[center][h3]Week 2, Day Five[/h3] ~Gwynn, Livia, Fia, Lyssa~[/center] Well, she had managed to get Maoin to do something else while she was out. Specifically told her to buy some fish to make seafood with for lunch. Less chance of the kitten following her into Livia's office. If the kitten knew she was going here, she'd likely ask all sorts of questions about what she had done to get in trouble. Not that she had done anything, no. She was here for an entirely different reason. She needed money, and well, Livia had made a bit of an offer a few days ago...and well, she wanted to see if that offer was still up in some form. She walked into the room before the office, a secretary sitting behind the desk writing on some paper told her to wait a bit. Livia was apparently in an important meeting of sorts with someone. She nervously played with the sleeves on her usual green dress. Ugh, she really didn't want to do this, but it was the only job she knew she might be able to get. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long. After a few minutes, she was told she could go in. Standing up, Gwynn let out a breath she had been holding as she walked in. Livia was at her desk, Cynthia, her servant pouring her some tea as she usually did. The headmistress eyed her curiously, before giving her a friendly smile and telling her to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. The gentle rustling of papers from behind the couch likely indicated Fia was there sorting through some paperwork for Livia. [color=a187be]"Good morning, Gwynn. Certainly odd to see [i]you[/i] here of your own accord. Break into any libraries lately?"[/color] She chuckled lightly, taking a sip of tea. [color=8dc73f]"Pfft, nnnnno."[/color] Gwynn responded with a somewhat nervous chuckle, sounding not entirely sure of that. [color=a187be]"Don't sound so nervous, Gwynn. I'm just teasing."[/color] Livia replied with a soft smile. [color=a187be]"What brings you here today? Cynthia, pour some tea for her will you?"[/color] [color=8dc73f]"Oh uh, nothing much."[/color] Gwynn replied, taking a seat in one of the chairs. [color=8dc73f]"And uh, I don't drink tea but thanks."[/color] Cynthia poured some regardless, giving the girl a haughty sounding sniff as if serving her tea was an actual effort in discipline. [color=8dc73f]"...Uh...how's life?"[/color] Livia blinked at the question, giving a small smirk. [color=a187be]"Well, It's going well. I've recently decided to get a familiar...and aside from the usual paper work not much."[/color] Livia took a sip of her tea. [color=a187be]"But I doubt that's why you're here, Gwynn. Unless you decided you just suddenly decided you wanted to confess undying love for me or something."[/color] Gwynn gave Livia a look of slight confusion before stuttering out a reply. [color=8dc73f]"N-no!"[/color] She replied. [color=8dc73f]"I uh, just wanted...a job."[/color] It was Livia's turn to be mildly confused. She gave Gwynn a look of surprise, mulling over the words quietly as Gwynn continued to speak. [color=8dc73f]"About the uh, servant thing. I thought uh, it'd be my best bet for one..."[/color] [color=a187be]"...You're not exactly servant material, dear."[/color] Livia replied, Gwynn's face turning a bit red in both embarrasment and slight frustration. [color=8dc73f]"I know."[/color] She replied quickly. [color=8dc73f]"But uh, I don't really know anywhere else."[/color] Fia at this point peeked out from around the couch, knowing that she had been mentioned slightly. Looking at the noble woman though ... something said that proud girl wasn't servant material. The phoenix gave the headmistress a silent nod in agreement towards the headmistress, that this would be a bad idea. After a moment though, the girl returned to sorting her papers. Livia seemed to contemplate Gwynn's offer. Realistically speaking, she didn't need a servant. Let alone someone as untrained as Gwynn was, and she didn't particularly want to train them. Cynthia could do it, but it would take time out of her day even if she would likely agree to it because she asked. Hmm...more importantly though, this was a bit of a odd request for Gwynn. [color=a187be]"Why the sudden request?"[/color] Livia asked. [color=8dc73f]"W-well...I just need money."[/color] Gwynn replied hesitantly, obvious not to keen on revealing her reason for wanting it. Livia seemed less than impressed with the answer, however and merely gave Gwynn a critical look. [color=a187be]"Gwynn, dear, I would love to hire you if you had some skill."[/color] Livia replied with a sigh after a few moments. [color=a187be]"But you are not skilled. I merely offered before as what it was...a punishment for breaking and entering into the library as unpaid labor. To pay you, though? I have an army of maids and servants. I don't need an extra one that can't even cook, clean, or follow orders well. All you can do is swing that sword of yours, and all of my servants also have received basic self defense training from Cynthia here."[/color] As she spoke, Gwynn looked more and more unsure, and more than a little embarrassed about her lack of skill in domestic areas. Her already thin confidence in asking for a job shattered. Livia had just hit on point everything was insecure about. The headmistress was right, all she could do was really swing her sword. She wasn't cut out for servant work. [color=a187be]"So tell me. Why should I hire you?"[/color] Gwynn shifted somewhat uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. Realistically speaking...there was no reason for Livia to even think about hiring her. Gwynn frowned, trying to come up with anything to say that might try and convince Livia to hire her. [color=8dc73f]"...well..uhm...Why not?"[/color] Gwynn asked. [color=8dc73f]"I-i mean, sure I'm not good! But I can learn!...probably."[/color] [color=a187be]"...your confidence doesn't sound the best in the world, dear."[/color] Liva quietly replied, earning a small frown from the younger blond. Fia looked around the couch again, as if trying to see the blonde's motivation. For one of the few times in her life, the girl seemed to find something geniunely funny as she tilted her head towards the noblewoman. Livia would feel a strong curious pull on their bond, until Fia ducked behind the couch again. The phoenix was REALLY curious to know what the noblewoman needed. Livia tapped the side of her teacup idly while mulling it over, taking not of Fia's curiosity. [color=a187be]"Well, then, let me ask. Why do you need the money?"[/color] She asked again after a few moments. [color=8dc73f]"W-well...uh..."[/color] Gwynn stuttered. [color=8dc73f]"For stuff?"[/color] [color=a187be]"...that's not exactly a stellar answer."[/color] Livia replied. [color=a187be]"You're a noble, are you not? I realize your family isn't as...prestigious as it has been in the past, but you could attempt to levy taxes or raise money through other means, could you not? You fancy yourself as a bit of a pirate as well, do you not? I'm certain you could raise money through that as well. So why consider learning an entirely new trade, just to earn some money honestly?"[/color] [color=8dc73f]"...it's for Maoin."[/color] Gwynn finally replied, earning a small smirk form Livia. [color=a187be]"Your familiar, hmm? Do tell."[/color] [color=8dc73f]"W-well...I suppose I could just ask her for the money since my parents don't trust me with their funds...but I guess I just want to earn it myself? If I ask Maoin for it it just...seems...pointless."[/color] Livia sighed at this, smiling softly. For the faults Gwynn did have, she was at least honest and didn't mind doing something the hard way, if it was for someone she cared about. She didn't like getting help from others, and preferred doing things herself, it wasn't bad but at times she should learn to rely on others a bit. At least, that's what she had gathered from their brief interactions, and Livia liked to think she was good at reading people. Fia's curiousity seemed satisfied, and she returned to her books, going through ledgers that the headmistress had assigned her, matching up various things together again. She needed to go talk to Lyssa later that day ... so she was thinking about that as well as she worked through the entries. [color=a187be]"Well, Gwynn."[/color] Livia replied thoughtfully. Shooting the girl down here might be...bad. It was clear Gwynn's confidence wasn't as high as she let on sometimes, if this conversation was anything to go by. Perhaps it could be good for her in the long run, and well, Livia was definitely not really one to stunt the growth of her students in any capacity. [color=a187be]"I suppose I can have Cynthia teach you the basics, starting on the weekend tomorrow."[/color] At this, Gwynn immediately brightened, letting out a breath of relief she didn't even know she had been holding. [color=a187be]"That said...you will be attending me personally on the weekends while also training. This also extends to Fia over there, if she wants or needs anything."[/color] [color=8dc73f]"R-really!?"[/color] Gwynn excitedly replied, standing up and leaning on the desk. [color=a187be]"Certainly...I apologize if I sounded harsh earlier. I had to make sure you were committed to this. Being a servant isn't exactly easy work."[/color] Fia looked around the corner again as her name was brought up. Having a servant? That ... that wasn't something she was used to. The crimson haired girl was usually the slave herself. At this point, the girl offered a very quizical eye towards the heamistress, obviously confused. [color=8dc73f]"Don't be surprised Fia. You live in my house as well...I have also told the servants on numerous occasions to make sure you were comfortable. They got rid of all those evil chairs for you."[/color] Livia chuckled lightly. Gwynn though, seemed somewhat confused. Fia? Evil Chairs? She didn't know about either of those things. [color=8dc73f]"Uhm, headmistress? Who is 'Fia?'"[/color] She asked quizzically. She was aware of someone else in the room, but she hadn't exactly said anything regarding it. [color=8dc73f]"Hmm...Well, I supposed I'll introduce you. Fia, dear, come say hello to Gwynn."[/color] After a few seconds, the red haired girl stood up, walking slowly towards the blonde girl as if nervous. Once she was a reasonable ten foot distance away, the fourteen year old debated offering a small wave towards Gwynn, but decided against it. Instead, the crimson haired girl simply stared into the depths of the older girl's soul before returning her gaze to the floor. Gwynn looked somewhat surprised as Fia walked up. She was standing a bit of a distance away and didn't introduce herself, only stared. Gwynn stared back in silence, somewhat uneasy. A kid? Well...at least, someone who might as well be called a kid. She wasn't exactly good with kids...and this one seemed on the shy side...her least favorite kind of people. Well, she might as well try and say hi. [color=8dc73f]"Uhm...hi?"[/color] The younger girl simply looked around the room for a few seconds before returning her glance. A few soft words responded after a few moments, the phoenix finally managing to respond. [color=salmon]"... hi ..."[/color] After a couple of seconds, the girl turned her head towards Livia, as if asking if she could go hide again. [color=a187be]"Fia, dear, you can't hide from the world all of the time."[/color] Livia replied with a sigh. [color=a187be]"But very well. Unless Gwynn has anything else to discuss then she should probably be getting to classes."[/color] [color=8dc73f]"Oh, uh right."[/color] Gwynn replied, looking over to Livia. [color=8dc73f]"Nothing else."[/color] [color=a187be]"Stop by my Villa at [i]six[/i] tomorrow. Cynthia will be waiting for you out front."[/color] [color=8dc73f]"S-Six?!"[/color] Gwynn shouted, obviously surprised. [color=8dc73f]"T-that's way too early!"[/color] [color=a187be]"Well, you better get used to it...now, if there's nothing else, I have some work I need to finish."[/color] Gwynn simply gave a defeated sigh and left the room. Six in the morning? How the hell was she supposed to wake up that early? Maoin would have so many questions about it, she wasn't sure she could deflect all of them. Fia practically teleported behind the couch as the blonde shouted, disappearing within a second. As the older teenager left though, crimson hair returned to Livia's desk standing as far as possible from any chairs. The girl was wondering when they would be heading towards Lyssa's. The girl pointed back and forth between the two of them, asking a single question word. [color=salmon]"... Lyssa ...?"[/color] [color=a187be]"We'll go once classes are over. She'll probably be in her dorm this afternoon, Fia."[/color] The crimson haired girl nodded, returning to her lair behind the couch and getting back to work on sorting papers once again ... [hr] ... eventually, the last of the classes were let out and the afternoon arrived. The Phoenix knew their time was coming, when she'd have to encounter hellion once again. The crimson haired girl approached Livia's desk, tossing her a curious look. Livia pushed her chair back, yawning somewhat tiredly. Wordlessly, Cynthia took the teacup and setting it aside on a small table not far from the desk. Really, she had a few more things she had to take care of and should probably work on that...but they could wait. The headmistress was honestly a bit tired, and would have liked to go take a nice warm bath but making sure Fia returned that book was her priority for the moment. She glanced down at Fia, giving her a soft smile. [color=a187be]"Well, come along then."[/color] She said, standing up. [color=a187be]"Lets go meet Lyssa."[/color] She ushered Fia out of her office, Cynthia staying behind and starting on some cleaning. The walk to the dorms wasn't long, though the Headmistress stopped to say hello to a few teachers and students no doubt causing Fia a bit of distress, but that was her job and she couldn't just say no. After a bit though, they had finally left the main school building and were in the Dorms. Livia led Fia to the hallway where Lyssa's dorm was. [color=a187be]"Here we are."[/color] Livia said. [color=a187be]"Go return the book then. I'll be waiting right here."[/color] Fia arrived successfully at her destination, after hiding behind Livia on the trip there and ensuring she didn't approach any chairs. After half a minute of hoping the hellion would have somehow detected the pairs prescence, the phoenix knocked lightly on the door, book in hand. Today she was wearing the more revealing dress Lyssa had bought her. The red haired girl figured based on pink hair's excitement that she liked it. The girl nervously looked at the ground as she waited for the demon to answer. There was the sound of something falling over, and a small yelp from inside the room as something hit the floor. [color=f6989d]"U-uhm, h-hold on!"[/color] There was the sound of more things falling over, and then silence. A few seconds later, there was a huff as Lyssa walked towards the door, opening it with her usual energetic way of doing things. If one were to look in her room, they'd find a rather large pile of books and her chair had fallen over. [color=f6989d]"Helll-"[/color] Lyssa stopped herself mid greeted as she noticed that Fia was the one who knocked at her door. Her voice faltered, nervously shifting on her feet as she looked down at the younger girl. [color=f6989d]"U-uhm...hey Fia. What are, you uh, doing here?"[/color] The crimson haired girl took a step back for a moment, gathered her courage, and took a step forward. The young teenager eventually raised the stolen book up in both hands, wanting for the hellion to take it. For a few seconds, Lyssa seemed confused. She looked at the book, somewhat unsure of what to say. She had completely even forgotten Fia had taken it with her when she left. [color=f6989d]"U-uhm, you're giving it back?"[/color] Lyssa questioned somewhat unsure, looking down the hallway and seeing no one aside from Fia. Did...this mean that Fia [i]didn't[/i] hate her or something after that? Well, that made her feel a lot better...especially if this had been her own idea to return it. [color=f6989d]"Uh, thanks?"[/color] Lyssa took the book quietly, not wanting to startle Fia. Despite that though, she was giving Fia a friendly smile instead of her previous unsure expression. The crimson haired girl paused for a few seconds, not exactly sure how to respond to a 'thanks' properly. It wasn't long until she remembered her next mission though, and the phoenix pointed to the dress le Clothe had produced for her. [color=salmon]"... Thanks ..."[/color] Did that constitute a proper thanking, according to the headmistress? She wasn't sure. Lyssa, was honestly a bit stunned. She thought that Fia would never speak to her again after that. She was [i]really[/i] glad she was wrong. She even thanked her for the clothes! There was still a chance for [i]friendship![/i] Lyssa had to physically resist from hugging the girl and giving her all the cuddles she could muster. Instead she simply gave her a bright smile. [color=f6989d]"Hehe, don't mention it! I uhm, money's not exactly a problem for me so if you ever uhm, need something else just ask!"[/color] The crimson haired girl wasn't exactly sure what to say here, so after taking a step from the excitement of the hellion her eyes drifted to the floor. Was she supposed to say something here? Fia awkwardly stepped from foot to foot, looking towards the ground. The phoenix guessed the headmistress wouldn't be happy with her running off. Lyssa looked at Fia, realizing she was probably still a bit uncomfortable if the ensuing awkward silence was anything to go by. She simply giggled quietly still giving Fia a big grin. It'd be better if she was the one to walk away here. [color=f6989d]"Hey, maybe I can take you to that bakery sometime again? Ah! Actually...waaaait!"[/color] Lyssa walked back into her room, shuffling through some of her possessions rather loudly before finding what she was looking for - her deck of cards. She hurried back over to Fia and handed them to her. [color=f6989d]"Here ya go! You can have these. You uhm, seemed to like them and you seem to be really good with card tricks so they'll probably be better with you anyways."[/color] The crimson haired girl accepted the cards, blinking a few times at them. Pink hair seemed rather insistent upon giving her gifts. Fia wondered if Livia would be as impressed with her ability to look at the back of a card deck as the demon. Remembering the sweet taste of the bakery though, the phoenix looked towards the hellion for a few moments. [color=salmon]"... Bakery ... nice ..."[/color] It seemed that her internal clock set the cost of spending time with a calm version of Lyssa as less than the benefit of getting some really nice sweets. [color=f6989d]"Ehe, I'll see ya around then!~"[/color] Lyssa replied happily. [color=f6989d]"Maybe whenever classes are over you can stop by."[/color] Lyssa gave Fia a friendly wave before heading back inside her dorm, letting Fia go for now. The crimson haired girl blinked a few times as she was let go, letting out a sigh of relief. Fia quickly headed down the hallway towards Livia as another student left their dorm, and quickly returned to her prescence, wondering what the headmistress thought about the entire exchange. Livia simply smiled at Fia. [color=a187be]"You did well, Fia."[/color] She said. [color=a187be]"Lyssa was quite happy, I think. Now lets get back to my Villa, hmm?"[/color] She turned and started to leave, making sure Fia was following behind her.