘I had to ask that, too! Apparently it’s a power that allows you to use every specialization, AT THE SAME TIME! Something about at reduced magic strength and it taking a bunch of mana to do, but that girl boosted herself with all enhancements imaginable for that last attack, and used both time and darkness to catch me! That’s like, SO powerful! Hahaha!’ Mayra laughed as she discussed this.

They’re still spinning, Jelena’s raised an eyebrow at them.

Hearing Mayra’s desire to fight Penny caused MDP to frown slightly. “Like, Magical Dream Princess guesses wesses that might be fun to watch…” she conceded. “But, like, Magical Dream Princess wouldn’t be able wable to cheer for Mayra Wayra if she was fighting Penny Wenny,” the whimsical girl added, looking somewhat upset. “A-And you and Penny Wenny might get hurt, and, and, Magical Dream Princess would really wuv it if you and Penny Wenny didn’t fight and became friendy wendies instead~! (giggle!) Unless…” she said after a moment as an idea occurred to her. “By fighting each other wother, Mayra Wayra and Penny Wenny can helpy welpy each other wother get stronger wonger, then that would be, like, totally wotally okie dokie~! (giggle!)” the bubbly girl declared with a big smile.

A moment later, MDP gasped in shock when Mayra revealed just what Avatar allowed one to accomplish. “Wowie zowie~! Every wevery magical wagical thingie wingie at the same timey wimey~?! That’s, like, super duper powerful wowerful~!” the whimsical girl exclaimed in amazement. “Like, Magical Dream Princess had no idea something womething like that was even weven possible wossible~!”

‘RIIIGHT!? It was so awesome…!’ Mayra had to say about the Avatar-power. Taking that first, because on that first part… Mayra had a lot more to say.

‘Hahahaha, no, getting hurt’s part of it!’ Mayra declared with a wide grin. ‘Back where I came from, those battles happened all the time! The leader of the pack was the strongest one, and her power could be challenged at any time! There were battles to decide who led what pack, battles to decide who gets to hunt where, and battles to decide who gets to mate with the one they want! Those battles with something on the line, those were the greatest! Now, nobody actually aimed to kill the opponent, the more of us the stronger we are, after all, but some bruises and bleeding was always part of it! That’s not even mentioning the battles for our survival against other species… They were so exhilarating!’ Mayra said, smiling widely. Her home dimension was a very different place.

‘Here’s not entirely the same, it’s not the strongest that leads, and things are a lot more complicated most of the time. But I get to hunt random monsters and get paid for it! It’s great! And, and, battles DO happen! And there’s a whole lot more friends! I’m stronger than I once was, too! It’s great!’ Mayra said, the dragon girl decently excited as she spoke.

They’re still spinning, and Jelena is starting to wonder if she should do something to stop the spinning. Maybe they were about to drill through the floor or something. Or burn through. Mayra’s feet was on fire continuously propelling them to spin, after all.

As MDP listened to Mayra’s explanation of how things worked in her home dimension, the whimsical girl tried to wrap her ditzy and innocent mind around what was being said. While she certainly didn’t like to see her friends get hurt, even with her currently watered-down intelligence, she could still understand the basics of what Mayra was telling her. Animals who lived in packs behaved in a similar fashion, after all, and if no one got killed, then she supposed it was okay. That wasn’t to say she didn’t have any questions, though.

“Like, Magical Dream Princess guesses wesses that’s okie dokie…” MDP replied with a thoughtful frown. “But, like, where exactly wactly did Mayra Wayra come from~?” she inquired, completely oblivious to the fact that they were still spinning around.

The question prompted Mayra to very suddenly give a burst of flame in the opposite direction of their spinning, making them come to a complete stop. She gazed intently at MDP, before grinning with wide eyes at her. ‘Would you like to see!? I could totally take you there! I could introduce you to the pack, show you the sights and the battles, and…!’ Mayra said, not answering the question.

‘Mayra’s a dragon from the dragon-dimension,’ Jelena answered in Mayra’s place, chuckling and leaning back over there. ‘It’s filled with dangerous and wild monsters, and there’s no civilization, technology or even humans to speak of. Mayra here has never once actually been human, and had to learn all human things from scratch. As for the dimension, I don’t recommend going there if you don’t like things trying to eat you whole, heh,’ the girl with the mechanical limbs continued, with some more chuckles.

‘Oh, she could totally handle it! Dream princess is strong! Besides, I’d be there, too!’ Mayra defended with a grin, to which Jelena just shrugged.

MDP was slightly taken aback by Mayra’s offer, but quickly recovered her usual bubbly disposition. “Wowie zowie~! Like, that soundy woundies super duper fun~! (giggle!)” the whimsical girl cheered, innocently oblivious to any potential danger until Jelena spelled things out. However, MDP’s main take-away from the explanation was perhaps somewhat different than what the metal-limbed girl might have hoped… “For realsies~?!” the whimsical girl exclaimed, her eyes going wide. “Mayra Wayra’s an actual wactual dragon wagon~?! That’s, like, sooo super duper cool~! (giggle!) And, like, Mayra Wayra’s totally wotally right about Magical Dream Princess being super duper powerful wowerful, and if Mayra Wayra was there too, then she’d feel, like, super duper safey wafey~! (giggle!) Oh…” she frowned, her voice trailing off as something occurred to her. “But Magical Dream Princess just remember wembered… Penny Wenny’s next matchy watchy is starting super soon, and, like, Magical Dream Princess wants to be there to cheer her on, so, like, maybe waybe we can visit wisit later water~?” she inquired hopefully. “And, like, when we do, could Mayra Wayra maybe waybe turn into an actual wactual dragon wagon, and could Magical Dream Princess maybe waybe ride her~?!” she asked, her eyes glittering with excitement. “Could she~?! Could she~?! Could she~?!”

‘See!? She’s totally safe!’ Mayra insisted happily. Jelena shrugged.

‘Whelp, it’s on you if she gets eaten by a plant, crushed by a behemoth or poisoned by a manticore or something,’ Jelena figured. There was a reason why Asengav had wanted to tame something from that dimension, it’s really dangerous.

‘Teh-heh, yupp! Dragon made into magical girl form! It was really weird at first, but I got the hang of it!’ Mayra declared with a big smile. There then was the part about needing to watch Penny’s match. Of course Mayra understood that, and…

‘That’s fine. Mayra’s going to need to ask a couple people for permission and help, first, as she can’t actually get back on her own, she needs the help of people who can actually cross dimensions to get there,’ Jelena mentioned, and Mayra acted like she hadn’t heard. Then there was the part about riding Mayra…

‘That’s not a good idea. When Mayra goes back to being a dragon, she loses-’ Jelena started.

‘OF COURSE you can! It’ll be great!’ Mayra completely cut her off.

‘… loses her human gifts and becomes basically a beast that can’t necessarily see the difference between ally and prey, but you know what? You do you, you’re apparently safe, what do I know,’ Jelena finished, a bit more quiet.

“Yaaay~! (giggle!)” MDP cheered, completely oblivious to Jelena’s concerns. “Like, Magical Dream Princess always wanted to fly aroundy woundy on a dragon wagon, and it’ll be even weven better wetter if that dragon wagon is a friendy wendy, like Mayra Wayra~! (giggle!)”

‘Great! It’s decided, then!’ Mayra says with a grin. Jelena sighed behind there.

“Okie dokie~! (giggle!)” MDP chirped, while winking and flashing a peace sign. “Like, Magical Dream Princess thinky winkies she should probably wobably get going nowie, but she’s, like, really, really looking forward to visiting wisiting Mayra Wayra’s homey womey~! (giggle!)” she added with a cheerful smile. Twirling around, the whimsical girl gave voice to a stream of happy giggles, before racing off to the location of Penny’s next match, her arms held out like a pair of airplane wings. “Bye bye for nowie~! (giggle!)”

‘Byyye!’ Mayra waved after her with both hands and a wide smile as MDP skipped away, Jelena looking on with a slight frown as she watched the scene that was currently concluding. She waited a couple seconds before she said what’s on her mind.

‘Are you sure making friends with people from this world is a good idea?’ Jelena asked, looking with a little frown at Mayra.

‘Eeeeh, what’s the harm?’ Mayra asked, shrugging and smiling so happily.

‘She’ll be really hurt, you know,’ Jelena reminded, continuing her incredulous look.

‘Haha,’ Mayra gave a brief laugh, before looking back at Jelena with a happy grin. ‘Yeah.’
In Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay

A Search to Get Some Answers

Connie, Gaia, and Amanda would be alerted to the arrival of a new visitor to the bookshop by the chiming of the front door’s bell. This was followed by the sound of a sweet, if rather high-pitched voice.

“Pastel-chan~? Pasteeel-chaaaan~ Oh! Like, there you are! (giggle!)” MDP exclaimed happily, before giving voice to a squeal of delight. “And, like, Connie Wonnie and Gaia Waia are heresie, too~! (giggle!) Like, Magical Dream Princess hopes she’s not interrupting something womething super duper important wortant, but, like, she has something womething really really super duper important wortant she has to ask Amanda Wanda!” the whimsical girl added, looking strangely determined.

“O-Oh! U-Umm… N-No…” Connie stammered. “W-We were j-just r-realxing a-and l-looking at some b-books. Oh!” she gasped as a thought occurred to her. “I-Is P-Penny o-okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

“Yeperooni~! (giggle!)” MDP declared happily. “Like, Magical Dream Princess helpy welpied, and fixy wixied Penny Wenny aaaall up~!”

“O-Oh, w-wow! T-That’s great!” Connie marveled.

“It, like, totally wotally is~! (giggle!)” MDP agreed with a big smile. “Oooohh~! That picture wicture is, like, sooo super duper pretty witty~! (giggle!)” MDP exclaimed, her eyes glittering with childish wonderment as her ADHD once again struck with full force. “Like, Magical Dream Princess would really really wuv to look at all the pretty witty picture wictures with you girls~! Oh! But, like, firsty worsty, she has, like, something womething really important wortant to ask Amanda Wanda!” she added, finally remembering why she’d come to the shop in the first place. “So, like, Magical Dream Princess also heard from Penny Wenny that the Cradle Wadle people weople are super duper mad at Penny Wenny and Sanctuwanctuary, and since Amanda Wanda was part of Cradle Wadle, Magical Dream Princess wanted to ask why they felty welty that way,” the whimsical girl explained in her typical rambling manner. “So, like, does Amanda Wanda know why they’re so angry wangry?”

"W-Wait what?" Amanda blinked in surprise. "I don't understand, yes, things have gotten out of hand but why would-" Before she could continue on, a dark rift appeared besides her, causing the punkish girl to flinch.

"Because, my dear girl~!" Maribel's voice could be heard from the nightmarish portal, then the woman herself would pop out with a smile, appearing radiant in contrast to her magic. "It wasn't anyone's call! Only that Vanhorn boy Maura cares for~" She giggled. "I must say, he is quite an interesting fellow. His anger reminds me of Lauren a bit. And to face Beacon's best with no fear? Eheheh, No wonder she kept him alive~"

“Eeep!” Connie yelped at Maribel’s sudden appearance. “O-Oh… M-Miss M-Maribel…” Connie sighed in relief, placing a trembling hand over her chest. “Y-You s-startled me…”

“Huh~?” MDP inquired, tilting her head in confusion. “Like, what boy is Maribel Waribel talking about, Amanda Wanda~?”

"One of Maura's, from way before she arrived in Penrose. That's all I know, sorry..." Amanda frowned.

"Oh chin up, Love, we all have our secrets~" Maribel reassured her. "Admittedly, I don't know much about him myself. Apparently he's on Beacon's 'shoot-on-sight' Sinner list, so that might be something. Perhaps I can convince him to become a witch like our little group~" The witch chuckled, patting Connie's head.

“H-He s-sounds k-kinda s-scary…” Connie whispered, while nervously playing with her hair.

“Huh…” MDP replied, looking thoughtful. Although she didn’t really understand everything that Maribel had said, even her ADHD addled mind was able to grasp the basics, and they didn’t paint the most pleasant picture… “Like, Magical Dream Princess guesses wesses she’ll have to go findy windy this person werson and have a talky walky with them… Like, does Amanda Wanda or Maribel Waribel know his namey wamey~?” she asked with a hopeful smile.

"Well I can't tell where he'd place on their list." Maribel shrugged. "But judging by the reactions, I'd probably not piss him off~" She giggled once more. "Though I don't think he enjoys the infamy all that well, he could be reasoned with if you catch him in a good mood."

"...You've been spying on people."

"Duh~ This place got boring after awhile. Quaint little vacation spot, but not exactly my style~" The nightmare witch looked back to MDP. "Apparently his name is Finnegan. Yay high, brunette, half-blind but his eye color's like this pure red atleast when transformed? Last I checked he was gonna go see what this Penny lady wanted with him."

MDP’s eyes widened at that last bit of information. “B-But, Magical Dream Princess was just with Penny Wenny before she came heresie!” the whimsical girl explained with no small amount of exasperation, stomping her foot like an annoyed child. “Like, Magical Dream Princess would really, really wuv to stay and look at pretty witty picture wictures with you girls, but she, like, really, really, really needs to talk to Finnegan Winnegan super duper bad!” she told her friends, looking somewhat upset. “So, like, bye bye for nowie~!” she called over her shoulder as she bounced out the door, only to pop her head back in a few seconds later. “Oh~! And, like, super duper thankie wankies for the helpy welpy, Maribel Waribel~!” she added with a big smile. “Magical Dream Princess, like, super duper appreciates it~! (giggle!)” With that, the bubbly girl disappeared out the door once more.

“O-Oh, g-gosh…” Connie spoke up in the wake of MDP’s rapid departure. “I-I h-hope e-everything w-will b-be a-all r-right…”

“I hope so too, little sister,” Gaia agreed. “For now, let us try to avoid getting involved in any drama, and trust in our friends to resolve whatever new issues have presented themselves.”

"I would've asked if she needed a shortcut, but I'm not sure the clash of specializations would bode well with my realm..." Maribel boredly stated. "Ah well, maybe Lauren could help settle things. Or make them worse, who knows~?"

Amanda only blinked, processing what just happened. "...I need a drink."

"Well then, I might as well take my leave too! Take care of each other~! Ciao~!" With a wave goodbye, Maribel slipped back into her portal.
In Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay


“It would appear the matches shall be starting soon,” Gaia told Connie and the others at her table once she’d returned from her chat with Mariette. “Would you like to go watch them? I am fairly certain Mayra shall be one of the participants.”

“Uh, I g-guess we could…” Connie replied hesitantly, still a little saddened by how the previously festive mood had been shattered. “I-I, mean, I r-really want to c-cheer M-Mayra on, b-but umm… W-What even is K-Keijo?”

Despite her normally serene disposition, her friend’s question brought an awkward smile to Gaia’s face. “W-Well, the answer to that is somewhat complicated, little sister,” the verdant girl began hesitantly. “Some consider it a sport, others a respectable martial art… and still others a rather scandalous form of entertainment.” Sighing, she reluctantly continued her explanation. There really was no easy way to say this was there? “Essentially, it involves two competitors on a floating platform, who each try to knock the other into the water. However, they can only use two very limited parts of their body to do so- their chests, and their rears.”

“Uhh.. T-That s-sounds r-really s-strange…” Connie observed with an uncertain frown.

“It certainly is, little sister,” Gaia agreed with a sigh. “And I completely understand if it’s not something you’d want to watch.”

“N-No, i-it’s fine…” Connie replied still sounding a bit uncertain. “A-And it c-could even be f-fun!” she added with a hopeful smile.

Returning Connie’s smile with one of her own, Gaia placed a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Then shall we be off?” she inquired.

With everyone in agreement, Gaia and Connie, along with Rose, Iris, and Shane set out for the Keijo arena.

Although she had been a member of the magical community for some time now, it still amazed Connie how she was able to travel from winter to summer in a single step. Making their way along the palm tree lined paths of the central tropical island, the small group soon arrived at the arena. However, the sparkling waters of the beach, as well as the myriad fountains and pools they’d passed, reminded Connie of something she’d been thinking about ever since her first visit to Dan’s dimension, something she had finally gathered the courage to act on.

“Umm… Mia?” Connie spoke up hesitantly, after they’d taken their seats in the viewing stands.

“Hmm?”

“S-So, uh, you k-know how I c-can’t s-swim? W-Well… I was w-wondering if m-maybe w-we could c-come back here s-sometime a-and you could h-help me l-learn…”

“Of course, little sister,” the nymph-like girl replied with her warmest smile. “I would be more than happy to do that for you.”

“T-Thanks, Mia,” Connie told her softly, while giving the verdant girl a big hug. “W-With you h-helping me, I j-just know I’ll be s-swimming in no t-time at all!”

Giving voice to a melodic giggle, the botanical beauty returned Connie’s hug with interest. “That is only because you have already overcome your greatest obstacle,” she replied.

“Huh?”

“Your fear, Connie,” Gaia explained, her voice filed with admiration. “You conquered your fear of the water. If you hadn’t done that, then I couldn’t even begin teaching you the basics.”

“Oh, w-wow…” Connie whispered, her eyes widening with understanding. “I-I guess you’re right…”

“As I have always said, my dearest Connie, you possess far greater strength than you realize, and it fills my heart with such joy when you display it.”

Soon, the matches commenced, and Connie found herself captivated by each contest. While the “sport” was indeed more than a little strange, it was still fascinating to see the incredible feats each pair of competitors managed to accomplish, even under the confines of Keijo’s bizarre rules. This was especially true in the case of Mayra’s match, which saw Connie gasping in awe at her draconic friend’s abilities, culminating with a metamorphosis into a full dragon! However, her awe swiftly turned to alarm, as she watched Mayra slam into the water and then sink into the depths.

“M-Mayra!” she cried, leaping up from her seat. “I-Is s-she okay?!”

“I believe she will be, little sister,” Gaia reassured her as they watched Jelena leap into the pool after the defeated dragon. “But if you would like, we can see if we might be able to check up on her, once she recovers.”

“Y-Yes, please!” Connie nodded vigorously, her trembling hands clasped over her heart.

A few minutes later, they were outside the door of Mayra’s locker room. After being granted permission to enter, Connie rushed inside, her eyes filled with concern. Although that concern appeared to be unwarranted, at least if the draconic girl’s cheerful demeanor was anything to go by. “M-Mayra? A-Are you okay?” Connie asked as she nervously played with her hair. “I-I saw what h-happened and…”



‘Oh, I’m feeling great! I’m ecstatic! Such a powerful opponent! Aaah, I wish I could have kept fighting! Silly water rule, if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have fallen to that attack alone! But, aaah, I wish I could keep fighting. There’s gotta be more powerful opponents in the tournament. Oh, whatever! I had fun! Hahaha! Aaah, I want to fight her again sometime…’ Mayra said dreamingly as she thought back on the battle.

Connie was understandably a bit surprised by the draconic girl’s cheerful enthusiasm, but she was happy that her friend was unhurt, and was taking her loss a lot better than she’d expected. After exchanging a (nearly bone breaking) hug with the dragon girl, Connie and Gaia returned to their seats to watch the next few matches. However, if Connie was expecting them to be less shocking than what she’d just witnessed, she would be sorely disappointed…

As upsetting as the conclusion of Mayra’s match had been, the ending of Penny and Sam’s had been far worse. Clasping her hands over her mouth in horror, the timid girl could only watch in stunned silence as medical teams rushed to aid the fallen competitors.

“O-Oh my gosh…” she whispered, her eyes beginning to water.

“Come on, little sister,” Gaia said gently as she rose to her feet and held out an elegant hand to help Connie do likewise. “Let’s take a little stroll. It will help you relax and free your mind from all this unpleasantness. Okay?”

“O-Okay, Mia,” Connie replied, allowing Gaia to support her trembling legs.

“That’s my little sister,” Gaia told her warmly, while giving her an affectionate head pat. “We’ll be back shortly,” she told their companions, before leading Connie towards the exit.

With the first round concluded, everyone was slowly beginning to file out of the stadium for a food and restroom break. Gaia decided to avoid the crowds by choosing to explore a seemingly unnoticed path through the tropical foliage. The path led them to a secluded hut, which, if the sign above the entrance was to be believed, contained a book shop. Stepping inside, the pair discovered a quaint and cozy little store, filled with books on fish, ships, lighthouses, pirates, and other nautical topics. There were even a few comfy chairs to sit and read in. It was the perfect place to calm one’s mind, and it wasn’t long before Connie had picked out a book to look through. Sitting side by side, the two friends looked over page after page of beautiful landscape paintings, each depicting a ship, lighthouse, or palm tree decorated with Christmas lights. The images were a perfect merging of the tropical nature of the summer islands and the holiday spirit, which so suffused the winter island, reminding the two magical girls that it was still Christmas, even if it didn’t much feel like it, currently. A few minutes later, the chime of a small bell above the door alerted the pair to the arrival of a new visitor, and Connie smiled upon seeing who it was.



“Amanda!” she greeted the dream magician with cheerful surprise.

“It is very nice to see you, Amanda,” Gaia added warmly. “My dearest Connie and I were just taking a little break to de-stress after all the recent drama,” she explained. “So, what brings you here?”

Amanda managed a tired smile when the two spotted her. "Yo..." She waved. When asked what brought her to them, she simply shrugged. "Same as you, I guess? I just...wanted to see you guys for a bit." Once she walked over and sat down next to them, she detransformed back to her normal self. "Ugh, I feel like I'm gunna puke."

“W-Why?” Connie asked, her concerned demeanor having returned in full force. “W-What h-happened?”

"Take a guess." Amanda only said.

“U-Ummm…” Connie frowned, looking thoughtful. “D-Did o-one of t-those, uh… Ascendancy p-people do s-something?” she asked, clasping her shaking hands over her chest.

The magician rose a brow. "No?? Did I miss something else?" She then shook her head. "Nah, it's just...the last tournament. This whole thing. Penny. It- It ain't right." She frowned. "I just don't wanna think about it."

“O-Oh! N-No,” Connie hastened to clarify. “N-Nothing h-happened… A-At l-least, n-nothing t-that I k-know of. I was j-just g-guessing…” She then listened with increasing distress as the weary magician expressed her displeasure with the tournament. And with Penny…

“Mmm, that last match was indeed intense,” Gaia agreed, “But something tells me that isn’t what you’re referring to. I completely understand if you do not wish to speak of it further, whatever it may be,” the verdant girl added in a tranquil voice as she placed a reassuring hand on the magician’s shoulder. “But please know that my dearest Connie and I are here for you if you need someone to talk to.”

Amanda sat back up, and smiled. "Thanks. Most of it's out of my hands anyways."

“Then perhaps taking some time to relax with friends is precisely what you need?” Gaia suggested with a warm smile. “And the local ambiance is quite calming, don’t you agree?” she added, gesturing at the cozy shop around them.

Amanda looked around. "Bookshop..." She giggled. "Hehe, ironic. Yeah, I could stay here for awhile, nice and quiet."

“M-Mia and I were l-looking at this b-book with t-tropical landscapes decorated with C-Christmas lights,” Connie told her. “O-Our c-chairs are s-so c-close together w-we c-could all p-probably see the p-pages if M-Mia held it in her l-lap,” the timid girl observed. “S-So… W-Would you l-like to l-look at it w-with us?”

"Sounds neat. I'm in." Amanda nodded.





Sometime before Penny's match...

The tournament was ongoing, and so was Dina’s work behind the scenes. Not much of a fighter, despite being chosen by Dan as one of her girls, she instead had decided to take a less direct approach than the slugfest Penny and Dan had proposed.

It was a draining affair, and she was aware that her party butterfly self was reeling from it. She was a socialite, not a backstage general, nor a wizard of strategy. Well, at least so far no major setbacks on their side. Sann was a bit rough, but a little force would not hurt to deter people from acting against Sanctuary, and Penny was being her immovable self as ever.

Sakura had been a wild card, and the less she thought of it the better.

So much sunken in thought she was, she did notice the person in front of her until it was too late to avoid contact.

“Ugh...you.”

“Huh~? Oh~! Hi Dina Wina~! (giggle!)” MDP greeted the aristocratic cat-girl with a happy smile. It was between matches, and the whimsical Princess of Dreams was getting some refreshments from one of the food stands in the tropical courtyard. “Like, have you been enjoying the Keijo Weijo matches~?!” she asked excitedly. “Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies they’ve been, like, super duper fun so far~! (giggle!)”

“I have seen them, Princess.” She said, her ears downcast. “But this is fun where people are getting hurt.” She gritted her teeth and balled her fists. Was this Penny’s idea of a companion? Two sentences and already she was getting on her nerves. Yet, she exerted herself to remain calm. She was a Builder. Not a Destroyer.

“Well, at least some people are having fun with it.” She pondered. “Could I rob you a few minutes of your time? There’s something we need to talk about.” She said. There was none of her usual flair, nor her commanding aura. She just looked… like a tired grandmother.

MDP tilted her head slightly when Dina mentioned people getting hurt. After all, weren’t some minor injuries to be expected in a sporting event? And wouldn’t Dan’s magic heal those injuries in a matter of seconds? In any case, Dina went on to ask if she could talk with her for a bit, causing the whimsical girl to return to her usual bubbly demeanor.

“Like, totally wotally~! (giggle!)” MDP confirmed with a playful wink. “Magical Dream Princess would wuv to talky walky with Dina Wina~! (giggle!) But, like, Dina Wina looks super duper tired wired…” she noted, a look of concern on her cute face. “Is everythingie wingie okie dokie~?”

Dina raised an eyebrow. “No, not everything is alright, I’m afraid. But it is beyond what you can do to be honest.” She indicated to follow her inside a private lounge.

“Awww…” MDP replied with a frown as she followed after Dina. “Magical Dream Princess is super duper sorry to hear that… Would a huggy wuggy helpy welpy~?” she asked once they’d entered the lounge, spreading her arms wide.

“I’m not that starved for affection right now.” Dina huffed, in a very grouchy cat fashion. She could need a hug, but she would never admit it.

“Okie dokie…” MDP replied with a dejected sigh, her arms falling to her sides. The poor girl looked like a deflated balloon, having lost nearly all of her cheerful enthusiasm.

Dina rolled her eyes. “Just a little one.”

MDP gasped with delight, her typical cheerful demeanor instantly returning. “Yaaay~!” she cheered, jumping up and down, before glomping Dina and squeezing her tight. “That makes Magical Dream Princess soooo super duper happy wappy~! (giggle!) Like, she just knows a nice huggy wuggy will make Dina Wina feel lots better~! (giggle!)”

Of course Dina reacted very much like a cat being given an unwanted hug. Few people ever hugged her, except perhaps that stupid grabby Sanngridr. She had a taste for social distance most of the time.

As one might expect, MDP was blissfully oblivious to Dina’s discomfort. She let the hug linger for a while longer, before finally releasing the cat girl and giving her a big smile. “Like, does Dina Wina feel better nowie~?”

"Sort of." She lied through her teeth, as her tail swished. She breathed deep and then went for the kill.

"If I may be so bold, what is the current relationship between you and her Highness?"

​​MDP’s eyes seemed to sparkle at the sound of Dina’s question, and her smile grew even wider. “Like, Penny Wenny is Magical Dream Princess’s super duper wuvy dovey girlfriend wirlfriend~! (giggle!)” the whimsical girl declared, clasping her hands over her chest, while small hearts formed in the air around her.

So it was true then. It was somewhat vexing and surprising for Dina that Penny had chosen such a girl as companion. But then again, a self-called infant machine entity borne of a small portion of a human’s bound was to have some queer tastes.

Well, that meant less comfort for the regent, who even sometimes wanted company from the machine girl… but she had been once a mother and a grandmother. Sometimes you just had to let the young ones fly. She bit her lip, she probably had shown her jealousy before. She wanted to be beside Penny and enjoy tea, but now an empty title and work behind the scenes awaited, most of it being thankless.

“Young love, always a beautiful thing.” She mused. It was mostly a lie. Young brats were known not for their level headed decisions, but what could she do but support the Queen she had helped to rise? Doing otherwise would make her seem treacherous. “Still, I should warn you. Being a girlfriend to a Queen will expose you to no small amount of vexations and anger.”

“You’ve witnessed it. People have used you to hurt Penny.”

MDP frowned at that last part, averting her gaze while a small blush colored her cheeks. “Like, there are always gonna be meanie weanies who hurt other people weple, but Magical Dream Princess’s wuv for Penny Wenny is lots stronger than anywany of them!” the whimsical girl declared. “If Penny Wenny gets hurt, Magical Dream Princess will be there to make it aaaall better, and, like, she just knows Penny Wenny would do the same thingie wingie for her~! (giggle!)”

"Your dedication is admirable. And worrisome." Dina replied. "However, do you honestly think that because love is involved, things will go your way?" She paused. "You have strange powers, but even those fall short when there is an entire city craving for a crown."

“Like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies that wuv can conquer anythingie wingie~!” MDP replied emphatically. “She knows that thingie wingies might get super duper toughy wuffy, but, like, if Penny Wenny and Magical Dream Princess do their very wery best, then they’ll totally wotally make all their dreamy weamies come true~!”

"If only I could share your optimism." Dina replied, blinking at how… naive this outlook seemed to be. "Okay, look. You are a specially annoying womanchild, but you seem to make Penny somewhat happy, and the satisfaction of a Queen is good for its subjects." Dina carefully measured her inflections, as if talking with an hyperactive child. "I want you to focus on what I am going to say. This tournament might fail and we might have to fight for our lives." Dina said.

"When that happens, come to me and I shall see you are evacuated. Don't try to demonstrate the power of love to zealots. You don't need to fight our battles. Just evacuate with the rest."

She eyed the whimsical being, awaiting an answer

MDP frowned slightly when Dina called her annoying, but didn’t say anything to refute the cat girl’s claim. After all, even with her current, ditzy mindset, she was still well aware of how bothersome her behavior could be to others. Indeed, one of the reasons she loved Penny so much was because none her childish idiosyncrasies seemed to bother the mechanical monarch, who had even gone so far as to say she actually liked them.

However, when Dina mentioned evacuating in the event that Rachel was victorious, the whimsical girl’s visage took on a look of righteous indignation. “Like, Magical Dream Princess believes in Penny Wenny, and she thinkie winkies Dina Wina should, too!” she declared placing her hands on her hips. “And, like, even weven if that meanie weanie with the glasses wasses decidey widies to destroy Danny Wanny’s placey wacey, then Magical Dream Princess will helpy welpy to protect it with all her heart, ‘cause that’s, like, totally wotally what magical wagical girls do~! (giggle!)” she added, striking a triumphant pose.

"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Even Penny can fail." Dina said, as her eyes narrowed to slits upon the display."It's not your war, princess… and once you are made an enemy of Beacon they tend to hold grudges."

Besides Penny herself might side with Beacon Dina grimaced at the thought. None of this seemed to work with this particular girl. Dina herself had always boasted about her diplomacy, and indeed her magical girl powers somehow reflected that.

No, It wasn't this particular girl. Nothing had ever worked as of late. The party, a mostly joyful affair, had ended in a fight and a tournament. Oros had gone back to her ways after just a token agreement to her convincing.

She was so tired. She wanted to summon a dream eater and scare this perp off. Better to be feared. But she did not. Instead she made sure the door was closed, before closing the distance between the two.

Her hands took the Princess hand, and clasped around it.

"I implore you, be reasonable. For all what's important in the world. Once you got involved with Penny, you have basically involved yourself with the entire Sanctuary. If either of you is crippled or maimed this will be bad for all of us. I cannot ask Penny to just… leave the front and seek safety, but I can ask you."

She then swallowed. "I am begging you. Please… I am so tired of people not being reasonable at all…"

While it was true that MDP often had trouble following along with complex subjects while in her magical girl form, if anyone around her was feeling distressed, she was always quick to pick up on it, and it was clear to her that Dina was feeling very distressed. Placing her free hand atop Dina’s, she gave it a gentle pat. “Awww, it’s okie dokie, Dina Wina~” she told the cat girl with a reassuring smile. “Magical Dream Princess knows you’re worried about Penny Wenny, and Danny Wanny, and lots of other wother stuffy wuffy, but, like, Dina Wina doesn’t have to worry about everythingie wingie all by herselfy welfy~ Magical Dream Princess is here to helpy welpy~! Even if Penny Wenny doesn’t beat that meanie weanie, and even if Fanfany Wanwany can’t convince her that Danny Wanny’s placey wacey doesn’t need to be destroyed, Magical Dream Princess will still do everythingie wingie she can to helpy welpy everybodywody escapey wapey safey wafey and soundy woundy~! But, like, Magical Dream Princess can’t just run and hidey widey if that meanie weanie starts doing nasty wasty stuffy wuffy…” she added, a look of determination filling her eyes. “She’s gonna do everythingie wingie she can to make them stoppy woppy! Magical Dream Princess knows you’re super duper worried about Sancuwanctuwary, but, like, she thinkie winkies you’re more important wortant to it than she is~ That’s why she’s also gonna do everythingie wingie she can to keep you safey wafey~! And she’ll keep Penny Wenny safey wafey, too~! That’s, like, her super duper special wecial magical wagical girl pinky winky promise~! (giggle!)”

Dina looked at MDP, but she was far from being appeased. "What is so shameful about relying on your elders? No one here is asking you to hold the line. I may be important, yes, but I cannot abide throwing the likes of you into the fray just so I can be protected. That is Sann's job."

“Shameful wameful~?” MDP asked, tilting her head in obvious confusion. “Magical Dream Princess doesn’t understandy wandy… She’s gonna stay and helpy welpy because she wants everybodywody to be safey wafey and happy wappy~! You don’t need to ask her to do it, Dina Wina, ‘cause that’s, like, totally wotally why she became a magical wagical girl in the first placey wacey~! (giggle!) And, like, if she didn’t helpy welpy people weple in needy weedy and make their dreamy weamies come true, then she wouldn’t be Magical Dream Princess anymoresie, and that would be, like, super duper awful wawful, ‘cause she wuvs being Magical Dream Princess sooo much, and, like, being Magical Dream Princess and helping welping people weple in trouble wuble is how Magical Dream Princess met Penny Wenny~! (giggle!)”

Dina just rose to her feet, her anger growing by each second. "You are not even going to listen to my pleas, aren't you? I need you to stay out of trouble for Penny's sake."

“Magical Dream Princess is listening wistening!” the whimsical girl shot back. “But Magical Dream Princess couldn’t live with herselfy welfy if Penny Wenny got hurt and she wasn’t there to helpy welpy her!” she added, becoming increasingly upset. Indeed, just the thought of such a terrible thing had caused tears to well up in the childish girl’s eyes, with the waterworks threatening to erupt at any moment. “Can’t Dina Wina understandy wandy that?!”

"And do you think Penny will approve of me willingly let you get in the fray so you can be hurt? She already mistrusts me." Dina answered back.

“Penny Wenny knows that Magical Dream Princess can handle wandle herselfy welfy,” MDP replied with an indigent huff. “And besidey widey, Dina Wina isn’t in charge of Magical Dream Princess, so, like, you can’t order her aroundy woundy like you do with other people weple! And Penny Wenny knows that, too! Like, did she ask Dina Wina to keep Magical Dream Princess from helping welping her, or is this just something womething Dina Wina wants?” she asked pointedly.

"I am the Regent. It is on my plate to safeguard Sanctuary and those involved with Penny in that stead should she be not present." Dina would answer. "If it were up to me and me only, we would not even be in talking terms." She then pointed. "Besides, trying to help and actually being helpful might not even be the same thing."

She let a deep breath."You don't even need to prove anything to her Highness. She was elated to see you. That much is plenty. It's true I cannot order around, and I am loath to use force, which is why I am trying to convince you are giving yourself into folly at a whim!"

“But it’s not folly wolly!” MDP shot back. “And Magical Dream Princess knows she doesn’t have to prove anythingie wingie to Penny Wenny! She wants to helpy weply because she wuvs Penny Wenny with all her heart, and because it’s the right thingie wingie to do!”

Dina then looked as if she was going to reply, but instead pulled something out of her pockets. "You have forced my hand in this." She said… as she called Penny with her phone.

The call would be picked up within the first ring. Penny’s voice sounding out almost before the ringing stopped in fact. ‘Dina’ The queen would greet her voice a bit more worn than would be expected ‘How can I help?’ She would ask readily.

"I beg you pardon, your majesty, but your paramour… is hard to deal with. Worst case scenario… she doesn't wish to evacuate and claims to want to protect everyone. Naturally I am trying to convince her otherwise and be evacuated to safety should the worst happen, but she won't budge. Since I cannot order her, I am letting you know of this fact." Dina answered, before fiddling around with the phone settings until she managed to find the loudspeaker.

There was a crackle of static from the phone that almost sounded like muttered swearing just as Dina switched it to loudspeaker. ‘Princess, Dina’s right’ Penny’s reply was quick and sure ‘More than she knows in fact. As the worst case would be back to back evacuations. Because I found out recently, and by recently I mean a few minutes ago, the Sanctuary is even less hidden than we feared. We’ll get everyone we can out, but staying might do more harm than good because of that’

MDP frowned. “B-But, doesn’t Penny Wenny want Magical Dream Princess’s helpy welpy?” she asked, sounding somewhat saddened by the mechanical monarch’s response.

‘That’s not what I’m saying at all’ Penny would say softly ‘If worst comes to worst I’m not going to be sticking around either. The Ascendency has good reason to believe they can destroy a dimension, and as far as I am aware they don’t need to be here to do so.’ She would explain, even if it wasn’t as cut and dry as she was making it out to be. ‘I am absolutely going to need your help getting people out of the beach and back to Penrose if they decide that they are done with all of this, and that might include Dan. The loss of the beach will be a big one if that does happen, but keeping everyone else safe and Dan alive will give us the chance to rebuild it.’

“Okie dokie…” MDP conceded. As much as she hated to admit it, Penny made some good points, and if the mechanical monarch herself wasn’t going to stay behind to oppose the Ascendancy, then there was little point in MDP staying behind either. “But, like, Magical Dream Princess doesn’t thinkie winkie that’s gonna happen wappen, ‘cause she believes in Penny Wenny with all her heart, and she just knows Penny Wenny will stoppy woppy that meanie weainie before she can do anythingie wingie terrible werrible~!” she added cheerfully.

‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, and I don’t think it will get that bad either.’ Penny would agree with a chuckle. ‘But it’s always better to have a back up plan in place.’

“Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.” Dina would add, as she eyed MDP. “It seems I will need to revise my prediction.” Dina would then add, aghast at the revelation that Penny had brought. Why can’t anything ever work.

“Sooo, like, Magical Dream Princess knows you don’t really like her all that muchy wuchy, but she’d still really like to helpy welpy if she can, so is there, like, anythingie wingie she can do for Dina Wina right nowie~?” MDP asked the cat girl.

‘Sorry Dina’ Penny would chime in ‘I wanted to tell you as soon as I learned but time was against me. Silver lining is we won’t be blind sided by it. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help as well. Though I’m going to be limited by more than just the matches, as it seems that the dear Inquisitor has her eye on me.’

Dina's ears would droop, as her tail set itself tightly around the leg. "Just… stay out of trouble. If trouble somehow finds your way to you, meet with me or her Highness with haste." The catgirl said, as she then mumbled something under her breath.

"Worst comes to it, we can just lock Rachel somewhere to win time."

“Okie dokie~! (giggle!)” MDP replied with a playful salute. “Magical Dream Princess is gonna go and get some refreshment wehsments nowie~! (giggle!)” she added, while turning and skipping towards the door. “See you later water~!”

Dina just sighed, as her shoulders visibly slumped. There was much work to do yet. “I’ll continue on doing things behind the scenes.” She said, finishing the call.

Before the line would terminate Penny would have one last thing to say ‘Thank you Dina. And I owe you an apology, let me know when you have time so we can talk about it. Until then keep up the good work.’
In Nova Lux: A Magical Girl Game → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay


“See? I told ya you’d enjoy it!” Dana said with a happy laugh as she and Penny walked back to their dorm after the ball had concluded. “Yeah, she’s really somethin’ else,” the cheerful Norban agreed when the discussion moved to the subject of Nicole’s rather magnetic personality. “Oh! But you wanna hear somethin’ that’s really crazy?!” she asked with an excited gleam in her eyes. “Noah told me that the officers are gonna get to work with actual, real-life giant robots! Isn’t that awesome?!”

Penny had agreed that it was, in fact, very awesome, and the two had spent the remainder of the evening geeking out about the new machines’ potential capabilities. Unfortunately, hard information on the robots would prove difficult to come by, and sadly, but perhaps predictably, Noah was unable to gain permission for the two Ars Magi to see the drones in person. He did, however, manage to acquire tickets to see the new Magical Maid Altea movie, something Dana knew her bespectacled roommate would certainly be interested in. Penny had indeed been interested, but she had also been somewhat hesitant about going on a double date. For her part, Dana wasn’t really the romantic type herself (at least not on the level of the redheaded whirlwind that was Nicole). No, she just enjoyed making new friends and doing fun things with them. Thus, she had done her best to assuage her roommate’s trepidations, although, as Dana soon discovered, Penny’s social anxiety wouldn’t be the only thing the bespectacled Ars Magi had to worry about…

As it transpired, about a week before their double date, the gung-ho Siscian had taken part in a 2-on-1 sparing match against a veteran Ars Magi, a match that had left her a bruised and battered mess. Dana discovered just how bad a shape Penny was in when she tried to give her roommate a friendly hug upon her return to the dorm, which saw the normally tough as nails Penny flinch in pain at the relatively mild contact.

“Oh crap! Are you okay?!” Dana asked, her voice filled with concern as she quickly released her roommate.

Penny went on to explain everything, after which Dana offered to reduce her bespectacled friend’s pain as best as she could. Even with the minimal amount of magic she could employ in her mundane state, the upbeat Norban managed to take away most of the soreness, although Penny would still be moving rather slowly for the next several days. Thankfully, by the time of their double date, she had almost fully recovered, and Dana eagerly led her to where Noah and Dima had agreed to pick them up.

The movie itself (although nowhere near as action packed as a Guardian Gunslinger Alexis film) was a lot of fun, and after it had concluded, the quartet decided to go out to a nearby pizza place for dinner. While waiting for their meal, Dana and Noah paid a visit to the restaurant’s small arcade. Dana had been to the place before, on one of her various outings with Nicole, and although it was rather small, it was still the only arcade in the city that had one of her favorite games ever- Area 51. The light gun game was nearly two centuries old, but this particular example looked as though it had probably been made during a resurgence in appreciation for classic arcade games, shortly before the First Void War. The fact that it had survived the apocalyptic conflict, and the following hundred and seventeen years, was nothing short of a miracle, and Dana couldn’t help but wonder at the journey it had taken to get to its current location.

“So, care for a game?” Dana asked, pointing her thumb at the archaic machine. “I promise I’ll go easy on ya!” she added with a playful grin.

To Dana’s surprise, Noah proved to be quite the skilled marksman, and the massive cadet had little trouble keeping pace with his diminutive date. Not that it bothered Dana. The cheerful Norban enjoyed the challenge.

“Wow! You’re really good at this!” she told him with an exuberant laugh. “Those Voids wouldn’t stand a chance if the two of us ever teamed up!”

The remainder of the evening went smoothly enough, and almost before Dana even realized it, she and Penny were back at their dorm. Despite Penny’s initial reluctance, it was clear that the bespectacled girl had enjoyed herself, probably due in no small part to the outing’s relaxed atmosphere. Much like Dana herself, Noah and Dima had been content to keep things at the level of simple friendship, and although someone like Nicole might be disappointed at the lack of romantic elements, Dana knew Penny was glad the evening had been mostly devoid of them. Indeed, the Siscian had said as much herself, when Nicole met them the moment they passed through the dorm’s entrance, wanting to know everything.

She really is like a big sister…. Dana had reflected with a giggle.

It was also unsurprising to learn that Nicole had received an invitation to go out with the Duodecim girl she’d met at the ball, something Penny had wasted no time poking fun at.

Dana couldn’t help but laugh at her roommate’s overly dramatic teasing. “Hey, Nicole’s welcome to her fairy tale,” the upbeat Norban told her roommate. “I’m more interested in an action/adventure story!” she added excitedly. “Noah’s one heck of a shot, and I’d love to get the chance to fight alongside him!”

As it happened, an opportunity for just such a paring arrived only a few days later…


Sitting in the briefing hall, Dana’s anticipation grew with each passing second. Oh sweet! So we’re gonna be fighting the new robots?! the energetic Ars Magi thought to herself, a gleeful smile spreading across her face as Instructor Drier continued to enumerate the details of the upcoming training mission. And I’ll get to team up with Noah, too?! This is gonna be SO awesome!


Unfortunately, the actual mission would prove to be somewhat disappointing in that regard, for while they would indeed be teaming up with a trio of officers, Noah and Dima were not among them. However, one of their friends, Garnier, was present, and despite her slight disappointment, Dana cheerfully greeted the bespectacled cadet. In addition, none other than Nicole’s new paramour appeared to be leading the officer contingent, and a small smile crept across Dana’s face as she glanced at her redheaded teammate. “It’s good to see your amazing luck is as strong as ever,” she noted playfully, before Penny followed up with a “warning” not to flirt during the mission.

Talk then turned to strategy and tactics, with Penny mentioning a few possible courses of action.

“It’s probably best if I hang back with the officers and provide some covering fire,” Dana suggested. “I should also be able to knock out a few of the drones’ optics before they realize they’re under attack, which should give you guys a better chance of takin’ ‘em out up close. Hey, Garnier,” she asked the bespectacled cadet as a thought occurred to her. “Got any idea what these things are armed with?”
In Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay

Meet...


"A big collab deserves a big banner!"
-Kate


Both Betty and Justine won their first rounds. Okay, that's great!

Is it?

To be fair, Finn didn't know how to feel about it. He did see the bracket, it only meant Betty and Justine were going to face each other. Yes regardless of who wins that, it'd give their faction another step towards...whatever the hell's at stake at this point. But even he dreaded the escalation that would come from the matchup. He facepalmed with a sigh, letting his hand push his hair back. Why can't they just skip the tournament and go straight to culling? Would it even matter who wins?

...Must be the boredom talking.

Here Finn was, sitting back at the Feast Hall watching the tournaments with his ghostly companion and a snowbun, questioning the validity of a sport obviously designed for fanservice. Yeah no, he probably drunk too much.

"Well, looks like it'll be a bit before the next one. Wanna go find a harebringer or something?" Oliver asked him.

Finn looked back at him with an uncertain expression. "Not really?? All this info we got on Penrose makes me want to go back out there and help fix things, yknow?" He idly pet the snowbun resting on his lap.

"We could ask Maura if we can leave early, but it seems our main concern is stubborn enough to cooperate for now." The ghost shrugged. "Too bad Dan doesn't allow real conflicts."

Finn thought with furrowed brows. "There's gotta be a way to bypass his pacifistic magic, even if it's for a moment. We can't leave any stone unturned. Atleast to make sure everyone else is safe..." he frowned.

"I dunno man, it'd be a small group versus the two of us. Maybe more. Maybe quality trumps quantity. Maybe that keijo shit's rigged for her to lose regardless." Oliver listed off, then turning to address the girl nearby, eating by herself.

"What do you think?"

“Huh?” Kate asked, pausing in her ravenous consumption to look at the two boys. “Me?” she added, pointing to herself, while swallowing a mouthful of food.

Oliver looked around them, then back at Kate. "I mean, I could ask the snowbun. But I don't think they understand australian." He joked.

Then it hit him.

"Wait, why are you back here anyways? About everyone else went to the other island." He asked. Finn glanced over the other boy's shoulder.

"Before you ask, Oliver wanted to scout out any leftovers, and I only care about three of the people in the tournament." Finn shrugged.

“Oh, uh, I’ve… kinda got a private viewing area upstairs,” she replied hesitantly, while pointing above her. “And besides, the food here’s way too good to pass up! I mean, I don’t know if you’ve ever been to this dimension before, but Dan really outdid himself this time!”

"Oh, okay then. That's kinda smart!" Oliver smirked.

"Actually, it's our first time here. And already someone wants it destroyed. Fuckin' hilarious if you ask me." Finn shook his head, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. Though he did draw it back, had to behave after all. "Forgive us if we're bothering you. I'm Finn. Er, Vanhorn." He waved slightly to Kate. This was getting tiring.

“Kate Carson,” Kate replied. “And I wouldn’t be too worried about that Ass-endancy bitch,” she added with a chuckle. “There’s no way she’s beating Penny AND Oros. Anyway, this place is supposed to be for vacations. You should just try to relax and enjoy yourself. Y’know, get rid of some of that tension.”

The both of them snickered at the jab towards Rachel.

"Yeah, we were- are fine. Just their little intervention irritated the best of us. But it's not back to work mode yet, ya get it? Though I do prefer solitude like this." He explained to Kate. Though an eyebrow did rise when Penny and Oros were mentioned. "So it is rigged??" He tilted his head.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kate grinned. “It’s just that I’m pretty sure Rachel’s never played Keijo before, and I’m positive both Penny and Oros have more than a few tricks up their sleeves.”

"Well, with one of them being able to defy known logic, it's almost expected for Penny to win." Finn said, resting an arm against the table. "Dunno much about this Oros though. Assuming it's the...ambitious one who amped up the stakes, she comes off as unpredictable. Who knows, one may trump over the other." He explained what he could piece together.

“Yeah, Oros is kinda nuts,” Kate agreed with a chuckle. “But she definitely makes things more interesting. So, I take it you guys are new to Penrose?”

The two of them nodded in unison. Didn't even bother with verbal answers at this rate.

“My condolences,” Kate told them with mock seriousness. “I’ve heard that place can be really bad for your mental health.”

"Hah. Assuming I haven't already lost it??" Finn joked(???) back with a crooked grin.

"Assuming it won't affect your anger problem too?" Oliver spoke up, giving the other boy a comical look which he nervously laughed off.

"Eheheh...right." Admittedly, he forgot about that in the moment.

“Wow… You’ve really got some serious issues, huh?” Kate asked with a lopsided grin.

Finn went blank faced. It took a moment for him to continue talking. "......Perhaps. Look, for how long I've been around, I've been through and witnessed some shit. He can vouch for me," Finn motioned to Oliver. "So I can say that there are, and were, worse people than I could be. So what if I'm a little bit nuts?" He looked down and picked up his pet snowbun, gently holding it in his arms."I'm not as bad as people may think..."

“Hey, I’m not sayin’ you’re psychotic or anything,” Kate replied, while holding up her hands in a placating manner. “Just that you could maybe use someone to talk to,” she added, frowning slightly. “PTSD’s nothin’ to mess around with.”

Finn waved it off. "I know, I know, I've been doing my best getting better. I was just saying." Though he frowned slightly as well. "...Sorry."

“S’okay,” Kate told him, after taking another bite out of her meal. “I’m just concerned about ya. Penrose is a really crazy place, and worrying about all the shit that goes on there’s enough to give anyone a nervous breakdown. Me, I try not to sweat the big stuff. I’m just here for a vacation. I’ll leave all that ‘saving the world’ crap to the ‘important people’. And honestly, who wants that job? As far as I’m concerned, the background’s the best place to be. Like, take those two over there,” she added, pointing at a pair of obviously related girls who were clearly enjoying themselves while eating a bucket full of chicken. “They’ve got the right idea. You guys should take notes.”

Finn smiled. Her concern ment well to him. Unlike those that seemed okay with him and Oliver helping out, Kate suggested they leave Penrose's problems to other people. "That's the thing, we have been in the background. Just, somewhere else." He moved his snowbun onto Oliver's head, earning a look from the ghost. "As much as I'd love to let the important people handle things here, when those important people aren't enough to keep the world safe from fuck-knows-what, sometimes the little man has to step up. One of the things I abhor is incompitence after all.

“That so?” Kate asked with a chuckle. “Then you’re gonna LOVE Penrose. From what I hear, the leaders of most of the major factions are total idiots.”

"Uh...yeah I hope you're not including Cradle's leader in that regards." Oliver finally spoke up.

"Long story." Was what Finn could tell Kate.

“Actually, I haven’t really heard much about Cradle’s new leader,” Kate replied. “But whoever they are, they’ve certainly got some big shoes to fill.” She paused for a moment as she gave the pair a closer look. “I take it the new boss of Cradle’s your patron?”

The both of them nodded in unison again, though only Finn sighed afterwards. "Tell me about it. From what Maura told me, the two dunces that stayed behind were more than happy to ditch her after she gave this Justine lady another chance." He explained, though it didn't feel right calling Betty a dunce.

"Look, I dunno the full story yet, and I'm not exactly a basket of roses either. Betty's testimony was enough to make my current moral confliction see red flags, but...christ, it's a dime a dozen for your local villains to seek redemption like Justine, and I'm not saying they should just kiss and make up, that'd make me a bloody hypocrite against my own traumas. But why drag Maura into it?? Yes, she can be a bit stupid, but her heart's in the right place. Charging at her all pissed off, assuming she's replacing everyone; which is also rude, considering she cares for everyone all the same, and then thinking her lesser than their old boss? Of fucking course she'd reconsider her position! I mean," Finn ranted on. "If they really miss Veronica that badly, then why bother staying? You can just...leave, yknow? Nothing's holding you back."

Oliver on the other end blinked twice, before handing the snowbun back to Finn. "You may need this more than I do. Ya big grump." He said, his expression unphased.

“Justine?” Kate echoed. “You mean, Justine von Visceral? The vampire girl who wanted to destroy love itself? Wow… And people wonder why Penrose gets called ‘Drama City’…” She chuckled while shaking her head. “Seriously, though, if these two dunces you’re talkin’ about are as loyal to Veronica as you claim they are, then that’s probably the only reason they’re stickin’ around. I mean, think about it. If she told them to follow her replacement, then leaving would mean disobeying a direct order from their beloved former boss. I gotta say, though, that Maura lady’s really got her work cut out for her… I don’t envy her one bit.”

Finn took a deep breath. "Y'may have a point there. Apparently Justine was purified after their last bout with her, so I guess Maura wanted to see how she fairs fresh out of corruption." He shrugged. The small bit of information about Justine herself did give him some more insight, that he was thankful of. "But it's never that easy, is it? Reception was lukewarm when the two of them first arrived at the party."

“Well, that’s understandable,” Kate replied. “Even if she’s been reformed, someone with her reputation is gonna turn more than a few heads. I’m not really one to hold grudges,” she added, “but I can easily see how others might, especially after all she’s done.”

"See, at least you get it." Finn shrugged. "I can't really see the point in grudges. Maybe back then, but not now."

“Yeah, some people can’t even let go of shit that happened centuries ago,” Kate agreed. “But I’m glad to see that you’re not one of ‘em,” she added with a grin. “I guess you’re not completely hopeless after all!”

"Heh. Told you I've been trying to get better." The boy smiled.

It was at that moment the trio heard the sound of maniacal laughter, just before a deranged-looking young woman entered the hall.

“Nyahahaha! Hey, Kate!” she called excitedly. “I just finished chatting with her mechanical majesty, and thanks to my incomparable super-scientific genius, I was able to…” her voice trailed off when she noticed that Kate was no longer alone. “Oh. It’s you two…” she observed, her previous gleeful demeanor having shifted to one of obvious annoyance.

They both tensed up once the scientist glared at them. "Oh shit. Who'd you piss off this time, Bud?" Oliver nudged Finn.

"Me?! You're the walking lab hazard here, you tell me!" Finn loudly whispered back, the ghost comically shrugging. He then looked back to Nykannis. "Do we happen to know you? By chance??"

“Probably not,” the new arrival replied in a dry tone. “I’ve been trying to keep a low profile. Allow me to introduce myself,” she added as a maniacal grin began to spread across her face. “I am Doctor Nykannis, Queen of the Mad Scientists!”

“Self proclaimed,” Kate added.

“Shut UP, Kate!” Nykannis snapped. “ANYWAY,” she added, once more addressing the two boys Kate had been talking with. “The only reason I know you is because I’ve been watching you chatting it up with nearly everybody here! You don’t strike me as the type to make big plans, so what are you, professional busybodies, or something?”

"Oy vey..." Once more, Finn gracefully faceplanted into the table. Before Oliver could answer for him, he quickly sprung back up all the same. "LOOK- Look, it's part gathering information about Penrose, and part my goddamn Power of Friendship seeing a gold mine here. Whether or not it proves useful, hell if I know, but I'm not planing on anything besides a plan B against the Ascendancy!" There was a hint of tiredness in his voice as he explained. Then Oliver raised his hand.

"I'm just here with him??"

“Yeah… He’s kinda… tense…” Kate added, giving Finn a concerned glance.

“Oh, I get it,” Nykannis said with a nod. “You’re new to Penrose, and you're just now beginning to understand exactly how nuts the place really is. Let me give you some free advice- if you’re trying to change the status quo, don’t bother. Unless you’re on personal speaking terms with one of the Grand Magistrates, or your name is Penny, it ain’t gonna happen.”

"Eh, he's always a bit of a grump. Hey," Oliver turned to address Finn. "Once this is done with, we can swing by Riona's bar on the way home, that okay?"

Finn nodded in response. "Anyways, I dunno what the hell the Grand Magstrates are, but what's Penny gotta do with it?" He asked Nykannis.

“Heh, Penny’s the biggest big shot in Penrose,” Nykannis explained. “She’s an incredibly unique monster girl with an insane power level, not to mention Queen of the city. It’s pretty obvious she has the Grand Magistrates’ favor, but if you don’t know who they are, then I really wouldn’t worry too much about that. You sound like you’ve got enough issues without adding stuff like them into the mix.”

"I mean, I already got the hint. A purfied monster girl's bound to have a few aces in the hole. But..." Finn took a moment to think. "If she's as much of a big cheese as you guys claim, then why hasn't she taken initiative to go against the-" His eyes widened. He then groaned with a facepalm. "Right. Same faction. If she's failed to do anything about the Ascendancy until now then they're probably chummy for all I care." He'd note, despite Penny's claims to be against them.

“I wouldn’t know anything about that,” Nykannis conceded. “But since she’s the one who decided to do this whole ‘tournament thing’, I’m willing to bet she doesn’t see eye to eye with the Ass-endancy on everything,” she added with a smirk.

"But that still offers a chance for their cooperation doesnt it? Good or bad, beats me." Finn sighed, then the mention of Penny being the one to kickstart the tournament made his eye twitch. "Yep. Now I'm certain it's all rigged. Some convoluted plan this is."

“Well, yeah,” Nykannis chuckled. “She’s trying to save this dimension from those fanatical idiots, so of course it’s gonna be rigged. You honestly think she’s not gonna use every advantage she has against them? Still, you’re pretty paranoid, huh?”

Atleast she admitted it. Though Nykannis calling him paranoid was a bit rude. "Uh, the correct term would be irritated, ma'am." He corrected, unamused.

Oliver snorted. "With you? Irritated's an understatement." He managed to stop Finn's elbow from connecting to his stomach, moving it back to the table.

“Hey, why don’t we all chill out a bit?” Kate suggested. “Y’know, like I was saying earlier? I mean, there’s really no reason to get worked up about all this, since I’m pretty sure it’ll all work out okay in the end.”

“Yeah,” Nykannis agreed. “This place is waaay too important to the Grand Magistrates for them to allow a bunch of zealots to erase it from existence.”

For as long as he was quietly listening to the other three talk, the ghost took his turn to sigh. His partner can be a real piece of work sometimes, but he was patient with him regardless. He knew him best. Finn was about to argue back, when Oliver pulled him into a hug. An attempt to calm him down that caught him by surprise.

"Finn? Finnegan?? Buddy?? I know you're a stubborn asshat, but you gotta stop overthinking things." The ghost quietly told him. After a second, Finn burried his head into the other's shoulder, letting out a frustrated groan. "I know, it's a lot to take in all at once. We can help when the time is right, but you gotta relax, man. There are plenty of people here that can make sure things don't go haywire." Oliver tilted his head with a smile. "At least cheer up for me?"

It wasn't clear if Finn decided not to answer verbally, but the other boy can be seen returning the hug in response. Oliver giggled. "That's more like it."

“Awww.. You two are adorable,” Kate chuckled.

Oliver turned his head back to the other duo, playfully shaking his head at Kate's comment. "Y'better not be assuming things. I just ran out of ideas at this point." He tried to clarifiy, yet he didn't break away from the hug yet. "Anyways as long as no one has any alternative motives, ya might be right."

“Of course I’m right,” Nykannis replied pointedly. “I’m ALWAYS right! Nyahahaha!”

“So, I’m guessing you guys have been friends for quite a while?” Kate asked, completely ignoring her companion’s maniacal laughter.

Oliver nodded with a smile. "Yep. Even before we became magical boys, we've always stuck by each other. Besides the dying bit on my end, but you get it."

“That’s cool,” Kate said, offering the pair a genuine smile. “The universe is a pretty crazy place, to say nothing of the multiverse, and knowing that you’ve got someone you can rely on is a really nice feeling,” she added, glancing over to Nykannis.

The ghost chuckled, glancing back to Finn himself. "It really is."

“Uh, Kate, if you’re about done here, I think the matches are gonna start soon,” a somewhat bored-looking Nykannis noted. “Y’know, I was gonna bring the rest of this food upstairs, but I didn’t expect there to still be people down here…” she grumbled.

"Oh, go on ahead! I don't really need to eat much anyways. But can ya leave some of the sweets? We planned on taking some home if the magic persists outside this place." Oliver asked.

“Yeah, I guess I can allow that,” Nykannis grinned.

An instant later, all the food not being eaten (minus a few snacks) vanished in several flashes of yellowy-green light.

“Come on, Kate!” the mad scientist called over her shoulder as she began walking towards the exit. “I don’t wanna miss Penny’s first match!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Kate replied as she got up from her seat. “Well, it was nice meeting you,” she told the two magical boys. “Hopefully we can chat again before the party’s over.”

"You too, see ya later!" The pair waved goodbye as Kate and Nykannis left. "...Okay wise guy, you can let go now."

"...Nah."

Oliver's eyebrows rose, but he conceded anyways with a chuckle. "Fine. But I ain't afraid to carry you like a goddamn koala."
In Nova Lux: A Magical Girl Game → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay


“Yeah, she’s from house Diana,” Dana replied with a nod when Noah inquired about Vanna. “I’m not really sure how rare it is for nobles like her to become Ars Magi,” she conceded, never having given such matters too much thought. “But it kinda makes sense, doesn’t it? I mean, they are descended from the first Ars Magi, after all.”

Noah went on to marvel at her ability to fight an actual Void, and Dana couldn’t help but grin when the cadet gave a hearty laugh, before lamenting his own inadequacy, when compared to the supernatural creatures.

“Well, like I said, it was more of a team effort,” the upbeat Ars Magi replied with a giggle. “I mean, with as scrawny as I am, I probably wouldn’t last two seconds against a Void up close, but thankfully, my teammates are great at keepin’ ‘em occupied! I’m more of a long-range-support-fighter-slash-medic,” Dana explained. “But, like, Penny, for instance, well, she’s a one-girl wrecking crew!” the cheerful Norban added with an excited grin. “Like, during the battle against the C-Class, she blasted herself into the air with her rocket hammer, saved Nicole from falling, and then smashed it right into the Void’s jaw! Talk about an uppercut! She really sent that thing flyin’! In fact, it’s only thanks to her that I was able to get a clean shot on it to finish it off,” she concluded. “Yep she’s pretty much the Ars Magi version of Thor, if Thor was a teenaged girl who raced around on rollerblades,” the cheerful Norban added with a laugh.

“Working with us?” Dana echoed when Noah expressed his interest in a potential collaboration between Officers and Ars Magi. “That’d be pretty sweet!” she agreed. “No offense to our current set of instructors,” Dana whispered. “But most of ‘em have been pretty cold and stony-faced. I can’t speak for the rest of my team, but personally, I think you’d be a big improvement!”

Then Noah mentioned the robots…

“Have I?!” Dana asked when he inquired if she’d seen any giant robot shows, an enormous grin spreading across her face. “You better believe I have!” she added, images of all her favorite mecha anime racing through her mind. “Are… Are you tellin’ me that you’ve got real mechs?! Seriously?!” The energetic Norban’s eyes seemed to glitter with joy, and it looked as though she could barely contain her excitement. “And they don’t even need a pilot?! Holy freakin’ crap! That is SO awesome! Hey!” she asked as a fantastic idea occurred to her. “Do ya think we could see ‘em?! My friends and I,” she quickly clarified. “Do ya think we could, like, take a tour, or somethin’? ‘Cause my roommate and I just LOVE that kinda stuff!”

After the repercussions of his robotic revelation had been dealt with, Noah asked Dana if she’d like to take a break, almost apologizing for monopolizing her attention. “Sure, that sounds great!” the cheerful Norban replied. “And don’t worry about me,” she added as she followed the imposing cadet back to his table, smiling up at him and linking her arm around his in the process. “I’m havin’ lots of fun hangin’ out with ya, and I’d love to meet some of your friends, so if ya wanna get rid of me, you’re gonna have to try a lot harder than that!” she added with a playful giggle.

The rest of the evening was spent in animated conversation, as Dana’s irrepressible amiability made her a popular presence at Noah’s table. Eventually, however, the festivities drew to a close, and, bidding her new friends farewell, Dana rejoined her teammates as they headed back to the dorms.

“So, how are ya feelin’, Penny?” Dana asked her roommate during the short walk across the campus. “Did ya have at least some fun?”
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