Mark of The Demon

Of new staff, Part 1

"Gooood mooorrning!"

She awoke with a start, jolting from her sleep like a bolt of electric energy had possessed her. Unfamiliar hands thrust a cup of tea at her, each nail painted a different shade of green. She lifted her head and saw another stranger in her face. Why could nothing ever be familiar? Green eyes were swimming in a pale face, which was surrounded by a vibrant bush of emerald hair and a bright, wide smile. She couldn't wait for things to start being familiar. She missed waking up and not questioning a million things. She felt a bit disappointed, if she was being honest, that the demon who saved her wasn't the one to help her welcome the day. She recognized this girl from that dossier last night. A maid? She was fairly sure. Maybe he didn't like having to deal with her. She was a royal mess most of the time. 

Her stomach twisted and she looked at the offered beverage. The bright green fingers offering the cup to her continued to persistently stay a few inches away from her face. She recalled a memory of her Mother stating painted nails were a whores trait, it had been a sad day. All the other girls in the noble ring were painting their nails, pinks, beige, and other soft colors. Her best friend had even given her a small jar of white polish. If this girl was wearing the paint, could she paint her nails white then? She had always wanted to, but her mother was not afraid to whip her for breaking her rules though. 

She felt a grin split her lips. She took the offered cup, placed it on the table nearest her and then jumped up out of the bed. Today was a good day. She was sure of it. The sky didn't even have a wink of daylight yet. She would get massive amounts of work done! The rush of energy and happiness sprung from her. Before she knew what was happening, she bolted from the room in her nightgown. It was a thicker nightgown since last night had been so cold last night, and it was long enough to reach her feet. So she wasn't mortified about her choice. 

She ran off down the halls and into the place she knew the freezer was. Finding it, she skidded to a stop, slid to her knees and pulled out the dinner from last night. It smelled good, even cold as it was. It was wrapped nicely in a plastic film, which she gingerly pulled the film off of and plucked a piece of meat off the plate and ate it up. It tasted great, she had been so tired yesterday she couldn't eat. It only ended in her dreaming of the missing food.

She then ran back upstairs to her room plucking the vegetables as she went.The pitter-patter of tiny feet followed her back into the room, The green girl, admittedly wearing a confused expression, had followed her around the manor. Once back in her room she plopped onto the bed and snacked heartily now looking up at the green girl. Even the gentle movements of the girl looking around confused, caused the pale green dress that she was wearing to flow and twist around her ankles, exposing the soft, white flesh underneath. Scandalous anywhere else in the world, but somehow she managed to make it seem okay. Tina didn't really know what to do as her Mistress now sat on the bed munching meat and vegetables! She was s'posed to help her out, get her dressed up, but instead she had gone squandering in the fridge in just her night stuff. Why, because she was hungry! Tina could totes understand that. After all, hunger was why she was here!

Finishing her plate she sighed happily. Then slid the plate onto her bedside table.

"I feel so much better today." She said giggling. Then paused to think. "Yesterday... Everything had just been so scary and sad. It's not so bad anymore." She mused. Standing she walked over to the green girl and grinned giving a curtsey. 

"Sorry to be so rude. I was starving. I feel like I haven't eaten in ages. My name is Sapphire Sinclair, I am the new owner of the estates. You are Tina Madarame correct? It's very nice to meet you." 

Blowing the hair out of her face with somewhat of an airheaded expression. She giggled. 

"Oh, no, you weren't rude. It's kinda yer thang, y'know? Yer the mistress 'n all, y' can be as rude as you want, y'know?" 

She giggled again, covering her teeth with her hand. Partly to be polite, but also because she could never quite master the art of transforming her entire teeth and figured the sight of some fangs might scare the young Mistress. 

"Well! What mighta been the problem, you were in shock. It weren' too long ago you were all like, chained up and-" She clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Sorry! I shouldn't bring it up!"

Adelaide hummed softly as she thought about what she had said. It was true and she had also been bedridden for three months apparently. That might have also attributed to the issues. 

"When is breakfast? I'm still very hungry. Plus I need to get to work." She said and brushed a hand through her hair. "Help me get dressed? And please don't kill me with the corset. I'm really new to it and I believe I had a panic attack in it yesterday." She then walked behind her screen waiting for her. 

From within the depths of her cupboard, she brought out a nice, modest dress, silken and blue, and a matching corset with red strings. Why did she think she- Oh, right! Her foot arced back, somehow sending a pair of shoes flying into the air and landing on top of the folded garments. The same foot did the same to her cabinet, long legged socks landing on top of the shoes. This all happened in a matter of about three seconds.

And then, she dressed her. The corset was tied not as tight as yesterday, but still plenty to protrude her breasts outwards. The dress went over the skirts and corset. Forcefully, she picked up and marched her to the bed setting her down and earning a startled look. It had practically been against her will. Only to slide on her under-things: shorts, socks, and shoes. Sapphire looked most alarmed but withheld any comebacks less the strangely strong stranger might hoist her in the air again. 

"There! So pretty! Now if only we had time to do your nails! But oh well, next time!"

Adelaide felt a smile slip onto her face again and she laughed. 

"Yes, I would quite like that. Next time." she said gleefully. What an interesting girl. As Sapphire chuckled at the girl, Tina smiled and decided to answer her previous question. 

"I believe Master Jacques made breakfast! Something with ... eggs? That's what they're called, right? The little squishy things that smell like baby chickens?" She licked her lips hungrily. "Yeah, lets go get some!" She made to rush out, but something Jacques- sorry, Master Jacques had said resonated in her and she stopped. It was her job to watch her and help her and do whatever she wants. And that if Tina wanted any tasty souls, she'd have to listen. A soft pout crossed her lips, but she complied with her own mental orders. She stepped back, opened the doors and waited for the girl to walk ahead, falling into line behind her.

As they walked down the hall she began to think over what was going on in today's itinerary. She then drifted off into a memory, one of sleeping beside her father at night. The old butler woke up her father and her, giving her father some tea and herself hot chocolate. The butler then gave her father a run down of the day's itinerary, all that needed to be done, and should be handled. This caused her mind to drift to Jacques, in his all white, black, and red uniform. He barely spent anytime with her at all… she had seen him a total of four times in two days… did he dislike her, was she a bad master and meal? It had only been one day but, it was also her first day and he hadn't come in to offer her tea at any point in the six hour day. She would tell him to do that, check on her periodically. She just liked seeing him. A familiar face in what was bound to be a sea of new ones in no time at all.

Much to Tina's dismay, sapphire walked to the study, not to the kitchen. As the door was approached the sound of an unwelcome noise, much like bickering, could be heard growing louder. Sapphire couldn't help but notice the door had a vast amount of noise coming from it. It made her stare at it and narrow her eyes. Why in her study? She wondered. And pushed it open, curious to understand why. 

"Can you try to maintain your manners, you giant brute? We are in a manor, not a swamp."

The sweet voice of her steward was answered by a loud, boisterous, gruff voice.

"Oy, shut th' f**k up, ya dandy douche. You asked me here, dontcha remember?"

"Only because you are the best person I could think of to do this job. If I think for a second you are going to-"

The door swung open and several pairs of eyes swung to face her, white ones looking immediately remorseful, the other looking amused at the intrusion. This bickering pair of individuals would be disrupted by the sight of a small teenage girl. Her long blonde hair kept down today, it fell into soft curls at the end. Her baby faced features and soft white skin disrupted by a pair of vivid and expressional pair of large blue and swirled with green eyes. Those same eyes stared up at the much taller males. Her eyebrows arched. What would capture the attention of many a demon, before they even saw her, was her large full and powerful soul. It was rare for humans to have such large and fluid souls. When they did, they normally had the ability to impact their world. A soul of that type was the kind to effect and make other souls dance with her rhythm.

Jacques was immediately in front of her, his arm crossed over his chest and he bowed to her, pointing his nose to the ground.

"M'lady. I see you have met Lady Tina." He said smoothly in his elegant voice. 

She looked at Jacques as he spoke. He didn't seem to be bothered by her, yet she had to fight against the frown. He was probably going to just disappear again shortly after this, not checking on her till dinner again. At least she had Tina this time. She seemed like a nice girl.

“Yes, Tina is a very competent aid, she picked this dress.” He briefly glanced at her dress before flicking his eyes back to hee and gesturing back to the mountain of a man. 

"This is Ser Kubi, Captain of the Guard, he will-" Kubi shoved him to the side, almost knocking him to the ground.

"Yo. How the hell are ya?" 

She looked startled as he was shoved out of the way. The man that came before her was indeed a mountain. He was very large and brutish. Still she couldn't help but giggle at his introduction. She lifted up and offered her hand to him. 

“Hello Kubi, it's nice to meet you. You do seem very fun! I welcome you into my household." She said pausing to do a small curtsie. "I hope you like it here.” She grinned at him, her eyes brimming with mirth, she continued. “And I do hope you will be nice to Jacques, he's important to me, you know."

"And what a damn fine job she did. Hella good job, girl."

Kubi whistled, waggling his eyebrows at the Mistress of this household. She was fine looking, but humans weren't really his thing. Figured it would get her ego nice and high, help her out some. A massive hand clapped itself on her shoulder and immediately, images of rolling fields of cherry trees came to mind, eclipsed by the peak of a mountain cutting through the clouds, strong and majestic. A halo of energy surrounded it, and as the image faded, she would see demonic figures burning as the energy touched them. Kubi's grin widened. Whatever he was, he was no demon.

"Anyway, I should go. I ain' meanin' no offense, but yer defenses are s**t here. Gotta get 'em up to scratch."

He left then, rubbing the green hair of Tina as he did, who giggled at the touch.

Sapphire giggled again at the man's flirty words. She had certainly never experienced that before. Then as he left the room she looked back towards the remaining male. Jacques was left looking somewhat grumpy and he bowed, again, deeply.

"I apologize, m'lady. And I must also apologize for my absence as of late." Jacques word's made her feel immediately uncomfortable. Did the demon read minds? Did he sense her thoughts? "I felt it was appropriate, you needed space, and someone of similar gender and temperament. To help you before you are ready to face the challenges of being the head of the Sinclair family." From his bowed position, he looked up, white eyes glistening with a crimson glint. "Was I wrong, m'lady?" 

Sapphire smiled a bit weakly. She couldn't exactly say no. She certainly couldn't say yes. She felt herself blush a bit and her lips tighten. She had nothing she could to say to that. Yes you were wrong! She wanted to say. I wanted you to be with me. She finished bitterly. She couldn't have him looking down on her. So she waved her hand in a dismissive way her lips still pressed into a frown. She would say she wanted him more frequently in a less… Obvious manner. 

“Jacques, we must talk about your daily routine. I would very much like it if you were to serve me an afternoon tea from now on, and perhaps a check up in the evening so I can be more awake for dinner?” She asked and walked to her desk sitting down and pulling out the documents she landed on just before last night before dinner.

She tapped the papers on the table and grabbed a pen. Dipping it in ink she signed a document she failed to see yesterday. The file changes for bank access. They needed her official signature. Signing it she looked up at Jacques gauging his reaction.

"Of course, m'lady. Whatever you wish. I will work on that right away." The small smile remained, though perhaps a touch more impressed. She had indeed found a way to force his hand. "Shall we discuss your schedule for today? You must, of course, greet the new members of staff, they are assembled in the drawing room awaiting orders. Shopping is a necessity; you'll forgive me if I say it, my mistress, but the decor is positively aged, and your clothing has fared no better. It is important for one of your station to maintain up to date on the current fashions if you wish to appear amenable to the upper caste of society." He lifted a finger, explaining it to her as if she didn't already know this.

"And, on top of that ..." He paused here, his hand entering the coat of his jacket. "You've had a radio in, it is from the Lord Fujuii, from Japan. It appears he had close ties with your family and wishes for a meeting with the new head to discuss the future of the relationship." Jacques smiled broadly at this, as if the contents of the letter were funny. "It appears he is on his way and will be here in six days time."

Well isn't that just peachy.