[Fin]Her Dust is Very Pretty [Ryn]

[Ry]

"No," Souris agreed, "I won't", as she poured a neat snifter of Calvados, then placed snifter and bottle before Mnem. Poisonous and addictive plants abounded in the Gardens.

She then busied her mouth opening doors, and her paws taking out food, laying a simple sprea; a crock of Tapenade with baguette, as a amuse-bouche, then Hors d'œuvre - Crudités comprising celery and carrot sticks, accompanied by bell pepper
strips,paired with vinaigrette and Canapés, ending in cheeses - Roquefort, Münster Fermier, Camembert, Brie, followed by then entrée, Crêpe and quiches rounded off with soufflés, teamed with wines from the current year - Chardonnay, Pinot blanc blended with Auxerrois blanc and Pinot Noirs. That would do to begin with.

She enjoyed the wine-making process, especially the distillation, which, truth be told, was disturbingly similar to the one that she used to obtain plant extracts. The belladonna extract on her cosmetics counter, for instance, that she used to dilate her eyes, was obtained from a similar still.

She had the apparatus on hand, why waste them?

[Bee]

Mnem contemplated her booze most thoughtfully--when she wasn't drinking it, because it was very fine booze, and there was little Mnem appreciated more in the world than fine booze--and a few thoughts got rolling. Firstly, that this little mouse had a lot to learn about botany, and could put the knowledge to fun use. Secondly, that she had a very vast and readily available supply of alcohol. Thirdly, and most importantly, that these two facts could coalesce happily into a very merry bargain for Mnem.

She liked it when she got to be kind and giving and yet thoroughly self-serving at the same time.

"Sweetheart," she said, in a rare mood of pure cheer, "I realize we haven't been acquainted long, but let me help you help me help one another. A business proposition, if you will. I'll get you started on a profitable and exciting venture, and in return, you can keep your charming vineyard busy by supplying me with quality sauce."

[Ry]

The poor bewildered mouse, caught between exhilaration and astonishment, almost stammered in her answer,"T-Thank you, Mnem," grateful for the unlooked assistance, barely giving any thought the demands involved.

She had certain, better vintages set aside in her cellar, naturellement. The bottles she'd stored away would supply the deficiency, she'd trust, until the presses caught up with the additional demand. Or so she hoped. She set aside the sobering thought, quickly, hoping to please Mnem.

"I propose a toast!" she squeaked, excitedly. She needed to see if the Fermier Hors d'Age would stand up to scrutiny. Would Mnem consider the aged, double-distilled Calvados "quality sauce"? "To helping you help me help you help one another!" She beamed, loving the trippy sentence, however akward that was to say. Belatedly, "What venture?" she asked, almost akwardly.

She supposed she ought to have asked first, before agreeing, but she quite liked the woman. And she was well-connected. She definitely wanted to keep her around.

[Bee]

Mnem merrily clinked her glass against the mouse's and took a nice, long little sip. Quality sauce indeed. She gave a pleased hum. Fine, unexpected drink was one of the easiest ways to brighten her day.

"You asked me about poisons, darling. I'm sure you've realized that the natural world has a lot to offer beyond the cultivation of alcohol, high though it is on my list of nature's uses. I could get you in on a nice little market, once you learn to make the product."

And a nice market it was. The only gap it had was with some Hearts, and their wretched immunities, but even they had a hilariously pathetic weak spot that could be exploited if one had the detective skills. Then it was just a matter of giving them orange juice or putting nail clippings in their supper or something. Mnem had charged her clients out the arse for that one. It was hardly a skill worth developing.

"And provided you don't mind the fact that you'll be indirectly responsible for the deaths of possibly countless scores of people," she added, cheerfully.

[Ry]

((OOC: Long overdue reply to Mnem's brilliant Christmas present.))

Watching Mnem narrowly, she was pleased to see her guest's enjoyment, and deftly topped up the glass. The mouse nodded, her gaze again going to her cosmetics counter. An observant Card might have been suspicious, no doubt, and worried for her health. The mouse happened to be fairly fascinated by the the addictives that rendered the subject utterly, absolutely dependent upon the poison over time, and she would love to be paid to indulge.

In fact, she'd almost forgotten she'd yet to learn to make the product. Alight with delight, her explosive excitement probably gave away the answer. "I don't mind", she beamed, radiating absolute eagerness. Suits, you almost had to wonder if the adolescent mouse even realised that morally and ethically, being indirectly responsible for the deaths of countless scores of people was tantamount to being directly responsible for the deaths of countless scores of people.

"When can we begin?"

[Bee]

"Immediately, of course," Mnem said, because an eager subject with a distinct lack of scruples was somewhat difficult to come by, and should be a joy to share the wonders of toxicity with. Usually that was something that had to be cultivated with time and effort and careful desensitizing, and was not for the soft-hearted. Mnem herself had been born without empathy, but she realized that others were not so fortunate. How terrible it must be to be them.

She paused, giving her alcohol another fond glance and then a fonder sip, thinking on the matter a little more. "Well," she said, considering. "Perhaps tomorrow. I would hate to ruin a day of drink and relaxation and friends with anything even remotely resembling effort."

The dawn of a new day and a new endeavor. It had a nice ring to it. She leaned back in her chair. A nice ring indeed.