[Holly Heights] Mailbox

[blahblahblah]

Is this thing on? Damn thing... why can't it have an interface I can actually- oh, there it is. This is Rita Mordio. I can't pick up my phone right now, so leave a message and I'll get back to you when I figure out how to check my messages. (beep)

[Contact modes: handwritten/text (mailbox), voicemail, SMS (text), MMS (image/text), voice/video (cell phone)]

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Rita Mordio | 14 | F
Residence: 1404

Comments

[Action]

[moonlit_star]

[There will be an invitation on Rita's bed in her room and it reads:]

Rita,

You are invited to join us on Monday, June 30th to celebrate and
enjoy the joyous occasion of Chibiusa's birthday.
The party will be held at the park at the following address at noon
for a bountiful and fun picnic.

Guests are encouraged to bring a towel.

Please R.S.V.P. to Serenity.

[For Rita, her adopted "daughter" she wrote in addition to the letter:]

Just come and have fun, Rita. I would like for you to meet my birth daughter.

[action]

[blahblahblah]

...Towel? [Yes, she's actually reading it, and she's actually thinking about it. Normally she wouldn't give this the time of day, but... what else would she do? She didn't really know a lot of people around here, and maybe this was her in. Plus... Serenity was putting up with her for now. That was a favor she couldn't ignore.

It doesn't take her long to come up with a decision, and all that's left is to actually find Serenity. She has to actually tell someone she's coming, after all. What are the odds she's in the house somewhere...?]

[Action]

[moonlit_star]

[Serenity looks up from the dining room table as she sees Rita traveling through the house. She smiles as she tilts her head.]

Rita, dear, I'll have dinner ready a bit early tonight, will you be joining me for it? Or perhaps you have other plans? Just try to come back tonight at a decent hour or let me know if you need to be picked up, I would be more than happy to.

[blahblahblah]

Tonight? Uh, yeah, I should be here. I had something I wanted to work on, and- wait, that's not what I was going to say. About that invitation you left for me... you're sure you're okay with me coming?

[moonlit_star]

I'm happy to hear we can have dinner together.

[She smiles at the mention of the birthday.]

Of course I do, Rita. Even if we are not related, and even if you do not regard me as family or even a friend, you are my ward and we are living together. I would like to involve you in important matters in my life, and it is my hope that, in time, you will want to involve me in yours. Besides, shouldn't my daughter by birth and my daughter by chance meet one another?

[blahblahblah]

[There's a pause. This is the kind of logic she'd expect to hear from Estelle, and it's colored her view of the older woman a little.]

You're doing a hell of a lot better job than I could expect, for having this dumped in your lap. It's probably still going to be a while before I have anything worth calling "important" happening to me, but... when that time comes, I'll remember this.

I'm interested to meet your daughter, at least. [Is she going to be the same kind of saint she's coming to expect from Serenity?]

[moonlit_star]

Hmm, well, I've a good deal of practice being a mom, all things considered. Besides, you are not something just "dumped in my lap." I like getting to know you, Rita, I enjoy seeing you experience everything and making friends and memories.

Small Lady, or Chibiusa as many call her, is quiet a sweet young girl. She is a sweet rabbit, kind and considerate, a gentle and strong little lady. I am so glad you wish to meet her.

[blahblahblah]

I'm glad someone does. All of this is a little intimidating, you know! It's better than Aspio, where everyone knew me as the annoying kid that knows too much, but I'm still trying to find my place.

I'm kind of hoping she's a good place to start, too. I know I'm a little antisocial on the best of days, so maybe having someone that actually likes me when I don't have magic will be a good thing. Plus, if she's anything like you, I don't think there'll be a problem.

[moonlit_star]

[Serenity looked up from her paper work at that comment, and then stood up. She went over to Rita and suddenly encased her in a hug. She stroked the back of her hair only to pull a little away and held her cheeks.] I do not consider you annoying, Rita, and more than that, your knowledge is a gift. Never be ashamed for your intelligence, I certainly never will.

I like you. I like you, with or without magic. You are an incredible young woman.

[blahblahblah]

[For one of what has to be a very small number of times in her life, Rita has no idea what to say. Serenity just keeps doing this, rolling over her concerns and insecurities with what seems to be nothing more than motherly affection, and it's as reassuring as it is terrifying. She goes still when Serenity wraps her up for a moment, before she relaxes and, tentatively, lets her own arms go around her would-be mother. She still can't keep her tone from being a little sullen, though.]

My knowledge is all I have. I sure as hell don't have a winning personality. But... [The words don't want to leave her lips, but she's not going to stop when she's come this far.] ...thank you.

[Rita trembles with the honest desire to let Serenity in warring with her deeply-ingrained need to keep everyone at arm's length, lest something happen. It takes a long moment before she can make a decision, and a tiny voice can't help but ask, are you sure? But she can't move forward with her walls up, and she promptly tells that voice to shove off before she lets her head rest against Serenity lightly.]

[moonlit_star]

I beg to differ. [Serenity whispered as she kept Rita close and stroked the back of her head. She let the girl rest on her, happy to be here for her.] I think you have a lot more to offer than just your knowledge.

There's so much I've still to learn about you, but there is more to you than just that. And I am glad I get to see it and experience that.