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TEA-ROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
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Rondelethia: Rondelethia wasn't one to go to the bar, however, occasionally she took some time off to settle in a rather nice little place, and take some artisinal tea, and a nice eclair. It was relaxing, and she could read a periodical on the local events of no-import, and in general, just..not worry about business.
Elizabeth walks in, the well-dressed skunk looking more confident than she is, still feeling half-naked from her complete lack of magic but trying her best to not have it show too much. Her dress is certainly of the better-than-you style of upper-class Sarn, although one could on closer look see a bit of... roughness, to her features. She sits down at a table near Rondelethea, getting herself a strongly smelling tea.
Rondelethia was familiar with that sort of dress, and that..mode of baring, and had a reflexive moving to a more formal posture. "Good afternoon" She nods politely from her tea, moving her hands to that she was holding it more 'correctly' "I hope the day finds you well" There was another brief pause, of mild recognition, Rondelethia felt like she had seen her before..but where?
Elizabeth blinks and looks up, correcting her own posture ever-so-slightly as well: "Oh? Hello. It does, indeed. How about you?"
Rondelethia: "Everything is good. Business is well" Earning money through business!? It was a minor rebellious statement, abet pointed at one she took to not have earned her riches...rather than one who wasn't earning at all. The most subtle of social jabs though. She wasn't ashamed of her status as 'new money', and wouldn't be mocked for it.
Elizabeth nods, musing to her tea: "Good to hear. Business going well is always good, even if I myself am long retired." This statement certainly sounds weird coming from someone who looks to be barely in her thirties, but at the same time comes with a level of confidence hard to find at such age...
Rondelethia: Well, of course, minor nobility would have retired early! They never had to work at all. Rondelethia didn't judge, she had learned that people born to such things couldn't see how their position was..unique, and she seemed genuine "How goes your retirement? Spending your free time well?"
Elizabeth shrugs slightly, glancing at the rabbit: "Here and there. Coming from a big city, less things to do in Respite, perhaps. But I appreciate the quiet, all the same."
Rondelethia wasn't really giving anything away. She didn't know who the Lady was, and so, couldn't show 'weakness' (in this case, weakness being 'basic emotions') "I can see how this place is quieter, but I've found that I've got a lot to do. There's much more freedom out here. None of the established players after all"
Elizabeth has perhaps way less to give away at this point, both because of decades of being on the top, and now not having to care one iota because she's effectively nobody now. Relieving perhaps more than the quiet, she has noted. She lifts her tea cup, musing: "One has just has much or as little to do as one wants. I'm afraid I am not fit for most of the physical needs this place has, though."
Rondelethia: "I'm not exactly running the walls myself. Most of my work" Yes, she works! Shock! Horror! "is done at a desk, there's always something to do, so long as your mind stays sharp"
Elizabeth nods in agreement: "Yes. My modeling days are certainly behind me." She blinks and pauses, as though considering that statement for the first time. "Or... hmm."
Rondelethia: "I'm sure there are some that would disagree" She replies mildly "Modelling is about confidence, for the most part"
Elizabeth smirks a bit as something stirs in her brain, but fades as quickly to just a nod with a smile. "It is." She shrugs slightly: "...not that Respite Falls offers much opportunities in that regard. Not exactly the fashion halls of Grande Park, these walls."
Rondelethia: "I was never one to attend such things, but where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps you could be the change you wish to see in the town?"
Elizabeth gives a soft chuckle: "Maybe. For now, I find myself in other projects." Like figuring out how long Shaw is going to keep me around magicless.
Rondelethia: "If you have your time spent well, then that is all that matters" she smiles politely "Oh. Where are my manners?" She pouts out a hand politely "Rondelethia Boquet"
Elizabeth offers her own: "Elizabeth Catherine." She's gotten more relaxed in Respite, but still refrains from mentioning her last name which carries entirely too much weight around any upper-class circles, and rich families' ears are everywhere. Maybe even in Respite.
Rondelethia: "A pleasure" If the name rang any bells, then she didn't say anything, but she did notice the conspicuous lack of anything she recognized. Rondelethia felt that she was well read enough that she shouldn't be drawing a total blank here "I hope we can speak in future. I've been spending a little bit too much time without a conversation partner"
Elizabeth nods with a warm smile: "Likewise. One gets tangled in one's own thoughts, often. Conversing helps, particularly with someone with just a bit more class than is usual here."
Rondelethia: "Quite, though I try not to think of myself like that" She tries, but her lack of actually talking to them reveals that there's some sort of feelings in that regard floating under the surface.
Elizabeth: "The folks here are friendly, but perhaps just a touch... rugged?" She lifts her hand to her chin, musing: "Although that is not entirely fair. A lot of folks have come here from elsewhere... myself included."
Rondelethia: "It is indeed a melting plot. I've found many lovely people here"
Elizabeth hums, nodding slowly: "Yes... it's rustic, but hard to actually dislike."
Rondelethia hmms, smiling a little "Other than when it comes to coffee. Tea is okay, but this isn't quite the same, and the only coffee that I could find is, well. They called it 'Ground Coffee', and I tend to agree"
Elizabeth chuckles softly, lifting her tea cup: "You are not entirely wrong, there. Would not hurt to have a bit more choice, but down here we have to take what we can."
Rondelethia: "Perhaps a venture for the future" She muses, before placeing her cup down. It's been empty for a while "However, speaking of ventures, I really must be going. I've likely already tarried too long. It was a pleasure speaking Ms..Catherine" Yeah, Rondelethia is pretty sure that's not her real surname. "Hopefully, we can talk another time"
Elizabeth delays her smile just a moment, but nods right after: "I imagine we will, Ms. Boquet. Small town, and all that." She's not done with her tea and has obviously no intention of getting up anytime soon.
Rondelethia departs, moving with her fully stately purpose. She may not have been born with class, but she's had more than enough training to make up for it!
Elizabeth stays to sip at her tea, slightly musing about this new arrive she most assuredly has seen around Mr. Shaw's estate, but not for long. New blood are always so eager to make something of themselves, they forget to sit down and smell the roses. She sits around for another cup of tea, idly leafing through the local paper while not really reading it.
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RESPITE GENERATOR - LATE AFTERNOON
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Maybelline leafs through some paperwork, causually checking on the generator readings. Things have been running smoothly thus far, as she's been making the preparations for the 'last' big build before she can sign off on having a fully operational ICEE generator back in town. Now that the 'crisis' phase is over, the town is, power-wise, more or less back where it was when May arrived. Albiet, now with a much safer, smoother, more efficient generator powering things.
Rondelethia knocked on the door, and waited outside politely. She was dressed in a dark blue dress, relatively unadorned, a small bracelet, a chain around her neck, and she was carrying a fan, kept closed in her hands, which were clasped in front of her. She had sent word ahead of time, but it's quite possible said notice was missed in the work being done!
Maybelline jots down a few notes on her papers before heading to the door. Did she have an appointment today? Definitely fell between the cracks, but she's not terribly busy, so no worries. She answers after a short wait, raising an eyebrow at the fancy dressed rabbit. "Hello? Can I help you?"
Rondelethia: "Hello" She nods, a little formally "I am Rondelethia Bouquet. I've come to discuss certain power needs for the Estate. I hope that I am not being too much of an imposition?"
Maybelline shrugs, definitely not formally at all. She's not exactly put off by the display, but is already finding Ms Bouquet a bit too overdone to be serious. "No, not really any imposition. Come on in. It's my duty in addition to general maintenance of the generator to help around town with general powergrid upkeep."
Rondelethia: "Of course" She idly keeps turning the fan in her hands as she steps in, looking around at the interior, and taking an extra moment to peer at one of the more recently implemented upgrades "I don't think that the extra needs will be an issue, but it is polite to let the local operator know of such things" Its best to be see as overwrought than to be dismissed entirely. Once inside, she places a folded note on the table, with the technical details. Nothing too major, and everything within technical ability. There's less of a focus on absolute power, and much more a focus on a constant flow (Think constant voltage, rather than uptime)
Maybelline takes the note, unfolds it, and studies the specifications intently. "Well, that's good. We're still breaking her in, and I'm not sure I'd be comfortable pushing a lot of power out into one place just yet... this seems doable though... I'll have to come out to check your estate just to be sure it can handle the open lines. You really have need for this kind of powerflow?"
Rondelethia: "There is a research lab on the estate, with a particular magical focus. Having a clean flow of power is important. There is a station on the estate that will help to clean the power, but if the intake is pure, it will make our job easier. Naturally, you can inspect the estate to confirm that everything is in order" She fiddles with the fan nervously, even if her voice was assured "My sister is the head researcher, and I have confidence she will make excellent use of it"
Maybelline tilts her head as she listens to Rondelethia's explanation. "Huh... okay, wasn't expecting a research lab. Well, yeah, intake is my main concern. The Generator was in poor condition when I arrived, but so far the lines I've checked have all been intact. But if something's wrong, understand that spare parts are a bit of a premium, and replacements are a long time coming still. I'll do my best, but I can't offer special treatment."
Rondelethia: "I'm not requesting special treatment" She takes out a second envelope, and slides it over, which contains a money order (written out for the generator itself). It's not an absurd amount of money, but it would be enough to ease a number of budget issues "Premium merely means 'more expensive'" She tightens up, just a little, this was budgeted for ahead of time, but for a budget that was expecting much less issues on the 'production' end. She had to have faith in Teis though. If Rondelethia lost faith, then this was all doomed.
Maybelline takes the second envelope, glancing at it with a frown. "No, 'premium' means we don't have much, and there's a few places in town that need them more. I'm doing my best with what I've got." She snorts, glancing at the money order. It's not really a bribe, per se, but presented directly to her like this makes it feel like one.
Rondelethia: "If giving my business requires upgrades, these would cover those upgrades" It covers it, with just a little bit to spare "I could do what needs to be done to get what I need with a machine on the estate, but I would prefer not. I don't want to deny others in this town what they need. I am simply communicating to you my needs"
Maybelline sighs, rereading the money order, "Yeah, alright, fair. Like I said, I'll do my due diligence and see what I can do." She sets the envelop down with her papers. "If it needs upgrades, I'll see about ordering the parts. It's my job, afterall. You'll have to forgive me for being... hesitant to jump at every demand. We're just getting everything back into working order, and the last thing Respite needs is another power outage, with more rationing and power curfews."
Rondelethia nods, softening a little bit once things de-escalated a little, simply holding the fan in her hands "Of course. If there is no power, then everyone loses. Eventually, I hope to have a back-up generator, but that is a long term goal. In the meantime.." She pulls out a *third* envelope. This one is much more straightforward, with simple power requirements for the estate. Nothing fancy, just a pull rate for each hour of the day. No real surprises there, and nothing that can't be managed already. "I expect you already have access to this information, but there is no harm in saving you the time for running the tests"
Maybelline takes a deep breath as well, before she takes the third envelope and studies it curiously. "Yeah, no kidding... that'll save a long diagnostic..." She eyes Rondelethia curiously, "You really know your stuff, eh? This is definitely more than most folks come in with. A lot more."
Rondelethia allows herself the smallest of smiles "Our family is one that sells magic. It pays to keep knowledgeable people on the payroll" In this case that's her, but it also pays to imply that the family is wealthy enough to employ a bevy of magical experts. "My sister is the real brains behind the outfit. I merely do the business side of things, to give her space to work her magic"
Maybelline sighs, letting out a brief chuckle, "Well, I certainly can't fault you for being thorough, I guess. Saves me a bit of work, though I'll probably run a test through the peek hours just to make sure the readings align on my end. She's been a bit generous lately, so if anything I expect my readings might even show a higher possible output then necessary."
Rondelethia: "Of course, do what you need to do. Before I leave, is there anything else that needs my attention?"
Maybelline ponders a moment, then shakes her head. "I don't think so... just need the address for your estate, and to make sure you, your sister, your staff, or whoever are there to let me in to check what I need to check. I'll send word ahead of time of course."
Rondelethia smiles a little, and takes out a fourth note. Though this one is just a card. She has lots of these ones "This will let you inside at any time" If May ever took the time to examine it, there's a small magical glyph on it, invisible to the naked eye. Just there to stop any shenanigans with trying to make forgeries. "You're welcome any time in business hours" With that, she would be moving to leave..though waiting to be guided out.
Maybelline takes the card, flipping it over to examine it, though she has no real eye for magic. "Well that sorts that out then." She bows her head politely, walking towards the door back out of the generator. "I shall be in touch."
Rondelethia: "My thanks" She steps outside, and bows her head once more, before stepping away. She..needs a cup of tea to steady her nerves now.
Maybelline closes the door and lets out a slightly exasperated sigh, then gathers up all the envelopes Rondelethia provided, looking at the information and starting to make notes for later.