[Day: The same day as the picnic.] [Time: 7:00.] [Hotaru has finished eating her dinner. Ten doesn't eat, so that's a non-issue. They're heading over to meet with Roseli Tavares, who said she wanted to see them in her office... not, she pointed out, about their German. Probably.] [But just to "talk". Whatever that means.] [Her door is closed! But probably unlocked. "Roseli Tavares" is on a little plaque on the front. Dr. Engels' office is next to hers, but thankfully, it doesn't sound like Keiko's in there.] [Minisession Start.] * Hotaru walks down the hall, still in the white sundress, but her skin has picked up a decidedly reddish tinge and her normal lack of an expression has been replaced with a faint scoul. She balances her tray on he left hand while she knocks with her right. Ms. Tavares? Come in. * Hotaru opens the door and walks in. My priestess has problem. * Roseli is already looking up from a few sheets of paper in an open folder in front of her. To her right is a mug, probably of coffee, and the coffee machine is at work over by the sill. The office doesn't look much different from the last few times Ten and Hotaru have been in there, though paperwork does seem to be piling up - it's at least in stacks, and the file cabinet's partway open, probably for the same reason. [There are a few - as in, four or five - books on the shelves, and no pictures or anything like that to speak of. Rose has brought in a carpet, though, a couple of potted plants, and a small stand that sits in a cleared out spot on the desk in front of one of the chairs on Hotaru's side... probably to put Ten's tray on. Homey!] Close the door and sit down. Good to see an expression, even though it's not a happy one. What's the problem? * Hotaru closes the door, puts Ten down on the second chair and then gingerly sits down in her own, occsionaly kneeding her legs. Her skin itches, and changed color. It distracts her. * Roseli peers, then makes a faint 'ah'. "Sunburn." * Ten blinks. "What?" You don't know what sunburn is? * Roseli reaches to her right and opens a drawer in her desk, looking through it. * Ten shakes her head. "No, is com... is it common?" Yes. Stay out in the sun too long, and it can cause a rash. It often tans first, though. That doesn't hurt. Different people sunburn at different rates. You burn quickly. Good to know, so we can do something about it. Yes she does. * Roseli pulls out a couple of tubes of cream and slides them over to the girl(s). She taps the first. "Sunblock. Rub some on, especially your face and neck, before going out in bright sun for more than an hour." * Hotaru takes them while Ten watches. Will it work now? * Roseli smiles a little. "You're not in the sun, so no. It's preventive. But." * Roseli taps the other. "This one will soothe the itching, prevent peeling, and help you heal faster. You'll be better in a day or two." That is good. It is. Do you like hot chocolate? * Hotaru uncaps the second tube and squeezes a little into her hand. I don't eat. * Roseli nods and looks at the other girl. "Hotaru, do you like hot chocolate?" (Take out the contraction) * Ten looks at Hotaru as she starts to rub it on her arms. "She doesn't know." * Roseli nods. "We'll find out." She stands and heads to her coffee maker, pouring some dark liquid into the mug next to it. That done, she returns and slides it to Hotaru. * Ten glances at Roseli and then Hotaru reaches for the cup with her left hand. "How hot?" Warm. I wanted to make sure it doesn't burn your tongue. * Ten glances at Hotaru. "She thanks you." You're welcome. * Hotaru lifts the cup to her lips and takes a very small sip. * Roseli slides back into her seat. * Hotaru trembles for a moment, and her eyebrows rise above her sunglassses. (Gah, ended in English) * Roseli smiles. "I'm glad. There's more in the pot if you'd like it. Think of it as dessert and a reward for being good today." * Ten stares a Roseli for a long moment, and then Hotaru takes another small sip. * Hotaru starts to take a third, but abruptly puts it down and picks up the second tube again. It works well. * Roseli picks up her own mug and has a drink from it, then says, "Good." * Hotaru squirts it into her right hand and finishes up her left arm. So. I'd like you to tell me a little about yourself. Think of this as a background check; I want to know where you've been and what you've done before I came here. * Hotaru then takes her glasses off and, yes, just like the file said, she has no eyes, simply creases in her skin where her closed eyes would be. She also has a band of non-burned skin from her glasses. She starts to apply lotion to the burnt parts. * Ten nods. "I do not know all the words I need in German." * Roseli tilts her head. She doesn't look disgusted; just interested. Try English, then. (Does not know) I see. Then you were created by this Shumacher? I see. And what are you, then? * Roseli has another sip of coffee. * Ten points at her face. She point at Hotaru, who has by now finished her face. and squeezing lotion onto her left hand. * Roseli hms and nods. "It sounds like you should be grateful. If not for her, you wouldn't exist as a goddess." * Ten nods. * Roseli nods, vaguely pleased. "Now, would you mind telling me about what you can do? I have your file, but I'd like to hear it from yourself." What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are? * Ten nods. I see. You're very powerful, but yes, we do need to work on both finesse and your ability to handle situations without crutches. * Roseli taps at her desk. "Because they will happen." * Ten nods. * Hotaru finishes applying lotion and takes the mug again. Without powers, now. What would you say you need to work on, and what are you good at? * Ten blinks. * Roseli shakes her head. I meant social skills, knowledge, and so on. * Ten shakes her head back. Then that's another thing we'll work on. On this side of things, after you're finished with German, we'll move on to general knowledge and 'fitting in'. You need to be able to handle yourself in society. * Ten nods. "If that wha... is what you want, she will." I do. Remember, no crutches. * Ten nods. "We will learn." Good, good. * Roseli pulls out a pack of gum. "Now, your teammates. What do you think of them, and what do you think of the other guardians?" Brief pause. "For that matter, honestly, what do you think of me?" * Ten looks at Roseli. "You seem better than priest, but annoying when you talk to priestess and not me. Heinrick is like priest, only obsessing different. Gottlieb I do not know. Keiko could be strong ally, but she does not listen to me. Luana is ... friendly. A good person, and only one that talks to me." You like Luana, then? * Ten nods. "Yes. She does nothing I dislike." How is Heinrick like your priest, and is that a good thing? He seems after one thing, and only that matters. Is good when that is good, and bad when something else wa... is wanted. * Roseli nods. "Good observation. Now, Keiko. How is she strong, and do you know why she doesn't listen?" * Ten tilts her head. "She can talk in peoples heads, control animals, has strong personality. She thinks she ... is right at all time." You find this annoying? She does not belive when wrong. Does not listen when explain... * Ten looks at Roseli. "What tense do I use?" You're using present, right now. * Ten nods. "Does not listen when I explain, and still talk in Hotaru's mind." I see. Have you found spending time with her every morning helps? * Ten shakes her head. "We are fine until she doesn't want to speak with her mouth, better for last days." Then it is helping, as far as that goes. Yes. You girls are going to have to work together. That means tolerating and later trusting each other. I draw the line at Keiko talking in your head if you don't want her to, and I understand when you find her smug or annoying. * Ten nods, and her voice sounds happier. "Good." Over in her chair Hotaru is relaxing with a lukewarm cup of chocolate. But you need to watch what behavior provokes her and try to adjust and control that. * Roseli smiles a little. "Because sometimes, you can also be smug or annoying." With luck, you can get her to listen to you eventually. * Ten nods. "I will try not to provoke her." * Roseli nods and reaches over to her side, picking up a notebook and flipping to a fresh page. "You'll have mastered German well enough for us to move on to other things soon. I'm going to start splitting days into combat and non combat training, with one free day a week. Potentially more if you're progressing faster than expected. We'll try things out for a while until we find a schedule that works well for you." * Ten nods. "As you want." I'm pleased with your work ethic, by the way. If I had that kind of diligence when I was your age... well, I'd probably be here anyway, but much more accomplished in the process. * Ten shrugs. "I can do nothing if I know nothing." Just remember that, on some level, we all know nothing. I will try. I'll give you your new schedule tomorrow morning. You can go if you wish, though you're welcome to have more hot chocolate to take to your room. * Ten looks at Hotaru and then Roseli before nodding. "As reward for good serivce." * Hotaru holds out the empty cup, and her skin is noticably less red. The future makes good stuff. * Roseli smiles and rises to her feet, refilling Hotaru's mug. Hot chocolate from THE FUTURE! *** Brett (vortex@pool-141-158-156-133.scr.east.verizon.net) has joined channel #MC4 *** Mode change "+o Brett" on channel #MC4 by ChanServ (Hi Brett! You... uh... just caught the end.) * Hotaru takes the mug back and takes a sip. Then she freezes. * Ten 's shoulders slump and she glares at Hotaru. * Hotaru nods and finishes drinking. ( Cool, I'm not planning on paying attention anyhow! ) * Hotaru puts the cup down, picks up Ten's tray, stands up, and then puts the chocolate on, it's like a very small towers of hanoi puzzel! I will return to the room now. * Roseli nods. "Very good." I'll see you in the morning. * Hotaru opens the door with her free hand and goes out. [Minisession End!]