GLoG 39: And there was much rejoicing. (Yay!)

[Dirk Kris]

Meridian snuggles into Misaki's lap. So what's the problem? I'm pretty sure Quinn knows what she's talking about.

[Neon Knight]

Misaki starts and looks at Meridian. "B-but Butler said it was alright. He said it wasn't anything bad. A-and... I wanted to tell Quinn something, but I didn't get a chance too. And now everyone is mad."

[Dirk Kris]

I'm not mad, Misaki. Why don't you tell me? The ferret tries to climb up her arm to get to her shoulder.

[Reinholdt]

[Pool]

Butler accepts the book, taking a look at it. He hopes it has pictures and doesn't use a lot of big words.

"Well I took Misaki to my home ma'am. And she met Adam and decided to become a catgirl ma'am. And I was happy cause... I'm not sure why I was happy ma'am. I guess I felt it was a compliment or something ma'am. Anyways, Adam changed her to a catgirl as she asked ma'am. And I gave her my old collar ma'am. Cause all catpeople wear one ma'am. And Misaki was happy and I was happy and things were great ma'am. Then we got back and Quinn and that guy... Tobias I think ma'am. They were yelling ma'am. And saying Adam was sick and that nobody should change and that Misaki wasn't free and that I shouldn't have done it ma'am. I don't know ma'am. It was all so confusing and mean ma'am."

[Neon Knight]

"W-well..." The ferret will be able to climb up her easily. "When I was at Butler's house, I saw something bad. When a catperson does something bad, even a little thing like forgetting his lessons, they whip him. I tried to stop it, but Butler and everyone seemed to think it was alright. And this Adam person he's the one who makes them do that. But he was nice to me and he fed me and changed me into a catgirl even though it cost him a lot of money. I'm confused. How can he have people whipped for just forgetting to say something but be so nice? And why do Butler and all the other cat people think its alright?"

[Dirk Kris]

Sadly, the ferret doesn't have a good answer for this. Sometimes...people are not all they seem to be. Sometimes a person will do something nice and then expect something in return. Sometimes long after they did the nice thing.

[Jacklu]

Bad luck. The book is a pocket "My First Dictionary." Great for figuring out what certain words mean. Even has a helpful feature of being enchanted to look up words that are spoken to it.

I see... Tell me, do you know what Quinn and Tobias' relationship to Misaki is?

[Neon Knight]

Misaki sighs. "I don't know what to do."

[Reinholdt]

Like Butler will ever figure out an enchantment. Or know what Dictionary means.
He pockets the book.

"Not exactly ma'am. Quinn said she was Misaki's guardian though ma'am."

[Dirk Kris]

Snuggle me. And have a candy. Meridian pulls out a pink Starburst from his pouch and offers it to Misaki.

[Neon Knight]

Misaki takes the candy and smiles gratefully at Meridian. "Thanks." She eats it and starts petting Meridian.

[Dirk Kris]

A content sigh comes from Meridian. Stupid grown-ups and their stupid fights. And to fight in front of you? That's just irresponsible. The ferret thinks of something. Why don't I hold your collar for you until we get all this sorted out. You know I'll keep it safe.

[Neon Knight]

Misaki hesitates. "I don't know... if I'm not going to wear it, I should give it back to Butler. But... I'm not sure."

[Jacklu]

Charmain nods. That clears up things a bit. I think I understand now. You see, humans have a rather ideological system set up. A parent or guardian is responsible for their wards. Er... they feel like they need to take care of their children and do what's best for them. Sometimes that means telling their child what to do when the child isn't old or wise enough to make certain decisions on their own. In this case, Quinn is probably angry that Misaki made the decision to become a catgirl without talking to her about it beforehand. If Misaki had, Quinn most likely would have told her not to. Charmain thinks back to the comment that woman had made (Quinn that is) when she first got involved. As for the collar... Well, in many cultures, a collar is used to show that a person has no free will of their own, usually in a very negative way. People who wear them would be treated with brutality and used as sex slaves. Even if that was not the intention, that is most likely how Quinn saw it. Does that make sense? It should be noted that midway through her analysis, Charmain slipped out a flask and emptied it. A real woman of the faith.

[The Bushranger]

The deadtime ooze around Quinn burbles, unexpectedly.
Looks like she's about to undeadtime...

[Reinholdt]

"Perhaps ma'am." Butler kicks the water a little to cause some ripples to watch.

[Dirk Kris]

Meridian hears the burble and turns his head towards the sound before sniffing the air. Want me to talk to Quinn? Maybe we can compromise and get you a different collar if she thinks this one is bad. A BETTER collar!

[Neon Knight]

"N-no, that would just make Butler sad. I don't want to make Quinn mad, but I don't want to make Butler upset..."

[The Bushranger]

The deadtime ooze burbles again.

Makes a surprised-sounding grurrrrp.

Then explodes!


Quinn blinks, and shakes her head.

I should just buy stock in Pantene, shouldn't I...

And then, seeing Misaki, she goes to deliver a hug!

[Jacklu]

Charmain smiles. Another duty carried out superbly. I suppose all that is left is for you to find her and explain that it was all a misunderstanding. If you want, I could do that part for you. For a nominal fee, of course.

[Neon Knight]

Hug delivery is successful!

"Quinn..." Misaki really doesn't know what to say.

[Reinholdt]

"Feet you can eat ma'am? I don't have any of those ma'am. Besides, I'd rather not have you do that ma'am."

[The Bushranger]

I'm sorry I got so mad at you, sweetie, Quinn says quietly, hugging Misaki tight. I meant what I said, but...I was too shocked and shouldn't have taken it out on you...

[Neon Knight]

Misaki hugs Quinn back. "I-I'm so confused... about all of this... Butler says one thing, and you say another, and I want to make both of you happy..."

[Jacklu]

The lady priest blinks. Er... actually, nominal fee means... actually... forget about it. Feel free to use that little book I gave you to look up words or phrases you don't understand or don't think make any sense in context, okay? She turns to leave the pool area, but pauses for a moment. Excuse me... But... well, have you died recently, by any chance?

[The Bushranger]

Quinn bites her lip, and considers her next words carefully...
Well, sweetie, the thing is, Butler doesn't know better - it's what he grew up with and what he's used to. He doesn't understand totally how humans are different. She pauses. What was it you wanted to tell me earlier, sweetie?

[Reinholdt]

"Huh ma'am? Oh, yes ma'am. That's what everyone says anyways ma'am." Kinda hard to believe when you're right there, but he trusts Decker and Vidalia and such. "Just a few weeks ago ma'am."

[Neon Knight]

"Oh. It was about something I saw at Butler's home. Um, I was confused about it." Misaki looked at Quinn hopefully. "Um... back at Butler's house, when a catperson does something wrong, or when a child forgets to do something, even something little? They um... they whip them. And I knew that was bad, and wrong, but all the catpeople and Butler thought it was right. And they said that Adam made them do it and that he was right to. But when I saw Adam, he wasn't mean, and he seemed really nice. I'm so confused. I don't know who's right and why Adam can be both so nice and so mean."

[Dirk Kris]

The little ferret curls himself around Misaki's neck after nodding politely to Quinn.

[Jacklu]

I see... She narrows her eyes at him for a moment. Very well then. Have a nice day, Mr... ?