Warm, winter sunlight bathed every room in faded colors as peaceful silence filled the estate. A sleeping figure shifted to curl up into a tighter ball, the sunlight stabbing into her tired eyes drawing a soft, irritated snarl from pink lips. She knew she needed to get up, she had a full schedule and a meeting later with her overly-peppy grandmother. She just didn't want to move. Sighing in irritation, she slowly rose from her nest of blankets, blonde hair cascading down her back and shoulders in waves.

Rubbing her eyes and yawning, Marilyn rolled her shoulders before stretching her arms above her head. She moved back under her back met the headboard of her bed, her eyes closed and a sjf escaped her lips. It wouldn't hurt to get a bit more sleep before Artemis came and waked her.

With a silver tray in hand, Artemis Penrose strode through the halls of his master's home. Everything had been restored to the best of his abilities, but he knew that it still needed some work. In truth, the house would never be the same as it used to be. Not only because I didn't know exactly how it used to be, but also because he had only started work that fateful winter night. It wouldn't be right to ask Lady Marilyn of the past, especially with memories as strong as those.

His pale red eyes looked to the frosted windows of the estate. It had been quite some time since he had actually seen snow. His last contract was with a Dona of Spain, and she lived in a warmer area of the country. Everything here was so different from Spain. The climate, the people, the music, architecture, everything. There was nothing wrong with Ireland, certainly not, but with the addition of the change in time, it was rather jarring. When the line of windows ended, Artemis' free hand reached out to Marilyn's door, knocking on it thrice and announcing his presence.

"Lady Marilyn, are you awake?" The words were smooth and curious. His british accent that he had taken a liking too rang through the hall. "It is time for you to eat and get ready for the day."

A soft exhale escaped pink lips as lilac eyes opened and blinked twice, the words from the other side of her room door cause a frown to etch across her face. Shifting until she sat at the edge of her bed, she slipped free from her warm sheets and padded barefoot to the oak door, pausing only to allow a rather large inelegant yawn to crack her jaws. Reaching the white door, Marilyn pulled it open and immediately turned on her heel in the direction of her bathroom, she was awake now and wanted the awful taste in her mouth gone. Entering the eoom, she shut and locked the door behind her before stripping free of her silk, gray nightgown. Moving towards the far end of the bathroom, she paused to run her fingers against the gray marble sink, nearing white porcelain tub that stood nestled beside the toilet she allowed her eyes to close as her left hand reached for the knobs.

Today will be one of those days. I can tell already. Marilyn muttered softly in her mind, warm water filling the rub as her head galls back until it softly rests on the edge of the tub. She could deal with her lessons, those were easy and easily manageable, having to deal with her dotting grandmother was already giving her a headache. It was funny, to a point, that hee grandmother didn't think she knew the true reason she came by so often to chat and have tea. She was really after the estate and the earnings that Marilyn was making, she was starting to contemplate the idea of letting Artemis summon snakes in order to eat her whole. Then again, her mood was most likely contributed to the fact that she hasn't slept properly for the past three days, only cat naps and short instances of unconciousness.

The other facts where that today wasn't just lessons, a dinner with her grandmother and paperwork. Today she'd also meet the new servants Artemis hired to help around the estate, this time of year was the busiest for Marilyn, it would help to have extra hands. Sogling softly and turning the water off, Marilyn sunk into the warm water and held her breath, muscles relaxing as the water stills a few moments later.

For the moment, everything was muffled and quiet, Marilyn hummed softly as she began to hum. She face the world when she was ready to, for now she was content to see how long she can hold her breath.

Even from the other side of the door, Artemis could hear her feet softly patting against the floor, and the closing of another door. He knew that was his time to enter, and with his free gloved hand, he twisted the knob on the door and pushed it open. He set her breakfast down on the edge of the bed and strode over to the closet to find a dress for her. It would be time effective, and since he knew her itinerary better than anyone else, he would surely know what would be the best attire for today's proceedings. Marilyn had to meet with the new staff he had acquired, go through her lessons, the paperwork that was once her parent's duty, and dinner with her grandmother, whom he knew enough about to make a fair impression of.

For today, he picked a mostly red dress with a black trim. The dress itself had black ruffles on the end of the short sleeves, and a strap that wrapped around her neck and held the center of her dress up to some extent. The days directly after the arson, he had picked out dresses and outfits that were all black, but he decided that it was a new day, and that she would show some color. Of course, to go with it, and to cover her contract marking, was a black choker with purple jewels. The mark wouldn't even be able to be seen with it on, which helped keep people from having any sort of suspicion.

When the water turned off, Artemis walked to the oak door and knocked on it thrice, exactly the same as before. "Lady Marilyn." He spoke to her. "Your breakfast is ready for you, as is your clothing for the day."

His eyes turned to the meal that had been prepared for her this morning. All other previous mornings, he had made the food for her himself. It wasn't at all that he didn't enjoy cooking every once and a while, but he had just hired a new chef, from Japan, no less, and the chef had just started working today. The chef had even prepared some extra food for Artemis himself to try out before the food was delivered to Marilyn, and he did not doubt his choice in chefs.

He then stepped out, his own feet making soft sounds with each step as he exited the room and waited patiently by the door outside.

At the knocks, Marilyn blinked and allowed a small smile to tug her lips up, her hands lifting to continue dry her golden locks. Finishing and placing the towel in the hamper, she moved to the sink and began to brush her teeth, the steam that filled the room momentarily blocking the frigid air from outside. She loved the cold, or rather, stands it and occasionally builds a small snowman. Rinsing out the remaining foam, Marilyn turned and moved towards the door Artemis had knocked on, stepping back into her room she went straight to her bed, her head tilting at the dress that was laying on her still bed-rumpled sheets.

Black dresses were what she normally wore, though with the dinner with her grandmother, Marilyn couldn't blame Artemis for deciding color was better then black for the day. Quickly slipping into the dress and expertly tying the strap that held the dress in place, fingers smoothing the fabric before reaching for the choker. Marilyn moved towards her vanity dresser, picking up her brush and beginning to comb her still drying hair. Turning and heading for the tray of food, lilac eyes blinked as her usual food sat filling the gray-lined plates, shaking her head and dropping her brush so it lay top hee sheets, she reached for her toast and took a bite.

Drinking the last of her tea, Marilyn rose to her socked feet and bent to tug her short-heeled knee-high black boots, straighten and absently running her fingers against the fabric to smooth it out, she moved to her room door and pulled it open. Finding Artemis leaning against the wall had Marilyn rolling her eyes secretly, moving past him and down the corridor. She paused as she neared the staircase that lead to the main floor to give her butler a tilt of her head, her hands entertwined and resting against her stomach.

"Good morning, Artemis. What's the first thing I have on the schedule?" Her voice was soft but held a note of curiosity, she was ready to meet the new staff members and attend her lessons. She just wasn't looking forward to dinner.

He did not know exactly how long it took for her to get ready and finish her food, but to him it didn't matter. He was there when he exited the room, leaning against the wall, and his cerise eyes locked onto her. Even with his impeccable vision, Artemis did not catch her roll of the eyes. However, he could tell that she did find some aspect of him leaning ever so slightly against the wall at the very least somewhat humorous. Just as she passed him, the butler pushed himself off the wall and followed her down the corridor.

"First, before your lessons for the day, you will be meeting the new staff. Your meal today was cooked by none other than Itamae, chef, Tsubasa Ueda. She's quite talented, strict in the kitchen as well, but in any other scenario she seeks affirmation for just about everything." He could clearly remember speaking to her before she prepared Marilyn's breakfast. He nodded to himself before continuing. "Your gardener as well... and... I believe... there is one more. Ah, I can't remember." he sighed to himself. He knew that there was one more, but for his undying life, he couldn't remember.

He sighed as he stepped down the steps, making sure to stay behind Marilyn at all times.

As they neared the final step, the sound of something crashing and a squeak filled the air, Marilyn paused and blinked in confusion. Moving further into the center of the entrance hall, Marilyn paused when she saw a figure crouched in front of what seemed like a fallen vase. Half-turning to glance the Artemis, she raised a blonde brow in silent question, the girl's quiet muttering filling the air, turning back to watch her, sharp lilac eyes don't miss the inform she wears.

Shaking her head and turning on her heel, she turns left and heads down the corridor, pausing in front of the first door and pausing, eyes shifting from the door to the window. The sky was dark now, thick rolling clouds blocking the weak sunlight, her fingers twitched at her side absently. Huffing a breath, Marilyn knocks on the door twice before entering.

---

Crimson eyes frantically search for any salvageable piece of vase, pale fingers skimming nervously over the mass she'd made on accident. It was true she'd been told to tsy in the east wing so her new mistress wouldn't be bothered, however her damnable curiosity had gotten the best of her. The sudden chill that rolled up her back had her shooting to her feet and bowing low, crimson hair falling over her shoulders.

She might of met the man once, but if a mere glare or narrow-eyed look could kill, she'd of been died by now. She offered a nervous giggle and nervously rubbed her neck. "I-I'm really sorry Artemis. I-I didn't mean to." She managed to choke out, her cheeks flooding with color as the sound of a door opening before closing fllls the air.

Nice job, you idiot! You just got this job and you might ether get killed or fired...great!! her mind frantically screeched as she waited for Artemis to speak.

With the sound of a crash, Artemis' head snapped towards the sound. Hus green brows knitted together, and his eyes narrowed at the figure before the shattered vase. He could hear her mumbling, but said nothing about it as he locked eyes with Marilyn. The maid. That was who he was forgetting. Had he not cared about his visage as a human, he would have appeared before the maid in a blur, his serpentine eyes looking down on her. He'd be sure to get carried away if he wasn't more worried about being only human in public and around others.

However, though he could not appear in a split second, his steps were quick to get to the girl. He looked down at her with a glare of lessened intensity, and nodded. "I'm sure that you did not mean to break the vase." He was good at creating that specific tone of holding back unbridled wrath. His narrowed eyes and almost closed mouth added to the effect of it all, he believed.

While Marilyn was off in a nearby corridor, at one of the doors, he looked down at the maid and offered her a hand. "Please see that it will not happen again." He walked away from her, out of her line of sight into a room, and reentered her sight with a broom and a pan. "I am unsure if it can ever be remade, but throwing it out would seem to be a waste." He mused to himself. His hands stretched outwards, offering her the broom and pan that he retrieved. "I will take care of the fate of the vase later, but please take care of the mess."

Avelina bowed in gratitude and accepted the ban and broom, setting it down and beginning to sweep, she glanced over her shoulder and offered a nod.

"Yes sir, where should I clean next? I've dusted the main library as well as the rooms from the east wing. Ueda told me that Miss Marilyn was to have a visitor later, should I clean one of the receiving rooms?" She knew that this man was important and was someone she should respect, finishing and lifting the pan, she turned on her booted-heel towards the kitchen.

She liked the house, though she'd only arrived two hours ago, she was itching to clean as well as explore.

---

A sigh escaped into the air followed by a puff of smoke. A hand decorated with rings with varying gem stones reached for another glass, pausing as a knock filled the air. Huffing in annoyance, the figure rose from the chair they'd been sitting in and moving towards the door.

"Mistress, I'd you wish to make it in time for dinner. I'd suggest leaving now." The voice was timid but held a firm undertone, another sigh mixed with smoke escaped parted lips, offering a dismissive wave of her ringed-hand, she entered the corridor and made her way to the staircase that would lead her to the main floor.

Reaching the last step and nodding approvingly at the warm coat that was draped over her shoulders, high heels clicked against the tIle floor aa she heads for the carriage she knew was waiting for her. She'd go and face her granddaughter and see if the child would be willing to lend her some money. Entering the opened door, she leaned her head against the cushioned seat and took another long drag of her cigar, she needed to be calm and the overbearing grandmother when she arrived.

She'd do anything to get the money she deserved.

"The dining room, if you'd please. Madme Margaret Fellows is expected to be arriving for dinner and a chat with her granddaughter." He began to walk with her, keeping in step with the maid. When a thought entered the butler's mind, he quickly stepped forward, cutting Avelina from moving further. "Be wary of Miss Fellows. She wants nothing more than the money that Lady Marilyn has, and would seem to do whatever it takes to get it." With that, he nodded to her and stepped away, walking back down the corridor to return to Marilyn.

He only knew so little about Margaret since his arrival, but based on what he knew from Marilyn, she was not a woman to be trusted. Whatever riches and fortunes were left to Marilyn after her parent's death made Margaret envious, surely. She wanted that money for herself, and she didn't seem to care about what would happen to Marilyn. Who knows what she really thought of Marilyn's parents, and if she tried to leech off of them as well, but the past was now behind them. He had to deal with the now. For the most part, the house was ready for arrival, for the most part anyways. The dining room would be tidied up, and the remains of the vase would be taken care of.

"Lady Marilyn?" He looked to her. Curse his forgetfulness. "Who might be beyond this door?"

Marilyn blinked and moved away from the bookshelf she was searching through, turning for the door and pulling it open, she waved the book in her hand.

"No one really, just needed a book or two for lessons. I don't have to see them for ten more minutes. Is everything ready for our visitor?" Marilyn asked with a raised brow, her booted-feet thudding softly against the carpet as she moved towards the bookshelf once more. Tugging the two other books she'd picked, she turned back to Artemis and moved past him, heading down the corridor to head for one of the receiving room for her lessons.

---

Margaret sighed and shifted in the cushioned seat under her, long fingers of her left hand cradling a cigarette, while her right cradled a glass of scotch. The rythmic sounds of the horses hooves and wheels turning were lulling her into a daze, closing her eyes and releasing a breath she shifted her gaze to the small window.

It would take abother three hours until she got to her granddaughters estate. Better to get as relaxed as she can now, taking a drag and then drink, Margaret relaxed into her seat and watched the scenery past her by.

Artemis nodded. "Everything is ready. Miss Ueda has has been briefed on the importance of the meal, and has promised that the meal will only be top quality." He looked up as he remembered how she spoke when she asked about ingredients. "For a woman so young, she knows quite a lot about cooking. She was very specific in what she needed for tonight's meal." His feet moved subconsciously, following Marilyn as she moved about and to one of the rooms for her lessons. He stepped ahead of her, opening the door for her and looking at her with curious eyes. "Lady Marilyn, do you require anything before your lessons begin?"

He needed to make sure that she was taken care of before he took his leave for other duties. He talked to the chef this morning, he just spoke to the maid, and now he needed to see the gardener. Of course, there wouldn't be much to talk about due to the growing cold that would keep him from growing plants, but maybe, just maybe, his expertise in plant life would help the resident chef in cooking. However, even with only a few conversations, he knew her stance in terms of cooking.

Pausing before opening the door, Marilyn knew her History teacher would it her another minute or two, a pale finger rose to tap her chin. Half-turning to glance out the now frosted window, she nodded before focusing her gaze on Artemis.

"The storm should delay her a bit the roads are hard to navigate the begin with. She'll probably arrive by seven at the latest, tell our gardener to check the flowers in the greenhouse before taking the rest of the day off. A chessboard is to be placed in the receiving room that's beside my study on the east wing, also do let Eros out for a bit. He's either under my bed or lurking about, he needs to move around a bit. I'll see you later then Artemis." With a nod, she reached for the door and pushed it open, stepping into the room and allowing the door to close softly behind her.

---

Avelina began to clean as told, a shot tune filling the air as she easily moves from one place to another, once finished here she'd go clean Miss Marilyn's room before going to the kitchen and waiting for their visitor.

She was excited to see who it'd be.

---

By the time she arrived at the estate, Margaret had just about enough of snow and the frigid cold air. Night had fallen and while she'd be able to doze on and off, she felt better knowing that she'd be attended to as she deserved. Exiting the carriage and briskly walking towards the main doors, Margret nearly slamming her gloved hands against the door for it to open.

She'd almost tripped on the steps getting there, she wasn't one to wait patiently, when the door opened a crack she all but shoved her way inside. The squeak and sound of someone falling drew her gaze away from the main entryway, her golden eyes locked on a girl that slowly rose to her feet. Crimson eyes flashing as the girl rubbed her right arm, Margaret offers a bland look and a raised brow.

"Where's my little Mari?" She shouted into the silence of the estate, her expression smoothing out as a well-practiced small etched itself across her ruby lips. The maid huffed softly and turned on her heel, gesturing with a flick of her wrist to follow. Internally rolling her eyes, Margaret followed the girl, eyes lingering on each lavish painting and vase that they made their way further down the corridor.

Hopefully by the end of the night, she'd have money in her purse. @pyroman

Artemis nodded back to his master. While he didn't fully approve of just letting the gardener had the rest of the day off on his first day of official work. The man needed his work. He needed work like none other, and he was horribly honest and modest. This morning, even as he arrived for work from wherever he was from, he was in the same rags that he was in when he had first met the man. He told Artemis that the clothes on his back were just fine, and that his money would be used for food and upkeep of the greenhouse. It was a little saddening, actually, such a poor man in the cold season that didn't even use his generous new sum of money to buy himself better clothing. If it got any colder, which it would without a doubt, Artemis would have to make it mandatory for the man to wear warmer clothing and possibly sleep somewhere in the estate, if allowed by Marilyn, of course.

However, before he could deal with the gardener, he needed to find and release Eros from his confines within Marilyn's room. Her room was the closest objective, so he would complete it first.

As he came back to his master's room, Artemis opened the door without any pause for knocking or anything. He knew nobody should be there other than the adorable Python. Some might not be able to see a giant, albino snake adorable, but he could not see how people didn't find the snake to be adorable. he squatted at the side of the bed and hunched forward to an almost impossible angle. As his hand reached the skirt of the bed and pulled it up, he could see the snake slithering about underneath the bed. With little hesitation, he reached forward and grabbed the snake, pulling its ten feet of length out from under the bed and out into the hall.

He smiled at the snake. "Have a good day, Eros." he spoke before walking away, off to find a chess set to put in the room as Marilyn requested.

As his chores finished for the day, including meeting the gardener for a second time that day, Artemis checked the time using a large clock. It was a little after seven in the evening, which worried Artemis. He needed to get to the front door and greet Marilyn's grandmother.

With his demonic speed, he flashed through the corridors, moving to the front room as quick as possible. He stopped strategically several feet into a corridor that led to the front room, and proceeded to walk out with grace, just in time to see the door fly open and the new maid get his from said door. He watched as Avelina guided her, and walked from a distance. He silently plotted their course, and used his speed again once he was out of sight.

He then walked out of the intersection into another corridor, just to meet Avelina and Margaret, who definitely had no relation to the gardener with the same surname.

"I'm terribly sorry for my lack of presence." He bowed to the both of them. "I was tasked with seeing your arrival, and my duties continued to longer than I anticipated. I am Artemis Penrose, Lady Marilyn's personal servant." As he rose, a small, unassuming smile appeared on the butler's face.

"Shall we go and see Lady Marilyn?"

Finishing the last of his lecture, Marilyn offered the man a fake smile beige rising to her feet and moving to the door. Walking down the hall and past the main doors, she continued towards the room they were having dinner in, pausing when a familiar tail peeked put from a corner. Smiling softly, Marilyn slowed her pace and crouched down when she reached the corner, hand reaching out with no hesitation she nodding approval when a warm weight slid up her arm.

"Evening Eros, have you eaten?" The white python flicker his tongue out and nudged his nose under her chin, right hand reaching up absently to rub white-gray flecked scales Marilyn began to walk once more. Eros shifted until his head rested against her shoukder, his torso wrapping around her waist, his gray flecked tail wrapping around her wrist. Taking the gesture as it was, she moved swiftly and quietly, passing the kitchen, a spare room and her study before stopping in front of the door that had her grandmother inside. Eros' coils tightened in silent approval, he detested Margaret as much as she did, Marilyn pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Oh Mari dear! How nice to s-" Margaret's words faltered as her golden gaze focused on her, Marilyn raised a silent brow and moved further in the room. Out of the corner of her eye she watched their maid -Avelina as she found out from her french tutor- gaze open-mouthed at Eros. Moving to the seat Artemis had no doubt pulled out for her she sat and crossed one leg over the other, silently inviting Margaret to do the same.

---

A bloody snake! were the words that filled her mind as she watched Marilyn move gracefully toward her seat. The silent brow that was raised had Margaret flushing and moving forward towards her own seat, gaze catiously watching the python as it raised its head.

"Shall you be staying the night? The storm only seems to be getting worse." Marilyn's words startled her from her lingering gaze on the large snake, focusing on the girl who sat calmly she brought a painted fingernail to her chin in thought.

"I might, it's horrible right now. Would that be in inconvenience?" Margaret kept her voice kind and curious, though she really didn't want to stay. She jerked when the snake hissed and rubbed its nose against Marilyn's chin, her granddaughter hummed softly and rubbed its head with her index finger.

"We'll see after the meal if the storm still continues, Artemis? We can start now. Also, Avelina? If you could tell our chief to grab a few rats for Eros, I'd gratefully appreciate it." The maid scurried towards the far wall, Margaret made sure to keep her smile, though on the inside, settled into the pit of her stomach disgust filled her. She had a pet snake, she seemed to care about nothing and kept the blank mask on her face even when Margaret provided information about their companies success rates. She was starting to detest Marilyn, shouting her gaze away from her quiet and blank-faced granddaughter, she managed to see where the maid and vanished to. A door lay nestled between the china cabinet and wall, the girl walked in now with a plate of rats varying in sizes, the snake -Eros- lifted its head and hissed softly. Margaret watched in horrified fascination as it slowly and gracefully unwound itself from around Marilyn, making a beeline for the roaring fireplace. Where the plate was being settled down on the plush rug, the maid -Avelina stepped away and bowed her head. The sudden small of food wafting into the room had Margaret's attention.

"I'd like to discuss business after this if you don't mind." Margaret offered with a smile, Marilyn offered a nod and nothing else as a tray of food made its way towards them.

For now she'd eat, then she'd silently wonder where a brat like Marilyn managed to find such staff members, her butler was different. Reaching for her wine glass -thank god- she took a long grateful drink and felt herself relax slightly.

She might survive the night if alcohols involved. @pyroman

The moment he laid eyes on the albino cobra wrapped around his master, Artemis smiled a vile smile. It wasn't possibly any sort of perverted thoughts, but the fact that Margaret seemed truly disturbed by the snake, and used all of her might to place it out of mind. He almost laughed out loud when Eros hissed, but knew better than to do so. He truly did like seeing Margaret uncomfortable with Eros, but he could not stay for longer. He was called to action, and left with a bow to his master and her guest.

As he walked out of the room, Artemis walked out at a calm pace to the kitchen. He knew the whole layout of the estate, and thus knew the quickest way to get to the kitchen from his current position.

When He arrived at the door of the kitchen and pushed them open, he was surprised to see a cart nearly full of food already prepared. Tsubasa, who worked quickly, was seen putting the finishing touches on everything. She was to present them a traditional Japanese meal for Marilyn and Margaret, using only the finest food available. Given how much time she had to get all of the food and then cook and prepare it, it was quite astounding.

As Tsubase noticed Artemis, she bowed to him with respect. "Hellow..." Her speaking was slow and careful. "The meal for this evening is ready for... Lady Amorin and her company." She nodded to Artemis, who proceeded to nod back. He seemed to excuse her speaking fully. She has been away from her home for three years, and had to learn a completely new language. She was doing quite well, seeming having learned just from listening and talking to people, and not any sort of official class or english teacher. He could see it in her eyes, among other things.

The ways her eyes looked about and always landed back on Artemis pleadingly, aware of his knowing presence and silently begging for him to say something.

He smiled at her. "Thank you, Ueda-san. I know your transition has been difficult, but you are doing well. Japan is a formal land that raises its people on respect and honor. Here, in Ireland... It is not always so." he explained to her. Shaking his head, he placed a gloved hand on the cart, ready to push it through the doors. "Thank you for you work tonight, Ueda-san. Please, tell me if you require anything to make your time here more enjoyable."

She smiled back at him, albeit cautiously before bowing as he left. In truth, she just wanted to spend every hour in her kitchen.

As Artemis walked back, he began to sing a tune to himself. It wasn't any notable tune, but just one to pass the time. He couldn't wait to see what had transpired in the room during his absence, but the moment he arrived, he was quick to set the table by himself, including the silverware, napkins, and glasses for drinks. His motions as he sets down the plates of eggs, rice, fish, Udon, and Tonkatsu were quick and graceful. Soon, the whole table was covered in dishes for the two of them, and the bowed. Along with the glasses of water, there were additional cups if they wished for any other drinks for the night. Tsubasa would have been there with him and explained her meals to them, had she not been so protestant about staying away from the company. Earlier that day, when she was assigned with the task of making a grand meal for two, Tsubasa explained how she already had something in mind. There were foods for different pallets and tastes, and something in the meal for anyone.

After he prepared the table, he bowed to Marilyn. "The chef hopes that you both enjoy this meal, consisting of many foods the people of Japan enjoy."

Marilyn nodded and scanned the foods with appreciation hidden beneath her mask, reaching for a pair of chopsticks instead of a fork, she happily begins to eat.

---

Margaret manages to keep her grimace internal as she reaches for a fork and spoon, she was hungry and needed something to keep her busy.

So far the room was tense. Finishing after awhile and wiping her lips clean, she watches as Marilyn rises to her feet and moves toward the row of large windows, she pauses before one and tilts her head slightly.

"So, shall you be staying?" The question is asked bluntly, Margaret finishes the last of her wone before deciding to answer.

"If it wouldn't be a problem. Yes I'd like to." Margaret was only agreeing because she wanted to get a better look at the estate, nothing more.

"Then Artemis? Prepare a guest room if you will. Avelina can you-" the shrill shriek of a phone ringing interrupted her words, Margaret watched with hidden glee as her granddaughter reached the phone and answered the call. Silence filled the room as Marilyn seemed to listen, Margaret shifting in her seat as a quicksilver flash of rage etched itself across pale skin before smoothing out. She was receiving a 'important call' in reference to problems in the hospitals the Amorin family owned, though in reality it was a lie she'd paid a greedy business man to make up. The phone was set gently on its cradle a few minutes later, Margaret decided now would be good to input her worth.

"Something wrong dear?" Marilyn's gazed focused on her for a brief moment before darting away and to the door.

"Just fine, If you'll excuse me. Artemis prepare the room, Avelina make sure the west wing is cleaned before you take off." With that Marilyn turned on her heel and strode from the room, she didn't seem to notice that Eros had smoothly slithered up and was wrapped around her. Margaret rose from her seat and glanced out into the night, shivering from the reminder of the frigid air, she turned her attention to the butler and raised a brow.

"I wonder what that call was about. Do you have any ideas?" It wouldn't do if anyone found out that she was selling Amorin hospital merchandise for money. No one could find out. @pyroman

"I can only imagine what the call out be about." Artemis responded to Margaret in a cool and calm tone. However, he did see, for just that sliver of a moment, she rage etched into her face. He did not show his own rage, and he would not show it, but just maybe, Eros would assist him in waking their guest the next morning.

Before Marilyn left, Artemis bowed at his orders both times, but was curious as to why she darted off. Maybe something was wrong, that she would not yet disclose with him. Whatever it was, it wasn't his priority. His task now was to leave and prepare the guest room for Margaret for the evening. As he thought about Marilyn's grandmother, the thought of whoever was leading her carriage here entered his mind. Whoever they were, he wondered where they were now. Perhaps in an inn somewhere nearby? He did not know, but he would worry about it later. He then walked out of the room, off to one of the guests rooms.

He walked down the hall with little to say, but much on his mind. He knew that Margaret wasn't there for a good chat with her granddaughter, but what exactly, he did not know for certain. He would not let his guard down. Whatever she was there for, she would not harm Marilyn or the Amorin name, and if she did, there would certainly be hell to pay.

As he arrived at the room, his gloved hand twisted the knob and opened the door. it took little time, as he always made sure that everything was meticulously clean, but the room was readied for Margaret. It seemed like just another room to most, but Artemis strategically picked the room with the sole purpose of being able to see the door to the room from the intersections into many other hallways. That way, while he ensured the safety of the estate, he'd be able to regularly check on the status of the room throughout the evening.

Her skin itched and she felt as of each breath she took was just adding to the pit tht had settled in her stomach. Reaching her study and barely managing to close the door behind her, Marilyn's leg slammed into the oak desk where she normally sat doing paperwork when her lessons were cancelled.

The call had been from one of the hospitals they owned, however the male that had spoken to her had been cut off half-way trough his explanation. Only to be taken over by her parents voices. Reaching her desk and leaning against it as she tried to breath deeply, Marilyn managed to strive off her panic and nausea as she made her way back out and towards the stairs that would lead to her room.

"She did it on our purpose. She knows its a damned weakpoint and she uses it...damn it." She mutters as she quickly moves up the steps and lossens the choker that hides her mark. Reaching her room and absently shedding her dress, shoes and socks as she nears her bed, she manages to tug a gray nightgown from where Artemis had left it. Crawling into her bed and tugging her sheets above her head she silently begins to count, Eros slides under her bed and hisses softly in reassurance. The storm continued and after a few minutes, Marilyn was dozing with a faint nerve induced fever flushing her cheeks. She'd always been a sickly child, her insomnia didn't helplay matters either.

---

The fugure in black crouched low and brought the binoculars in his hand to his eyes, a slow grin dreading across his covered lips. His target was dozing and alone in her room, shifting and rolling down the roof he'd been using as vantage point to scope for any way of entrance. Landing quietly on his feet and merging with the nature shadows even with snow still falling, he shook off the frigid air and waited.

---

Rising to follow the butter out, Margaret allowed a small to pull her lips up. Her plan would be set into action, she'd have her money and all that belonged to her. Now if the man she hired completed his job.@pyroman

Artemis bowed before Margaret. "I do hope you keep warm tonight, the air is awfully frigid tonight." His head turned to look outside through the window. It did not bother him all to much, but he knew that human bodies were much weaker and more fragile than his own body, not to mention they weren't immortal. He has faced such weathers head on before, and were nothing but minor annoyances. Be bowed once more before stepping out of the room. The last he saw of his master, she was not doing too well. He closed the door behind himself, and left to walk the hallways to find Marilyn.

He could only take guesses at what she heard on the phone, but whatever put her in such a bad mood must have been from her past. That flash of emotion that Margaret showed much have been in correspondence with the call, and if it didn't it didn't matter all too much. He knew that she was there for money, and her little display clearly told him that she wasn't there because she liked her granddaughter. Hopefully his master wouldn't be too stirred to tell him what was going on. He didn't know exactly which room she was in, so he knocked on every door down her hallway, asked for permission to come in, then went in anyways. He had no idea how many times he had done it, but he continued to knock on each door, requesting access to speak to Marilyn.