FrozenMaiden6 Side C-2

[18:03]	<[GM]Mary>	Last time on RozenMaiden!
[18:03]	<[GM]Mary>	Momo went to Mr. Webber's house. And they had tea. And taht was about it.
[18:05]	<[GM]Mary>	here's a little recap...
[18:05]	<[GM]Mary>	[23:42] <[Atai]Momo> Mm... perhaps it has. When did you first meet Roland?
[18:05]	<[GM]Mary>	[23:45] <GeorgeWebber> Oh ho, that has quite a story behind it... Perhaps not one fair to your ears, my dear. Though I love to entertain with a tale, I believe you should ask Robert himself of that.
[18:06]	<GeorgeWebber>	...Well, I don't see how it could hurt~
[18:38]	<GeorgeWebber>	We met in Dis... I think it was two years ago, now. We were both trying to court this young lady, and the rivalry between us sparked hatred for one another, although much of it was already present. He hated stuck-up rich boys and I loathed ignorant barbarians.
[18:48]	<GeorgeWebber>	The so-called "lady" we were charming interjected, saying to each of us, "why not decide on a duel? If you're both men, then you can prove it." The two of us found this idea to our liking, I was certainly just as confident in victory as he must have been. But Roland, being the ruffian that he is, brought the gentleman's battle down to the level of a commoner's brawl. That didn't really make...
[18:48]	<GeorgeWebber>	...the difference, however.
[18:53]	<GeorgeWebber>	We were both thrown in jail for the ordeal. By that time, we wanted nothing more than to kill each other, the bars between us could hardly contain it. And then, things completely changed. Well, perhaps not completely, but enough for us to end that frivolity.
[18:56]	<GeorgeWebber>	The woman I mentioned before came to us in our sorry state. The two of us were quite excited; the woman was the daughter of Dis' chief constable, we were hoping she was there to bail us out. This was simply not true.
[19:00]	<GeorgeWebber>	She came there, with her friends, to laugh and make fun of us. She spun stories of how she led us around in circles like her little puppy dogs, then sicked us on one another. She left without lifting a finger to help us. I, for one, was humiliated. Actually, I believe at that point I just hated Robert even more.
[19:03]	<GeorgeWebber>	But I had bigger problems than the Reagan boy. For one, I had to get out of that prison, and I had to think of a way to get back at that witch.
[19:05]	* GeorgeWebber	takes a final sip of tea, before sitting an empty cup and saucer on the table.
[19:06]	<GeorgeWebber>	...Are you hungry? It's getting to be around lunchtime, if you like, I could resume the little story and our business obligations over a meal.
[19:09]	* [Atai]Momo	blinks, having been caught up in the story.
[19:09]	<[Atai]Momo>	Hmm?
[19:10]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh! A little, I suppose.
[19:10]	<[Atai]Momo>	That would certainly be nice; thank you.
[19:12]	<GeorgeWebber>	Certainly. Anything in particular you would like? We have everything here.
[19:14]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh, I'm not particularly choosy. Anything is good.
[19:15]	* [Atai]Momo	smiles.
[19:17]	<GeorgeWebber>	Hmm, alright. Well, I'll see that you get a fair sample of Krana's produce. If there's one thing this town can make, it's good food.
[19:19]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh yes, I saw as much on the way in! I've never seen so many actual plants in real life before...
[19:20]	* GeorgeWebber	reaches under his chair and presses something. A few moments later, the maid you met at the door returns.
[19:21]	<[GM]Natalie>	Yes, sir?
[19:22]	<GeorgeWebber>	Ms. White, could you please make some lunch for my guest and I? Put some variety in it, show her the fruits of Krana's labor.
[19:23]	<[GM]Natalie>	Certainly, sir!
[19:23]	* [GM]Natalie	bows, and leaves once again.
[19:24]	* GeorgeWebber	returns his attention to Momo, now sitting on the edge of his seat.
[19:25]	<GeorgeWebber>	I take it you enjoy our flora, hmmm? Would you like to come with me to the garden? 'Tis much more befitting place to enjoy a meal than here.
[19:27]	* [Atai]Momo	considers this a moment, and then nods.
[19:27]	<[Atai]Momo>	That sounds like a wonderful idea.
[19:28]	<GeorgeWebber>	Excellent! Come with me, it's just out back.
[19:29]	* [Atai]Momo	follows behind Webber as he leads the way.
[19:36]	* GeorgeWebber	gets up and leads you to another garden, which is even larger than the one you crossed before entering the manor. Here lie the most unusual species of flower, some of which are so extravagant that it would be hard to believe as a natural occurrence. There's a bush of roses for every color - George picks one before finding a seat at a little round white table. He looks uncomfortable for a...
[19:36]	* GeorgeWebber	...moment, then looks at you.
[19:36]	<GeorgeWebber>	Hmmm...
[19:37]	<GeorgeWebber>	Ah! I know. Wait here, please? I'll be right back.
[19:38]	* [Atai]Momo	blinks at this, but nods.
[19:38]	<[Atai]Momo>	All right.
[19:40]	* [Atai]Momo	sits in her seat, leaning down to look at the flowers and plants nearby
[19:40]	* GeorgeWebber	leaves, opposite of the way he came. It must lead back into the mansion.
[19:41]	* GeorgeWebber	a minute or two later, he returns, carrying a large parasol. He places it in the center of the table, shading you from Krana's ever-present unusual light.
[19:41]	<GeorgeWebber>	Ah. There we go.
[19:42]	* GeorgeWebber	looking satisfied, sits down and crosses his legs in that same over-confident evil overlord fashion,
[19:42]	<GeorgeWebber>	These lights may be bad for your complexion, you know.
[19:45]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh!
[19:45]	<GeorgeWebber>	They're Solar lights - artificial sunlight. As close as you can get to the real thing.
[19:46]	* [Atai]Momo	starts at Webber's return, then blinks at his present. She's somewhat confused, as her condition has never been too big a problem, underground, but in such a well-lit place..
[19:46]	* [Atai]Momo	bows slightly, and nods.
[19:46]	<[Atai]Momo>	Thank you, Mr. Webber. That was rather thoughtful.
[19:47]	<[Atai]Momo>	That's how you grow so many things here, then? They're quite remarkable.
[19:50]	<GeorgeWebber>	Indeed. Practically the entire town uses this type of light, which is why you can find our vegetation throughout the area.
[19:53]	<GeorgeWebber>	They're full-spectrum, reaching all the wavelengths useful to sustaining various organisms, plants and animals in particular.
[19:56]	<[Atai]Momo>	Hmm... They sound rather nice, indeed.
[20:08]	<[GM]Natalie>	[Ten minutes later, Natalie returns with plates of several fruits, vegetables, cheeses, bread, crackers, and a small basket covered in a white cloth. She lays it out on the table, smiles, bows, and promptly leaves to tend to the corner of the garden.]
[20:09]	* [Atai]Momo	[but before she does...!]
[20:10]	<[GM]Natalie>	...Here you go!
[20:10]	* [Atai]Momo	leans over to Natalie as she sets down Momo's plate and whispers briefly to her.
[20:10]	<[GM]Natalie>	Hm?
[20:11]	* GeorgeWebber	is unsure of why there's so much whispering. Are the Ferrugo ferries normally so secretive?
[20:12]	<[Atai]Momo>	I'd like to ask a favor of you later, before I leave, if that's okay.
[20:13]	<[GM]Natalie>	oh... um... s-sure. I'll be tending to the garden over there, just speak to me when you're ready.
[20:14]	* [Atai]Momo	smiles, nodding her thanks.
[20:14]	* GeorgeWebber	clears his throat.
[20:14]	<GeorgeWebber>	Thank you, Natalie.
[20:15]	* [GM]Natalie	is still unsure of what's gonna on here, but she still smiles, bows, and leaves all the same. For real this time.
[20:19]	<GeorgeWebber>	Quite a pleasant girl, is she not?
[20:21]	* GeorgeWebber	immediately goes for the covered basket, revealing what appears to be a gingerbread man, except it's more like... He holds it up for you to see. It's a gingerbread Momo. It's coated in a white vanilla, and the cookie has four little stubby arms instead of two. It's even got the same hair and eye color...
[20:21]	<GeorgeWebber>	Hahahaha! How does she do that? We don't have any four-armed cookie-cutters, I'm quite sure of it.
[20:23]	<[Atai]Momo>	Very much so. She was quite helpful this morning, an---
[20:24]	* [Atai]Momo	's face breaks out in a grin, color coming to her cheeks
[20:24]	<[Atai]Momo>	--awww... That's cute!
[20:26]	<[Atai]Momo>	...may I see it?
[20:26]	<GeorgeWebber>	Oh, certainly, she made plenty.
[20:26]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh!
[20:27]	* GeorgeWebber	pushes the basket across the table, in which lies about half a dozen little Momos.
[20:28]	* [Atai]Momo	seems genuinely delighted at this, and reaches in to pluck out a mini-Momo. She looks at it fondly, and then a little worried.
[20:29]	<[Atai]Momo>	...I don't know if I can bring myself to eat... myself.
[20:30]	* [Atai]Momo	giggles a bit, then takes a tentative nibble off one leg.
[20:30]	<GeorgeWebber>	Natalie always does make the best cookies...
[20:31]	<[Atai]Momo>	mmmmmm....!
[20:31]	<[Atai]Momo>	These are....wow!
[20:31]	* [Atai]Momo	looks at the cookie in astonishment.
[20:31]	<[Atai]Momo>	I've never had anything like...
[20:33]	* [Atai]Momo	's expression seems to freeze, and her head rotates slowly to face the spread before them, and her awestruck gaze grows almost predatorial.
[20:34]	<GeorgeWebber>	Hmm? Have you never had a cookie before?
[20:34]	* GeorgeWebber	leans on one elbow, his Momo already half-eaten.
[20:35]	* [Atai]Momo	's next words come out in an audible whisper filled with contemplation and desire.
[20:35]	* [Atai]Momo	as if to herself, she says:
[20:35]	<[Atai]Momo>	...is it all this good...?
[20:36]	* [Atai]Momo	looks up, Webber's words only now reaching her.
[20:37]	<[Atai]Momo>	No, not more than a few packages of shortbread somebody brought back from Dis once.
[20:38]	<[Atai]Momo>	Those were good, but this tastes so... new!
[20:39]	<GeorgeWebber>	Hm-hm, well, I'm glad you like it. Try some of the fruit and bread as well, if you will.
[20:40]	* [Atai]Momo	almost pounces upon the food before her, happily digging in.
[20:40]	<[Atai]Momo>	Thank you!
[20:44]	<GeorgeWebber>	Your exuberance is flattering, but also a bit of a worry. Robert does feed you well enough, does he not? Even I wouldn't think him to let his employees go without a meal.
[20:45]	<[Atai]Momo>	mmm... Plemphy w--
[20:46]	* GeorgeWebber	seems to be joking, as he mentions this without looking at you, apparently busy carving an apple into quarters.
[20:46]	* [Atai]Momo	covers her mouth and stops talking until she swallows the arrangement of apples and cheese on some kind of grainy cracker she'd assembled
[20:47]	<[Atai]Momo>	...My apologies. Yes, plenty well. ...He keeps me very well-fed, oh yes.
[20:47]	* [Atai]Momo	starts to giggle to herself, then snaps back to a professional demeanor
[20:48]	<[Atai]Momo>	...We do not lack for nutritious and filling food at all. It's quite good, in fact, especially considering what we have to work with, generally.
[20:49]	<[Atai]Momo>	But this...
[20:50]	* [Atai]Momo	's hands are already making a little banana-carrot sandwich and another fruit-cheese-cracker combination as she speaks.
[20:50]	<[Atai]Momo>	this is new stuff. Or at least quite uncommon, by and large.
[20:51]	* GeorgeWebber	has discovered a small sport in simply watching her go. Four arms going at once is quite a sight to see... no wonder Robby took her in.
[20:57]	* [Atai]Momo	is actually the one that takes Roland in, which makes that sort of amusing. Anyhow, Momo eats until she's full, although there's still plenty of stuff left over. She sits back with a contented sigh, looking longingly at the rest of the food before her.
[20:57]	<[Atai]Momo>	Ah~... what a shame.
[20:58]	* GeorgeWebber	catches Momo's glance, and reassures her.
[20:59]	<[Atai]Momo>	The other girls I came here with won't get to try any of this... I feel bad, now.
[21:00]	<GeorgeWebber>	Oh, don't worry. There's a little girl that comes by every now and then, she'll oblige in having the leftover's as a snack. I usually have the staff leave out a little in the kitchen for her in case she sneaks in.
[21:01]	<GeorgeWebber>	And if you like, I can have some more made for you to take home with you. However, I'd bet you a venia that they're out eating at one of Krana's little restaurants. No one comes here without trying the culinary at least once.
[21:02]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh..? Well, at least somebody will enjoy it, then. I me-- you would?
[21:02]	* [Atai]Momo	's eyes light back up.
[21:05]	* GeorgeWebber	delights in how easy it is for him to entertain foreign guests. Though really the food is quite expensive, he can't help but indulge the exotic woman before him. Being in Robert's caste is such a waste... lucky bastard.
[21:06]	<GeorgeWebber>	Certainly. I'll send it with the business order, free of charge. You can call it a gift between friends, if you wish.
[21:07]	<[Atai]Momo>	Oh, if you would do that, Mr. Webber, I'd be ever so grateful, and the girls I work with would be just as delighted!
[21:09]	* [Atai]Momo	is enthusiastic.
[21:10]	<GeorgeWebber>	Please, call me George. And I just said I would, didn't I? I'm a man of my word, I assure you that.
[21:12]	<[Atai]Momo>	I don't doubt it for a minute, George.
[21:12]	* [Atai]Momo	smiles.
[21:16]	* GeorgeWebber	claps twice and snaps his fingers. A minute later, Natalie returns once again, smiling at the emptied basket.
[21:19]	<GeorgeWebber>	Natalie, go fill a basket with some of what you just made for our guest to take home with her, would you please?
[21:19]	<[GM]Natalie>	Yes, sir!
[21:20]	<[Atai]Momo>	I loved the cookies, hon! Thank you ever so much.
[21:21]	* [GM]Natalie	brings her sunglasses down a bit, smiles, and winks at Momo.
[21:21]	<[GM]Natalie>	My pleasure. I'm glad you liked them.
[21:22]	* [GM]Natalie	bows, pushes her glasses up high and quickly leaves. Once she turns the corner, you begin to hear distant singing...
[21:23]	* GeorgeWebber	smiles, watching her go. A moment later, he turns back to Momo and sets his arms on the table.
[21:24]	<GeorgeWebber>	Now, about your business...
[21:24]	<[Atai]Momo>	Ah, quite right!
[21:44]	<[GM]Natalie>	[Momo and George spend the next half hour or so pinching each other's pennies. Momo successfully trades all the diamonds for bags of seed and a few cartloads of fresh vegetables, all at a fair market price. Neither party significantly undercuts the other, and both make a small profit from the exchange.]
[21:47]	* [Atai]Momo	thanks Webber again, shaking his hand, and strolls out of the place humming happily.
[21:47]	* [Atai]Momo	stops in the garden, though, as she remembers to talk to Natalie.
[21:48]	* [Atai]Momo	searches for the singing girl.
[21:50]	<Natalie>	...if there is a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now~ it's just a spring clean for the may queen~
[21:51]	* <Natalie>	sings to herself, playing with a little watering hose and a host of various plants and flowers.
[21:53]	<[Atai]Momo>	Ah, Natalie!
[21:53]	* [Atai]Momo	exclaims happily as she finally tracks down the musical maid.
[21:53]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	-Oh!
[21:55]	* [Gtz]Natalie	is once again taken by surprise. Her sunglasses go crooked on her face for a moment, before she acknowledges you, she reasserts them.
[21:55]	<[Atai]Momo>	How's the gardening coming?
[21:55]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	Huh? Oh... It's coming!
[21:57]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	Is there something you need me for, ma'am?
[22:09]	<[Atai]Momo>	Yes, there is... do you think you could do me a small favor?
[22:09]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	Ummm... I could try. What is it?
[22:10]	* [Atai]Momo	leans in close, blushing a little.
[22:11]	<[Atai]Momo>	...Any chance I could persuade you to sneak out one of the spare uniforms for you all, in my size? I'll make it worth your time.
[22:12]	* [Gtz]Natalie	backs away a little bit, a little bewildered at the unusual request.
[22:13]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	W...W-...what?
[22:14]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	I can't give you any of my uniforms, and... I don't think we have anything in your size...
[22:15]	* [Gtz]Natalie	looks uncomfortable. What could she want with one of our dresses?
[22:18]	* [Atai]Momo	looks a little downcast.
[22:19]	<[Atai]Momo>	You don't? Ah, well... that's a pity.
[22:19]	* [Atai]Momo	looks a little regretful.
[22:19]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	Sorry... but... why do you want one of our dresses?
[22:19]	<[Atai]Momo>	...I'm sorry to have approached you with that out of the blue.
[22:20]	* [Atai]Momo	blushes a bit.
[22:21]	<[Atai]Momo>	...wanted to see my master's reaction when I showed up at night wearing something like that...
[22:22]	* [Atai]Momo	mumbles this almost bashfully. It feels odd talking about it out loud.
[22:28]	* [Gtz]Natalie	...is completely unsure of what to tell her. Though she's had numerous crushes, she's never had a physical relationship with anyone... She fiddles with her sunglasses nervously.
[22:30]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	W-well... um... I... I don't think it befits you, really... It's too... too... umm...
[22:32]	* [Atai]Momo	looks up to see that the other girl is feeling just as awkward. She sighs a little, but nods and smiles, patting Natalie on the shoulder.
[22:32]	<[Atai]Momo>	It's all right, hon. I get what you're saying.
[22:33]	<[Atai]Momo>	Guess we can't all have what we want, you know?
[22:33]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	...Yeah. Sorry...
[22:33]	* [Atai]Momo	smiles a bit at that.
[22:35]	<[Atai]Momo>	It's all right. I'm sorry I spooked you with something like that. Should've seen it coming, really. I'm... kinda guessing Mr. Webber's a bit free with where his hands and eyes go?
[22:36]	<[Atai]Momo>	The other girl, Alicia, said about as much.
[22:36]	* [Gtz]Natalie	's cheeks immediately flare up red. No amount of shades can hide her embarrassment now.
[22:37]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	Th-that's none of your business!
[22:37]	* [Atai]Momo	chuckles and shakes her head.
[22:37]	<[Atai]Momo>	Don't worry, I'm not prying.
[22:38]	<[Atai]Momo>	Just having a maid-to-maid talk.
[22:38]	* [Gtz]Natalie	still doesn't look any less tense. She takes a deep breath and reasserts her sunglasses once again.
[22:40]	<[Atai]Momo>	All I'm saying is... Well, I don't mind it from Roland, but I know lots of other girls get plenty unhappy about that, so I know how it can be. But I forgot about that just a few minutes ago, and kinda made myself seem about as creepy, didn't I?
[22:41]	* [Gtz]Natalie	remains silent. You can't tell if she's looking at you or not.
[22:42]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	...I'm not unhappy here.
[22:46]	<[Atai]Momo>	I wasn't saying you were, hon. I know it's got to be tough, though, if our bosses are anything alike.
[22:46]	* [Atai]Momo	glances over at the phalluslike topiary.
[22:47]	<[Atai]Momo>	So... I'm sorry for doing that. You're a nice lady, and I really do love those cookies you made for me. I don't think anyone's done something so unexpectedly sweet for me in a long time, and I would feel horrible leaving something ugly between us.
[22:47]	* [Atai]Momo	holds out a hand in reconciliation.
[22:47]	<[Atai]Momo>	Can we let that stupid stuff of mine slide?
[22:48]	<[Atai]Momo>	Like it never happened.
[22:50]	* [Gtz]Natalie	still appears uncertain. After a moment, she takes off her glasses and clips them to her blouse, and looks up at Momo.
[22:51]	* [Gtz]Natalie	doesn't say anything, but takes the hand into hers.
[22:57]	* [Atai]Momo	feels like a great weight is being lifted from her shoulders...slowly. The one thing she hates to leave behind her is a bad impression in the eyes of those she respects. And this Natalie has done nothing but gain her respect from the start. She gratefully shakes the other woman's hand, clasping it in yet another hand in extreme gratitude. Her eyes mist up a bit, but she blinks it away,...
[22:57]	* [Atai]Momo	...eventually.
[22:57]	<[Atai]Momo>	...Thank you.
[22:59]	* [Atai]Momo	bows deeply to her, and then turns to go, quietly, not wishing to damage again what she's begun to carefully rebuild.
[23:01]	* [Gtz]Natalie	tries to smile, but then she just looks awkward again. She doesn't appear used to receiving bows...
[23:06]	* [Gtz]Natalie	takes a step back and returns the bow, unsure of what else to do.
[23:08]	* [Atai]Momo	pauses, then, before walking too far away, and turns back to her.
[23:09]	<[Atai]Momo>	...I'll bring you something the next time I'm here. It's the very least I can do.
[23:10]	* [Gtz]Natalie	lightly smiles, and then says something so quietly that she might as well have lipped it.
[23:11]	* [Gtz]Natalie	stops for a moment, and then puts her glasses back on.
[23:11]	<[Gtz]Natalie>	...Thanks.
[23:18]	* [Atai]Momo	smiles back at her, seeming to have somehow caught the intent and meaning anyway.
[23:19]	* [Atai]Momo	As she turns and walks out of the gate, a breeze blows gently through the garden, and the Akagi OP hums gently in the background.