Ranma looked over the room and marvelled at the size of it. It was easily three times the size of what she had had back home.
"Oh, Penny-san," Ranma said. "This is much more than I could expect. Arigato gozaimasu!"
"It really isn't much," Penny said, embarrassed. "You don't have to thank me. Really. I mean there isn't even a chair."
"None the less," Ranma said. "Thank in any case."
"Okay," Penny said self-consciously. "Umm...let me show you the work stations now."
****
Penny's lab was quite a bit more advanced than anything Ranma had even heard of before. There were whole sections devoted to various of the physical sciences.
It was amazing how Penny managed to fit it all into the ground under her seafront house.
"I've been told it can be a little daunting for most people," Penny said. "But I'm sure you'll get used to it, it'll certainly make learning a little easier. I still haven't placed your apitudes very well. Do you have any particular field of study you prefer?"
"No particular course of study, Penny-san," Ranma said. "Just whatever I can find in the library."
Penny nodded she was hoping, however, that Ranma's best ability lay in the direction of magic. Penny herself was lacking in contacts in that area, and Gina's contacts weren't always in places it was convenient for Penny to speak to them when the subject came up. It certainly seemed likely, given the apparent source of Ranma's genius. Whatever the case Ranma would be a benefit. Even if she weren't Penny'd find a place for her, it was the least she could do.
"I understand," Penny said. "Well, we'll get to that later. Now, it's time for dinner."
"Oh," Ranma said. "What will we be having?"
"I don't know," Penny said. "I haven't asked Strype what's on the menu."
"Who's Strype?" Ranma asked.
"Britanny's husband," Penny said.
****
"We can test her magical aptitude," Dr. Diggers told Penny. "If she asks." He emphasized that. Penny nodded.
"I'll talk to her about it," Penny said. "She'll probably be interested."
"Why didn't you ask her already then?" Dr. Diggers asked critically.
"This is her first day here," Penny said, not noticing the tone that suggested she was going behind someone's back. "I don't want to put her immediately to work. I'm just lucky that Strype's cooking today so I can give her a real welcome."
"That is a good idea," Dr. Diggers said. "Britanny was going to invite you anyway until the mix-up with the leprauchauns and Brianna totalling the car..."
"Yeah," Penny said. "There was something about news to tell, what's going on? And what's Jetta doing here?"
"That's not for me to tell you," Dr. Diggers said with a faint smile.
****
"And she had flaming red hair like the sun setting in the..."
"Will you give it a rest!?" Lydia demanded. Romeo hadn't seemed to have learned the lesson of "don't talk about the beauty of other women with your female friends."
"Yeah, Romeo," Moisha agreed. "You've been going on and on about that girl all day. It's not like she has a much larger chest than Lydia."
"You shut up too, Mo!" Lydia snapped angrily at that remark. "Just forget about her, she's one of THEIR friends. Feh."
"But her voice was so soft and kind," Romeo sighed.
"Ahem," a voice said behind them. The rats turned to see the object of discussion standing there. Ranma's face looked sad and regretful at having to say what she was about to say. "I would listen to your friends. It would be better if you sought love elsewhere."
"But..." Romeo said.
"I don't have the freedom to choose my husband," Ranma said. "But, perhaps we can be friends. Is that all right?" She smiled hopefully and extended a hand.
"Uh...sure!" Romeo said shakily accepting the young woman's soft hand and shaking it.
"Now," Ranma said. "I believe it is time for dinner."
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(Posted Thu, 13 Feb 2003 18:48)
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