Scene #9458: My Big Sister

Owner	Pose
Angela	Deyvat Deliveries can arrive unexpectedly since, usually, they have to rush through dangerous territories to get to their destination and due to being paid by the minute they frequently will move THROUGH battles rather than around them. Of course, in this case--Sasha is working for Trideag not Deyvat anymore, but she's been a Deyvat Fixer for quite some time and old habits die hard. On the other hand, this means that she arrives early without warning. Sasha has shock white hair and dull green eyes, she no longer wears the Deyvat uniform. In one hand she has a bloodstained thermos that she is in the process of wiping clean and then promptly taking a lighter to torch the rag. She is trying to be kind to Rita, but honestly isn't sure if that'll do it. Only then does she check in at the front gate. The former Rook office Fixers at the front gate step away let her in with her guest in tow. The woman following along behind her doesn't really look like Finn. For one, she's a foot taller. Like exactly one foot taller. And for another, instead of that dullish grey-brown hair, she has pink hair like Ceri. She is wearing a red cocktail dress and heels with a pink rose fascinator in her hair and she is complaining fiercely baout blisters on her feet. "Warned you that it would be a lot of walking and running." Sasha says. "Picked worst outfit." "I have to look my best, these are his ''bossess''." The woman, who must be Fiona, says. "Da, well." Sasha scratches at her ear. "Perhaps you can brag about them?" Finn is busy doing drills up on the training floor as usual and isn't aware that his sister's here yet!
Sarracenia	Sarracenia is also doing drills on the training floor, also trying to look her best in the process. Despite it being a workout, she is in her breezy white blouse, black vest, short black skirt, black and green striped leggings, and black pointed lace-up boots. Much more casual than what she usually wears, but still much too dressy for training in. She has been diligently working on her sword forms since the day Lilian started training them. Today is no different. Sarra has her training sword and is hacking somewhat more skillfully than before at magically regrowing bamboo. And since Finn is here and doesn't seem to hate Sarra (even if he has asked some annoying questions a few times), Sarra tries to converse. "So, Finn. I believe you were wondering at some point why I do the things I do. Is there anything in particular you are confused about?" News comes in that they have a visitor who is very well dressed, and Sarra pauses her training to at least see who it is. When she sees someone tall and dressed in something that Sarra might wear if she was allowed to wear actual flattering clothing, she heads down as well. "I wonder who that is?" She says aloud to no one in particular, though probably in earshot of Finn.
Rita Ma	Rita isn't quite subject to the regular training, but she comes by often enough anyway. Today she's just escorted Cheer and Soothe back to their apartment from a nice day at Apple Tree Island; she's dressed in her usual preppy-casual jacket-and-skirt, and a sketchbook is held under her arm as she trots back across the campus. Nonon didn't want anything from the City today, did she? Rita wracks her brains. Bota's still out on that expedition... so I'll have to cook tonight. Kana will just have burnt fish again if I let her. And-- That beautiful, sweet smell reaches her nose. Her train of thought disintegrates on impact. Gulp. On the one hand, there isn't much of it. Burning does help. On the other hand... it's not coming from the training floor, where she'd expect. So what gives? Suspiciously, Rita shuts her eyes, tilts her head back, and tries to sniff out its source. . . . This is the train of events that leads to her blindly turning the gatehouse corner and bumping directly into Sasha's chest. Thunk. "... Oh! Um, I'm really sorry!" the blonde girl sprawled back on the sidewalk says, after a slightly-concerning pause to try to blink her eyes into being less dilated. (She fails. They're still blown.) "If you're, um, hurt or anything, we can...!" Her picking-herself-up process is interrupted halfway by noticing Fiona too. Rita's experience with very elegant taller women showing up to her places of rest unannounced have, generally, been poor. "... You're not another Color, are you?" she asks warily, while still half-fumbleposed on the sidewalk. Only Rita could have that kind of grumpy tone about it.
Angela	Sasha reaches out to catch Rita, her hand juuust missing Rita's shoulder and grimacing as she hits the sidewalk. "Ah, Miss Rita--sorry. Tride to clear it up before I came in. You good?" She does crouch down to offer Rita a hand up, smiling faintly. "I burned it off before I came in. Next time I will stay back extra block, da? Want young Rita to be comfy, ya?" ''You're not another color, are you?'' Sasha exhales out a wheeze like she's using that to reverse parry counter a laugh. "No, no, remember I was sent to fetch Finn's big sister? Well, this is Finn's big sister. Was long trip, that's all. Train does not run here. And expensive." Fiona hesitates as she approaches. "Um...You must be... Lenny?" "Rita." Fiona's cheeks turn bright red. "Rita! I've heard so much about you in the letters--" MEANWHILE Finn doesn't hate Sarracenia! He doesn't seem to hate anybody. "Hm? Didn't you say you were an aspiring heroine?" Finn asks. "That seems simple enough to me. I get it. That's why I don't mind Grade 9 work, it really feels like you're helping. You should give it a try sometime. It might be beneath your GRade but there's nothing quite like returning a lost pet." He wipes sweat off his brow before Pete busts into the training hall. "Jeeze. Still at it?" Pete asks before remembering, "Oh shit, yeah--! Finn! Sasha's back! Your sister's with her!" Finn's eyes widen and, since he was already on doing extra sets, her puts his practice sword away, then follows Sarracenia's gaze out-- "Sis!" Finn's face breaks out into a wide grin. "C'mon Sarra, I'll introduce ya!" And with that he rushes downstairs, running to embrace Fiona who oofs and returns the embrace. "Ahh, Finn, Finn--it's been a while! You look good. And smell terrible."
Sarracenia	'That's why I don't mind Grade 9 work, it really feels like you're helping. You should give it a try sometime. It might be beneath your GRade but there's nothing quite like returning a lost pet.' Sarra hmphs softly, very slightly insulted. "I have yet to turn down a mission that has been offered to me. But, we have many Fixers in the lower ranks. I would not want to insult them by taking work away that I am over-qualified for. However, if you receive such a task and I am not otherwise engaged I would not mind accompanying you. You have been...pleasant." she says. Pete bursts in. Sarra turns to him, then looks at Finn at the mention of his sister. The princess blinks in surprise as Finn invites her along, and after a moment of shock she is quick to follow. It is an odd feeling, watching two siblings greet each other in such a way. As an only child with no cousins or other such family around her age (or just none that will associate with her), Sarra does not know what it is like. But, it does bring a soft smile to her face. It is the sort of thing she's read about in her storybooks, after all. She has imagined it, read about it, but never experienced it. The insult to Finn gives Sarra pause, but she assumes this is the 'sibling jab' and so does not say anything about it. She then notices Rita half-recovered on the ground. "...are you alright, Miss Rita?" Sarra asks before looking to Fiona. Sarra curtseys politely and smiles. "Greetings, Sister of Finn! I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew, Crown Princess of the Sundew Kingdom, Aspiring Heroine, Grade Six Fixer of Trideag. It is good to meet you. And, might I add, I love your dress! I usually wear red myself, but for some reason our association colors are..." Sarra gestures to herself. "...this."
Rita Ma	"O-oh. Right. I didn't know it was you, in particular... I'm sorry, Ms. Sasha. It's great to finally meet you, Ms. Fiona! I knew you must be amazing, but..." Rita struggles up to her feet with a little wobble. "Um...You must be... Lenny?" Being compared to a Rat, of course, is not an insult. Rita looks maybe a little flattered that she's blending in so well! "Oh, no. I'm-- "Rita." "Rita! I've heard so much about you in the letters--" Oh, no. Now it's her turn for her cheeks to turn pink. Her gaze snaps back to Finn and Sarra, who're just appearing. "He was gushing about me in the letters...?!" Poor girl... betrayed with flattery... "I'm fine," she tells Sarra while rubbing her own arm behind the huggy reunion, and physically it's the truth, and mentally... well, she'll survive the compliments somehow. Hmp-hm. "He's usually very well-kept," Rita insists, about the smell. It's as if she's defending the care of a houseplant. "We give him baths. I mean, there's baths here. It's just... well, you know, he's been working himself really, really hard. It's been an inspiration to me, too..."
Angela	''I would not want to insult them by taking work away that I am over-qualified for.'' "Aw, it's no insult. They'd be happy to work with you." Finn, oblivious, says. "Sure, next time I go cat-chasing, I'll letcha know!" He pauses. "It might be a dog." ''Greetings, Sister of Finn!'' "Um, you can call me Fiona, it's fine. I'm a--well I've got an office job now, but I'm an aspiring dancer." She brightens some at the complement on her dress. "Well, I wear all sorts of things, but this is my best dress. Did you say you were a princess? Hope you don't get tired slumming it with a buncha workers." "I think they're cool!" Finn says of the Association colors. ''I didn't know it was you, in particular.'' "Don't apologize, young Rita. You've done no harm to me." Though she surreptitiously rubs her chest a little with a wince when she thinks Rita isn't looking. ''He was gushing about me in the letters...?!'' "Yeah this little guy was going on and on about how you looked after Miss Knifty and those other Rats. He thinks so highly of you!" "Y-yeah, you caught me mid workout." Finn manages with a wince. Fiona nods along, though looks conflicted for a moment, as she says, "I'm glad you're enjoying it. Though ... I am working again, and I'm making enough to support us, you don't have to keep doing dangerous work." "Sis...." Finn says. "C'mon I can't abandon them now. They're still building themselves up. And they helped pay your medical bills. I owe them so much." "You earned those by working--" Fiona says, anxious. "I'm worried something will happen to you." "Weh..." Finn grimaces. "Maybe we can talk about this later. You don't really know Trideag yet right? Maybe Miss Rita can speak to you about our mission statement?" His eyes widen. "Oh snap1 The Code! The Code is so cool, it's on this badass monument and everything."
Sarracenia	'We give him baths. I mean, there's baths here.' Sarra can't help a slight giggle at how that comes out. She nods though when Rita mentions Finn's dedication. "Finn does his best whenever he does anything. And is quite amicable! It has been good working alongside him." 'Um, you can call me Fiona...' Sarra nods. "Fiona, then." she says with a smile. "Ah, 'slumming it' rarely gets old. But, I do try to keep from getting as...smelly." she says teasingly, attempting to join in the fun. The siblings have a discussion after that. Finn again displays his dedication, and Sarra lets out a soft 'hmm'. "If it helps, Fiona, Trideag has two of the most powerful beings in the City directing it, and many powerful Fixers in its ranks. Finn is perhaps as safe here as anywhere else in the City." Finn changes the subject to the mission statement and Code. Sarra lets out a soft 'mmph' of annoyance. She's fine with the mission, but the Code is derived from Lilian's knightly code so Sarra can't really like it. That it is on a monument is even worse. But, she still nods after a moment. "Yes, our mission is the whole reason I am here." she says, awaiting Rita's explanation of the mission and Code.
Rita Ma	Rita bows apologetically to Sasha, which turns out to be fortuitous, and also hides her face for a few more seconds so she can pretend it's not turning steadily redder. Actually, she can just-- Hold on-- (The chromatophores in the wrappings over her cheeks stop imitating the real blush underneath, and the red drains out of them.) There we go. Now nobody can tell she's embarrassed. Nevermind the looking-aside or fidgeting. "'Looked after' is a stretch, Ms. Fiona. I just tried to make sure they didn't die while they got the experience in," she says, which isn't entirely truthful. 5R ... Oh no. Friction about the job. "And Finn hasn't really needed any 'protecting' at all. I think he's really sensible, and he never bites off more than he can chew." While Rita nods, turns, and heads to the monument at the back of the lobby, she falls behind slightly to look at Finn- and Sarracenia, too- out of the corner of her eye. It's a sympathetic look. 'I've been there, too,' it's saying silently to him. And to her: 'Haven't you been coddled-and-caged-up before?' "I would've written it a little differently, but I do think the Code is good. The City understands Trideag's job as 'regulating outsiders', Ms. Fiona. But Ms. Rook understands it different. She likes to feel like she's helping people, and building something." A nicely-rephrased version of things she's said before about how Lilian's bad at being a billionaire. The lobby's doors open, and... "There it is. I like twelve and thirteen, especially."
Angela	The Color Fixers, the Stars of the City, the various monsters--all pale in comparision to the danger of a concerned sibling who is worried about her brother getting MURDERED doing some Association job. Fiona doesn't quite have the same idealism that Finn has. But she still cared about looking good for his bosses? Well she knows it's a fine thread to walk. Fiona bites at the inside of her lip to learn how well Finn is getting along with his coworkers. That's great! Amazing!! If she wasn't trying to get him to quit. She was sort of hoping that his relationship with his coworkers wasn't as good as he made it out to be. Fiona visibly relaxes when Sarracenia uses her name but she's still wary. She thinks she sees an avenue of attack with hte Code since this princess seems to have an issue with it but her agreement with the ''Mission'' makes it hard for her to really see an avenue forward. Maybe after hse sees the Code. "I heard there are children here and you've babysat them?" Fiona asks. She's not asking about tentacles so maybe Finn left that part out of his letters. "The most powerful people in The City," Fiona says, oblivious that one of them is right here. "They can't always be around..." "Oh but Lilian makes sure only the appropriately prepared people are sent to each mission. I don't think we've even lost anyone down." "You're growing your hair out." "You noticed?" Finn beams. "It's nice right?" "Of course--" Fiona says, frowning thoughtfully before looking over to Rita. "I...I'm glad to hear that. But it's still a dangerous job, sin't it?" Oh it's coming from a sincere place. A worried place, but Finn's cheeks are a little pink from embarrassment and he glances over to Rita. He sees the look. "Aha..Well it is true that I've fallen a bit behind but I'm working hard." Finn says. ''The code.'' Fiona's eyes are drawn to twelve and thirteen first. Her head is bobbing up and down a little, her eyes holding on that last line for the longest--and then she goes ahead and looks up and down the other eleven codes, you know, just in case. "Some of these seem a bit saber-rattling more than rules, but I like that last one too." She begrudgingly admits. "I'm not saying the mission is important, and I'm not even saying--he couldn't work here, but..." She exhales. "Fixer work is dangerous. He started to support me. If something happened--" "We're helping a lot more people now. We're talking of reaching out and forming affiliate offices too." Finn beams. "I want to be as brave and cool as you, sis. I...understand if I'm not there yet, but I'll keep working on it." Fiona looks like she's been shot in the heart and looks to Rita again. "What are you building?" She asks, then looks to Sarracenia. "What's the 'Mission'...? Helping people? But how?"
Sarracenia	Sarra catches the sympathetic look, but seems confused by it. She just misses what Rita is trying to say there. Still, Sarra appreciates sympathy and so offers Rita a small smile after. 'I like twelve and thirteen, especially.' Depite walking past the monument pretty often, Sarra doesn't have these rules memorized. She looks at 12 and 13, then hmms softly. "While I do like 12, 13 I have a bit of issue with. If we followed that one to the letter, Bisu would have been lost. As would Ariel and...um..." Oh dear what is the other one's name. Sarra coughs lightly to try and distract from her bad memory. "But yes, overall I would agree. It is why mindless monsters that exist only to kill are exempt from my personal 'no killing' rule." 'The City understands Trideag's job as 'regulating outsiders', Ms. Fiona. But Ms. Rook understands it different. She likes to feel like she's helping people, and building something.' 'What's the 'Mission'...? Helping people? But how?' "The City -assigned- us that job, if I recall correctly. Because we are outsiders ourselves. But, that is only our job as the City sees it. Our actual job, our mission, is to improve the City and help its people." Sarra says, confirming Fiona's thoughts. "The how is fairly straightforward. Take this District, for instance. We work to remove threats to the common folk, secure safe areas for them, and help them better themselves through community service and education." A bit ironic considering how much Sarra has neglected her own education. "In this fashion, we give people hope. In giving them hope, we give them strength and resolve. Even we at Trideag can only do so much. It must be the people of the City who ultimately fix the City. We are just their guiding stars and protectors while they work toward that goal." Sarra says, seeming quite confident in all of it. 'What are you building?' Though not directed at her, Sarra looks to Fiona. "What are we building? We are building a better future for everyone in the City. One brick at a time."
Rita Ma	"I heard there are children here..." "Mmm! Mostly I've babysat Cheer and Soothe. They're Solace's kids, and they're really sweet..." Rita reminisces in front of the memorial, hand on her cheek for a second. "She's really nice to trust me, and all." Huh. What's that mean? "I don't think we've even lost anyone..." Another, more solemn "mmm". She steps behind Finn, leaving the two of them to face the monument alone. "While some of our Fixers have been injured over the last year, Ms. Fiona, no-one's ever died. All of the Elites here care about the City Fixers very much, and the medical care is really good. Finn's had to work extra-hard because he doesn't want augmentations, but that means he's a good judge of his own abilities, too." "I can't guarantee there won't be a first time someday, but... there are more dangerous jobs out there. If I can ask, Ms. Fiona, where do you work now?" She squeezes Finn's hand while Fiona's looking at Sarracenia, trying to give him a little boost. ("Neptune," she gives for the third mermaid's name, like a hush-hush stage prompt.) Rita smiles approvingly through Sarra's explanation, but she does feel the need to get a little more concrete: "Trideag's activities include 'slaying disruptive monsters', 'providing humanitarian aid', 'supplying capital and technology for local industries', and 'pro bono Fixer work in crises or for citizens in distress'." This is the most corpo-heiress-speak Rita's had to get in a while. "... In other words, we're trying to remove the obstacles that keep the people of the City from taking care of each other. 'That which cares nothing for your life'... it doesn't just mean individuals, you know." That settles with a pause. And then, a little more probingly: "... What kind of person are you hoping Finn will become, Ms. Fiona?"
Angela	''If we followed that one to the letter, ?Bisu would have been lost.'' "Mm... I'd say Bisu, Ariel, and Neptune-if you really think about it--they were preyed on." Finn says to Sarracenia. "There's some room for interpretation with the Code, which I think is good? You don't want to be so rigid that you're like 'well technically the Code says'. It's there to protect us and keep us honorable--but they didn't choose to become mermaids, you know?" "I'm more worried about the monsters with minds. " Fiona says. "The ones that look like humans." She looks to Rita, obliviously. "You know. Profit-mongerers." Oh whew. ''Because we are outsiders ourselves.'' "But there's a lot of locals too! Honestly, aha--I think the Outsiders might coddle us a little, but I guess that's natural as a part of us being much more varied in Grade than the Outsiders are." Fiona doesn't seem particularly convinced by 'hope'--she is a City citizen after all, and even strength and resolve are something she's skeptical on. She is the sort of person who thinks these are pretty words that people use to get people like her brother killed. Fixing the City ... how many people have said that? But a better future, that's ... strangely something she hasn't heard much at all despite its similaritry to 'Fixing the City'. Maybe because the term Fixer is related to that. "I won't tell your boss what you said about the Thirteenth though." Fiona says. ''She's really nice to trust me, and all.'' "I'd like to." Fiona admits. "But I couldn't forgive myself..." She trails off, giving Rita more room to talk. Finn reaches out and touches the monument with his hand. He seems fond of Three and Two. Or maybe all. "I...it's you know. You're locked in. Even if I can afford them now, they're hard to update or change..." Finn stammers, apparently this might be a point of contention between the two of them. ''Where do you work now?'' "Ahm...Well, it's just--office work back at--well I'm in District 16 but it's a K Corp office. I don't work for them directly, it's a subsidiary of a subsidiary, but it's mostly making sure the Helapoiesis gets to where it's needed. Sometimes there are shortages..." She doesn't exactly seem happy with the work. "I'm lucky to have a job there and aren't using my time in the hospital against me." Finn feels a squeeze and he looks over to Rita. He smiles at her and squeezes back. Despite his occassional grimaces, he seems to think Rita is the one asking for comfort here!? ''What kind of person are you hoping Finni will become, Ms. Fiona?'' Fiona is caught off guard. "H--huh?" Her own cheeks redden again. "...I think he's fine just the way he is. He doesn't need to become better--he's the best brother I've got, my only brother..." "But--I think I can be better, sis." Finn says. "More...what I want to be, like you did." Fiona flinches and then exhales. "I just don't want to lose him."
Sarracenia	'She's really nice to trust me, and all.' Sarra hmphs, arms crossed. "Anyone who does not trust you is just misinformed." Sarra's life has been in Rita's hands many times now, one of which Sarra was sure she might actually die. 'Neptune' "Neptune!" Sarra blurts out suddenly, then blushes a bit herself. "...the last of the three Mermaids we rescued." she elaborates for Fiona. "Bisu was able to be returned to almost normal. Ariel is...manageable. And even Neptune is somewhat like a rowdy pet. It proved that those taken by the Whale might not be lost forever, and I intend for us to find a way to save all of those that have been transformed by that monster." 'I'm more worried about the monsters with minds.' Sarra frowns lightly at that and nods. "They are the main obstacle..." Sarra says, but doesn't say anything further. 'I won't tell your boss what you said about the Thirteenth though.' Sarra hmphs haughtily. "She knows I have an issue with some of her Codes." Sarra says, then hesitates as she recalls Lilian saying something about not disrespecting the Codes again or something. "...but...I appreciate it." she adds. 'She doesn't seem happy with the work...' Sarra raises an eyebrow at Fiona, then smiles a bit impishly. "...perhaps you should come work for Trideag as well, Fiona. We have many jobs that are not Fixer-related. There are plenty of papers to be pushed around here, supplies that need to be restocked...perhaps we could even arrange for dance recitals. I personally am a classically trained dancer as part of my fighting style. It would be fun to have dance classes with you, I think." Sarra waits a moment, then leans forward conspiratorially, "...and you would be able to keep an eye on Finn. Help protect him a bit better, hm?" she says in an equally conspiratorial voice. She leans back and smiles before returning to a normal tone. "Not to mention you would be working for an association that cares about people instead of seeing them as a resource to exploit."
Rita Ma	"I'm more worried about the monsters with minds." "Eheh..." Rita smiles a deeply nervous smile. "The ones that look like humans." "Eheheh...!" Her hands come up pleadingly. "You know." "Um...!" "Profit-mongerers." "The bourg--? Oh, thank goodness," she says, slumping in relief. "I...it's you know. You're locked in." Rita nods sympathetically at Finn. "I'm not going to discourage you. You know, my brother and sister are both really great heroes, and they don't have 'augments' there either." Except the kind Rita has, but shhh! "He doesn't need to become better..." Rita's small frown says how she feels about that. She shakes her head sadly at Sarracenia, a second later: that's a nice idea, but she doesn't seem to think it's practical. You can't just ask everyone to uproot their lives. "Ms. Fiona. When I was growing up... I always felt useless," she starts slowly, looking to Finn for his approval. "Everyone else in my family is so amazing, but I felt like a burden on them. I wasn't as strong and talented as they are." "Because I could never pay them back, I started feeling like... someone like me could only 'deserve' their care by doing reckless things. I started trying to sacrifice myself, more and more. And... I think that Finn got a taste of being 'useful' like you, and I think he's worried that it's going to be taken away, and..." Her frown presses into a line. Grumpily, she steps in, taps them both on the shoulder, and then nudges them to face each other. "You're both being selfish," she manages to cough up, without explaining herself. "Fiona, he needs to be his own person, not just what you want. Finn, it's not 'free' to worry your big sister like this! ... She's not normally so bossy, honest. But this seems to have struck a nerve.
Angela	''Anyone who does not trust you is just misinformed.'' "Well ...some people are just slow to trust." Finn reasons. "We know Rita so it's easy, but back then I imagine Solace wouldn't have known her so well. Rita must've made a good impression real fast." ''She knows I have issue with some of her Codes.'' "Um...haha..." Fiona manages, feeling awkward. Fioana isn't really sure why she's already hearing about interpersonal conflict between the Director and one of her Fixers. "W-well I guess it isn't my business." ''Perhaps you should come work for Trideag as well.'' "Ahahah... I have a job. That's very kind of you to offer but Finn worked hard so I could stay in a Nest despite my medical bills... I'm not, um, interested in joining a war zone just yet?" ''My brother and sister are both really great heroes.'' Finn's eyes widen hopefully. "Oh yeah...! I've never met them. Are they as strong as you, Rita? What're they like? Your brother and sister are .... older right? Am I remembering right?" There is a quiet tension between the two of them, certainly, despite them having very high opinions of one another. It seems that having high opinions of one another doesn't stop having differences of opinion and that difference of opinion starting to rot without a clear step forward. ''You're both being selfish.'' Fiona and Finn are pushed to look at each other. Finn's ears pinken and he looks back down at his feet. Fiona watches him for a moment then takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Well-" "I mean--" "I wasn't trying--" "But I didn't--" "Maybe I've been worrying too much." "...And maybe I haven't been worrying enough." This rapid-fire exchange passes between them before Finn swallows and adds, "I didn't want to worry you. I don't want to worry you. I just don't know how to ... not worry you." "You're my brother I'm always going to worry." Fiona says. "I understand you don't want augmentation but I'd feel better if you had better protection than just your instinct and your teammates. You're not always going to be with them, and some things you can't anticipate. Sometimes I feel you don't appreciate how dangerous this all is." "I...I know it's dangerous, I just--want to dwell on what's good." Finn rubs at his neck. "I'm sorry for not figuring ... not figuring it out." "I'm sorry...for pressuring you to leave. I can tell this is important to you." Fiona looks over to Rita, embarrassed. "And sorry for making you jump in like that."
Sarracenia	With her negative opinion of the City, Sarra might not even consider that people have lives they would care not to uproot. Why would you stay somewhere terrible when you could come to Trideag and be with your brother? So, when Rita shakes her head and Fiona turns Sarra down flat, Sarra is a bit stunned. She is quiet a few moments, then hmphs softly and crosses her arms before looking off to the side a bit self-consciously. "...I see..." She doesn't really see. 'My brother and sister are both really great heroes.' Sarra turns to Rita curiously. She also has heard little to nothing about Sarra's family. "Both great heroes? Then, they are like you?" Sarra says without really thinking. 'You're both being selfish' Sarra's one visible eye blinks at that before she looks at Rita then at the siblings. There is another cute sibling moment that causes Sarra to smile softly. When they apologize to each other and Rita, Sarra nods lightly. "Well...it sounds like it is settled, then! But, I think I can confidently say that you are welcome here anytime, Miss Fiona. Since you have come all this way, perhaps we should arrange for a meal to give you and Finn plenty of time to catch up. Will you be staying the night? I am sure we could arrange quarters for you here."
Rita Ma	Rita has enough time, while Finn and Fiona are talking to each other, to shrink in on herself nervously. Her hands slide from both of their shoulders and fold in front of herself, thumbs twiddling. Why'd I just grab them like that?? Rita, you can't let your personal feelings steer you. You don't know how like your family they are. What if-- Just as she's receding into the background, Fiona looks at her. Rita reflexively puts her hands up. "Um! I'm sorry, for-" Huh? They're thanking her, or something? Rita locks up for a second to recalibrate. Uh... "... It's, it's okay, Ms. Fiona! You both love each other a lot, it's just--" Difficult swallow. She looks to Sarracenia, considers tagging her in just to get the spotlight off herself, and then remembers the princess is an only child. Shit. "--you can't let 'wanting your loved ones to be happy' get in the way of talking about difficult things, right? We've all got to go through uncomfortable talks sometimes, too. And that's also a form of love! ... Um, if that makes any sense." At this point she's not sure it does. Rita wobbles on her feet for a moment. Asserting herself that firmly, and then emergency-recalibrating, has drained her. Sitting on the edge of the reception desk, she weaves her way back around to a more familiar topic: "Are they as strong as you, Rita? What're they like? Your brother and sister are .... older right?" "Both great heroes? Then, they are like you?" "Well, um, it's not like I'm sparring with them or anything... but I still think Kana's pretty scary." It's hard to be scared of Bota regardless of his achievements. "They're both older, yeah. I... wouldn't say they're much like me at all. They're pretty famous, um, 'monster-hunters'. I think both of them felt like, if they couldn't protect me from the world, they were letting me down... but 'the world' catches up with everyone, you know?" "Anyone who does not trust you is just misinformed." And, eventually, an embarrassed-mumbly retort: "I do kill bad people sometimes, Ms. Sarracenia. Some people shouldn't 'trust' me." She looks up, face leaving her cheek-squished knee, and has a belated thought: "Finn, what are some of the things you like about Ms. Fiona especially? I mean, she seems really amazing to me, but I wanna hear your own words. You want to be like her, right? So..." Maybe that'd give a better idea of what 'being like her' really means.
Angela	Fiona and Finn are broadly ob livious of Sarracenia's feelings about being an only child. Frankly, despite Sarracenia always introducing herself as a princess, they don't really see her as one. It's not even really because they don't like her, because Finn does like her and Fiona, well, she hasn't formed an opinion yet but if you are the princess of a country seventeen worlds over or whatever, it's not really relevant to their every day lives! Tamamo gets away with it more in The City because of cultural remnants within the City itself, but it's not like they worry that if Sarracenia is upset at the City enough she'll launch an invasion or that she'd be seen as an honored guest by The Head. The Head wouldn't do that, and why would anyone want to try and take over this place? ''A meal!'' "Meal would be good." Sasha says. She hasn't been saying anything! But she says something now. "Ceri said lodgings for the visitor were already prepared." Sasha sips from her thermos. "Even I can't do that trip two times in one day without rest. And hoping it isn't just a one day visit either. Lots of work for one day." "I can't stay too long I have to get back to work. But I have set aside a week." "That's great." Finn smiles. He notices that Rita seems uncomfortable and adds, "Um. Sorry for pulling you into the middle of this." They didn't, exactly, Rita stepped in on her own! But he feels like they did. ''Um, if that makes any sense.'' "No no, it does!" Fiona insists. "Please don't stress." But she seems curious about Rita's siblings and she sort of nods along in the way one might nod along upon hearing about, well, a Fixer from a storybook or something like that. ''The world catches up with everyone you know?'' "Ah... You're right." Fiona says. "I guess I was feeling the same way. No wonder you jumped in." She jumps a little upon hearing Rita kills people but, well, she knows that's what Fixers do. It's just not really near her life. She covers her face with her hand. "Ahh.. I almost forgot you're all FIxers...!" ''What are some of the things you like about Ms. Fiona especailly?'' Finn's eyes widen as Rita just drags that out in front of his sister. He sputters awkwardly. "I...just... I mean. She knows what she wants to be, I don't know what I want to be, so I think it's cool of her she worked so hard to make that happen. When someone close to you really has everything together like that and is making it happen, isn't that just super cool, you know?" He is doing his best to avoid looking at his sister. "I mean I think it's cool. It's not easy to take on that kind of expense either... And she came all the way over here to see me, that's really nice--"
Sarracenia	Sarra blinks as Rita looks at her, and not knowing what Rita is thinking she just offers a reassuring smile. She listens to what Rita says, nodding lightly every now and then. As they wait for the siblings to list things they like about each other, Sarra considers the other thing Rita said. Rita saying she kills bad people doesn't surprise Sarra. The princess was on the receiving end of those killings for a week. "...well, I think bad people being unable to trust you is a good thing in some ways. And even they can trust you in a certain way. Sure, you might try to destroy them, but you won't do make them suffer unduly. And..." The princess brings her hands up and clasps them in front of her chest in an earnest gesture of gratitude. A princessly gesture, but one that Sarra has rarely if ever used. "...you may even give them a chance to become better people instead of destroying them." Sarra doesn't consider herself a bad person, but Rita did (or maybe still does) and yet seems to have forgiven Sarra. Sarra is pretty used to not being treated like a princess in worlds other than her own. She still appreciates when people do, but she doesn't expect it. And if she ever does meet The Head she is just as likely to try and smack him or her with her hammer as anything else. 'Meal would be good.' Sarra nods in agreement, though seems surprised that quarters have already been arranged. "Oh! Excellent! A week is a good amount of time." Talk goes back to siblings and apologies and Finn starts talking about his sister's good qualities. It is Sarra's turn to look a bit uncertain. She doesn't really have anything she can add to such a discussion, and doesn't want to interrupt Rita and the siblings talking about things. She rubs at one of her arms and just stands quietly, listening to the others. The princess really isn't sure what to do when she isn't nosing her way into things or attention-seeking.
Rita Ma	It's hard to tell what Rita thinks of Sarracenia. Maybe she just doesn't care, for now, to figure out whether Sarra is a 'good person' or a 'bad person'; and what's left is Rita's natural pleasant neutrality. Her lips wobble humorously. "Miss Sarracenia," she says, a little teasing and a little embarrassed, "I don't think saying I 'destroy' people is going to help anybody relax, right now." "I almost forgot you're all Fixers...!" Oh noooo! Is Fiona going to think her adorable little brother's a bloodsoaked killer by association with Rita now?? "I-- it's fine, Ms. Fiona. I'm, sort of a weirdo anyway, so..." Oh, god. If she can only save Finn by damning herself, she's got to jump on that grenade...! She can make Finn suffer some embarrassment though. "When someone close to you really has everything together like that and is making it happen, isn't that just super cool, you know?" "You're right. She seems really... dynamic, and focused, and confident. I can see where you get that earnest and hard-working attitude from, too, Mr. Finn. Or, maybe she got that one from you...?" Rita seems about to nudge the two of them into another round of compliments-and-bonding, but they have a week for that, and Sarra's idling anyways. "Ms. Sarracenia. You know Trideag pretty well, and you're good at event-planning things, right? Why don't you write up some activities the two of them could try while Ms. Fiona's here, and they can see which ones sound nice...?" It's a little vacation, after all! You can't spend all of it sitting around.
Angela	Sasha has also noticed that Sarracenia seems to be feeling a little out of place and nudges her a little with her foot. "You play cards?" She asks which seems out of nowhere but is probably an attempt to ground her. Sarracenia's experiences with the Liu Association might suggest that while some forces within these Associations and Offices and the like will stab one another in the back as soon as anything, there is also a determined fostering of communities within those Associations. Xiao is only a Director of the South Section of Liu but she runs a tight ship in that regard by all appearances. "Everyone's bad sometimes. But some people are immune to the consequences." She has another long gulp of coffee from her thermos. She barely emotes more than Angela and Solace, but it seems to be more a serious personality than a determined choice or inability. ''I'm sort of a weirdo anyway.'' "Oh honey..." Fiona says, resting a hand on Rita's shoulder. "Some people at the office said I was a weirdo too but you shouldn't say it like that about yourself." She doesn't know. "You're proud of what you've done too aren't you?" She may be misunderstanding the situation a bit but embarrassment can be thrown around in all directions. "Ahah...." Finn's face is now bright red. "Come on, I'm just imitating her I'm not-- Aha... I should actually make sure her room is ready...!" He spins around on a foot robotically and marches that-a-way. "He's still so shy..." Fiona says. "Oh that's a good idea. I'm sure you know all sorts of activities."
Sarracenia	'Miss Sarracenia, I don't think saying I 'destroy' people is going to help anybody relax, right now.' Sarra blinks, then giggles a bit and shrugs. "Why not? Destroying bad people is rarely a bad thing. I may not kill people myself, but I do not hold it against someone if a bad person gives no other choice." 'When someone close to you really has everything together like that and is making it happen, isn't that just super cool, you know?' 'You're right. She seems really... dynamic, and focused, and confident. I can see where you get that earnest and hard-working attitude from, too, Mr. Finn. Or, maybe she got that one from you...?' Sarra nods in agreement. "I feel like even as a Grade Six I have been inspired a bit by your hard work, Finn!" 'You play cards?' Sarra meeps softly at the nudge before looking at Sasha. "Cards? Well, I would not say it is my strong suit...er...pun not intended?" She giggles softly. "But, I do know how, yes. There is little else to do during downtimes on my Liu training days. When I am not fighting off hazing." 'You're all Fixers...' 'I'm sort of a weirdo anyway' 'Oh honey..." Fiona says, resting a hand on Rita's shoulder. "Some people at the office said I was a weirdo too but you shouldn't say it like that about yourself. You're proud of what you've done too aren't you?' Sarra again nods in agreement. "Besides, there is nothing wrong with being a bit of a weirdo. If we were normal, we likely would be neither Multiversal elites -or- Fixers." she says with a smile. 'Ms. Sarracenia. You know Trideag pretty well, and you're good at event-planning things, right? Why don't you write up some activities the two of them could try while Ms. Fiona's here, and they can see which ones sound nice...?' One might think that Sarra would leap at such an invitation. Unfortunately...the consensus seems to have been that Sarra is terrible at event planning. So, when Rita suggests that Sarra plan the week for them, Sarra lets out a squeaky 'uwah?!' before fidgeting. "O-oh! W-well...I am...sure I could arrange for some fun activities! Ahahaha! I am a princess, after all~" She builds up some bravado by the end, but the first part is definitely hesitant and uncertain. And her body language is still hesitant and uncertain at the end, despite her trying to hide it. 'Oh that's a good idea. I'm sure you know all sorts of activities.' Sarra laughs, a bit forced. "O-of course I do! Dozens of activities!" Not that many people have enjoyed her activities, and the one that she knows people enjoy has to be used only sparingly within the City. She can't just bring her airships in willy nilly. The princess definitely doesn't look worried now. Not at all. "W-what sort of activities do you and your brother like?"
Rita Ma	"Mmp-!" Rita startles a little when Fiona puts her hand on her shoulder, staring at it. Come on. Everyone's praising her, and Sarra's talking about her 'destroying' people, and now a very tall pretty woman is touching her reassuringly anyway, and- It's just very confusing, okay! "I'm...!" Come to think of it, Rita has done some good things lately, hasn't she? Even in the City. "... Yeah. I guess I do have to be proud. Thank you, Ms. Fiona. Why would people at the office say that? You seem really amazing." Finn's gone, tragically. Rita shoots a confused-grateful look at Sasha in his absence. "That's... true, I guess. Most people can't get away with it forever, and the ones who do... um, sorry, I really don't mean to be beating up on myself in front of everybody." Rita's not oblivious. She does notice that Sarra's clearly fumbling for activities. Mercifully, she has her own deep, deep well of Event Ideas! "Don't worry, Ms. Sarra! They could just go fishiiinnn--" Rita remembers what Charybdis looked like looming up at her out of the darkness of the lake. Gulp. "... I mean, we have tennis!"