Martha Marriott/Synopsis

== History ==
Martha hails from an unwealthy family. As a child, Martha had a passion for ballet and especially admired the principal ballerina, Johanna, from the Marlov Ballet Company. During her eighth year in school, she was able to enter Eden Academy through a scholarship thanks to her amazing talent for dancing and was assigned to Cecile Hall. As a transfer student at the prestigious school, Martha was widely ignored by her peers. However, during the dorm's New Year's party, Martha participated in a talent show and did a ballet performance. Henry Henderson, an eleventh-year student, was so impressed by her performance that he loudly applauded it and said it was elegant. Thanks to her performance, Martha made many new friends.
Martha would later reunite with the "Elegant Clapper" when she encountered him during his private teatime before class at the school garden. When questioned, Henry explained to Martha that, as an Imperial Scholar, he was allowed this privilege, which amazed her. Henry reluctantly invited Martha to join him for a cup, which she eagerly accepted. From that point on, Martha would regularly visit Henry at his spot and chat with him daily, more often than not telling him about herself. Although Henry would usually be aloof with her, the two grew close.
During Martha's tenth year at Eden, she saw Henry getting attacked by three delinquents who held a grudge against him. Wrapping a cloth around her face to conceal her identity, Martha saved Henry from further harm and confronted the boys. After taking out two with her ballet moves, the last boy grabbed her shirt from behind and attempted to hit her, but Henry protected her by punching the boy. Martha attempted to claim to be the "Masked Warrior Ballerina, 'Lady M,'" but Henry saw through her act and scolded her for what she had done. He was also upset that she used her art in such a manner and reminded her that her ballet competition was only days away. Martha countered that Henry also threw a punch, causing him to go distraught and rush to the teacher to report his and the delinquents' inelegant acts.
After failing to convince his teacher to punish him and the boys, Henry returned to Martha, pondering how he could call himself a gentleman now. Martha protested that he protected her, pointed out that the boys never would have stopped their actions, and asked Henry how else he could have stopped them. Her remark helped Henry come to the conclusion that by properly educating the youth into becoming proper characters, he could help end all kinds of conflicts. With this new goal to change the world, Henry decided that he would become a teacher and attend the Berlint University of Education. Henry asked Martha if she would pursue a career in ballet, but she told him that it would depend on how she does in her ballet competition, noting that she does not come from a wealthy family like Henry, though Henry corrected that statement.
Shortly before Henry's graduation, he and Martha once again sat together for tea like usual. They chatted about how their tea parties would end after Henry graduated, and he instructed her to work hard to become an Imperial Scholar so she could continue their tradition with her friends. Martha, who had begun to develop feelings for Henry, asked him if he had plans to invite anyone to the dance at his class graduation party. Henry obliviously rejected the notion, saying he would not participate in such frivolous things during times like these. On Henry's graduation day, Martha did not confess her feelings, still trying to understand her feelings for him. The day after Henry left, Martha went to their spot in the garden, believing he would be there, and was greatly saddened upon realizing her current reality.
Two and a half years later, a 19-year-old Martha was now in her thirteenth year and final term at Eden and had become an Imperial Scholar. She had also placed highly in a ballet competition the year prior and was scouted by the renowned Marlov Ballet Company. However, she was still down about Henry's absence and her unsaid feelings for him. On her way out of her dorm, Martha was called by her classmates to go to the auditorium for an assembly. There, she overheard fellow Imperial Scholar Donna Schlag talking about her plan to go to Berlint University of Education, which made her think that Henry must be a senior student there by now. To her surprise, the assembly presented new faculty members to the students, the first being Henry, who had returned to Eden as a History teacher.
Martha approached Henry and asked why he was not at university, to which Henry explained that because of the personnel shortage due to the war, his degree program was shortened by half a year. Martha proudly showed off her Imperial Scholar cape to Henry and was happy when he praised her. After informing him that she has kept their tea party tradition alive, the two have a cup while they catch each other up on their lives since they last met.
During an air raid drill, Henry escorted Martha's class to the school's shelter. Inside, Martha asked if Henry would be exempt from the draft as he is a teacher, but he corrected that they are only being deferred. Henry talked about his family's disapproval of his choice to become a History teacher and began to wonder if even education is powerless in their current situation. One day, Martha was devastated to learn that many members of the Marlov Ballet Company, including Johanna, were killed in an air raid to support a war-torn Anber. Martha went to her and Henry's spot in the garden to grieve, and she later looked to him for support as she cried in his arms.
At that point, Martha began to no longer trust that anything would be there for her forever. As such, she decided to volunteer for the Woman's Defense Auxiliary. An upset Henry confronted her about this decision, and she explained that her dream of ballet had died as the ballet company announced its disbandment. Henry believed she was giving up and tried to make her reconsider, but Martha proclaimed that she was fighting back to protect what she had left, including him. Henry could not refute any of Martha's arguments and demanded that she withdraw from the auxiliary. The frustrated Martha called Henry a fool and left, and the two stopped interacting or having their tea parties.
Shortly before her graduation party, Martha overheard that Henry's family had been pushing marriage prospects on him so he could get a wife before he was inevitably deployed. Martha was shocked to hear this and cried to herself as she wondered what to do. Overhearing a couple agreeing to dance together at the graduation party, Martha realized what she must do before Henry would leave again.
On the day of her graduation party, Martha arrived while dressed in her uniform and invited Henry to a dance. As they danced, Henry showed off his lack of dancing skills, much to Martha's amusement as she called him inelegant. Henry apologized to Martha for his behavior during their last argument, realizing how he had disrespected her feelings and ideals while forcing his on her. Martha decided to confess her feelings to Henry before their dance ended, but her confession was interrupted by a siren for an air raid.
According to Loid Forger's observations, Martha is a former soldier, indicating that she may be expected to act as a bodyguard for Becky or the other Blackbells if necessary. At some point, Martha began serving under the Blackbell family, and took care of Becky Blackbell since the girl was incredibly young. In kindergarten, Becky would call the other children brats, which Martha would try to dissuade. When learning she would be attending Eden Academy, Becky refused, believing the other students were ill-bred. Eventually, Becky begrudgingly accepted that she would go to the school and said that adults must learn how to endure the masses with a smile. Martha then taught her madam to understand that not everything being figured out is the first step toward growing up. Later, after Becky's first day at school, she rushed to Martha with a large smile to tell her about Anya Forger and that she was looking forward to school.
== Synopsis ==
=== Imperial Scholars Mixer Arc ===
Becky invites Anya, whom she has since become friends with, to go shopping with her, and Martha goes to pick her up with Becky in their car. On the ride to the department store, Becky complains about Loid not being there, and Martha urges against homewrecking in her thoughts. As Becky and Anya talk, Anya goes through her bag and pulls out a wad of bills, which shocks Martha. Becky comments on it not being much, while Martha thinks about how kids are these days. When they get to the department store, Becky tries out clothes with Anya and later goes around the stores to look at the other clothes. 
As Becky buys things, Martha carries them, and as they go to more stores, her stack of purchases grows larger and larger. Eventually, the stack gets so large that Martha cannot carry all of them and is hidden behind a wall of clothing boxes and bags. After getting out, she watches Anya comment about having fun shopping with a friend and smiles to herself with a sigh. When looking for something to get Anya, Anya notices the keychain of the department store mascot and decides they should get one as a souvenir of their trip. Becky seems hesitant about the idea, but before she can voice her opinion, Anya buys one for herself and Becky. Martha assists Becky, who is having a tough time, and tells her that not accepting a kind gesture of friendship would be bad for the Blackbell name and that her father would likely say the same. Becky decides that she will accept the gift from Anya because of this.
As Martha drives Becky and Anya, who have fallen asleep, home, she reflects on when Becky was younger and after her first day of school. Martha looks back at the children sleeping, smiles, and gives a slight chuckle before stating how happy she is for Becky for finally finding a friend.
During the Imperial Scholars mixer, Anya ends up falling asleep while waiting for Donovan Desmond to show up. Seeing this, Becky tells Martha to take Anya back to their car. She agrees and carries Anya on her back to the car with a smile on her face as they pass Loid Forger in disguise as a professor. When they get to Anya's apartment, they greet her mother Yor and Becky announces a "special delivery" as they return her.
=== WISE Arc ===
After Becky finishes watching another episode of Berlint in Love, she gives Anya a call, announcing she will be coming over. She rushes over to Anya's apartment with Martha and slams open the door as Martha struggles to keep up with her. Knowing Becky came over with intentions to win over Loid, Martha urges her against homewrecking in her thoughts. When Loid appears to greet them, Martha instructs Becky to remember her manners, and Becky complies by thanking him for having her. As an apology for coming unannounced, she gives Loid a gift bag, which Loid thanks them for before welcoming Becky to their house. Hearing Loid say her name shocks Becky, who falls to the floor, which Martha tells her not to do.
Martha instructs Becky to be on her best behavior and that she will come to pick her up when their playdate is over. As Loid watches her leave, he thinks to himself about how she carries herself like an experienced former soldier and that he expected no less from the Blackbells. When their playdate is over, Martha returns to pick up Becky, only to see her practicing punches with Yor. Martha gives a questioning look, unaware of how things got to this point. As a montage of the lives of Berlint citizens is shown, Martha is seen watching Becky as she tries out dresses in front of the mirror with her dog, Wiesel.
=== Red Circus Arc ===
After Mr. Blackbell learns that Becky has been kidnapped, he calls for every tank and fighter jet in their storage to be dispatched and rescue his daughter. Martha karate chops the back of his head and asks him if he is trying to get her killed, telling him not to start a war. Becky's father sobs as he wants to save his daughter. She tells him that, while she understands, sending military vehicles after the kidnappers would only provoke them, and they need to act more calmly. She tells him that she will go there by herself. As she says this, she thinks to herself how she hopes Becky is safe.
In a matter of time, Martha and Mr. Blackbell arrive at the scene, where Henry Henderson has also arrived and is surprised to see her. Overcoming their mutual surprise, they discuss the state of the situation and their concerns for the well-being of the students inside the hijacked bus. At sundown, Billy Squire, the leader of the Red Circus, exits the bus, and the police request that they be allowed to supply the children with food and water. Billy agrees, but on the condition that someone from the school brings it to the bus. Martha reveals the field rations she brought, while Henry volunteers to give the supplies to the children. After seeing an injured teacher get off the school bus heavily while the door closes with Henry inside, the housemaster's decision confuses Martha, who worries for him.
After the other bus is secured, the SSS decides to storm the school bus and kill the terrorists inside. Before they can close in, Billy emerges from the bus, drops his weapons, and surrenders. While everyone is in shock over this sudden choice, Vadim attempts to drive away but gets stopped by the police force's armored vehicles. Vadim rushes out of the bus carrying Anya, using her as a hostage.
Before the SSS troops can fire at them, Martha quickly acts. She jumps on one of their heads, leaping from above and shocking Vadim with a powerful taser. As she catches Anya, the girl calls her "Becky's Lady Person," but Martha corrects her with her full name. After the police apprehend the terrorists and evacuate the student hostages, a crying Becky runs over to Anya and Martha. After Becky reunites with her father, Martha and the Blackbell family return home.
=== Mole Hunt Arc ===
Martha and Becky arrive at the Forger residence to pick up Anya since the friends planned to have a day together to go out. Before they leave, Becky tries to chat with Loid, making Martha cover her mouth and apologize to him. Loid thanks her for letting Anya go with them, and they leave the residence.
=== Term Finals Arc ===
Martha escorts Anya and Becky as they prepare dresses for their end-of-class gala. While picking a dress for Anya, Becky asks Martha for her opinion, but says that Martha does not care about clothes and the like. Martha responds that she also used to fret over dress choices when she was younger. A surprised Becky asks if Martha had a boyfriend, to which Martha simply chuckles to herself.
Martha escorts Becky to the gala and tells her to enjoy the party. She then sees Henry, who is helping at the event. He asks if Martha would be available to help out, explaining that they had fewer volunteers than he had hoped. Martha smiles as she tells Henry that it is "just like him" and agrees to join him. Martha enters the party hall with Henry and Becky, then goes to help with the gala. Later, when the dance portion of the gala begins, Martha watches the students dancing alongside Henry, and the sight brings old memories back to her. Henry then invites her to a dance for old time's sake, and she accepts. The two go to the dance floor together, where Henry glides toward a bickering Damian and Anya to act elegantly on the dance floor, and Martha concurs. The two continue to dance, both appearing to enjoy themselves.
During the end-of-term break, Martha tells Becky about her history with Henry. Becky is shocked that Martha never confessed her feelings to Henry before he graduated, to which Martha explains that she did not realize or understand her feelings back then until he left Eden.
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