Nettle walks toward Oswald with her saber in its hilt slung over her shoulder, and an embarrassed smile on her face. "Sorry I'm a little late...it seems Alec and I are still on our honeymoon!" Winking at Oswald, she climbs in the passenger's side of the van, waiting expectantly for Oswald to shut the door. As she is waiting, she asks with a smirk, "speaking of honeymoons and such, I haven't seen Justice since I got back. What did you do with her, Ozzie?"

"I was about to ask you the same question," Oswald says as he closes the door. "I haven't seen her since the wedding. I think she's really pissed with David after that night we went after Sleethe. She kept talking about it. I hope she's okay..." Oswald 's mind seems to drift at this.

Nettle thinks and nods. "She seemed to be happy around eveyone at the wedding...although she DID make a quick exit after David and Veil approached us. Even though things were a little rough-- her ways of dealing with Thares and Emily-- I was hoping we all just needed time to get used to each other. I hope we don't lose another member..." Nettle looks down and thinks, and then looks up again and attempts a wry grin. "At least they're leaving of their own accord instead of dying." Watching Oswald, Nettle continues. "So you and Justice-- do you mind if I ask a prying question, Oz? It's my damn curiosity-- tell me if I'm out of line!"

"Go ahead," says Oswald. "It's not really any secret what we do when we're together. I just hope she's not doing anything stupid, especially if things are true..." Oswald wipes a few tears from his face with the back of his sleeve and starts the car. "I...I'm sorry, it's something else that I went through and I hope it doesn't happen again."

Nettle looks at Oswald in concern, empathy in her eyes. "What do you mean by "if things are true?" What happened to you, Oz? As I feel your aura-- sorry, it's an involuntary process for me-- I sense that you don't do this kind of thing much...sleeping with a practical stranger...and while this may be all fun and games for Justice, you've fallen in love with her, haven't you??" Nettle finds a travel-size box of Kleenex and hands one to Oswald.

"It's a long story," begins Oswald. But, yes I am in love with her. I know she's not the kind of person that has a relationship but I can't help it." He declines the kleenex with a wave of his hand and starts up the car. "It goes back to when I first became a Mage and at first, I thought it wouldn't happen, but as soon as I saw Justice, I knew it would. I'd really rather not talk about it though. It's something between me and Justice."

Nettle fights her curiosity for a moment, but is able to suppress the questions on her mind, and instead nods at Oswald. "I understand, Ozz. You know me-- I love discussing love, and...other related topics... so if things get tough and Justice stays gone, you have someone who is more than willing to listen to you or talk things through, OK?" Nettle turns to watch the passing scenery. "Sorry to get us off on a sad topic! I'm so excited to see your garden, and discuss what could be done with my saber!" Nettle runs her hand lovingly down the hilt.

"That's ok," says Oswald as they near his warehouse. The usual gang signs are still painted on the walls as they enter the garage. "I'm sure we can do something interesting with your sword."

Nettle smiles to herself for a moment, and her eyes take on a faraway look. Suddenly she becomes aware of her surroundings again and blushes. "Sorry-- I was reliving a memory..." she explains, rubbing her sternum subconsciously. Nettle looks the building over again while getting out of the van. "So you've never been jumped while coming and going from this building, and nothing's ever been stolen?? I know the last time we were here you were explaining the safety-reasons for this location, but I was a bit out of it..." Nettle comes around the van to walk beside Oswald.

Oswald laughs. "One time a gang tried to jump me and take my money. Course, I had figured it might happen one day so I have some combat bots hidden in the area. These two guys came up to me with knives, and four VERY large bees came in front of them. They tore out of here faster than... well, pretty fast. Now, most of the kids will come by but they don't even try to harass anyone out of fear. Plus, if they try to steal anything from me, they usually come back asking what the heck they just took from me. It's not worth it to them." He presses the button to the elevators. "Plus, I once had a werewolf here. He was a real bum named Freddy Gum Smacks. Nice guy, but a real bum. I think he scared a couple kids as well."

Nettle laughs loud and hard. "I wish I could have been there when they came back in confusion! Ozzie-- you're an original!" Nettle grins. "Now what's this about werewolves? Are you friends with the werewolves, or just this one in particular?" Nettle watches Oswald as they wait for the elevator doors to open.

"Well" says Oswald. "I did know a werewolf, but he was a drifter so he's been gone for some time. Great guy though, always had some mighty fine drinking wine." Oswald smiles at the memories. Suddenly, a small bell rings out and the doors to the elevator open. "After you," motions Oswald. "You know, I gotta play the comsumate gentleman around you."

Nettle laughs and steps into the elevator. "Why is that, Oswald? Do I look like the kind of person who would discriminate against a man without manners?" Nettle says, batting her eyelashes and using a proper Southern accent.

"No," replies Oswald. "I'm under orders by Alec to make sure you're okay. If he so much as hears I was bad to you, he's gonna beat me up." He breaks into a big grin then starts laughing out load.

Nettle looks at Oswald in surprise for a moment, and then laughs with him. "Oh he DID, did he? Yes, I can just see Alec beating you up! I think Alec would be more scared for YOU if you did something to piss me off and you were where no one could hear you scream!" Nettle raises her eyebrows at Oswald, grins an evil grin, and elbowing him in the ribs. Looking up to see what floor the elevator is passing, Nettle asks, "what floors do you use in this building, and are the rest of them empty?"

"Actually, there are only two floors. The one at topside and the one we're heading too. It's going to be a little messy, I'm redecorating down here." The elevator keeps going down for a long time. "Well, I promise I'll try not to get out of line... today that is." The elevator stops and the doors open with a ding. Inside, hundreds of Oswald's robot insects are flying in a haphazard way, carrying heavy equipment back and forth across the path. Two large mantis-like insects drop in front of the elevator, weapons bristling from every joint. They disregard Oswald and seem to moving in on Nettle, issuing deep-sounding beeps and buzzes. "Artie, Fred," shouts Oswald. "Stop!" The machines stop and turn to their creator. "It's okay, now buzz off!" The machines fly away into the swarm of other machine-insects. Turning to Nettle, he looks at her with concern, "I'm sorry about that, are you okay?"

Nettle's mouth and eyes are wide open as if she's holding in a shriek, and she realizes she's clutching her bag of foci tightly. As the giant bugs fly off, she turns her eyes to Oswald and shakes her head. "Damnit, Ozzie, I almost had a heart attack! You don't ever have to worry about me trying to sneak in here alone! Man!" Nettle shakes her hand out and looks around with trepidation, and then back to Ozzie. "You promise to try not to get out of line, at least not today??" Nettle gives Oswald a little smirk. "What do you mean by that, Oswald?"

"I'm so sorry," apologizes Oswald. "This whole Thares-business got me a little jumpy. I've increased my security in the place, but I guess I forgot to tell my toys about today." He looks a little ashamed at what he's done. "I trust the group, but... I'm sorry."

Nettle forgets about her earlier question and puts her hand on Oswald's shoulder. "I completely understand, Ozz. Look, how can anyone be completely sure about ANYTHING in a world like this! It was just an oversight-- nothing to kick yourself about. We may have to hire a bunch of those bugs to protect us at the chantry if things get too dangerous!" Nettle looks around again. "Where are you taking me first, Dr. Ozz?"

Oswald looks at her with a raised eyebrow. "Well, as you are my guest, the lab is yours. You can check out the gardens, the lab, whatever you desire." He walks into the middle of the maelstrom of insects and although it looks like he's about to be engulfed by dozens of machines, he walks ahead like Moses through the waters. "Don't worry," he calls out. "They won't hit you."

Nettle watches everything with a strained look on her face, and then runs after Oswald with her arms covering her head. Once she reaches him, she smoothes out her hair and catches her breath. "How about if we walk through the bugs TOGETHER next time?" Nettle punches Oswald playfully in the arm. "Well, let's see these gardens first, and then we can work out the "bugs" of my saber-idea last, hahaha!" Nettle makes an exaggerated laugh and leg-slap and grins at Oswald.

"Okay," says Oswald. "Let's hit the gardens." He leads Nettle through the onrush of flying insects and walks over to a set of oaken doors. Pushing them open, the calamity outside is taken up by the serenity of the gardens inside. The ceiling is about 100 feet high and it's as if a cathedral was build around a small forest. The stonework has an odd green texture to it. On the walls are various plants which have the appearance of stained glasswork. Every once in a while, a little insect flies by doing its chores. "Well, what do you think? When Justice was here, she wasn't that impressed but I wanted a second opinion."

Nettle stands there with her jaw dropped and her eyes wide open. "Wow..." she whispers, and then starts moving forward. "How did you DO this??" Nettle runs up to the walls and moves to touch the stained glass-resembling plants, and then pulls her hand back hastily. "What's safe to touch and smell in here? And what ARE these??" She points to the floor-- "and what is this stonework made of??"

"Just flowers," shrugs Oswald. I've never really looked into what kind of plants they are. I figured someone else would know what it is. And the stonework. Well, it's made of stone. That's just moss and lichen on it. What, you thought that was a plant?" Oswald chuckles at this. "Actually, everything is pretty safe around here. I make sure nothing is dangerous to me, so you should be okay."

Nettle shakes her head at Oswald. "And I thought you had some mystical explanations for everything! Don't I feel dumb!" Nettle leans forward to peer closer at the glassy flowers, and touches and smells them. "You need to get Veil in here and show her everything! I have to admit, I found the studying of plants and herbs a little...er...boring for me back when I was studying under Gretchen, but Veil should know what all of these are!" Nettle spends the next half hour walking around and inspecting everything she comes to-- touching the leaves and petals, and inhaling the scents. As she makes her way back to the entrance, she asks, "so what did you create this garden for? What do you use it for?"

Oswald looks at her with a bemused smile. "I need a reason to create a place like this." He nods his head at Nettle. "Although I love my work a lot, there are always times I need to get away from it all and this is the place. As time has gone on, yes, I've done work here, but it's really my quiet place."

Nettle tilts her head and looks at Oswald for a moment. "Wow...I guess I had you pegged as the type of guy who made everything with a scientific purpose in mind and I totally missed the obvious answer! I'm sorry about that, Ozzie-- and I'm sorry Justice didn't appreciate what you've done here! Maybe she's color-blind or something..." Nettle grins and glances around again. "Well, we better go get started on the saber-- Alec and I are taking both sets of parents out to dinner later tonight, and I wouldn't want to make Alec babysit them alone while I'm late!" Nettle grins and waits for Oswald to lead her back out of the garden.

"Okay, let's head over to the lab." Oswald leads Nettle out of the gardens and back through the mass of machines moving back and forth. He walks over to another set of doors on the opposite side of the room. These doors are more like cafeteria doors and he opens them without a word. Inside is a mess of equipment and hardware strewn over several tables. "Sorry about the mess," he shrugs, not even paying attention to Nettle's reaction and pulls a stool over to one of the work areas. "Well, let's take a look at this sword."

Nettle doesn't seem to notice the mess at all-- figuring it's a normal sight for any scientist or mechanic-- and slides her saber lovingly from the sheath on her back. She lays it on the table in front of Oswald. "I was thinking we could put some kind of power-source in the handle that would turn the whole blade into a stun-gun of sorts-- not that I know exactly what I'm talking about, but maybe you have some idea of how to get that to work? If this IS possible, I was thinking we could put a button on the hilt that would activate or de-activate the charge so I don't end up stunning myself or someone else unintentionally." Nettle looks at Oswald hopefully.

Oswald takes a look at the saber. "Exactly how did you want to stun someone with the sword? Tap them on the head with the blade or to actually have it shoot out a stunning effect? I can do it with the blade portion, that's not a problem. The shooting part may be a little more tricky." He examines the sword more closely, taking in the details of the blade and hilt. "Of course, I could also add an effect that would ignite the blade, as I've heard vampires are very vulnerable to fire."

"Ooooooh Ozzie!! What a bunch of great ideas!!!" Nettle shakes Oswald's arm and her eyes are alive with excitement. "Would it be possible for there to be three settings on the sword? One that would electrify the sword so I would have to touch the enemy with it to stun, one that would shoot out a stun, and one that would ignite the blade?? Or would we need to have a separate sword for the flaming sword?" Nettle gestures energetically with her arms and hands as she emphasizes her words.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Oswald holds his hands up in surrender. "One thing at a time. I'm sure we can fit all three in the sword, I just want to make sure that when the flames start shooting, you're not getting electrocuted. Now, are there any other ideas you may have for the sword." Oswald raises one eyebrow A la The Rock from WWF.

Nettle looks at Oswald with wide eyes for a moment, and then laughs. "No, those are the only ideas I had for the sword, and I'm glad you think we'll be able to fit all three settings in one sword! I guess if you rubber-coat the hilt, or something, it should ground the electricity, right?" Nettle thinks about what she's learned from studying Forces. "Just promise me you'll be careful with her-- I've had that saber since I was 18, and she's...well...she's like a lucky sword, and I think I'd fight worse if I had to use another one..." Nettle looks at Oswald with a tinge of worry in her eyes. "So you want me to leave her here, or what happens next?"

"Well, I'll have to do some testing and some measurements. Then, it'll be up and running." He takes the sword over to a large coffin-like chest and taps it twice. "Open," he says and dutifully, the chest opens. He places the saber inside of it. "Okay, let's see what you can make of this. Close." The chest closes it's lid and Oswald looks up at Nettle. "Won't be a moment."

Nettle watches everything with a surprised look on her face, and her hands clasped tightly. "Wow...OK, I'm trusting this is safe...wow...what's it doing?? What's going on in there?" Nettle leans forward a little to try to catch any sounds from the chest.

"Oh that," points out Oswald with a shrug of his shoulders. "Just a Recombinant Metalurgical Positronic Ionic Beam Recharging Empirical Chemical Analysis Dialytic Cloning Data Workstation, or R.M.P.I.B.R.E.C.A.D.C.D.W. I like to call it Bob to confuse people." He pats the machine lovingly and it emits an electronic gurgle from within. "There, there." The machine continues to make beeping noises. "Anyway..." he begins, then looks up. "Jesus, there's a wasp in here, your not supposed to be here." He opens the door and shoos it out. "Okay, that's settled. Care for some tea?"

"Oh dear...an insect out of your control..." Nettle's face changes from the previous look of confusion she was expressing, to one of nervousness again. "Yes! I would really love some tea! Thank you, Ozzie!" she says a bit too enthusiastically and looks like she wants to follow him quickly.

Oswald walks to a pipe set in a wall. "Two teas," he calls out. Looking back at Nettle, he adds, "Won't be a moment." Soon, a large ladybeetle-like robot, it's red and black colors vibrant on the shell, enters with a silver tray with two cups of intricate china and a tea kettle on it. "Sugar, cream, or lemon?"

Nettle realizes they're not leaving the vicinity, and calms herself down. Walking up to the robot curiously, she answers, "sugar and lemon, please! A couple teaspoons of sugar." Nettle watches the robot intently, thinking to herself that Oswald is a genius, and wondering what his life has been like.

Suddenly, the chest starts making a loud screeching noise as if it is tearing apart something inside. Oswald calmly pours a cup of tea and puts in several spoonfuls of sugar and lemon. "Your tea," he offers.

Nettle shrieks and turns, runs to the machine and starts banging on the lid. "OZZIE!!! Get it out of there!! Stop the machine!!! STOP IT!! STOP IT!!" Nettle fumbles around with the lid with one hand, and panickedly jams her other hand into her back of foci-- bringing up a crystal and hurriedly putting it back, then a small green candle, at which point she sighs in frustration and puts her hand back in again.

"What? What?" Oswald asks exasperated. "Nothing's happening." He pulls the frantic Nettle away from the machine and taps a button. The lid opens and Oswald sticks his hand into the smoky darkness of the machine. He pulls out the sword, which looks like it did before he put it in the machine. "Nothing's happening to the sword. It's just being analyzed. Jeez, your acting like it was eating your sword or something."

Nettle gives Oswald an exasperated look and grabs her sword from him, inspecting every inch. When she's satisfied it hasn't been damaged, she reluctantly hands it back to him. "Maybe you LIKE for your inventions to look like they're malfunctioning, but it scares the shit out of the rest of us, Oswald!" Nettle takes a few calming breaths and then puts on a semblance of a smile. "What's next on the list of things you need to do to give me a heart attack before the sword's done?"

"Well, I'll have to add in a fuel cell for the flame part and buttons for the stunning effects. If you can leave it with me for a day, it should be back in your hands tomorrow." Oswald casually puts it back in the chest again. "I just need a little more on this."

Nettle looks hesitantly at her sword. "Well...if you're sure, that should be OK. I mean, I could always call Alec and tell him I'll be late..." Nettle looks at Oswald's face and then blushes apologetically. "No, it will be OK! I'll be excited to see what you do with it Ozzie! You're a genius-- it will be a work of art. Speaking of that, how shall I ever pay you?" Nettle bats her eyelashes and grins, and then an idea flashes in her eyes. Opening her wallet, she brings out a card which reads "Alternative Lifestyles." "Hey Ozzie-- do you have any tattoos? Or if not, would you like one done? My good friends Eddie and Violet-- they did all of my work, and Alec's tattoo, as well-- do beautiful tattoos! I could hook you up with them if you like!"

Oswald looks at Nettle with surprise. "A tattoo??? Just what kind of scientist do you think I am." He grins at her, "Thank you, but no thanks. I don't know what I would do with a tattoo. We'll just call this one a freebie."

Nettle laughs and nods. "Well, all right-- but the offer's good anytime you change your mind!" Nettle replies, giving Oswald a wink. Looking at her watch she mutters a curse under her breath. "Ozzie-- if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you drop me off at Alec's record store on the way home? I don't want him to have to leave our parents in there alone to come get me-- there's no telling what trouble Mom and Dad would get themselves into, and with Alec's parents there, too...good goddess, we better step on it!" Nettle rests her hand on her saber for a moment, and then turns back to face Oswald.

Oswald's rummaging through his parts as Nettle chatters on. He pulls out a metal cylindar and looks at the saber hilt, sizing up the cylindar with the hilt. "Yes, this should do it for the fuel cell. And now for the buttons." He goes back to his work tables and begins rummaging again. He mutters something about dumpster diving if he can't find the piece and then looks up at Nettle, "no, it won't be much trouble to drop you off. I'll find the rest of the stuff later." He quickly grabs a coat off a coat rack and puts it on. He heads out the door, contemplating more figures and totally ignoring Nettle as he walks to the elevator. He hits the button and the doors swing open with a ding. Entering the elevator, Oswald looks around for Nettle to get in.

Nettle is trying to follow Oswald the best she can, and when Oswald turns around, she's standing at the other end of the room, looking at the insects with apprehension. When she sees him looking at her, she puts on a brave smile and runs as fast as she can across the floor, almost running right into him as she tries to stop. Straightening her hair and clearing her throat, she says "thank you" as he keeps the elevator doors open, and enters the elevator.

Oswald looks at Nettle surprised. "Do you happen to have some sort of phobia with insects?" he asks. "It seems you've been very uncomfortable in this place ever since you arrived." He presses a button and the doors close.

Nettle looks at Oswald and laughs a little too loudly. "Yeah-- I guess you could say that!! But what person have you brought in here that HASN'T been freaked out by larger-than-life bugs that seem to want to use everyone as target-practice??" Nettle grins as the elevator ascends. "It's a very remarkable security system, Ozz-- I'm very impressed! I guess I should learn to love all of the goddess' creatures in their many forms, but this might be pushing it!"

Oswald shakes his head. "No, no, others have been here and haven't freaked out. Course, when Jacob came by, now that was a sight." He smiles a bit. "He thought that one of my robot beetles was a stool so he sat on it. Trouble is, the beetle was a copy of a stink bug and thought Jacob was attacking him. What a mess that was. I'm just surprised Jacob wanted to come back after that." Oswald laughs a bit at the story, pauses for a moment, than laughs a little louder. "And as for the tattoo, the last time I did that, I was stone drunk and, well, if your friends can remove one, cause I really don't need the one I have."

Nettle folds her arms and smirks at Oswald. "I KNEW it! Withholding information, were you?? Yes, Eddie and Violet can skillfully remove any tattoo, as well, using...a process we in the chantry like to refer to as Magick...plus some good old mundane lasers! All right, Ozzie, where is this tattoo! Show me, already!" Nettle raises an eyebrow and keeps her stare steady.

"I don't think you really want to see it" says Oswald patting his butt. "Especially where it is. I told you I was drunk when I got it." The elevator stops and the doors open with a ding. "Phew, saved be the bell."

Nettle watches Oswald hold the doors open for her, and as she slides past him, she winks playfully and says, "who says I still wouldn't like to see it," in a low tone and prances off ahead of Oswald to the parking lot.

Oswald holds his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, hey, not that I won't, I just don't want Alec coming over her in a bad mood. Be bad for my karma, along with the rest of my self." Once again, he opens the passenger side door for Nettle on his van. "I already told you, I'm supposed to be good on this trip. Maybe next one," he winks at Nettle.

Nettle laughs in genuine surprise-- her eyes wide open. "Oswald!!" She laughs again, shaking her head as he opens the driver's side and gets in. "And here I thought you would always be the good, straight-laced boy who never dipped his feet into the naughty-pool! I have new respect for you!" Nettle looks as though she wants to say something else, but stops. "Oh the fun I've given up out of respect for my dear Alec...let's hope he's got what it takes to keep me forgetful!" Nettle laughs again and smiles while looking out the front window.

"From the way you too act toward each other, I'm surprised you'd even consider someone else." Oswald smiles at Nettle, "but I know you're just teasing so I won't cry over it."

Nettle smiles at Oswald. "That was very sweet, Ozz...you know, all you men in the chantry should be glad I got side-tracked from my original plan on the first day I joined, or there would have been a trail of broken hearts leading to my bedroom door!" Nettle grins mischieviously. "We Verbena have always been a little selfish and stubborn with getting what we want. On second thought, my rampage probably would have ended with a bullet from Tania's gun inplanted between my eyes..." Nettle gives a shudder. "Well, so far the respectable life agrees with me, and I'm glad of that!" Nettle watches the trees fly by out the window and ponders how everyones' lives have been so changed in mere months.

"Yeah, well I don't know if a Verbena and Son of Ether get along too well," Oswald mutters. "I'm glad you're not like some of them I've met. You're probably one of the few that seems to be very open and friendly with other people."

Nettle grins at Oswald. "Thank you, Ozzie! That's one of the nicest things anyone's said to me! Well, in response to Verbena being so closed-off, that can happen when you know you're the true path, hehe!" Nettle elbows Oswald in the ribs playfully. "It IS a bit hard to understand why you Sons like to take Mother Nature apart, control her, and try to reproduce her yourselves, but I have to admit that I see a lot of benefit from the work you do...aah! Turn left there after the dry cleaning place-- that's his, er, our record store!" Nettle grins proudly. "And thank the goddess his Gremlin is still there!! What a night we're in for!" When the van pulls up in front of the store, Nettle turns to Oswald and thanks him for working on her sword. "When should I start bugging you about asking if it's done?" Nettle grins excitedly.

Oswald raises his eyebrows at her "Well, it should be done tomorrow so I'll bring it by the chantry about noon." He chuckles a bit, "I'll even take a picture of my tattoo and give it too you."

Nettle opens her door and gives Oswald a look with one eyebrow raised. "Just mark it confidential so I don't get in trouble, OK Ozz?" Nettle grins. "Thank you again for all the work you're doing on the sword-- I can't wait to see it tomorrow! Just...be careful, Ozz!" Nettle takes a look at his impassive face and nods sheepishly. "I'll see you tomorrow at the chantry, and wish me good luck tonight!" Nettle waves, shuts the van door, and heads into the record store to meet up with Alec and their parents.

Oswald waves back at Nettle as she walks into the record store. Once she's inside, he heads back to the lab. Chuckling softly to himself, he mutters. "I could make a Nettle-clone if I wanted thanks to today. Too bad I don't do that, but I know who does." He thinks to himself, ever since Justice has left, things have been really uncomfortable without someone to talk to. He continues to chuckle as he drives on.

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