(6/4/02)
A knocking is heard at the door, and on the otherside is Sister Angela, who's recently arrived from her trip home. Of course, this particular Angela had no idea things were so heated in Nisan. It's no wonder she was asked to come here and keep an eye on the Nisan Mother. And as an excuse to actually meet her for the first time, though Margie probably knew Angela since she was a child, considering how long the previous Angela's been a nun (does that make sense?), Angela was asked by Agnes to bring a few creature comforts to the pirate ship. "Uh.. Holy Mother? I've brought a few things for you, from the cathedral."
It's rather remarkable just how much can go wrong in so little time. Marguerite had thought that everything would work out for the best somehow, she really did. At least somewhere along the line. Strange foreign countries with strange agendas and requests, ambassadors that smiled and smiled and assured that everything was perfectly wonderful until they tossed her over to the mock-Yggdrasil crew.. Goodness, so much of that had seemed -reasonable- at one point. So much of it had seemed the right thing to do. And instead, Margie had managed to make a complete mess of things, require being rescued and... Yes, yes, we've brooded down that line of thought quite enough for the moment. And while it's made the teenager undeniably frustrated and upset, it at least seems to be softening with time. While.. Other thoughts crowd her mind. Wondering what can be done, now that so much is--...Hm? A knock at the door, and a somewhat familiar voice. Drawn out of her thoughts by that, she only responds with a light note of, "From the Cathedral? Oh, just one moment.." She stands at that, moving to open the door--Goodness knows that her hands might be full, so telling her to just come on in would be rude.
When the door is opened, Margie is greeted with a broad smile by a tanned woman. "Phew! Good thing you were here, my arms were starting to hurt." Well, not really, she seems to carry the load of bags pretty effortlessly. Much more so than usual. "It's good to see you again, Mother Marguerite." With permission, she'll step inside and set the load on top of one of the beds. "How have you been? I heard quite a lot has happened since I've been away. How terrible." Angela turns her head, green eyes glancing to Margie curiously. Yes, she's heard stories of what's gone on from various soldiers that have shown up in Nisan, but she's looking forward to hearing what Margie has to say about it.
Oh! Mind you, Margie would be happy enough to meet anyone from the church at this point, what with having to endure the company of that false nun for these last few days... But to see someone she actually knows is quite an added bonus. And one that actually draws a smile to Margie's features. "Sister Angela! It's so nice to see you... Did you have a pleasant trip home?" Oh, but she's carrying quite a lot, isn't she? Margie pulls herself away with reaquaintances at that, backing into the room as to get out of her way. "Feel free to put those down wherever you like. You really didn't need to go to the trouble.." Pleasantries and politeness. It makes it easier to dismiss the undeniable veins of worry and frustration that claim most of the Holy Mother's attention otherwise. So much so, really.. That that forced bit of politeness and calm is all she can really do to keep from outright frowning at that last mention. "I... could be better. You wouldn't believe just how much happened while you were away.." And every last bit of it odd and unplesant.
Angela smiles a little as she sets the bags down and begins to unpack one of them. "Yes, I heard you had quite an adventure!" A plate of jellyrolls covered in plastic wrap are placed next to the bag, and then another plate with a slice of Margie's favorite cake, Nisan Chiffon. Yum! "Mm.. yes, the trip went well, thank you." A slightly strained smile follows. But she can tell Margie is bothered by recent events. Who wouldn't be? Next, a bunny plushie from Margie's room at the cathedral is pulled from the bag and set down. "Sister Agnes said you may be here for some time, and asked me to bring these things over for you." Angela may prod about what had happened but keeps from doing so right away.
Margie almost curiously watches as Angela unpacks what she's brought along, another honest smile drawing at that, "That was really very thoughtful of Sister Agnes.. I'll have to remember to thank her for that. And thank you so much for bringing these. After that fiasco, I probably will be here for a while, unforunately.." But, well, yes. Things went badly. Things went wrong. That's just.. Well. Brooding is bad. Brooding makes her more blatantly disconcerted than she ought to politely be. Since.. She can't.. Very well tell the truth of what happened. Sigh. "Anyway, I shouldn't complain of things that are done and over with." Even though she very, very much wants to. That's simply the polite thing to say. Mrf. "Have things gone well for you lately?"
Angela laughs heartily, seeming to find Margie amusing some how. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with getting a few things off your chest." She winks one emerald green eye at the Nisan Mother while she proceeds to the next bag, which contains some extra clothing in case of weather variety. "Anyway, isn't it sort of my job to listen to other peoples problems? Just because you're the Nisan Mother makes you no exception, young lady." Besides, Angela doesn't think Margie's the type of girl who should ever spend her time sighing about anything. She's still much too young for that kinda nonsense. The nun takes a seat on the mattress, picking up the stuffed rabbit and setting the plushie on her lap, facing her. "I'll bet you know all her secrets, don't you, Mr. Rabbit." ^.- Another soft chuckle. It seems Angela is much more.. relaxed than she used to be. Maybe vacationing was good for her!
That's all a little bit.. Direct for Angela, isn't it? Margie gives just a little blink at that before she smiles, sitting down on the mattress herself. That vacation must have done wonders for her. At least that's something to be happy about, right? "I guess that's right... But there's not really all that much to say. I'm sure you've heard what happened by now, right?" Of course there's not all that much to say. And Margie is getting positively tired of telling the same endless reptition of a story that's not true. Of course, nothing happened. Of course, nothing was odd with the peace talks. There was just mock-Yggdrasil troubles. Really! ..Blech. "I just.. had a rough week, you could say. It wouldn't be nearly as frustrating if the entire thing hadn't been completely avoidable, though.." And that much is true. Even as she pauses a little as the nun picks up the stuffed rabbit. And Margie laughs a little herself at that.. Goodness knows that anything to put her back in a better mood is more than appreciated. "That might be so! But Mr. Rabbit also has been sworn to secrecy." Angela seems so much more open. That isn't a bad thing, by far.
From the door of the room, a knocking can be heard on the outside. Time to check on Margie, it is. The door slides open, revealing Aniko on the other side, standing, waiting. She steps into the room, and glances at Angela, and then focuses in on Margie. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I ladies?" Aniko stops, waiting for a response from the two, one on the mattress, one standing. Aniko shifts her eyes towards Margie, wondering if she's been revealing anything....important.
No, it's not like her to be so direct.. or talkative, for that matter. "Well, I heard of some rumors going around Nisan, but nothing definate. From the look on your face.." Angela glances to Margie's expression. "I'd say they're pretty accurate. Well, no matter. It's over now, right?" Margie is here, safe in the Yggdrasil and that's what's important. When Margie laughs, Angela smiles broadly. "Is that so? Weeeell.. Mister Rabbit.." She peers at the rabbit like an inquisitor. =.= "Until you spill it.. you're going... on the top shelf!" GASP! Angela reaches up and places the rabbit on a shelf next to the bed, while mimicing the Rabbit's voice. "Oh nooo! I'll get all lonely and dusty up here!" Angela then cackles. "No one can save you now! Mwahaha!" ^o^ Oh, someone's at the door. Ahem. Angela coughs into her fist a few times, clearing her throat, and then responds with a much more subdued voice. "Good evening, Sister." ^.^;
Nor was it really like Sister Angela to be so incredibly.. -silly-. Regardless, it's amusing. And Margie certainly needs something to cheer her up like that right now. For Margie outright breaks into giggles at the entire dialogue between the nun and the rabbit. Even as she muffles it all behind a hand and more cheerfully adds, "How cruel! Don't worry, Mr Rabbit! I'll swoop in during the dead of night and rescue you from your dire fate!" Ridiculous! But no one ever tried to claim that Margie ever and always acted as mature as a young Holy Mother ought to. And she really -needs- to laugh at something right around now. And she more happilly adds, "You must have had so much fun during your visit. I've seldom seen you in such a cheerful mood--.." And yet, that entire thought, and indeed a lot of that enthusiasm is cut short as Aniko enters the room. Margie's smile fades down to something much more serious, trying to shield her obvious.. Distaste with the fact that her amusing moment was spoiled by this person. And she only nods mildly in responce, her voice a great deal more bland, "Good afternoon, Sister Aniko. You're not interrupting anything, no." So, can you go away?
The sister quirks an eyebrow at Margie. "Good afternoon, Margie. How are you two today?" The Sister steps in further, the door sliding shut behind her, al-la the mechanics of the Yggdrasil. Amazing they are, able to fly, go on sand, water, did I mention flying? All moot, of course. "Have you seen your cousin? I wish to speak with him." Aniko looks at Angela, and the rabbit. Her eye twitches slightly, and she then returns her gaze to Margie, letting out a smile. One who knew who she really was would know the smile was masking disgust, not happiness.
Haven't talked to Margie in forever, she's been distant since she came back...it's driving Bart absolutely crazy. Yet, as he walks down the hall towards the gear room for an attempt to upgrade a booster for poor old rusting Brigandier to use...he hears...laughing. Coming from Margie's room. Does she feel better? Is she really ok? He notices the door open and can't help but just...back up against the wall, starting to take light steps closer to the opening. It's really rude...but Bart's worried about Margie and he might find out what's been wrong with her this way. Unfortunately, as he reaches close enough to listen in- it slides shut. Neat. ...maybe he can still hear them through the door?
Angela chuckles at Margie's declaration of saving the prisoner. Hah! Impossible! Margie gets a look from Angela that says, 'We'll finish this later', and then looks back to Aniko. Hmm.. something seems a bit off, to her. It's as if a sudden tenseness has settled over the room. Angela is used to having to decipher expressions. It was a needed skill in a previous life (if you wanna call it that). She can't tell what Aniko and Margie are worried about, of course, but it's just an itching in the back of her mind that tells her to stay aware of them both. "Just fine, thank you." Is said with a sweet smile from the bronzed skinned woman. "I was just bringing a few things from the cathedral for the Holy Mother. As well as a request from Sister Agnes, that I stay by Mother Marguerite's side to see to her needs while she is away from home. Isn't that... lovely?" n.n
"I'm all right, thank you.." Margie was better before you came around, though, Aniko. And she'll be better when you leave. "I was just catching up with Sister Angela." It's really a pity that Angela is not Angela. Otherwise, she'd probably note that Aniko had never been around the church in her life. But as it stands, no one seems to know the list of nuns well enough to be able to call her out. This is -frustrating-. "Why do you need to talk to Bart?" That's almost bitter there. Ooo. Keep the irritation out of your voice, Margie. You have an act to play, grudgingly or not. Which is why she blinks and amends that with a lighter, "Although I've not seen him for a while, no. I'm sorry." No I'm not! She does blink over to Angela at that, though and.. Smiles a bit more honestly at that, "Really? It's not too much of a bother? That'd be wonderful!" A real nun around? This is happy.
Uh, oh. She didn't sound very happy when Bart's name came into play. Um...what could Bart have done that'd make her angry at him? Bart puts his hands together and thinks for a moment. Birthday? No, that's later this year. Um...maybe he said something wrong? Maybe...he didn't save her fast enough? Wait...maybe that ambassador person told her about the break-in? Think that maybe Margie thinks Bart'd really do that? He sweatdrops. Well, whatever the reason...this explains why she's been so distant. He's gotta do something to make it up to her. But what? Think, Bart, think!
My, these two don't appear to be the best of friends.. Angela may have to ask about this later. She's a snooping nun! Hopefully it doesn't get her into trouble. "Certainly not!" Is said cheerfully to Margie. "I would be happy to see to your needs, Mother Marguerite." Why, it would be an honor. And it would fulfill her duty, as well.
That's some top-notch jumping to conclusions there, Bart! But it really can be expected when Margie has been in the rather out of sorts state that she's been in. But.. My! Is it not proper for Marguerite to dislike a nun? That'd be generally the case. But she's making subtle exceptions for this one, apparently. So much so that her existance alone is enough to sober Margie's mood back to unpleasant. Even though she's very much trying to focus more on Angela. She's worth more of Margie's time, anyway. "I can't say how glad I am to hear that! I do hope you're not taking too much time out away from your duties at the church for this? Although I'm more than glad of your company." Yes, don't get her wrong here. She may be being polite here, but Aniko.. Bothers her. On various levels.
Aniko looks at Margie. "I need to talk to him for specific reasons. At this time, I will not tell you." Her eyes show something only Margie can understand. She looks at Angela. "I'm sorry for interrupting." Aniko turns, and begins to head out the door, the door sliding open.
Margie's starting to alternate from bitter to giggly and it's confusing the hell out of poor Bart. What's going ON in there?! For all Bart knows, a nun with a rabbit could be visiting her and having a tea party or something while Margie is experiencing mental anguish. ...nah, that's too farfetched. Did the nun they saved need to talk to him? What specific reasons? Couldn't she tell...uh oh. Bart starts to edge as far away from the door as possible as she starts towards it and by the time it opens, Bart is walking down the hall towards the gear room like before. Noone's listening in, uh uh!
Angela blinks, wondering what that exchange was about. Odd... "I look forward to seeing you again, Sister." The dark skinned woman smiles to the retreating Aniko, a slight tilt of her head accompanying her smile. A look that shows she has some interest in finding out about Aniko, if she can. Why would Aniko keep business with Bart a secret from Margie? She'll wait to speak to Margie when the door closes again.
Way to play the nun, Missy. 'I will not tell you', huh? The look that she shoots Margie doesn't help. For those blue, blue eyes -narrow- at that, the very moment that Aniko moves to leave. Oh, the very nerve! So the already moody Margie can go ahead and add another out of place note of frustration to her growing list of emotions. "Very well. Goodbye then, Sister." It almost hurts Margie to call her that. But all things honest, she's not doing the most stellar job of upholding the illusion to begin with is she? For all that Margie goes through the motions, the fact that she does not like this woman by any stretch is obvious. Even if she tries to banish that narrowed glare as fast as possible, with a sigh. No. No glowering. Bad Margie.
The sister leaves the room, and catchs sight of Bart. She quickens her pace, and finally catches up to the young man. "Captain, sir!" She taps him on the shoulder, and slips in front of him. "It is imperative that I talk to you soon. It's imporant." Her eyes look at his, waiting a response.
Bart jumps a bit. Whoa, she's pretty direct for a nun X_x. After gathering his guard, Bart chuckles. "Ah, right. That important, huh? Well, uh...what is it? I'm listening." Yep, you've caught Bart's attention now x_x. "Oh, uh...is Margie inside, by the way?" he decides to ask, out of curiosity as to what she'll say.
Angela lifts a brow after Aniko leaves, looking thoughtful for a few moments. o O (I've never seen a nun behave like that at the cathedral...) She's not like any of the other nuns, just as Angela is not like the other nuns. It makes her wonder.. Hm, time to start asking questions. "Not very pleasant, is she." Angela says with a weak smile. That's not like a nun to say either, but it's what Angela thought. "I'm sorry, but I did not recognize her... How embarrassing." Her hand lifts to her head, fingers touching her forehead briefly. She must've forgotten Aniko. That's it. Assuming Aniko has been with the convent for very long.
"I wouldn't expect you to.." Is Margie's low responce, quiet in the way that many things one isn't supposed to say are. At that, however, she almost visibly catches herself, forcing a smile onto her face, however desperately transparent as it is, as she turns back to Angela. "She..." How does one explain that off? "She's rather new to the Church." Yes. Which is why she's blatantly rude, to the point, and completely disrespectful to Margie. Why she casts them all odd looks and stalks about. Oh, so that doesn't explain much of anything that well at all. Margie is trying her best not to be blatantly obvious. "Anyway, I'm sorry about that..."
"I can't talk now. It will have to be later. And yes, Margie is in there, talking to another sister." Aniko looks at him anxiously, and she says to him, "For now, I must leave, but I will talk to you later." With that, she turns, and hurries off, not letting him say another word.
Bart scratches his head. "Eheh..," o-kaaaay, that was weird. 'Hi, I need to talk to you. I'll talk to you later, bye!'. Huh. That only warrants a shrug from the Fatima Prince. Hey, even the convent has it's oddish people. What could she possibly want to talk to him for, though? Eh, Bart'd go in to say 'Hi!' to Margie...but she'll only be distant like she's been...guess he'd better go upgrade those boosters now. Le sigh. And thus, he walks into the Gear Hangar without delay.
Angela nods once slowly, "I see... Oh! It's quite alright, Holy Mother." Her fingers are lifted to her lips and she laughs it off. "Ohohoho!" Well, that's a new laugh as well, for Angela. "Why don't you sit down. You look a little distraught. Would you care to tell me about what's on your mind?" She prods the question gently, hoping Margie will decide to confide in her. If not? Well, she'll just have to keep on prodding! Though not all at once since Angela wouldn't want to upset Margie.
That.. -is- a new laugh for Angela. And that manages to earn itself a curious blink before she shakes her head mildly, "Why would anything be on my mind?" She asks, innocently enough, even as she takes the offer of sitting down, sitting neaty on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry if I look distraught.. Perhaps.. I am still recovering from the stress of last week." That's a lame little excuse. Margie is not the weak-of-spirit type to be left in fits of shivers and emotional weakness after something like, say, being thrown into the hands of the enemy. But regardless, it seems like a valid enough excuse, even if it is.. Rather blatantly transparent.
Angela thinks just about anyone could see that Margie is just edging around the subject. She reaches over to place a hand gently on Margie's own. "Mother Marguerite.. I have known you since you were but a child.." Lie. But what can ya do about it? She needs to know more. "I can see that there is something plaguing your mind. Why don't you speak to me on it? It has to do with Sister Aniko, doesn't it. Whatever it is, I can help you." She sounds pretty sure of that, despite not knowing what the problem is.
But I can't tell you. That's the kicker here. And that's what's driving Margie so up-the-wall! Ugh. If she could just explain what happened, then everything would be fine and well. A brief smile is given to Angela at that small gesture of comfort--What reason has she to really doubt her in sincerity, after all? Although.. The subject matter is one that makes it very hard to maintain that smile in any shade of honesty. "It... Well..." How does Margie do this? She trails off at that, obviously thinking. Perhaps.. Perhaps if she put it in a way that hinted at the issue, without saying it? Margie could hardly be held responcible if anyone on the Yggdrasil suspected Aniko--After all, she was being odd enough to warrent that sort of suspicion by herself. And if Margie truly did stick to the script she was given.. "Well, I simply worry about her, that's all." Margie finally says. And something about whatever train of thought she's on seems to raise a more honest smile to her face, "After all, when I was captured by the 'other Yggdrasil', she was captured along with me. And ever since our return, she's been so very sharp and blunt.. I do worry that perhaps the stress of being capture deeply upset her somehow. She's been acting very strange.." Hee. Margie would enjoy this, if she wasn't desperately trying to get someone focused on the fake Nun, "And so I've been very worried."
Angela does catch on slightly. Why? Well, isn't she pulling the exact same prank as Aniko may possibly be pulling? n.n; It's kinda hard to ignore that possibility, when Angela herself is working so hard so people don't suspect her. "I see... Yes, you have reason to worry, Mother Marguerite. Did any harm come to her while she was on the other Yggdrasil?" She questions gently. That's an innocent question, isn't it? Angela turns slightly, reaching over for Mr. Rabbit, and then offering him to Margie with a smile. Cuddling him will make her feel better. He can be given a pardon for now.
"I'm glad I'm not just worrying over nothing, in that case..." Of course Margie's not. Margie knows very well that she's not. Margie knows very well who Aniko -is-. But without being able to say so, she can at least play this act so much to the letter that she really isn't doing anything -wrong-, so to say. Even though that creates it's own set of problems.. Eh. She'll sort it out. She takes the offered rabbit with a smile and a small 'Thank you'--Well, so she's well into her teens. Even young women can be childish, and still can find comfort in it. Giving the rabbit an almost unconcious little squeeze as she holds it, she shakes her head mildly, "To the full extent of my knowledge, I do not -believe- that harm was brought to her. But she has not told me anything of what occurred, and we were often kept apart."
Angela nods once in understanding. "No, you're very good to worry about one of your Sisters, Mother Marguerite." Angela deliberately uses the word Sister, to see if it'll garner any specific reaction out of Margie. Yes, something is definately fishy here. "Why..." She leans back a little, placing her hands on her knees. "I'm sure I'd be just terrified to be captured like that!" ... somehow, that's doubtful. n.n; Maybe she says it too lightly to be taken seriously. Leaning over slightly, Angela lets her hand pet the top of Mr. Rabbit's head. "It's too bad you have a vow of silence, Mr. Rabbit. I'm sure you could tell me so much about what our poor Nisan Mother has been going through." Tsktsk. Angela is not the brightest woman when it comes to intellectual persuits and schooling, but the life she has lead has made her bright in other.. more disreputable teachings. And something does feel a little rotten, to her. Yet they only skirt around the real core of the problem.
Sister. Gyah! How Margie sincerely dislikes using that word for such an obvious fraud! But if Angela is hoping for an obvious responce from Margie, all she's going to get is a mild twitch of a glance.. And that ever remaining somewhat glossed over smile, "Well, it's only right. I could never ignore a Sister in need.." Something about that tone of voice.. And something about the fact that Margie was so incredibly curt and narrowing her eyes at Aniko earlier seems to betray quite a bit, however. "And she's been so distant lately. It's very disconcerting." This somehow skirts both amusing and desperate all in the same dawning moment. Even while her smile brightens a bit and she adds a little more cheerfully, "I'm afraid Mr. Rabbit is loyal to the end on that point, Sister Angela. But the 'poor Nisan Mother' is not so badly off. So there's no need to worry." Of course not. Margie has rather decided, a way or another, to solve this. Even if she has to do it -herself-. It's just.. A baffling wonder on just -how- she's going to do that.
But what Margie may not realize yet, is that she won't have to do it herself! That's why Angela was sent here. To help the Nisan Mother with tricky matters such as this. Actually, not with this kind of work precisely, but it really is more up her alley than what she was originally instructed for. And it's still helping, so it counts! *_*v "Yes, of course, Holy Mother." Angela smiles lightly again and gets to her feet. "I'll leave you to rest, but I won't be far." She can be sure of that.
Who knew that being a nun would entail hunting down faux nuns of EVIL? Or at least checking up on extremely bizarre and strange so-called nuns? Perhaps this Angela will have an easier time working into this role than she might have! Anyway.. Margie smiles at that, and nods, "Thank you for bringing these things, and for listening, Sister Angela. It's wonderful to see you again." And it is, even if she's acting a bit odd. It's not unplesant, and so far.. It's not really enough to make Margie wonder -too- much. "Take care, then. And I will see you later." Regardless of what's going on.. This really did manage to cheer her up a little. Little by little. So help her, Margie -is- going to work through this, and she -is- going to find a way to set everything right. You just wait and see.