[center][h3]~Gwynn, Livia, Fia~[/h3] Week 2, day six[/center] [b]"If you keep stalling, I will inform the Headmistress that you disrupted work willingly and will be punished for it."[/b] Cynthia replied, sounding just a bit annoyed. [color=8dc73f]"I...I dunno."[/color] Gwynn hesitated from within the restroom. [b]"If you will not wear the servants dress, then you have no business working here."[/b] [color=8dc73f]"B-but it's...so..."[/color] Gwynn stuttered, unsure of the exact words to use here. [b]"It is the traditional uniform of the servant class. If you will not wear it, you have no business being here."[/b] [color=8dc73f]"...Urgh, f-fine."[/color] She didn't have much of a choice, did she? She was the one that asked for this job, so complaining wasn't something she should do. But this dress! Gah! It was just [i]horrible[/i]. She could hardly move in it, not to mention it was just downright...not...something a sea-faring lass like her should be waltzing around in! With a sigh, she walked out of the changing room. Cynthia had insisted on dressing her herself, but Gwynn managed to convince her to let her try herself at least once. [color=8dc73f]"Can we get started now?"[/color] She asked, groaning. Cynthia didn't reply, only walking closer, seeming to inspect Gwynn very closely...before grabbing her chest. [color=8dc73f]"B-bwuh?! W-what are you doing?!"[/color] [b]"Fixing your dress."[/b] Cynthia replied, adjusting one of the bows on the front of it. [b]"You are terrible at this."[/b] This made Gwynn turn a shade of red as Cynthia continued to 'fix' her dress in various places. She had thought she had been thorough, but she supposed this wasn't her thing, after all. When she was done, Cynthia stood in front of her again, inspecting her once more before giving a sigh. [b]"Acceptable."[/b] Gwynn let out a breath, but she didn't get long to relax. [b]"Mistress Livia requires tea in the morning, as well as a full breakfast. I doubt you have any skills in cooking or tea making, so you will leave that to me."[/b] Gwynn nodded hesitantly and followed as Cynthia walked towards the kitchens. [color=8dc73f]"Then...uhm, what will I do?"[/color] She asked, a bit unsure. [b]"You will wake them, and ensure there are no problems. I will teach you how to brew tea later today when the Headmistress is working."[/b] [color=8dc73f]"U-uhm right...where is there room?"[/color] [b]"Upstairs, at the end of the hallway."[/b] With a sigh, Gwynn walked away from Cynthia and headed upstairs. Today was going to be a long day, wasn't it? At least this was something she could do, but she wasn't going to be to happy about it. Urgh this dress was annoying her, and why did she have to wake them up? Couldn't the headmistress wake herself up or something? Gah, she shouldn't complain...she had asked for this after all. Gwynn sighed, taking a few seconds to compose herself before knocking on the door to Livia's room. [color=8dc73f]"Yo, headmistress...uh, it's morning or something?"[/color] Fia’s eyes fluttered open from a dream about a dragon and herself bathing in a lake as the door was rattled and followed by a familiar voice. Livia’s arms were around her as usual when the pair of them slept, but the grip wasn’t tight and after a small struggle the phoenix managed to squirm her way out to the rest of the bed. Livia usually dealt with people. [color=salmon]”... Livia … servant … waking … us ...”[/color] As usual, the older woman usually needed a little encouragement to get up for the day. After giving the headmistress a small shake on her shoulder, the phoenix debated which dress she should use … and eventually settled for one of the simple long dresses in the style Livia wore when she expected to be causal for the day. With a yawn, Fia walked into the bathroom with the dress hung over a small rack as the fourteen year old looked into the mirror. The headmistress always did, and the girl had started to pick up on the older woman’s grooming habits. A pretty blue haired woman with red eyes of about her size stared back, and after a small shake of her to dispel whatever was in her mind the reflection returned to normal. After quickly washing her face with hot water and running a small brush through her hair, the girl put her dress on and applied a small portion of the headmistress’ makeup before returning to the room where her mage was probably starting to just wake up. The crimson haired girl was somewhat curious about what their plans were for the day, if they had any. A tilt of her head towards the headmistress and the bond they shared probably made the shy girl’s question clear. 'yo headmistress'? What sort of greeting was even that? Tsk, look like she'd have to teach Gwynn some basic manners. Livia yawned as she woke, sitting drowsily up in her bed. Well, whatever. Teaching Gwynn manners was probably going to be about as difficult as teaching a cat to bark...hum. For some reason, she imagined Gwynn would look cute with cat ears. Maybe she'd see how Katherine looked in some later...hrm... Livia pulled the covers off of her, noticing Fia had already woken. Since it was the weekend, she had much less work to do but she still had a few responsibilities to take care of. Some accounting, making sure a few of her projects were going well...she hadn't visited the lab in awhile. She would have to make sure Fia was properly occupied so she could do that. Well, Gwynn could definitely take care of her. [color=a187be]"Hmm...today, I think we'll take a break from your studies."[/color] Livia said offhandedly as she finished putting on a simple purple and white dress. She honestly had no plans for the both of them today. Fia was making fairly good progress in learning to read and write, and one always could use a break from studies. That said, she couldn't just leave her alone either...hrm. She walked into the restroom, cleaning up just a bit before. Walking over to the door revealing a Gwynn who was obviously in a somewhat irritable mood, and likely was feeling somewhat embarrassed. [color=a187be]"Etiquette aside, Gwynn, thank you. I take it Cynthia is preparing breakfast for now?"[/color] [color=8dc73f]"Yeah, she is."[/color] Gwynn replied. [color=a187be]"Hmm...come along then Fia."[/color] Livia said, walking out of the room. [color=a187be]"Be sure to follow, Gwynn, and if you need anything at all Fia, do not hesitate to ask her."[/color] Gwynn grumbled silently as she followed Livia. The phoenix nodded as she followed the headmistress downstairs, walking next to the grumbly servant that Fia was still slightly confused as to why she was hired. If she’d been that uppity in the tower, she would have been beaten, then forced to entertain her owner. Livia seemed to have mentioned the problem though, so for now the red haired girl walked just next to the headmistress, using her as a partial shield between herself and Gwynn. Gwynn was silent for the most part. She had no idea what she should be doing here, but she knew she should probably at least keep her mouth mostly shut. When they finally arrived downstairs, it seemed Cynthia had already finished brewing the tea and making breakfast. Simple toast, tea, and a few other side dishes were arranged on the table. Before Livia even began sitting down, Cynthia was already pouring a cup for her. Gwynn stood somewhat awkwardly next to one of the couches, not sure what she should be doing. Cynthia had given her a rundown of what would be expected of her, but for the most part Cynthia had done most of that already. [color=a187be]"Gwynn, tea for Fia please."[/color] [color=8dc73f]"Err...right. Uh, tea..."[/color] Tea, she could never stand the stuff but...well, whatever. She reached for the teapot, holding it carefully before pouring it into the cup, at least trying to mimic the amount Cynthia had poured into Livia's. After having been with the headmistress, the familiar was used to the daily routine - going downstairs, sitting down on one of the couches, drinking tea. Fia seemed satisfied with the way the new servant seemed to pour it, although she was a bit slow. Not even waiting for it to cool down, the crimson haired girl held onto the glass with a both hands and took a sip of it, digging into breakfast. To Livia, it was rather obvious that the red haired girl had been working on slowing down her eating, and the crimson haired girl seemed to eat is closer to normally than as if she hadn’t eaten in a few days. It was still strange, being able to simply ask for food and to recieve plenty of it. The young teenager was seriously thankful for it, despite it not being that exquisite. Unless the headmistress had a topic of conversation she wanted to bring up, the crimson haired girl finally had to ask a question. [color=salmon]”... Livia ... “[/color] It had been something bothering the girl for quite some time now. Usually at the first glance into a mirror she saw other people standing in her place. After a few seconds they would fade away, but she had no idea who they were. A little bit of research had revealed this was not normal. [color=salmon]”... I see … others … in mirrors …?”[/color] So far they hadn’t been hostile, and truthfully their presences were somewhat comforting. The girl’s curiosity simply got the better of her. [color=8dc73f]"What are you crazy or something?"[/color] Gwynn couldn't help but to vocalize the thought, which earned a sharp glare from Livia and a disapproving sight from Cynthia. [color=a187be]"Fia, dear...perhaps could you elaborate a bit?"[/color] Livia asked. Seeing others in the mirror, definitely wasn't normal but she didn't exactly have much to go on other than that. She could speculate as to what was going on, but that was it. She wanted a bit more confirmation before making any final conclusions. [color=a187be]"It is...definitely not exactly normal, but I don't think it is anything you should be too worried about unless those people are clearly hostile."[/color] The phoenix looked over her shoulder at the servant, looking at her nervously. Despite Livia’s assurance that it probably wasn’t a problem, it clearly took away some of Fia’s ability to collect herself as her words became normalized again. [color=salmon]”... like me … today … ruby eyes .... sapphire hair …?”[/color] Fia clearly had more to add, but it was apparently a little awkward for her as she glanced over at the judgemental servant. Eventually though, she made her addition. [color=salmon]”... In a dream … I looked into … water …” [/color]The girl remembered the reflection that had looked back for a few moments. She breathed for a moment. [color=salmon]”... It was … the same …”[/color] The girl flushed slightly as she remembered the scene that had followed with a certain dragon who had been appeared last night as well, but the phoenix didn’t feel like describing that to the headmistress. So it was like that then. She had received quite the description of one of the phoenixes past lives from Sorcha. Fia was seeing her past selves in the mirror, then. Nothing to be too worried about, in that case. Livia took another sip of her tea before responding. [color=a187be]"Who knows. Some people believe that mirrors show the true soul of the one who is viewing them."[/color] Livia chuckled lightly. [color=bc8dbf]"It's nothing serious, Fia dear so do not worry much about it. If you are curious, there are likely some books in the Library I could find to bring you to read."[/color] The phoenix waited a moment before nodding. The young teenager had been curious about going to the library herself, but she was a little scared of new places in general and Livia seemed content to provide plenty of reading in here. The crimson haired girl seemed satisfied with that response, returning to the food as she wondered what she was supposed to do with her day off. Fia wondered if Livia was simply giving her a saying, but the girl could tell there was a little more behind what the headmistress spoke. Breakfast continued normally for the most part. Gwynn did her best, and only ended up spilling the tea once, earning a harsh glare from Cynthia and was quickly made to clean it. For the most part, Gwynn was hating this work, but it was something she decided to do so she would. When she went to put up the plates and other silverware, she was scolded for speaking out of line and making a comment about Fia. It was not a servant's place to speak unless spoken to. When she finally returned to the living room, Gwynn sighed, already feeling completely drained. [color=a187be]"Well, that was good as always. Thank you Cynthia...and you as well Gwynn despite your terrible manners. That said..."[/color] Livia stood, looking over to Fia. [color=a187be]"Fia, dear, I have some work I need to do today that you cannot accompany me to."[/color] The Phoenix looked up for a moment, and nodded nervously afterwards. Fia was growing attached to the older woman, and despite her usual desire to remain at least ten feet away did appreciate having her nearby. During the weekends the crimson haired girl knew Livia generally avoided doing paperwork and focused on relaxing. Thirty seconds passed by before the girl collected herself a little. [color=salmon]”... And me …?”[/color] With free time on her hands, Fia was stuck with a problem Gwynn was familiar with. In the tower the crimson haired girl didn’t have any options in her life, and now so many were before her that the insane amount of choice was just as terrifying. [color=bc8dbf] "Whatever you want. This is your home...you may do in it what you wish."[/color] Livia replied. [color=bc8dbf]"Gwynn and Cynthia will take care of any problems you have...and if you wish to head outside for whatever reason, they are obligated to join you."[/color] With that Livia stood and walked towards the door of the house, Cynthia bowing her head as she left. [color=bc8dbf]"I will be back a little after noon."[/color] [b]"Of course, Mistress."[/b] Cynthia said as Livia left. Gwynn, simply remained silent, wondering what exactly this brat was going to order her around to do. The red haired girl watched Livia as she left, her heart sinking just a bit as the one she was bound to left the room … Fia sat in the same spot for some time, unsure what to do. Her amber eyes drifted between the two older women as she kicked her legs back and forth idly before eventually silently rising from the couch and heading upstairs. The phoenix laid on the bed, looking into the pages of the book as she read about the fall of Troy. Well. It seemed this would be easy then. Gwynn was relieved. So, she'd just have nothing to do since Fia seemed intent on being alone. Fine with her. She smirked, chuckling idly to herself. Well, maybe this wouldn't be so bad, then. She turned, taking a seat on the couch and stretching, earning an irritated huff from Cynthia. [b]"I do hope you don't think that you are done."[/b] [color=8dc73f] "Well, uh, that kid didn't exactly seem like she wanted to order us around."[/color] Gwynn dismissively replied, casting a glance over to Cynthia...who was now holding a broom...and a mop. [color=8dc73f] "Well...I mean, don't not work on my account."[/color] Cynthia shook her head. [b]"You will clean."[/b] She continued, shoving the broom and mop into Gwynn's hands. [color=8dc73f]"E-er...clean, what, exactly?"[/color] [b]"The house, you moron."[/b] Cynthia could swear she saw a vein bulge on Gwynn's forehead. [color=8dc73f]"A-all of it? By myself? This entire house?!"[/color] There was no way in the name of the great seas could she ever clean this house by herself! That was absurd! [b]"Yes. If you are too stupid to accomplish such a task then you should leave immediately and admit you are a failure to society."[/b] This. Bitch. Gwynn had to visibly restrain herself from turning Cynthia into a very realistic ice sculpture. But no, she wouldn't do that. She'd prove to this little maid that she could very well do it! Sorta...kinda...she would attempt it, at least! [color=8dc73f] "FINE! I'll do it and I'll do it ten times better than you!"[/color]