Herods Maid 2

<[NPC]Narrator> [Next, there is Maria. A girl seeking to work for the regional Minister of Security, Vargas, as a maid. That is how it begins. She is interviewed first, of course, and that is how it progresses...]
<[NPC]Narrator> [Maria has arrived and is waiting outside the front door, awaiting response of the occupants. They've gotten back from some (rather delicious) ice cream, and have been expecting her.]
* [Mys]Melody waves at the new maid while standing behind the other mansion residents.
* [Tess]Vargas tips her hat at the girl out the front door, scanning her as she does so.
* [Atai]Maria waves back. Got to keep smiling, right? Smile.
* [kiri]Alicia strides past the group with her usual, steady speed. She hands Vargas a small folder.
<[kiri]Alicia> Your appointment for tomorrow, Miss Vargas. And There's also a document that needs to--- Oh, new face?
* [kiri]Alicia turns to Maria.
<[Tess]Vargas> Good afternoon. Come in, it shouldn't be fun to be out in the open with all that dust blowing.
<[Atai]Maria> A new face, and even a body to go with it!
<[kiri]Alicia> Can I have your name, please?
<[Mys]Melody> Aww, come on Alicia don't be too stiff with the new girl.
<[Mys]Melody> Hi, I'm Melody!
* Ayelen follows just a little behind Vargas, keeping herself wary of this newcomer.
<[Mys]Melody> Melody Craft
<[kiri]Alicia> Melody Craft... Melody Craft....
* [Mys]Melody puts her hand forward expecting a shake.
* [kiri]Alicia checks her pocket note.
<[kiri]Alicia> You're 7 minutes late. Come in.
* Ayelen is happy at least to have rid herself of all that additional clothing, though...
* [kiri]Alicia heads inside, not even turn back to greet the newcomer.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, let's head over to my office. Got to get to know you before sealing the deal, after all.
* [Atai]Maria smiles politely at the other maids, and then turns back to Vargas, and bows slightly.
<[Atai]Maria> Thank you, Minister. It's rather unpleasant out there.
* Ayelen remains silent but wary and attentive but shy, watching and listening from just a little behind Vargas.
* Ayelen 's ears twitch and her red tail sways back and forth, slowly.
* [kiri]Alicia turns back and grabs Ayelen's tail, dragiing her away from Vargas.
<[kiri]Alicia> Move move move. More work for you. no time to idle around!
<[kiri]Alicia> Go make tea for the newcomer or something. I'm going to prepare the contract.
* Ayelen tries to whip around and free her tail quickly, rejecting the aggressive action with surprise!
* [Tess]Vargas waves Maria inside, and shuts the door once she's clear of it.
<Ayelen> yah!
* [Mys]Melody drops hand after awhile. And instead motions for Maria to follow.
<[Mys]Melody> Follow me, umm... What is your name?
* [Atai]Maria follows them in gratefully. Despicable people or not, dust storms downright suck.
<[Atai]Maria> ...Hmm?
<[Atai]Maria> Ah, my name is Maria Guadalupe Castillo Jim�nez. And you?
* Ayelen glares at Alicia for a moment before turning to Vargas with an inquisitive voice.
<Ayelen> Tea?
<[Mys]Melody> Short term memory troubles... I introduced myself at the door.
<[Mys]Melody> Unlike someless polite people.
<[kiri]Alicia> Tea is always required.
* [Mys]Melody looks at the others cooly
<[kiri]Alicia> By default. Now go make one.
* [kiri]Alicia let go of the tail.
<[Atai]Maria> A pleasure to meet you, Athedoor.
* Ayelen angrily swishes her tail back behind her with a huff, glaring at Alicia.
* [Atai]Maria inclines her head gracefully.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, let's go. Best to resolve this sooner to get you settled.
<[Atai]Maria> Certainly, Minister.
<[Atai]Maria> ...This is a lovely place you have.
* Ayelen then after a short moment dashes off on all fours towards the kitchen, making a point of batting at Maria's legs with her tail as she passes.
* [kiri]Alicia disappears behind her desk, rummaging through pile of document.
<Ayelen> [=-= Alicia's]
<[Tess]Vargas> Why, thanks. I move often, though, so I can't always get to decorating the places where I live and work.
<[kiri]Alicia> Don't run inside the office! Argh, You never learn, do you?!
* Ayelen disregards Alicia, already having darted down the hall and rounded a corner.
<[kiri]Alicia> Maybe I need to cut off her salary or something to make her behave...
* [kiri]Alicia sigh.
* [Tess]Vargas shrugs.
<[kiri]Alicia> Ah. Here it is.
* [Atai]Maria is eyeing the unorganized staff around her. (Fucking idiots. This scary woman slums around with these people? God, it's a wonder she isn't dead yet.)
* [kiri]Alicia pull out another thick volume of document.
<[Atai]Maria> Oh... It could be worse.
<[kiri]Alicia> Miss Vargas. Her personal data, in details. As well as the contract and our estimate budget to help you decide.
* [Atai]Maria (Could be a prison.)
* [Atai]Maria starts at "her personal data."
<[NPC]Narrator> The office is relatively large, with bookcases along two opposing walls. There is a moderately sized desk near the back with a smaller one to its right, on which are a few pictures, and the walls have some framed clippings and photographs. There are a few emblems at certain points in the room, and a typewriter on each of the desks.
* Ayelen arrives in the kitchen, and begins hastily throwing together a pot of tea almost literally. With a bit of luck she selects one of the better teas and steeps it for the proper amount of time, resulting with a good level of quality.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, it isn't all that bad when you recognize the virtues. So, we know your name. Age, where you're from, start there.
* [Atai]Maria (Shit. She has a file on me? Fuuuuuuck. As expected of a chief spook. Okay, Mari, calm down. Come on. Nice and easy.)
* Ayelen places the teapot along with a few cups on the tray, and begins walking back to Vargas's office.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, first, have a seat. You'll be fine.
* [kiri]Alicia stands behind Vargas, looking intimidating while she's at it.
* [Atai]Maria has a seat, and folds her hands in her lap.
* [Atai]Maria (Huh. Doesn't look like much. Appearances, and all that shit, I guess. ...the butch one is creeping me out, though.)
* [Mys]Melody pulls a tray filled with teapot and a few cups from behind the large bow of her dress and sets one cup in front of the Vargas.
* [Mys]Melody offers the others each a cup, filling each as they are passed out.
* Ayelen jumps and lets out a startled cry just down the hall as the tea she specially prepared disappears from her own hands.
* [kiri]Alicia facepalms.
<[kiri]Alicia> May I go and take a look, miss Vargas?
<[Tess]Vargas> Of course.
* Ayelen starts desperately looking around the immediate hallway, trying to find the lost tea.
* [Tess]Vargas sits behind her desk, facing Maria.
* Ayelen looks in and under the nearest vase along with the rug before letting out a downhearted sigh and letting her tail droop.
* [kiri]Alicia arrives at ehre Ayelen is.
<[kiri]Alicia> What's the matter?
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, since Alicia's off somewhere... hm, I wanted to get through some formalities first, but why not now. It's pretty rare for someone to look for work which is admittedly pretty dangerous, so I'm curious to know what your motivation is.
* Ayelen looks up to Alicia with sad eyes, her ears and tail fallen.
<Ayelen> The tea i made disappeared...it smelled good, too...
<[Atai]Maria> Well, I'm 23. I come from the Zutenga district. We... my father had some businesses on the side, and the law took none to kindly to them, and he's been in prison ever since. I grew up all right until then. My mother didn't weather it as well as I did, and she... She didn't do so well. I wanted out of there in the worst way, and after she turned up dead because her dealer knifed her, I...
<[Atai]Maria> ...grabbed my things and what I could sell quickly and hopped the next bus to the capitol.
<[kiri]Alicia> Eh? Oh, that tea.
* [Tess]Vargas sips at her tea.
<[kiri]Alicia> Melody somehow managed to acquire that and served it.
<[kiri]Alicia> Did you left it somewhere, by any chance? Anyway... get up.
* [kiri]Alicia pull Ayelen up.
* Ayelen looks to Alicia with surprise, and then anger.
* Ayelen tears past Alicia on all fours again to enter the office, growling.
<[kiri]Alicia> Oh for christ's sake! I told you you can't run in the office you stupid cat!
* [kiri]Alicia follows.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, hm... So is it that you felt out of options or does working for me allow you to accomplish something- huh?
<[Atai]Maria> Accomplish something?
<[Atai]Maria> ...I suppose so.
<[Atai]Maria> I want nothing more to do with my roots.
<[Atai]Maria> I want to rise above the past that birthed me, and live something like a respectable life.
* [Atai]Maria (Suck on that.)
* Ayelen pokes her head back out of the office door for a moment to respond to Alicia.
<Ayelen> I'm a fox, not a cat!
* Ayelen returns to growling at Melody for having stolen her tea.
<[kiri]Alicia> It doesn't make any difference. You're still stupid anyway!
<[Tess]Vargas> Hm... I guess politics are a quick way out of whatever life you led. Still, why for me? It's no secret that my job is more dangerous than most officials'.
* [Atai]Maria seems entirely unperturbed by the idiotic chaos around her.
* Ayelen glares at Alicia again, growling a little.
<[Atai]Maria> Well, it's no secret that you're quite fond of doing what's right for the country and its people, Minister. I figure it's harder to have work that's any more honest than this.
* Ayelen then makes a slightly threatening (although by no means as an attack) bite at Alicia in the air just before her.
<[Atai]Maria> I'm no slouch, anyway. Besides, I was waitressing for a few years after getting to the capitol whil eI looked for a proper job, and this is like that, only with a higher chance of somebody getting shot, I suppose.
<[Atai]Maria> But I'm used to that.
<[Atai]Maria> ...And besides, I can't do that anymore. Put a knife through the hand of a customer who kept squeezing my rear, and my manager was not pleased.
<[Tess]Vargas> You sound like someone suited for this line of work, then.
* [Atai]Maria smiles a bit.
<[Atai]Maria> Thank you, Minister. I take that as a compliment.
<[Atai]Maria> ...Besides, I figure I won't run into such a problem here, unless you have a bunch of sleazy dignitaries visiting. Might have a problem then, so at least I can go hang laundry while they're here.
<[Tess]Vargas> Oh, no worries there. Most of the ones with weaknesses like that have had it exploited pretty easily. So I know, what do you use for combat? You did say you carried a knife, but that's not necessarily your style, is it?
* [kiri]Alicia , due to her fast reflex, shot a right jab out front without thinking. Scoring a hit right in Ayelen's face.
<[kiri]Alicia> OSHI--!
<[Tess]Vargas> One second, Maria. What's going on back there?!
* [Tess]Vargas turns to Alicia and Ayelen, suddenly alerted at the action.
* Ayelen flies back in a small arc and crashes to the floor with a yelp and a crack.
<[kiri]Alicia> Minor accident, Miss! nothing to worry about! I got this under control!
* [kiri]Alicia hurry to Ayelen's side, lifting her up.
<[kiri]Alicia> You okay? Sorry. It's trained reflex.
* Ayelen grits her teeth in pain while lying on the floor, her injured nose bleeding fairly profusely.
* [Tess]Vargas turns back to Maria, but keeps the two in sight.
<[kiri]Alicia> Sheesh. Alright... plug your nose with this.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, have to deal with some things when the service's combat ability is a large part of its function. So, where were we? Ah, yes... what's your fighting style then?
* [kiri]Alicia hands Ayelen her handkerchief. It's a pink, girlish one with a frilly lace. Totally out-of-character for Alicia.
<[Atai]Maria> Oh, yes. Well, that just happened to be what was on hand. I wasn't exactly working at the classiest of places, but the other girls all carried something similar in case things got ugly. You'll get fired for it, maybe, but at least you won't be dead.
* Ayelen stands now, even still gritting her teeth while accepting Alicia's aid.
<[Atai]Maria> Me, I just jumped the gun a little early. I put up with enough of that from some of the men around my house when I got older.
<[Atai]Maria> But I didn't bring anything with me today. I figured it would be in poor taste if I carried in an arsenal for just a job interview.
<[Atai]Maria> And besides, who knows how that could be taken, especially here? Don't want to end up like my father just as I'm trying to better myself, do I?
* [Atai]Maria laughs good-naturedly, while wanting to do nothing more than cave this woman's head in with that typewriter.
<[Tess]Vargas> Good point there. Well, you seem to be alright. Hopefully you won't mind if I keep a closer eye on you for a while; precautions, you know.
<[Atai]Maria> Oh, I understand.
* [Atai]Maria waves a hand dismissively.
<[Atai]Maria> Can't be too careful.
<[Atai]Maria> And especially in your line of work.
* Ayelen stops up her nose with the handkerchief, not bothering to give thanks except for the form of not retaliating again against Alicia.
* [kiri]Alicia quickly gets up and compose herself once again.
<[kiri]Alicia> Good that it's nothing major. Let's get back to work.
* [kiri]Alicia (Well, that should teach you not to jump on me.)
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, I'm glad you understand. You seem to know stuff about me, but we might as well introduce you to who you'll be working with. Let's see... everyone's here, so that'll be easy.
* [kiri]Alicia back to Vargas' side.
* [Atai]Maria (...the fox, the butch, the one who isn't a bitch.)
<[Atai]Maria> Oh, that would be ever so thoughtful. I'm terrible with this sort of stuff sometimes.
<[Atai]Maria> I've been focusing on this the whole time, I've only been paying a small amount of... oh goodness.
* [Atai]Maria takes in the crew.
<[Atai]Maria> What a strange ...group of people.
* [kiri]Alicia raise her eyebrows.
<[kiri]Alicia> I'm pretty normal, myself.
* Ayelen eyes the new arrival, with a little air of suspicion. She seems a little odd somehow...
* [Mys]Melody has been checking the sharpness of the teeth of a chainsaw while staring at Ayelen... Tray of tea left on a bookshelf.
<[Atai]Maria> ...Of course.
* [Atai]Maria seems a little nervous.
* [Atai]Maria (two midgets and a cannon short of a freak show.)
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, it's a bit of an oddity but we're still alive. Let's start with Alicia. Alicia, would you rather introduce yourself or should I give her an idea?
<[kiri]Alicia> I'll do it.
* [kiri]Alicia straighten up.
* Ayelen takes this opportunity to move unobtrusively to one unoccupied side of the room, still holding the handkerchief to her nose.
<[kiri]Alicia> *Ahem*... So, I'm Alicia Wordsworth. Miss Vargas' personal maid, secretary and bodyguard. If anyone want to interact with her, they have to get past me. I'm pretty strict, so watch out.
* [Atai]Maria nods, taking it in.
* [Atai]Maria . o O (Upgraded from butch to plain old dyke.)
<[Tess]Vargas> Melody? Go ahead and introduce yourself.
* Ayelen shifts her eyes back and forth for a moment between Maria and Melody: an odd feeling about her for the former, and ire for the latter...
* [Mys]Melody looks up from Ayelen and hefts the chainsaw over a shoulder.
<[Mys]Melody> Eh? Name's Melody Craft. I'm the grounds keeper, and general staff of this place. If you need to know how to do something, just ask me.~
* [Mys]Melody grins
<[Tess]Vargas> Ayelen? You're last. I know you're shy, so would you rather I did it for you?
* [Atai]Maria . o O (Uh-huh. With a chainsaw? Pushing the friendly-scary front just a liiiiiittle too hard there. Otherwise nice. Maybe. Don't walk ahead of her.)
* [Atai]Maria nods, and looks to the last member.
* Ayelen fidgets for a moment, but responds quickly.
<Ayelen> um, yes...
* Ayelen 's nose has stopped bleeding, by this point.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, this is Ayelen, Ayelen Naira. She's general staff and also my personal assistant, but particularly good at making tea. Her abilities as a fighter are pretty good, if I do say so myself. I taught her, but she's made a few personal twists on it.
* [kiri]Alicia take out the cloth and starts polishing things around her. Can't stand all those greasy fingerprints...
<[Tess]Vargas> And, well, me you already know about. Anything you'd like to know?
* Vodkazzz has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
<[kiri]Alicia> Her three size are secrets.
* [kiri]Alicia adds.
* [Atai]Maria . o O (Shy freak. Fox shit isn't a good thing. Need to keep the powder-based explosives away from her. Rifle for her, definitely, or mines.)
* [Atai]Maria looks up at Vargas.
<[Atai]Maria> Umm... I don't think so, Minister. Well, other than anything you think I do need to know.
<[Atai]Maria> Something of the sort, at least.
<[kiri]Alicia> There is.
<[Atai]Maria> It's a strange and curious group you have here, but you all seem decent.
* [kiri]Alicia hand Maria the work schedule.
<[kiri]Alicia> Okay. Starting tomorrow you have to wake up in-----
* [kiri]Alicia make a long rants about rules and regulations, as well as work schedule.
* Ayelen winds up bored, and thusly wanders over to Vargas, hiding behind her to avoid Melody's unending pursuit of her when necessary.
* [Atai]Maria keeps careful mental notes on everything. It doesn't do to miss any of this.
<[kiri]Alicia> -----and that's all the necessary maerial you need to know in order to work here.
<[kiri]Alicia> [*material]
<[kiri]Alicia> If you're unsure of anything, ask me later when I have time.
<[kiri]Alicia> Capiche'?
<[Tess]Vargas> Well... also, you've come at a hectic time. Elections are coming up so political violence is much higher than usual and that'll keep us all pretty busy. I expect there will be a few assassination attempts on me, to be honest, so I'll keep you posted there. Best be on your guard though, if you're not careful you might be the walking dead. Well, you already knew that, didn't you?
* Ayelen shows slight worry, and edges just a little closer to Vargas.
<[Atai]Maria> Absolutely, Miss Alicia.
* [Atai]Maria listens to Vargas' comment.
* [kiri]Alicia nods. Satisfied that Maria is really listening to her.
* Ayelen looks at Maria for a moment out of the corner of her eyes. (She still seems odd, or something...)
<[kiri]Alicia> Mis alicia, don't forget to sign the contract.
<[kiri]Alicia> [FFFFF retcon that line]
<[kiri]Alicia> Mis Vargas, don't forget to sign the contract.
<[Atai]Maria> Hmm... I see. But you're quite right, Minister. But if that risk was scary, my behind would still be groped by Jorge the Bookie down at Las Carlitas.
<[Tess]Vargas> Eh, from the impression you give me you might have killed him by now.
* [Tess]Vargas takes the contract, putting her signature on it.
<[kiri]Alicia> There we go. Everything's complete.
<[kiri]Alicia> Welcome to the club.
* [kiri]Alicia extend her hand to Maria.
<[Tess]Vargas> One last thing, though. Got to resolve something, so will you girls follow me to the back? You stay here, Maria; I hope you don't mind.
<[kiri]Alicia> Roger.
<[Atai]Maria> Oh? ...certainly.
* [Tess]Vargas gets up and walks out of her office, beckoning the three to follow.
* Ayelen nods and moves close to Vargas's side, matching her pace (with a little work).
<[kiri]Alicia> follows like a good maid she is.
* [kiri]Alicia follows like a good maid she is.
* [Mys]Melody stalks Ayelen out of the room.
* [Tess]Vargas takes them to the garden out back, and looks over it as she talks to them as usual.
<[Tess]Vargas> Ayelen, would you sniff around? Check if the new girl followed us or something; she can't hear this.
* Ayelen nods and jumps into a nearby bush, then quietly searching and smelling out the perimeter.
* [kiri]Alicia shrugs.
<[kiri]Alicia> One of her good point.
* Ayelen returns after a minutes or so, bursting out of a different nearby bush and coming to a halt.
<Ayelen> She's not here.
* [Tess]Vargas pets Ayelen's head.
<[Tess]Vargas> Good girl. Well, let's see. Like I said we have to keep a close eye on her, but...
* [Mys]Melody d'awww
* Ayelen closes her eyes, hums, and smiles for Vargas's affection.
* [Atai]Maria sits where she is. Shit got suspicious, fast. ...If they're drawing a bead on her, this is going to be really embarrassing.
* [Atai]Maria ...It'll also be over, very, very fast.
<[Tess]Vargas> This one unusually so. Like I said, it's rare for someone to seek work here; I checked her out. I don't know what intentions she has, but for some reason she doesn't want me to know who she is exactly. She lied in her introduction, but I can't tell if she knows I caught her. Anyway, we're taking some precautions; we're rearranging ourselves so that we're organized in two per room in case she tries something clever.
* [Atai]Maria But damn, it's going to suck.
<[Tess]Vargas> Can I count on you all to be careful without being conspicuous?
<[kiri]Alicia> Sure thing, miss.
* Ayelen nods, returning to some seriousness.
<[Mys]Melody> I call Ayelen!
* Ayelen then recalls how the ne-
* Ayelen moves behind Vargas, to place herself opposite of Melody.
<Ayelen> No.
* [Tess]Vargas rolls her eyes.
<[Mys]Melody> We'll be as inconspicuous as ever.
* [Mys]Melody walks around Vargas as she talks
* [Atai]Maria . o O (Yeah, this is suspicious as fuck. And she has a file on me, too. ...The woman isn't an idiot, that's for goddamn sure. If she isn't lining up crosshairs on my head, then she's giving some kind of talk on me. She has to be. Or maybe she isn't. Wouldn't you do this sort of thing less obviously? ...Goddammit, woman! Don't screw with me like this!)
* Ayelen tugs lightly on Vargas's shirt, suggesting both 'help me' and 'can i have your room?' at the same time. She revolves around Vargas to counter Melody's movement, just after she does so.
* [Tess]Vargas puts an arm around Ayelen, partly to calm her down.
<[Tess]Vargas> We'll discuss this later, decisions have to be made based on practicality. Anyway, I have a file hidden that might pacify her if she turns violent, but it's best to avoid trouble altogether and particularly so at a time like this.
* [Tess]Vargas checks her watch, noticing how long they've been out.
* Ayelen nods and calms down just a little, leaning herself against Vargas.
<[Tess]Vargas> C'mon, let's go back inside. Won't do to keep the newcomer waiting...
* Ayelen notes to Vargas just as much as she simply notes it to herself:
<Ayelen> She smells weird... Feels weird.
* [Atai]Maria . o O (No, it's got to be something bad. This woman is the king spook. Queen spook? Master Spook? Fuuuuck, whatever. She knows there's something funny going on. I've got to watch my shit seriously closely. Probably won't be left alone or out of sight. Need to check for cameras as carefully as I can. No way she doesn't have them. probably bugs, too. Fuck. Fuck! Damn, is this the power of the...
* [Atai]Maria ...Minister of Security? She's fucking with my head without lifting a finger! Stupid whore; I'll choke you to death with my entrails if need be!)
* [Atai]Maria outwardly hums a little.