Carrying a cute umbrella is the best way to start a conversation. People will ask about your leaf umbrella, turn the topic to themselves, sigh about how the seasons change, and how spring will eventually come. They always skip winter, and end the conversation on a positive note. Finally, you enjoy a dance with them. The dance is mandatory for new meetings. Many relationships begin with a dance, and Muelsyse never misses the opportunity for one. But does she really need these 'opportunities' from those so-called 'networking' sessions? The question is like a stone failing to skip across a pond. It falls into the water with a dull splash and sinks for eternity. She changes one dance partner for another, and then another, her steps growing ever more graceful. Muelsyse once thought she could master every dance there was. She also once thought she had many 'friends' by her side. Until Kristen and Saria showed up. The silent stone beneath the water became a pea under her mattress. Hidden for a so long, it finally got to shout out loud: Hey? Was that really what's been happening? Subvert your own expectations, and see what's true or false! It's time for fate to bring you some real 'like-minded' people! It was a meeting arranged by her supervisor, with only two other people from a small laboratory. We all know how it ended. The lab of two became a lab of three, and she was the first to join. Boom, 'Rhine Lab' was founded. 'No, no, no, this isn't right...' She had just finished writing her final thesis and had gone without a night of proper sleep for two weeks. She slumped over the table, '...We should try this method first, it has a higher chance of success!' 'This is why it's good to have a group of three. Let's take a vote.' Kristen from the other side of the table takes another sip of coffee, dark circles around her eyes. Saria nods silently. 'So, hands up if you agree with plan A.' Kristen raises her hand, and so does Saria. A frown slides onto Muelsyse's weary face. 'Ugh... h-hands up if you're with plan B!' She raises her hand, her lonely arm standing aloft. Immediately after, amid the sound of water, another hand raises. Followed by a second, and a third. The identical water clones look at their two companions, and the elf grins: 'Hehe, four to two, how 'bout that?' 'It's not fair...' 'Four to two, fair enough, no? This Muelsyse, that Muelsyse, and that Muelsyse are all members of Rhine Lab. They have the right to vote too.' A reasonable point. A group of reasonable friends. Seems strange, but this is how those from Rhine Lab joke around. As for what came next, how the victorious water clones cheered in unison and spilled coffee onto Kristen's beautiful trench coat... we'll get back to that next time. Amidst the shrieks and sorries, Muelsyse hears something. A quiet, subtle, moist, sound. A sprout emerging from the soil. It was that pea—it had found the soil. It began to take root and sprout. The seasons change, and spring will always come.