[color=mediumpurple][h1][Center]Nia[/Center][/h1][/color]


Nia lay sprawled across the bed in her room sinking blissfully into the soft blankets. For just a moment she allowed herself to dream of a life in which this was normal. Warmth, comfort and all the wonderful food and drink she could imagine. 

[color=mediumpurple]‘Is this how other people lived?’[/color] she thought to herself sleepily[color=mediumpurple]‘No fighting, no fears, just peace and quiet’[/color]

She savored the moment, clung to it like one might a life preserver in a stormy ocean. Maybe if she believed hard enough her worn and broken mind would make it a reality? 

A curt, intrusive and all too familiar knock at the door shattered any hope she had and cast her unceremoniously back to reality. A lingering hope remained that perhaps this was simply her own mind deceiving her but no, a moment later the knock came again followed by a raised and irritated voice. 

[color=slategray]“Nia? Nia, are you in there? Open this door right now”[/color]

Nia opened her eyes and was greeted by the black fabric of the blindfold. She eased her fingers beneath and slipped it up, wearing it instead like a headband. She crossed the room to the door and with a soft click removed the latch keeping it locked. 
Immediately the door was forcefully flung open from without, narrowly missing her face as she flinched back. A figure dressed in the garb of a manor servant strode in. The hawk-like face and piercing eyes of her aunt locked onto Nia causing her to recoil further.

[color=slategray]“Enjoying a rest, were you?”[/color] she asked, the accusation clear in her voice. 

The tone cut Nia where she stood and she quickly shook her head.

[color=mediumpurple]“No!”[/color] she took a breath and tried to calm herself [color=mediumpurple]“I mean, I-”[/color]

[color=slategray]“Don’t lie girl, I can see it in your eyes. I had to knock five times before you even bothered to open the door! Lazy! Lazy you are! I’m out there working hard cooking, cleaning, doing the jobs I’m given while you simply lie in bed”[/color]

Nia raised a palm to her temple. Had Milaine knocked five times? She swore it had been the once but.. She raised her gaze to meet her aunts and quickly pulled the blindfold down over her eyes with a wince. 


[color=mediumpurple]“I’m sorry”[/color] she said, her voice a near whisper. 

A hand came to rest on her shoulder and gently pushed her back onto the bed. A moment later she felt the soft tugging sensation of someone sitting beside her. Her aunt made a soft tutting sound and ran a hand through her hair.

[color=slategray]“Oh Nia, Oh my little Neeve”[/color] The hand moved from her hair and pulled her into a hug. [color=slategray]“I’m just trying my best to look out for you. We both.. We all know your mind is going. I overheard some of the others talking about it below. Some are already suggesting you might be more of a liability than an asset. They’re worried you could ruin this opportunity for all of us”[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]“I-”[/color]

[color=slategray]“Shh sh”[/color] her aunt cut her off, stroking her hair once more [color=slategray]“I won’t let them get rid of you but this attitude of yours, this laziness, it only makes it harder for me to convince them you can be useful”[/color]

Her shoulders sagged and again she uttered an apology.

[color=slategray]“Hey now, it’s okay. I’m looking after you. I just need you to work harder. Prove to them that you can be useful”[/color]

Nia nodded softly in response. She was trying her best, she’d been told to wait up here in case she was required hadn’t she? Had she missed something? Forgotten something? Did she make the whole thing up?

[color=slategray]“Now, Lord Ru’Tev wants you out and ready in case something goes wrong tonight. He suspects our guests might be growing suspicious and in the event things get out of control you need to be ready to intervene. Can you do that? Can you do that for me?”[/color]

Nia dipped her head once more, she could do that. She couldn’t afford to let them down.

[color=slategray]“Perfect, that’s my girl!”[/color] The weight beside her lifted once more as her aunt moved back to the door. [color=slategray]“I have to get back to this ridiculous role I’ve been given. I’ll come and check up on you later.”[/color]

Her aunt departed then, Nia could hear the woman’s footsteps recede as she strode down the plush carpeted hallway. She waited only a moment before rising herself and making her way to her assigned position.