Today's Tomorrow [Private, Invite Eligible]

"Of course," Momo assured, hiding the mixture of sympathy and righteous indignation Katherine's words had hid behind a smile, "hey, we have plenty of sunlight - want to try going somewhere?"

Katherine blinked, a little startled. "G-go somewhere? You mean... outside the estate?" She bit her lip, clearly worrying over the question. "I... would love to, but... I'm not sure my parents would let me..."

Momo placed a finger to her chin, thinking, before removing it and smiling confidently, "Between the two of us, I think we can make it happen."

Katherine seemed to think about that, wondering if they really could... and Momo's confidence was certainly inspiring. "Um... o-okay... we can ask..." She didn't think it would work... but she really hoped it would.

"Right, let's find one then." Momo intoned, stepping boldly out of the room before pausing and turning to Katherine, "...where would they be, and which do you think would be better to ask?"

Katherine giggled a bit. "Father isn't home, so it will have to be Mother... and she's p-probably reading in the study..." Katherine led the way, it wasn't an overly long walk, but when they neared the door she started to slow, her nerves quickly returning. "Well... here it is..."

"Alright, let's do this then." With that opening statement, Momo knocked briskly on the door.

"...Come in." The voice sounded somewhat annoyed, and Katherine flinched. She was desperately wishing that her mother would listen and consent; she wanted... needed, to go. When they walked in, Elizabeth raised a brow, setting her book down as she lounged in her chair. "...May I help you?" The tone suggested she wasn't exactly happy to ask that question.

"Yes," Momo said, refusing to show any sign of nervousness, "Katherine and I have been talking, and it came up that she hasn't been outside once in the past eleven years... so I thought I would ask you if I could have your permission to take her out. Nowhere far away, of course, but I want to repay her for the kindness she's shown me recently. You're more than welcome to send your own escort, of course."

Elizabeth's eyes widened for a moment, startled by the question. "...No. It's too dangerous for her to be going out into the city on her own, and I'm not going to bother the security staff with escorting her." Elizabeth turned back to her book. "If that's all, you may go."

"M-Mother... please-"

"I said no. Leave." With that, Katherine started to tear up, as she found herself doing a lot recently. She squeezed her eyes shut, practically screaming into her mind for her mother to please just let her go. She wanted to see more of the world around her, not just what was contained within the grounds of the estate.

Momo frowned, "But she wouldn't be on her own - I'd be with her. And isn't it their job to look after her anyway? Or did you really hire guards just to watch the manor? Even if that isn't the case, I'm sure that an estate as large as this hosts more than enough staff for us to find a volunteer that won't be missed."

Elizabeth lowered the book again, glaring at Momo rather harshly. She did not appreciate being talked to in such a manner. And yet... she could see the logic in the girl's words. Something was nagging at her mind, and she indecisive. She glanced at Katherine, once again seeing that devastated look on her face, and sighed heavily. "...Fine. I will have one of the security staff meet you at the front door. And he will then stay with you both until you return, is that understood?"


"..." Katherine couldn't even articulate a response, just utterly shocked that her mother had agreed.

"Of course," Momo affirmed cheerfully, "then - let's go, Katherine!"

Katherine blinked, turning toward Momo, and nodded a bit numbly, still completely thrown off by her mother's acceptance. She allowed herself to be led out as her mother picked up her phone to call someone from security for the job. "I... I can't believe she said yes..."

Momo shrugged, "Good fortune is good fortune. Either way, I wasn't going to be leaving that room for a long time if she kept refusing. Now, the front door is... this way, right? Or did we not use it...?"

Katherine paused, then giggled a bit. "You're asking the b-blind girl for directions... even I know that is strange... and it's this way." She began leading the way, her shock and nervousness starting to bleed away as sheer excitement and giddiness began to fill her. Even with supervision, she was leaving the estate for the first time in eleven years. She didn't even care what exactly they went to do.

"Eh, laughing at me's no fair you know?" Momo said jokingly as she followed, "You know this place so well anyway. Why wouldn't I ask you for directions?"

Katherine immediately deflated, bowing her head a bit. "You're r-right, I'm sorry..." Figured that she'd try to make a joke and it would end up just being rude. She'd just be quiet for now.

Seeing Katherine's mood deteriorate, Momo hastily backpedaled (verbally), "Hey, there's nothing to be sorry about - I was just joking."

"O-oh..." Now she just felt foolish, blushing deeply. "Um... right..." Yeah, she was definitely going to be quiet. It didn't take long to reach the front door, and a man in a suit was standing at the doors. He seemed like the stereotypical security guard, but at least he wasn't wearing sunglasses or look like he had no personality to speak of. He did, however, look like a grump.

"Please tell me you two are not going shopping."

"Hmm...?" Momo intoned, an entirely too innocent smile on her face. For all intents and purposes, Momo appeared to be seriously contemplating it, before dismissing the guard's concerns, "Don't worry. Baby steps, you know? Katherine's not used to crowds, right? So going straight to the mall would just be irresponsible. I'm not that much of an airhead, you know? Besides, even if she can handle it, then I don't think that Hale-san would approve."

The guard seemed moderately impressed by Momo's logic, but frowned a bit. "You shouldn't address her so familiarly, without an honorific."

"I don't want her to... Momo-san can call me whatever she likes..."

"That makes it even worse if you're using an honorific and she's not..."

"I told her she could address me however she likes," Momo informed, somewhat put-out, "and she wants to use the 'san.' I'm not going to force her to use 'chan' or go without if she's not comfortable doing so."

The man rolled his eyes, mumbling under his breath about teenagers. "Anyway, let's get this over with. The sooner we get done, the sooner I can stop worrying if Lady Hale will fire me over-" He paused, and glanced at Katherine. "Nevermind, let's just go."

"I'm just taking her to the park, you know?" Momo assured, stepping forward and taking the lead - taking care to make sure Katherine was following, "Unless there's somewhere specific you want to go, Katherine?"