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Maoin responded quickly as the knightess started to walk inside, [color=darkslateblue]"Yes Miss Luna, apparently from the Headmistress herself - I um ... Lady Sorcha asked to spend the evening with me, so do you mind if I cook it tomorrow instead?"[/color]  The kitten responded to the knightess, hoping she wouldn't be too upset - the servant placed the ham from Avaline in the fridge, before taking the one from Luna and following suit.  [color=darkslateblue]"I have something I could quickly heat up for you though - Lady Sol is already enjoying it!"[/color]  The cat gestured over towards the younger girl, stepping over Avaline's tail as she did so in the crowded room.

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Of course she knew life wasn't always comfortable - but Fia nodded though as Livia offered more explanation on what she was thinking ... it wasn't meant as an excuse to become lazy.  The phoenix agreed, though was still a bit confused about what she should do to deserve it though.  But she figured Livia would explain more about that later.

The familiar looked over the girls as they lined up, a little surprised at how quickly the headmistress handed complete control of the situation to her.  It was a bit dramatic, and they were all [i]looking[/i] at her now.  The youngest one was probably sixteen, and the oldest probably in their thirties.  Some were familiars, most were humans.  Some were part time, some full time, but no matter their age or professionalism they were all staring at her.

She felt a little nervous.  Actually, more than a little nervous.  She looked over to Livia for assistance, but she sensed this was up to her.  Her eyes flickered between them, as if going through a complex system of trying to make a decision.  What if she annoyed them?  Or insulted the ones she didn't pick?  Or Livia didn't like her decision?  Or-

[b]"H-Hey, Miss Fia?"[/b]  One of the maids stepped forward, stepping a bit forward.  She was about sixteen, with a youthful appearance in spite of her uniform.  [b]"It's alright - you don't need to be so nervous!  Most of us don't know what this entails either ... except for Cynthia, but I don't think she's up for grabs in more ways than one."[/b]  She offered a friendly smile towards the fourteen year old who relaxed a bit, with most of the maids giggling at the expense of their leader.

Of course, Fia pointed at the girl who spoke up as she began to resume her place in the line.  [b]"... oh um ... are you sure miss?"[/b]  A nod, then a tilt of the head as Fia looked at the maid.  [b]"Okay then.  I'm Karia, Miss Fia.  It's nice to be appointed ..."[/b]

They both looked towards Livia though, as if looking for her approval.  [b]"... I'm alright with this, assuming you are headmistress."[/b]  Karia gave a slight curtsy - as of now she was only part time since she was a student as well, and therefore her skills weren't quite as up to par as some of the other staff.  

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Meowka grabbed for the pipe as it was taken away, gasping at the betrayal.  [color=blue]"K-Katherine!?"[/color]  No more nip!?  That was a terrible fate!  It was clear the familiar was ready to fight over this injustice, but one of her feet was grabbed by a doll - and soon she was swarmed, struggling against the puppeteer's servants as they dragged her onto the bed.  The oppressive regime quickly had her pressed down, so in spite of her struggles she was forced to remain still against the bedding as she stared at the rest of the room, simply observing the traitor in front of her and her friend.

Of course her vision focused just as Chione began to strip.  [color=blue]"Hey Kat, that's a fi- bbbbb!?"[/color]  Meowka's face was pressed into one of the pillows as she was about to finish making her comment, the cruel torturers only letting her head up after a few seconds of silence as her struggles gradually died down once again.

Meowka simply remained quiet at this point, looking towards her traitorous mistress with teary eyes.  [color=blue][i]H-How could she!?[/i][/color]  It was clear Meowka was upset, the effect likely amplified by her state of mind.

[center][h3][color=wheat]Otille Kohler[/color][/h3][/center]
Otille nodded as the woman in front of her asked where she found it.  [color=wheat]"Yes!  There was an old ruin nearby - and a stone statue!"[/color]  Lady Sorcha would quickly have her assumptions confirmed as the girl nodded enthusiastically.  [color=wheat]"Well really my little brother found it.  And what a blessing!  Our village had been in a bad place for a few months."[/color]  The farmer's characteristic smile dropped a bit as the memories returned.  [color=wheat]"He wanted to bring the treasure to the village immediately - I was a bit more superstitious and said we should y'know ... wait to make sure it wasn't someone elses.  But a week went by and no-one came by and we were hungry so ..."[/color]

[color=wheat]"... we took a few bags.  Managed to purchase food for the village ... our family had enough money to keep Cocoa ..."[/color]  They'd almost had to get rid of her - they were hungry after all, and food wasn't cheap.  Otille waved at the cow, giving her a big smile.  [color=wheat]"... and I'm hoping to get an education with this.  Start a new life, ma'am."[/color]