Cassies Palace 7

@@Bath One: Cassie and Isabella
[18:44]	<[GM]Mary>	Last time, on Maids of the Dead!
[18:44]	<[GM]Mary>	A bunch of stuff happened. On to the bath scene!
[18:46]	* [Gtz]Cassie	as she passes Valea, she sends her a thought:
[18:53]	* [Gtz]Cassie	/Sorry. I'm having a bad day. If you would be so kind, please assist Victoria and our new guest. If you have any questions, ask her, she was here for the whole thing. Don't bother me or Isabel. That is all./
[18:55]	* [Dune]Valea	still looks a little worried, but seems to relax slightly and nod. /Alright./
[18:55]	* [Dune]Valea	then broadcasts another thought: /And i hope things go well; cheer up a little if you can, alright?/
[18:56]	* [Gtz]Cassie	doesn't return the thought and simply continues on, though she feels as if she's forgetting something...
[18:59]	* [huh]Isabella	cheerfully escorts Cassie to her room, all the while aimlessly speaking in her usual quick pace about the new visitor, and what must be anything and everything she thought about her.
[19:02]	* [Gtz]Cassie	doesn't really pay attention to any of it, looking more listless than usual.
[19:05]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie? Is something wrong?
[19:05]	* [huh]Isabella	seems worried.
[19:05]	* [Gtz]Cassie	settles on her bed, putting her fingers to her temples.
[19:06]	* [Gtz]Cassie	sighs.
[19:06]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I'm living bad dreams...
[19:06]	<[huh]Isabella>	Huh?
[19:08]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I knew this was going to happen. Eventually. I just kept hoping it never would.
[19:10]	* [Gtz]Cassie	removes her robe once again, wrapping it around her arm and holding it to her chest.
[19:11]	<[huh]Isabella>	What?
[19:12]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I can't think clearly... If I keep going on like this, I'm gonna do something rash. I need to relax.
[19:12]	* [Gtz]Cassie	changes her tone somewhat.
[19:13]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Hey, have you had your bath yet? I know you haven't, why don't we take one together like we used to?
[19:14]	<[huh]Isabella>	Wah~ A bath, like old times? I'd love to!
[19:14]	* [huh]Isabella	positively glows.
[19:15]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Yeah. There's a few things I want to talk to you about anyway. Go ahead and get the water running, I'll be there in a second.
[19:15]	* [huh]Isabella	takes no time is getting to the bath and warming up the water.
[19:21]	* [Gtz]Cassie	once she's left, she navigates to a rather modest dresser amongst the much more extravagant furnishings. She reaches into the lowest drawer, and feels around until she finds what she's looking for. She slips it over her finger for a moment, remembering when she first received it... It takes all her willpower to contain herself from throwing it out the window. She drops it back in its place...
[19:21]	* [Gtz]Cassie	...and proceeds after Isabella, collecting some towels and another robe before she exits.
[19:25]	* [Gtz]Cassie	reaches the master's bath(which is like, xbox hueg and full of ivory and golden handles and all sorts of shiny shit) and calls out:
[19:25]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Is it ready, Izzy?
[19:25]	<[huh]Isabella>	The water's already warm~
[19:27]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Ah, good...
[19:28]	* [Gtz]Cassie	saunters along, trying to remember where everything is. Her voice came from over there, so... yeah, it was after mini-closet... shit, we already got towels in here, don't we? oh well...
[19:30]	* [huh]Isabella	is already splashing around in the water.
[19:31]	* [Gtz]Cassie	stops, nearly walking into the bath.
[19:32]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Sigh. You know, you could have told me something.
[19:32]	<[huh]Isabella>	Ah?
[19:32]	<[huh]Isabella>	Oh!
[19:32]	<[huh]Isabella>	Sorry, Cassie!
[19:32]	<[huh]Isabella>	The bath was just, with the water, and...
[19:33]	* [Gtz]Cassie	kneels down and reaches out for the water, and once she finds it she begins undressing and puts the towels and stuff to the side. Once she's naked, she slips and and dunks the babbling idiot underwater.
[19:33]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Hmm~? What~? Did you say something~? I can't hear youuu~
[19:34]	* [huh]Isabella	continues yelling something, causing a steady stream of bubbles to rise to the surface.
[19:34]	* [Gtz]Cassie	laughs, and releases her, putting her back to the circular tub.
[19:35]	* [huh]Isabella	gasps as she breaches the surface.
[19:35]	* [Gtz]Cassie	puts her arms over the edge, leans her head back, and sighs. Again.
[19:35]	<[huh]Isabella>	Caaasiiiiee
[19:36]	* [huh]Isabella	does not approve.
[19:38]	* [Gtz]Cassie	doesn't either. She seems to be relaxed, and is even smiling a little bit, but still gives off an aura of tired melancholy.
[19:39]	* [huh]Isabella	approves of this even less. She silently approaches Cassie, being as quiet as possible.
[19:41]	* [huh]Isabella	suddenly leaps on Cassie!
[19:42]	* [Gtz]Cassie	is suddenly leaped upon, but she doesn't put up any resistance. Go ahead, take me under. Drown me. You'll be doing me a favor.
[19:43]	* [huh]Isabella	is put out by Cassie's lack of enthusiasm.
[19:47]	* [Gtz]Cassie	puts the six-inch fairy between her forefinger and thumb, connecting them and buoying it over the surface, making a sort of float for Izzy.
[19:50]	* [huh]Isabella	splashes around a bit more.
[19:50]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Sigh... What am I gonna do, Izzy?
[19:50]	<[huh]Isabella>	About what?
[19:55]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	About this new... sister. That's what she is, isn't she? She's my half-sister. And she wants to live here with me for whatever reason.
[19:56]	<[huh]Isabella>	Well, that's good, right?
[19:57]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	No.
[19:57]	<[huh]Isabella>	No?
[20:01]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Maybe it's selfish of me, but I just want to be done with the Tetromi name and live my own life peacefully, or at least as peacefully as I can. This just brings me back to my father. Have I ever told you how much I detest that man? He's always been such a liar. Such a good liar. If it weren't for my ability, this would have been a pretty harrowing surprise... It still is, I guess, but now...
[20:01]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	...I have another sin to live down...
[20:02]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie...
[20:03]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	...Sorry. I shouldn't concern you with my blood's dissidence. I'm just really frustrated.
[20:03]	* [huh]Isabella	settles on Cassie's head.
[20:03]	* [Gtz]Cassie	she says, in a weak, apologetic tone.
[20:03]	<[huh]Isabella>	It's fine, Cassie. Sometimes you need to let these things out. That's one of the reasons I'm here.
[20:06]	<[huh]Isabella>	But!
[20:07]	<[huh]Isabella>	This is supposed to be time for relaxation! You're not going to get very relaxed if you keep moping around about gloomy subjects.
[20:08]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Well, I need to think about it... Say, what do you think? What should I do with her?
[20:08]	* [huh]Isabella	shrugs.
[20:09]	<[huh]Isabella>	What can you do with her? She's insistent on staying here, and being your servant. And I know you're not the type to just put her out in the cold.
[20:12]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I'm not? It would be pretty easy. Though she speaks strongly, her mind has its doors left wide open. I could go down there right now and make her forget everything about us and send her to Senice or something. Problem solved. No one gets hurt, and we'd both most likely be much happier with it anyway.
[20:13]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	There's nothing for her here, other than me and the memory of her father. I'm not sure which is worth less.
[20:15]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie, you're too hard on yourself.
[20:16]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Well, I mean from her perspective.
[20:16]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I suppose father does mean something to her. But I'm through with it.
[20:17]	<[huh]Isabella>	And if you're hellbent on repenting for your father's sins, what better way than to take care of her?
[20:19]	* [Gtz]Cassie	hangs her head at this.
[20:21]	* [huh]Isabella	ruffles Cassie's hair.
[20:21]	<[huh]Isabella>	I'm not worried. You'll work out alright, as long as you trust in yourself ands trust in your friends.
[20:22]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	It's always been hard for me to trust anybody... Well, except for you.
[20:23]	<[huh]Isabella>	If you can't trust in anybody else, just put all your trust in me, then.
[20:25]	* [Gtz]Cassie	smiles softly. . o ( My trust is forsaken by my power to simply know... Most people aren't even true to themselves. This one, on the other hand... )
[20:26]	<[huh]Isabella>	Well, speaking of sisters...
[20:27]	* [huh]Isabella	flops off Cassie's head, and into the air.
[20:27]	<[huh]Isabella>	These ones still aren't getting much nutrition, huh?
[20:27]	* [huh]Isabella	pokes Cassie's chest.
[20:27]	* [huh]Isabella	or rather, lack thereof.
[20:31]	* [Gtz]Cassie	's attitude changes completely.
[20:33]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Nutrition? Just try them, you little fairy. these mammies are more nutritious than anything out of your puffers. Your ears are better for sustenance, I bet.
[20:33]	<[huh]Isabella>	Uuuu...
[20:35]	* [Gtz]Cassie	smirks broadly and sticks out her chest, proud of her little tits and not swayed by fairy's remarks.
[20:35]	* [huh]Isabella	, indignant, bites one.
[20:36]	<[huh]Isabella>	Nope, nothing, sorry.
[20:37]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	You're not biting hard enough, doofus.
[20:37]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Get big again, then try it.
[20:38]	* [huh]Isabella	increases her size to three feet, then bites again.
[20:39]	* [huh]Isabella	Hard.
[20:41]	* [Gtz]Cassie	emits a muffled squeak, but tries to keep a straight face, biting her lip.
[20:43]	<[huh]Isabella>	Ah, did I hurt you?
[20:43]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	...did anything come out?
[20:43]	* [huh]Isabella	shakes her head.
[20:43]	<[huh]Isabella>	Nope.
[20:44]	* [Gtz]Cassie	frowns.
[20:44]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	That's weird. I wonder why it doesn't work?
[20:44]	<[huh]Isabella>	You're just too young, my dear Cassie~
[20:45]	<[huh]Isabella>	Try again in about three years.
[20:46]	* [Gtz]Cassie	twists her frown into a... twisted thing and pinches one of Izzy's nipples. Hard. Then she twists it a little bit, her twisted face becoming a twisted grin as it begins to match Izzy's twisted nipple.
[20:47]	<[huh]Isabella>	Owowowowowowowowow....
[20:47]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Hmm, what's this? Funbags isn't giving either. I wonder why that is~
[20:49]	* [Gtz]Cassie	, growing tired of the meager contact, releases her fairy only to tackle her into the water again, pushing her back towards the other side of the tub.
[20:50]	<[huh]Isabella>	Uwah~
[20:51]	<[huh]Isabella>	You're being quite rough tonight, Cassie...
[20:51]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Hehehe! I'll make you pay for dishonoring my breasts!
[20:52]	* [Gtz]Cassie	flips Isabel around and forces her to the other edge, locking her legs over Izzy's and grappling her around the chest.
[20:53]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Grrr!
[20:53]	* [huh]Isabella	struggles!
[20:53]	* [Gtz]Cassie	attacks Isabel's ears from behind!
[20:54]	<[huh]Isabella>	Ah! The ears again
[20:54]	<[huh]Isabella>	?
[20:57]	* [Gtz]Cassie	nibbles away furiously, holding tightly onto Isabel and containing her paltry defenses. After a few moments, however, her enthusiasm fades and she stops, simply leaning Izzy against the tub's edge.
[20:58]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie?
[20:58]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	...sorry. Am I being too... coarse? I'm a little out of it, I can't really tell these things.
[20:59]	<[huh]Isabella>	Coarse?
[21:00]	<[huh]Isabella>	Whatever you mean, you're not doing anything wrong.
[21:01]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Hmm...
[21:01]	* [Gtz]Cassie	places her head on Isabel's shoulder drearily.
[21:04]	* [huh]Isabella	rubs Cassie's head comfortingly.
[21:05]	* [Gtz]Cassie	relaxes, enjoying the feel of Isabel's body. Ah, I wish I had hair like this...
[21:07]	* [Gtz]Cassie	begins running her fingers through said hair. So soft~
[21:12]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	...Hey, you want me to shampoo your hair? Do we still have any of that cherry stuff?
[21:13]	<[huh]Isabella>	Oh, yeah, I think so.
[21:14]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Grab it and I'll work it in.
[21:14]	* [huh]Isabella	searches around the room, and finally produces a bottle, which she brings back to Cassie.
[21:16]	<[huh]Isabella>	This is it, right?
[21:16]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I don't know.
[21:16]	* [Gtz]Cassie	takes it, opens it and smells.
[21:18]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Yep! C'mere.
[21:18]	* [huh]Isabella	settles down on Cassie's lap.
[21:20]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Oh, get the body wash too. Gotta clean behind those wonderful little ears of yours~
[21:22]	* [huh]Isabella	gets the bodywash.
[21:22]	<[huh]Isabella>	Right.
[21:23]	* [Gtz]Cassie	is, for the first time since she's returned, truly felt at home. The troubles of the day still loom over her, but she forces them away to bask in the warmth of being content, even if it's only for a few more moments.
[21:36]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Lean up on the edge for me so I can get it all.
[21:37]	* [huh]Isabella	does so.
[21:37]	<[huh]Isabella>	Don't miss a spot~
[21:42]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I won't, unless you got some new ones I'm unaware of~
[21:44]	* [Gtz]Cassie	squirts out some shampoo into her hands and leaves the bottle to float along in the water. She works it into Isabel's hair with all the tenderness of a mother and her child.
[21:48]	* [huh]Isabella	closes her eyes, welcoming the feel of Cassie's gentle touch.
[21:51]	* [Gtz]Cassie	leaves it to set a little bit, making sure to keep it out of Izzy's eyes. She then finds the body wash and begins to apply it quite generously to Isabel's body.
[21:54]	* [Gtz]Cassie	runs a bar of soap(yes, soap and body wash, i are an idort) across Isabel's torso, cleaning her back, beneath her arms, and around her ribs before returning to Izzy's chest. She gently massages the breast Cassie menaced before, feeling a little remorseful towards Izzy's twisted tit.
[21:55]	* [huh]Isabella	wiggles a bit at the sensation.
[21:56]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Sorry... I have been a little rough today, haven't I? I've just missed you a lot, that's all... Didn't intend to stay gone for so long...
[21:58]	<[huh]Isabella>	I missed you just as much, Cassie. This mansion really does feel too big when you're not around...
[21:59]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	It is too big. What do you think about moving away from here? Once I get my finances sorted out, we could go live in Santana or Vineland or someplace that isn't so damn cold... Go to the beach everyday, enjoy warm weather all year 'round...
[22:00]	<[huh]Isabella>	4My, that sounds wonderful~
[22:01]	<[huh]Isabella>	But really...
[22:01]	<[huh]Isabella>	Anywhere's fine, as long as it's with you, Cassie~
[22:04]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Do you really want to? It wouldn't be too much trouble. In fact, I could just hand the house over to Tabitha and let her take care of it. She seems quite particular on staying here.
[22:08]	<[huh]Isabella>	Nnnnn...
[22:08]	* [huh]Isabella	is thinking.
[22:09]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I think we should do it. We could even bring Valea and Enrica with us, you like them, don't you?
[22:10]	<[huh]Isabella>	BUt... o you think Tabitha would be... lonely?
[22:13]	* [Gtz]Cassie	speaks in a mocking tone:
[22:13]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Depends on whether or not companionship is deemed efficient.
[22:13]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I don't know, I just met her. I'm not particularly enthusiastic about her, and I think that feeling's mutual.
[22:14]	<[huh]Isabella>	I know what you mean...
[22:17]	* [Gtz]Cassie	puts a knee between Izzy's legs, serving as a little seat for her while she continues to wash her body.
[22:20]	* [huh]Isabella	moves around a bit to get comfortable, but accepts the knee.
[22:28]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	I suppose I'll talk to her about it this afternoon... Raise your arms.
[22:28]	* [huh]Isabella	does so.
[22:32]	* [Gtz]Cassie	does not wash under them, but rather tickles Izzy's most sensitive parts of her sides, guiding her fingers along her little body, touching on all the places she can recall that would incite reaction.
[22:33]	<[huh]Isabella>	Ah~ Cassie, what are you...
[22:33]	* [huh]Isabella	squirms.
[22:34]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	heeheehee~ You know you squirm just like a little puppy dog?
[22:35]	<[huh]Isabella>	A puppy dog, huh?
[22:35]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	mmhmm~
[22:35]	* [huh]Isabella	turns around and tickles back.
[22:36]	<[huh]Isabella>	I wonder what you squirm like, then~
[22:36]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	oh! hahaha~
[22:38]	* [Gtz]Cassie	squirms about herself, eventually swaying so much that she loses her balance and falls backwards, but not before grabbing Isabel and taking her with her.
[22:38]	<[huh]Isabella>	Wah!
[22:39]	* [huh]Isabella	lands on Cassie.
[22:46]	* [Gtz]Cassie	pulls Isabel back and under, and for a moment, something crosses her mind. She decides to act on it, as she pulls Isabel closer, she puckers her lips and tries for a bullseye... Isabel meets it, but it's a little off, Cassie's kiss meeting a little high and to the rightmost edge of Isabella's mouth.
[22:48]	* [huh]Isabella	blinks in surprise.
[22:48]	* [Gtz]Cassie	grins, and brings them both to the surface.
[22:49]	* [Gtz]Cassie	hugs her, rubbing her back a little bit.
[22:50]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	Thanks, Izzy. If it weren't for you, I don't know what I'd do...
[22:50]	* [huh]Isabella	holds Cassie close.
[22:50]	<[huh]Isabella>	I feel the same way.
[22:51]	<[Gtz]Cassie>	love you, sweetheart. Don't ever change.
---
@@Bath Two: Enrica, Victoria, Valea, and Tabitha
---
[20:27]	<[GM]Mary>	Let's see... you're all either in the infirmary or just outside of it. Cassandra gave Valea some orders to take care of little miss bleedy, let's recap on that real quickly like.
[20:28]	<[GM]Mary>	[18:46] * [Gtz]Cassie as she passes Valea, she sends her a thought:
[20:28]	<[GM]Mary>	[18:53] * [Gtz]Cassie /Sorry. I'm having a bad day. If you would be so kind, please assist Victoria and our new guest. If you have any questions, ask her, she was here for the whole thing. Don't bother me or Isabel. That is all./
[20:28]	<[GM]Mary>	[18:55] * [Dune]Valea still looks a little worried, but seems to relax slightly and nod. /Alright./
[20:28]	<[GM]Mary>	[18:55] * [Dune]Valea then broadcasts another thought: /And i hope things go well; cheer up a little if you can, alright?/
[20:28]	<[GM]Mary>	[18:56] * [Gtz]Cassie doesn't return the thought and simply continues on, though she feels as if she's forgetting something...
[20:30]	* [Owen]Tabitha	fiddles with her mother's ring, spinning it around her fingers absentmindedly.
[20:31]	* [Owen]Tabitha	considers, just for a moment, putting the ring on, but stops herself.
[20:32]	* [Dune]Valea	glances at the bloodied(though now clean(er)) new arrival with a look of curiosity.
[20:33]	* [Owen]Tabitha	stares back at the maid, saying nothing.
[20:35]	* [Tesla]Enrica	runs her eyes curiously along Tabitha, arms crossed.
[20:36]	* [Pyg]Victoria	returns into the room, donning a cleaner uniform, and holding a folded set in hand.
[20:38]	* [Owen]Tabitha	notices the commotion, and sits back up in her bed.
[20:38]	* [Pyg]Victoria	immediately detects the tension among the three occupants.
[20:38]	* [Dune]Valea	sighs, and then speaks.
[20:38]	<[Dune]Valea>	well, since we can't be silent forever...
[20:39]	* [Dune]Valea	holds out her hand to Tabitha.
[20:39]	<[Dune]Valea>	Welcome to the mansion, my name's Valea.
[20:39]	* [Owen]Tabitha	stares at the hand, raising an eyebrow.
[20:39]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Is this necessary?"
[20:40]	* [Dune]Valea	pouts slightly.
[20:40]	<[Dune]Valea>	I'm just tryin' to be friendly...
[20:41]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"You may prove your friendship though your actions, not trivial formalities."
[20:41]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I have little use for them."
[20:42]	* [Tesla]Enrica	lowers her arms to her sides, giving a little sigh.
[20:42]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Well... who are you?
[20:42]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"However, as you have given me your name...mine is Tabitha Caulder."
[20:42]	* [Dune]Valea	runs a hand through her hair, using the hand she just extended. she does not return it.
[20:42]	* [Dune]Valea	then nods.
[20:42]	<[Dune]Valea>	thanks for giving your name, at least.
[20:43]	* [Owen]Tabitha	looks up at her.
[20:43]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Do not waste that gift."
[20:43]	* [Owen]Tabitha	directs her attention to Victoria and the uniform in her hands.
[20:44]	* [Pyg]Victoria	deposits the folded uniform right next to Tabitha.
[20:44]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	...Tabitha, is it? I'm Enrica Russolo. May I ask what has happened?
[20:46]	* [Owen]Tabitha	slides out of bed and rummages around the new maid uniform, explaining as she does.
[20:47]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"A Vitamin K deficiency, I am told. It slows the healing of wounds and the mending of bones."
[20:48]	* [Dune]Valea	cocks her head to the side again.
[20:48]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Some of these wounds are from wolves. Others are from times past. I do not keep records."
[20:48]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	...I see.
[20:48]	* [Dune]Valea	then rights her head, and smiles.
[20:48]	<[Dune]Valea>	well, you should be safe here.
[20:48]	* [Dune]Valea	does not remember the tiger, at this point.
[20:50]	* [Dune]Valea	then remembers the tiger and starts, but then relaxes and recalls that it hasn't hurt anyone.
[20:50]	* [Owen]Tabitha	continues to listen as she slips off her blood-stained undergarments and puts on the new ones provided with the uniform, caring little about the wayward stares she receives.
[20:51]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Safe...is relevant."
[20:51]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Wolves? You traveled here on foot?
[20:51]	* [Dune]Valea	quickly turns around as she sees what Tabitha's doing, blushing slightly.
[20:51]	* [Owen]Tabitha	shrugs as she finishes donning the dark blue uniform.
[20:52]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"None would offer a ride in an automobile. My options were limited."
[20:53]	* [Owen]Tabitha	walks over to a nearby mirror and looks into it, frowning at her decimated ringlets.
[20:54]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	If you wanted to get here that badly, then... No, your reasons are yours. I won't implicitly ask for them.
[20:54]	* [Pyg]Victoria	stands by Tabitha, looking her over.
[20:54]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Does it fit all right?
[20:55]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"It will suffice. I must mend my hair, however. It will not do to look improper whilst in Mistress Cassandra's service."
[20:56]	* [Dune]Valea	hears the banter and the finished dressing behind her, and turns around.
[20:56]	* [Tesla]Enrica	starts, then looks inquisitively. Service?
[20:56]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	The Mistress is against it, but she insists on working as a servant.
[20:56]	<[Dune]Valea>	ah, i see...
[20:59]	<[Dune]Valea>	hm, i guess we should go towards the baths, then?
[21:00]	* [Dune]Valea	smiles.
[21:00]	* [Owen]Tabitha	walks over to the side of the hospital bed and places her mother's ring in her skirt pocket.
[21:00]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I dont' know if she should be having a full on bath in her current state.
[21:00]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	What might happen?
[21:01]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Her wounds haven't healed entirely.
[21:01]	* [Owen]Tabitha	responds without turning around, tidying her old clothes into a pile on the bed.
[21:01]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I would not sully your water with my blood. It would be unsanitary."
[21:01]	* [Pyg]Victoria	points to the visible bandage wrapped around one of Tabitha's arms.
[21:02]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	But, Enrica is right, God knows how long you've been out there. You need to get cleaned somehow.
[21:03]	* [Dune]Valea	messes with a stray lock of hair, twirling it around with one finger.
[21:03]	* [Owen]Tabitha	sighs.
[21:03]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I suppose you ought to get a rubdown.
[21:03]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"You are correct. It would be improper for me to enter service in an unfit condition."
[21:04]	* [Dune]Valea	stops, then faces Enrica.
[21:04]	<[Dune]Valea>	yeah, it's good to be clean.
[21:04]	<[Dune]Valea>	plus...
[21:04]	* [Dune]Valea	rummages around in one of her pockets, eventually producing what seems to be a small bottle of shampoo.
[21:04]	<[Dune]Valea>	you could fix up your hair with this?
[21:05]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Right, let's get along then. I suppose my bath can wait 'til later.
[21:05]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"That is not needed. I can tend to myself quite well, if you would show me a washroom."
[21:06]	* [Dune]Valea	sighs minutely as she withdraws the bottle back into one of her dress's pockets.
[21:06]	<[Dune]Valea>	alright, then.
[21:06]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	I'm not so sure... you shouldn't stretch yourself, especially if your recovery is slow.
[21:07]	* [Dune]Valea	puts a finger to her lips in thought...
[21:07]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I'm afraid I'll have to insist. I don't mean to offend, but I seems to me that you're the type to not be gentle, even to yourself.
[21:07]	<[Dune]Valea>	hmm, i guess that's right...
[21:07]	* [Dune]Valea	... but then raises it in the triumph of an idea!
[21:07]	<[Dune]Valea>	if nothing else, a sponge bath?
[21:09]	* [Owen]Tabitha	dulls her eyes at such an inefficient notion.
[21:09]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Don't like the idea? Then what?
[21:09]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Should you not be tending to the mansion, or Mistress Cassandra?"
[21:10]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Four are not needed to cleanse one."
[21:10]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	The mistress wants to be left alone, I understand, so the most we could do would be to ready something for when she feels like seeing people. Besides making breakfast, which is not so time-consuming, there isn't much we could do.
[21:11]	* [Dune]Valea	's face sports now a slight frown. (Hmm~, she's not being fun...)
[21:11]	* [Dune]Valea	's frown and thought quickly disappear though, lasting only for an instant.
[21:11]	<[Dune]Valea>	we could do that, too.
[21:12]	* [Owen]Tabitha	looks around the room. "Scant minutes on the job...must I manage my co-workers already?"
[21:13]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"There are four of us. Two may prepare a meal. One may accompany me to the baths."
[21:14]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	So how do we go about this?
[21:14]	* [Dune]Valea	shrugs.
[21:15]	<[Dune]Valea>	I cooked dinner yesterday, so i guess i could handle breakfast.
[21:16]	* [Tesla]Enrica	smiles.
[21:17]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	I suppose I'll take whatever Victoria isn't doing.
[21:18]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	You know, they don't have to be bathing you while they're in there, Miss Tabitha.
[21:18]	* [Dune]Valea	withdraws her proposition, quickly reversing it.
[21:18]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	They'll need to get clean sometime.
[21:18]	<[Dune]Valea>	that's true, too...
[21:19]	* [Dune]Valea	shakes her head, then proclaiming:
[21:19]	<[Dune]Valea>	enough dallying, why don't we all just get clean?
[21:19]	<[Dune]Valea>	that way all of us can start this day freshened.
[21:20]	* [Owen]Tabitha	once again dulls he eyes, sighing this time.
[21:20]	* [Owen]Tabitha	[*her]
[21:20]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I can see I am making no progress dissuading you."
[21:20]	* [Dune]Valea	notices Tabitha's disappointment, and tries to comfort (or sway) her.
[21:21]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"So be it."
[21:21]	<[Dune]Valea>	if nothing else, we could make it quick.
[21:21]	<[Dune]Valea>	Breakfast'll happen when it does, it won't take long once we get to the kitchen.
[21:21]	<[Dune]Valea>	so overall, there shouldn't be anything going wrong.
[21:22]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Obviously Mistress Cassandra trusts you, else you would not be here. Thus, I shall trust in my master's judgment."
[21:22]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I shall take your lead."
[21:23]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Then I'll leave it at that. Come on, let's go.
[21:23]	* [Tesla]Enrica	gestures to lead Tabitha out the door.
[21:24]	* [Owen]Tabitha	retrieves her knife and threads it though her lace belt, then picks up her old clothes and follows Enrica.
[21:24]	* [Pyg]Victoria	exits next, right behind Tabitha.
[21:25]	* [Dune]Valea	then follows Victoria, quickly striding to the middle of the group.
[21:27]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"If I am to serve here, may I ask whom I shall be serving with, aside from you three and the...sprite?"
[21:28]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	It seems she's served the Mistress the longest than any of us.
[21:28]	<[Dune]Valea>	hm, i think you've actually seen all of us by now.
[21:31]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"A staff of five. That is...adequate, for one mistress."
[21:32]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Now all we have to do is make sure we do the job right.
[21:32]	* [Dune]Valea	nods.
[21:32]	<[Dune]Valea>	yeah, we've got to help as much as we can.
[21:32]	* [Dune]Valea	's words can be heard to hold a layer of double-meaning, though only barely.
[21:33]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"And yet...we lolligag about in the baths? I am confused."
[21:33]	* [Dune]Valea	pouts.
[21:34]	<[Dune]Valea>	we've got to be clean while doing so, right?
[21:34]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Never said we'd really take our time. Besides, like I said, she doesn't want to hear from people now.
[21:34]	* [Dune]Valea	nods.
[21:34]	<[Dune]Valea>	that too.
[21:34]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Yes...yes, we must respect her privacy."
[21:35]	<[GM]Mary>	Victoria leads you to a more modest bathroom than the ones upstairs, but not any less comfortable. There's one ordinary porcelain bathtub and there's another large bath cut into the floor, obviously intended for servicing many at once.
[21:36]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	A lot bigger than I thought when I saw it from the outside.
[21:37]	<[Dune]Valea>	yeah, it's still really nice.
[21:37]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Well, then it's just that much more comfortable.
[21:37]	* [Dune]Valea	nods and smiles.
[21:37]	<[Dune]Valea>	yep!
[21:38]	* [Owen]Tabitha	deposits her old garments near the smaller tub.
[21:38]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I shall take this one. I will not sully your water with my injuries."
[21:38]	<[Dune]Valea>	very well.
[21:38]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Whatever you say.
[21:39]	* [Dune]Valea	goes to one side of the baths and turns her back, respecting the others' right to privacy and modesty.
[21:39]	* [Pyg]Victoria	rolls up her sleeves.
[21:40]	* [Owen]Tabitha	looks around the cupboards for soap, shampoo, and the like, preparing both baths for bathing.
[21:40]	* [Tesla]Enrica	, with little to do, gets some towels out and places them accessibly.
[21:41]	* [Dune]Valea	notices that no one's changing yet but instead preparing the baths, and smacks herself mentally.
[21:41]	* [Dune]Valea	looks for something to do, and then starts getting the water flowing to fill the tubs, properly.
[21:41]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	What are you doing, Miss Tabitha? Don't worry about that, I'll take care of that.
[21:43]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"We are equals; we should share equally in the work, no?"
[21:43]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	It's still your first day here.
[21:43]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Is that relevant?"
[21:43]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Not when you're recovering from wounds like yours. Just sit in the tub!
[21:44]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I'll at least let you run the water on your own.
[21:44]	* [Dune]Valea	pipes in:
[21:44]	<[Dune]Valea>	i've already got it here.
[21:45]	* [Dune]Valea	messes with the knobs beside the smaller tub, aligning them nicely to create a warm, yet not scalding, bath.
[21:45]	* [Owen]Tabitha	submits and sits on the edge of the tub, slowly removing layers of clothing and bandages alike.
[21:46]	* [Owen]Tabitha	's cuts are not much better than they were an hour ago.
[21:46]	* [Dune]Valea	makes sure to finish quickly, and then resumes her place in the other side of the room, looking into the wall.
[21:47]	* [Pyg]Victoria	finally gathers a few sponges and bottles, making her way over to Tabitha.
[21:48]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I will let you know if you are causing me discomfort."
[21:48]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Good to know.
[21:48]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Right, in you get!
[21:49]	* [Pyg]Victoria	says as she soaks up some water in the sponge.
[21:49]	* [Dune]Valea	speaks, though her voice wavers ever so slightly.
[21:49]	<[Dune]Valea>	um, i'm going to get in the other bath now, so if you'd all look away...
[21:51]	* [Tesla]Enrica	shrugs, and turns over at a wall while unbuttoning her vest.
[21:51]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	The water too hot for you?
[21:51]	* [Owen]Tabitha	turns away, more out of command than respect, and slides into the water.
[21:52]	* [Pyg]Victoria	asks Tabitha as she dips a hand in.
[21:52]	* [Dune]Valea	nods though none can see it, and then undresses herself.
[21:52]	<[Dune]Valea>	thanks...
[21:52]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I am fine."
[21:52]	* [Dune]Valea	carefully slips into the water, relaxing.
[21:52]	<[Dune]Valea>	ok, i'm in now.
[21:53]	* [Pyg]Victoria	wants to ask Tabitha again to make sure, but decides against it. She's too hard on herself.
[21:55]	* [Pyg]Victoria	soaps up the sponge in her hand and gets up to sit by the edge of the tub.
[21:55]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	All right, lift up your arm.
[21:55]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Valea? In case you're curious, I'm next.
[21:55]	* [Pyg]Victoria	gestures at Tabitha's closer arm.
[21:56]	* [Owen]Tabitha	obliges, but does so slowly, the wounds making sure a large motion uncomfortable.
[21:56]	* [Dune]Valea	nods and closes her eyes to relax and respect Enrica's privacy.
[21:56]	<[Dune]Valea>	Alright.
[21:57]	* [Pyg]Victoria	holds the arm from under and proceeds to soap it up with the sponge, careful and aware to avoid running it across any major wounds.
[21:58]	* [Tesla]Enrica	finishes undressing, and lowers herself into the water.
[22:00]	* [Dune]Valea	hears Enrica finish her motion and opens her eyes, relaxing against the side of the tub.
[22:02]	* [Pyg]Victoria	lowers Tabitha's arm back into the water as she finishes and continues running the sponge softly across her back, all the while looking over this frail girl's nearly doll-like complexion. She opens her mouth to comment on it, but holds back. She'll probably deem any smalltalk irrelevant and cast it aside.
[22:04]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Well, as long as we're here...what brought you underneath this roof? I should know these things if I'm to work with you."
[22:05]	* [Pyg]Victoria	's brows screw up. Looks like she doesn't mind. That's odd.
[22:05]	* [Dune]Valea	sighs and splashes the water around her just a bit as she speaks solemnly.
[22:06]	<[Dune]Valea>	Enrica and I...just arrived not too long ago.
[22:06]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I served Mistress Cassandra during her long stay in Westmarch. Lift your other arm up, please.
[22:07]	* [Owen]Tabitha	turns slightly and raises her arm, responding as she does.
[22:07]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Under what auspices, if I may ask?"
[22:08]	* [Dune]Valea	's voice sinks just a bit more.
[22:08]	<[Dune]Valea>	...Slavery.
[22:09]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Ah. My apologies if it is a poor subject."
[22:09]	<[Dune]Valea>	...no, it's fine.
[22:09]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I expect I must explain myself to you as well, then? Fair is fair, I would assume."
[22:10]	* [Dune]Valea	's voice betrays the opposite, however. Suddenly she's being hit hard with emotion, and so she feels down.
[22:10]	<[Dune]Valea>	i suppose...
[22:10]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Well, I suppose we were hired as a last resort. We were bought, I understand, because there wasn't another way to get service for the house. Each of us has our own circumstances. As for you?
[22:10]	* [Pyg]Victoria	runs her sponge down Tabitha's other arm while holding it up.
[22:12]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Ill information, you might say. I did not intend to enter Mistress Cassandra's service."
[22:13]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"You see, we are half-sisters, by the same father."
[22:13]	* [Tesla]Enrica	starts, evidently surprised.
[22:13]	* [Dune]Valea	, in her sullen demeanor, also starts slightly.
[22:14]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"My intent was to reconcile my part with my father upon coming here. However...he is not...available."
[22:14]	* [Pyg]Victoria	lowers Tabitha's arm back into the water and rinses the sponge out.
[22:14]	<[Dune]Valea>	...ah...
[22:14]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Thus, I shall repay Miss Cassandra's hospitality with service until I reevaluate my situation."
[22:15]	* [Dune]Valea	wonders if ever she should try finding the spirit of the passed Andrei Tetromi, sometime...
[22:15]	* [Dune]Valea	but in the meantime thinks that she is well enough washed, and should go. Undoubtedly, her choice is influenced by her mood that suddenly fell.
[22:16]	* [Dune]Valea	then sighs and brings a towel down into the water to cover herself, as she rises out of it.
[22:16]	* [Pyg]Victoria	takes the fat sponge and squeezes it above Tabitha's head, soaking the girl's hair.
[22:16]	<[Dune]Valea>	I think i've washed enough now, so i'll go...
[22:17]	* [Owen]Tabitha	winces unexpectedly.
[22:17]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Sssss..."
[22:17]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"That was...uncalled for."
[22:17]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Oh, it hurt?
[22:18]	* [Dune]Valea	gathers her clothes and a dry towel, quickly drying herself off and exiting.
[22:18]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"No. Rather...surprising."
[22:18]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I assume you were trying to be funny."
[22:19]	* [Pyg]Victoria	shrugs as she softly scrubs Tabitha's lathered back and shoulders.
[22:20]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	No harm in having a little fun in the bath.
[22:20]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"...I suppose not..."
[22:20]	* [Owen]Tabitha	says reluctantly.
[22:22]	* [Tesla]Enrica	just leans her head on the edge, but then proceeds to wash herself more actively.
[22:24]	* [Owen]Tabitha	wonders to herself, "So...this is what a maidservant does? I had expected something more...proper."
[22:24]	* [Pyg]Victoria	rinses the sponge out once more, leaving it to float in the water as she takes a bottle of shampoo.
[22:25]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I take it you don't leave the house much.
[22:25]	* [Pyg]Victoria	says as she lathers up the shampoo in her hands and starts running her hands through Tabitha's hair.
[22:26]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"No, I did not. My mother...she was cautious for my health."
[22:27]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I have fared...poorly, with wounds in my younger years. My mother called it a miracle that I still live."
[22:28]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Is it just a difficulty healing, or does it move beyond that at all?
[22:29]	* [Owen]Tabitha	sighs, cleaning some of her wounds with the friction of the sponge.
[22:30]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"The doctors explained it to me once or twice. I never really understood the terms they used."
[22:30]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Oh bugger, was I scrubbing too hard?
[22:30]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"No at all. However, your angle is inadequate to reach some of these."
[22:30]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	[*not]
[22:33]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"I know what I experienced, however...Cuts bleeding for too long, refusing to heal...Broken bones with a fall down three stairs...a slap across the cheek forming a bruise..."
[22:33]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"It was inconvenient. And troublesome."
[22:33]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"But I must live with my malady. I accept it."
[22:34]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Do we not all have things we dislike, but cannot be rid of?"
[22:35]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Complaining wastes time, and effort. It solves nothing."
[22:36]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Oh, what a surprise. Something I can finally agree on with you!
[22:37]	* [Pyg]Victoria	takes the fat floating sponge and holds it above Tabitha's head.
[22:37]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Here it comes again.
[22:38]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	You know what? I think you're truly right. If you can't fix it, gotta live with it. Anyone who continuously moans about something, present or past, is doing nothing but chaining themselves.
[22:38]	* [Pyg]Victoria	she warns as she gives the sponge another squeeze, letting the water run down her soapy hair.
[22:39]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	No better to do that than it would be to cling to something out of nostalgia or worthless tradition.
[22:40]	* [Owen]Tabitha	feels a slight stab at her heart with those words.
[22:41]	* [Owen]Tabitha	wonders... (Mother's ring...her knife...her husband...Do I, "cling to them out of nostalgia or worthless tradition?")
[22:43]	* [Owen]Tabitha	(The past is past. Am I letting it...affect the present, as I told Cassandra it was for her?)
[22:45]	* [Owen]Tabitha	shuts her eyes and rubs the water out of them, letting the rivulets from the sponge run over her head and down her body. Such a worthless body...so weak, so pathetic...
[22:45]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Uh...Are you all right?
[22:45]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	I didn't get soap in your eyes, did I?
[22:46]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"For the third time this bath, you are mistaken. I am intrigued by your accuracy of the inaccurate."
[22:47]	<[Tesla]Enrica>	Hm? Something happen?
[22:47]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Pardon me for being a little concerned, then.
[22:48]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"Concern is acceptable."
[22:50]	* [Owen]Tabitha	resolves herself... (No. I am here to find the truth of a family...My family...OUR family.)
[22:51]	* [Pyg]Victoria	reaches over for the small washcloth hanging on the side of the tub and lathers it up, moving Tabitha's hair from her ears with utmost care and proceeding to scrub the front and back.
[22:51]	* [Owen]Tabitha	squirms slightly as the experience, not very familiar with another washing her hair.
[22:53]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Do try to stay still. Did your mother not wash you before?
[22:54]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"When I was young. It has been some time."
[22:55]	* [Tesla]Enrica	, a silence having taken over, hums a slow and a little melancholic melody while keeping rhythm on the edge of the bath, alternating the fingers on her right hand and her wrist.
[22:56]	* [Tesla]Enrica	's hand becomes gradually more irregular and a little more forceful, though it doesn't fall out of sync. The humming stays the same.
[22:57]	* [Pyg]Victoria	cups some water to rinse out Tabitha's ears.
[22:58]	* [Owen]Tabitha	spins the bobbing sponge in the water, matching the rhythm of Enrica's tune.
[23:01]	* [Owen]Tabitha	gets a rather immature idea, and decides to act upon it.
[23:01]	* [Pyg]Victoria	moves some rogue forelocks out of Tabitha's eyes before getting up from her seat on the side of the bath.
[23:01]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	All right, all done.
[23:01]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	You can climb out whenever you're ready.
[23:02]	* [Owen]Tabitha	picks up the sponge and holds it over Victoria's head, dousing her in water.
[23:02]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Wha-Hahaha! Hey!
[23:03]	<[Owen]Tabitha>	"...Got you."