=== Boucheron & Panette ===
--- C ---



[Panette]
Pardon, Boucheron. Have you a moment
to spare?
[Boucheron]
Of course.
[Panette]
Forgive me if this seems impertinent, but...
[Panette]
Are you the son of a Firenese count?
[Boucheron]
I am.
[Panette]
Marvelous! I wonder if, as a noble, you might
deign to do me a favor.
[Boucheron]
I suppose so. What sort of favor?
[Panette]
Well, as you know, I serve the crown princess
of Solm.
[Panette]
To avoid embarrassing the royal family, I take
pains to abide by the rules of high society.
[Panette]
Yet with respect to many noble customs,
I remain rather...ill at ease.
[Panette]
Thus, I would like you to instruct me in the
manners and etiquette of your homeland.
[Boucheron]
Sure. I can do that.
[Panette]
Why, thank you!
[Boucheron]
I've been curious about Solmic etiquette too.
[Boucheron]
Since we both serve our respective royal
families, it might be fun to teach each other.
[Panette]
A splendid idea!
[Panette]
There is much to be learned, much to be taught!
[Panette]
I can scarcely wait!
[Boucheron]
Here's to education!
--- B ---



[Boucheron]
When using knives and forks, start from the
outside and work your way in.
[Panette]
Understood! Let us see here...
[Panette]
Pah... Pah! Why is Firenese food so slippery?
It refuses to stay on my fork.
[Boucheron]
That piece is a bit too large. Use the knife to
cut it smaller. It looks more graceful that way.
[Panette]
Smaller pieces... Deuces, this is complicated.
[Boucheron]
I know you said you were nervous, but I didn't
realize how little experience you had here.
[Panette]
Perhaps I ought to drink some water to calm
my nerves.
[Panette]
...
[Boucheron]
Wait, no! That dish is meant for washing your
hands, not to sip from!
[Panette]
Pah! How misleading!
[Boucheron]
How did you manage to eat meals with the
Solmic royal family?
[Panette]
I always muddled through by mimicking others.
[Boucheron]
I suppose there's something to be said for that.
[Panette]
Alas, perhaps proper etiquette is simply beyond
my grasp.
[Boucheron]
Ahh, don't give up so easily. Everyone has a
hard time learning these things.
[Panette]
In truth, my home life growing up was far
from perfect.
[Panette]
How arrogant of me, assuming I could pass
myself off as a noble.
[Boucheron]
The way you were raised isn't that important.
If you want to learn, I'll teach you.
[Boucheron]
You might make some mistakes here and there,
but I'll help you, no matter how long it takes.
[Panette]
Truly?
[Boucheron]
Of course. Correcting our mistakes is how we
learn, after all. Let's try again from the start.
[Panette]
You're quite right. Look at me, hanging my head
in defeat.
[Panette]
From here on, I shall hold it high! I will not let
you down, Boucheron!
--- A ---


[Panette]
Before eating, one must sit up straight and pray.
[Panette]
...
[Panette]
Then, the humane customs of Firene dictate
that I offer gratitude to the food itself.
[Panette]
Giving thanks to the plants and animals that
compose each meal. What a lovely tradition.


[Boucheron]
Ah... Are you practicing the etiquette we went
over the other day?
[Panette]
I am! Please, observe.
[Panette]
Behold as I expertly wield a knife and fork to
conquer this dish.
[Panette]
Using the outside utensils first... Cutting the
food into small pieces...
[Panette]
Success!
[Boucheron]
Congratulations, Panette. You're still a little bit
shaky, but this is progress.
[Panette]
Thank you, Boucheron.
[Panette]
My studies in etiquette were always marked by
desperation. I wished to claw free from my past.
[Panette]
But with your tutelage, for the first time, I found
it rather pleasant learning about manners.
[Panette]
My success is entirely thanks to you.
[Boucheron]
Oh no, you worked hard for this. I'm proud
of you.
[Boucheron]
I'd say it's my turn now to learn some
Solmic etiquette.
[Panette]
What?
[Boucheron]
Don't tell me you don't remember. We agreed
to teach each other our countries' ways.
[Panette]
Ah, yes. I remember.
[Panette]
Well, Solm is a free-spirited queendom. There is
no strict code of conduct for nobles.
[Panette]
Rather, it is considered good manners to revel
with others─to sing, dance, and be merry.
[Panette]
Though of course, some situations call for a
certain amount of propriety.
[Boucheron]
Huh... That's interesting.
[Boucheron]
Every country has its own customs, but I can
see one point of common ground between ours.
[Panette]
Kindness.
[Boucheron]
Yes. That's the foundation of all etiquette, no
matter what country you find yourself in.
[Boucheron]
And when it comes to that, Panette, you earn
a perfect score.
[Panette]
As do you, dear Boucheron.
[Boucheron]
I never would have realized all this if you hadn't
brought it up, so thank you.
[Panette]
And thank you. It seems I am closer and closer
to becoming the picture-perfect noblewoman.
[Boucheron]
By the way, there must be more to etiquette
in Solm. I'm eager to learn.
[Panette]
Indeed! Let us continue our education on the art
of kindness toward others. Together.
--- S ---