[hider=Tabula's Tour: Part 2]
The next stop on Tabula's itinerary looked to be a fair bit less stressful. "Bone Butler Quarters," she said aloud. "Overseen by...Mamoru Dracobreaker." Thinking back to the grand meeting in the Final Chapter, the Nightgaunt let the name roll over her tongue as she tried to recall the face it belonged to. "Mamoru..." After a moment an image came to mind. That's right. Pale, sharp, frilly. Though she mostly concealed it, she harbored draconian blood. She worked as a maid, which meant 'female domestic worker'. Graft had said that her job title was 'honorary' in a tongue-and-cheek sort of way, which his other note shed some light on. "Run by Butterfly." So, Mamoru was the sort of boss who was technically in charge but left the responsibilities to others. A good leader delegated, the Director had told her, but a good leader also led by example.

However, Tabula's mind as she made her way to the new location did not linger on Mamoru long. She thought about her rabbit instead. It had been one of of the skeletal butlers who'd given the little guy to her, and since then the fluffy, corpulent creature had been a source of incessant joy. Just petting it filled Tabula with happiness, and watching it bounce around and kick its legs in glee made her heart swell. The air in the Factory hadn't agreed with it, so  with a little permission she'd set up a little yard for it in a corner of Zouyu's garden where it could live comfortably and where she could visit often. The hardest part of caring for it had been coming up with a name; Graft ended up helping her there, too. As Tabula neared the Quarters, she wondered if the skeletons might have any more rabbits she could take so that little Lago could have some company.

A well-dressed skeleton greeted her. "Good day," Tabula told it. She felt a little uneasy; it wasn't easy to get a feel for someone with no face. "I'm here to visit?"

The skeleton butler bowed his head. Though not all of the skeletons have been informed of the visitation, they had no reason to question the whims of their masters, superiors, and generally anyone stronger than them. He would lead Tabula to the Bone Butler's Quarters, a location swarming with skeletons moving with such mechanical efficiency that if they had a coat of chrome plating on their bones, they would look almost like a macabre part of Graft's factory. Indeed, inside the quarters themselves were hundreds if not thousands of Skeletons retrieving objects and tools from various work closets for whatever tasks they were needed for: brooms for sweeping, mops for washing, hammers for fixing, or simply putting items away. Tabula would never need to worry about bumping into the skeletons or interrupting their flow as they gave her a wide birth, or alternatively simply stopping their movements until they were clear to move.

Each skeleton looked identical in appearance or attire. They had sharp suits which were cleaned and pressed, there was even a section of the room where there were multiple skeletons working on laundry. That being said while each skeleton looked the same, there were very minor details in terms of bone structure. It wouldn't be too difficult for Tabula to realize some skeletons were taller or smaller than others, some had wide frames, others were thin, a few even had thick bones or skinnier ones. But these could only be caught in glimpses as the skeletons moved endlessly to fulfill their duties. Only one stood out in particular, and it was the skeleton who wore no clothing, with jet black bones and a cybernetic head.

"Welcome to the Bone Butler Quarters, Mistress Tabula. Would you like any refreshments?" As soon as Butterfly said this, three skeletons came over, one with a small table, another with a platter with various juices and teas, and another with a plate of cookies and sweets. Each of these items were acquired from Mamoru's personal kitchen, a small section connected to the Bone Butler Quarters. For obvious reasons none of the skeletons ever have need to use it, so the only reason they would be there is to clean or retrieve anything ordered from them. "These confectioneries pale in comparison to Master Chef Flan, but they are the best that Master Mamoru can create. If anything displeases you we will do everything without our power to correct the error." Tabula could also spot a sectioned off area of the Bone Butler quarters that was filled with some hay, wire fence, and multiple fat rabbits who appear to be in the process of eating or reproducing.

"Oh!" Tabula seemed somewhat taken aback by Butterfly's warm welcome and offering. If anything, she seemed embarrassed to be getting such VIP treatment, making her softhorns wiggle in slight distress. She couldn't possibly refuse his refreshments, and eagerly took a cup apiece of juice and tea to gulp down in quick succession. "Aah! That's so...sweet!" But she hadn't seen anything yet. Biting into a cookie prompted to close her eyes and shudder. "Mmm...I've never had anything this good before!"

Papillary, having received no welcome but helped herself to some tea, stared at the Nightgaunt with her featureless face and no small amount of indignity. "I...my..." she sputtered, "I don't exactly have high cooking levels or any good ingredients in the Factory, now do I?"

Tabula's eyes went wide. "Oh! I'm sorry, Papillary. I didn't mean it like that."

The heart-headed priestess turned her head away, and would have rolled her eyes if she could. Her mood, however, did not dampen Tabula's for long. Tabula inhaled another few cookies with gusto before she realized her indecency and composed herself. Clearing her throat, she said, "Um, these...things are beyond reproach. Please give my compliments to Lady Mamoru."

Her eyes had already wandered several times to the rabbit pen nearby, and in the pause that followed her last statement she ended up breaking away to scamper over to the pen in as dignified a manner as she could. Her eyes shone as she watched the little creatures going about their business. "Awww!" she practically squealed. "I love rabbits!" When she saw a couple in the act of mating, however, she narrowed her brow. "What is that thing those two are doing?"

“They are breeding. These are native creatures of these new lands, who previously were starving and suffering in the wilderness. however because of the safety and food I have been supply them, they feel comfortable to simply eat their fill and procreate, as is the natural inclination of such beasts.” Butterfly explains as he follows Tabula. The other skeleton servants turn to Papillary and offer her their services as well.

“They had began to breed excessively since I had decided to make use of them. These are a few I have chosen to be worthy of companionship for whomever desires them. The others I have either released or given to other sections of the Chateau as fodder.” Butterfly than looked over towards Papillary. Though they were a fair bit of distance away, through one of the other skeletons Butterfly’s voice cold be heard. “Forgive me, I have hardly made proper introductions. I am Butterfly the Bone Daddy. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Mistress Papillary?”

"Oh." Butterfly's explanation made it sound like she should already know what breeding and procreation were. The fact that he, a metal undead, had been able to domesticate these animals in such a short time struck her as impressive. Having spent some time with a biology tome after taking her own rabbit as a pet, Tabula learned that the beasts were as skittish as they were unintelligent. No doubt they would make good fodder for those who needed some, although that word surely carried a different meaning to, say, Zouyu or Kaldorna compared to what it did to Graft. She wondered if he would appreciate her taking them all, keeping the companionable ones while giving him the rest for use as biomass. Sad as that thought was, she knew well the importance of that resource to the Factory.

While she watched and though, Papillary spoke to Butterfly. "I'm just here to keep an eye on Tabula. Make sure she's not a bother." Not a lie, but not the whole truth. Her tone expressed her disillusionment with her assignment, though to say she hated it wouldn't be right either. The trip was a long one and not every destination turned out as interesting as, say, Shadowtower Shrine.

After another few moments Tabula approached Butterfly, her idea arranged in an appropriately businesslike way. Now that she knew his last name, she could also address the head butler more properly. "Mr. Daddy, I'd be happy to take a couple pet rabbits to give Lago company. If there are no other takers, please consider henceforth sending excess rabbits to the Factory for the Director to recycle. I know he would be appreciative." There, a proposition that could benefit all parties involved. Graft would be proud!

Butterfly bowed his head. "I would be honored to give you these rabbits, Mistress Tabula." Some skeletons went to gently retrieve the skeletons. They didn't seem to bothered, even the ones who were in the process of breeding. Their less skittish attitudes was one of the main factors for why Butterfly choose to keep these rabbits. As the skeletons were going to give the rabbits, Butterfly also took out a small cloth sack. Inside contained some dirt with a strange grass growing from it. "By the way, while I was out I also discovered this curious grass. The gentle breeze of the forest enabled the grass to make various musical noises, and thought perhaps it may be worth researching. I'm certain the facilities of the Factory could expand on the grass's ability to create powerful acoustics or other potentially useful devices." He handed the bundle to Papillary.

Soon a group of skeletons would walk into the Bone Butler Quarters looking fairly disheveled, changing out from their dirty equipment and changing into a new pair of worker overalls and pickaxes. This also gave Butterfly another idea to entertain his guests. "Ah, would you like to visit the current mining operation? Mistress Mamoru had discovered a source of a currently unknown magical material near the Chateau. The skeletons have been working nonstop since day one to extract this ore. Perhaps there is something worth learning if you visit it yourself: unfortunately even if I were present, neither me or my fellow Skeletons would have any knowledge on minerals. We simply know what we are suppose to look for and bring all raw materials back to the Chateau for process and division."

So many gifts! Luckily, Tabula could pass the load of whistlegrass to one of her wingclaws and hold it there, leaving her hands free to fill with rabbits a moment later. "Thank you, sir. I'm certain the Director will be able to make good use of your find." With the plants out of the way, she could concentrate on the bunnies. Soft, lazy, and complacent, they were just about perfect.

Papillary pointed out one concern. "We've still got places to go, Tabula. You aren't planning to make the rest of the stops with an armful of rabbits, are you?" 

For a moment it looked as though the Nightgaunt was considering it, but she quickly bowed to Papillary's wisdom. "Could I trouble you to have some skeletons bring them to Zouyu's garden?" she asked, wincing. Even if service was the butlers' whole reason for being, she didn't seem to want to impose any extra burden on their bony shoulders. "I have a pen there. They can live there peacefully, and Zouyu isn't allowed to eat them. The Factory air upsets them, you see." It upset her a little too, of course. Even the air of the literally lifeless Bone Butler Quarters tasted like heaven. 

Based on that, going into a mine didn't sound like a fantastic option. Besides, the resource Butterfly mention rang a few bells for Tabula. She could take this chance to shed some light on it for him. "Is it amberlyte? Graft is studying it."

Shaking her head, Papillary reminded her, "He said magical. Amberlyte is anti-magical."

"Oh! Sorry..." Tabula said, like she'd dropped something important. "Er...I don't know if I want to look at any mines. But thanks for the offer! If there's anything else, I'd be glad to take a look." After visiting the other locales of the Chateau Tabula felt sure that there must be more to this place than there appeared, so she was angling for a tour.

Once more, the skeletons moved to transport the rabbits to Tabula's desired location. The skeletons have premission to enter the gardens, and a few even were assigned to assist in maintaining it, so there shouldn't be any issues. "Of course, Mistress Tabula. Visiting the mines is of no great importance, merely a chance opportunity to allow you and Mistress Papillary to explore outside of the Chateau. And this Amberlyte... I cannot say I am familiar with it. I've certainly not noticed any particular anti-magical qualities, considering my existence as a magical being, but perhaps that is simply a limitation of my understanding. I'm positive Master Graft can unearth it's true nature with his genius." As Butterfly says this he also has another idea. Honestly, there was only so much he could do to entertain his guests here in the Bone Butler's quarters considering nothing really interesting happens beyond the constant shifting of skeleton butlers. "I shall not take up any more of your time than needed, but perhaps you would like a few servants to accompany you, should you have need of them? The Bone Butlers are not the only undead I can create though they are the most cost-effective for their purpose. I can create more powerful or otherwise appealing creatures, such as elder lichs or Vampire Pages." 

The general feeling had been leaning toward wrapping the visit up for a few moments now, but Tabula would not have said anything to suggest that her time would be better spent elsewhere. Her host, however, gave her the out she needed, and she smiled gratefully. "They seem nice, but I'll be fine without them, thanks. I probably should be getting to the next stop, actually. Thanks again for all this courtesy!" The Nightgaunt beamed, uncaring whether or not her calcium-rich compeers acknowledged or returned the sentiment. It seemed like there wasn't anything else to the Bone Butler Quarters, but that hardly meant she would be departing with a negative view of the place. On the contrary, it seemed like Butterfly and his associates were as helpful as they were competent. "You are all doing a great job," Tabula told them. "I'll look forward to seeing you all around." Barring any continuation, then, it was about time to go.

Butterfly bows his head, as did the other skeleton butlers nearby. "Thank you for your time, Mistress Tabula and Mistress Papillary. If there is anything you ever need, do not hesitate to call upon me or my fellow butlers. We are here to serve." Butterfly would remain bowing until the two leave. Once they do, the skeletons immediately return to their duties, even Butterfly. He needed to make a few more undead in preparation for the Chateau's future activities. Stronger ones than the bone butlers.
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