A Kiki and her Master #1

It had only been a few weeks since the Mamono came to Earth. Leaders worldwide made treaties with the tribes of harpies and dragonkin and other monsters that assigned one Mamono to every available man over the age of consent, and be given proper financial compensation. I went along with it, there’s not much I could have done. I was assigned a Kikimora, and she was scheduled to show up today at noon. Thank goodness it wasn’t an Arachne, I’m afraid of spiders.

The minutes ticked by as I waited for my roommate to come knocking at the door. I didn’t know much about that species, all I knew was their attraction to their mates, or “masters” as they were called. I gave deep thoughts about what she would think about the dirty home I lived in, I had only moved in a few days after all of this began. During my thoughts, I heard a knock on the front door the second the clock struck noon. I took a deep breath, and opened the door to face my new roommate.

She didn’t look how I expected one to look. She was the same height as me with a slender build. Her skin was pale, and her gray hair shuffled a bit from the slight wind outside. She wore a simple black hoodie and gray sweatpants, a canvas bag slung over her shoulder... I thought she was a human, until I saw her feathery tail flap behind her. I then noticed those same feathers on her wrist, being the same color of her hair. She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and read it closely.

“Umm, are you Drake?” She asked in a hushed tone.

“Yep. And you are..?”

“I’m Araceli, your Kikimora.” I nodded. Her sweet demeanor literally shining with positivity, that or the sunlight gleaming off her hair.

“Great, why don’t you come in in?” I motioned my arms, and she walked in. My heart started racing as she took a keen look around. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “So, uh, what do you-“

”Did you know that painting is askew?” She turned to me while pointing at a movie poster I had hung on the wall. She walked over and adjusted the frame. “The center of the frame should be in between the hooks holding it up.”

“Oh, uh-“

“And your tv stand. It isn’t centered between the two picture frames.” What in the world?

“Uh... thanks-“

“And your coffee table! It should be an equal distance from the sofa and recliner.”

“Thanks for the advice. Are you an interior decorator?” I asked as she sat her bag down. She turned to face me yet again.

“Not exactly. Do you know what a Kikimora is?” I shook my head. She chuckled at herself as she unzipped her jacket. Underneath was a simple maid uniform.

“Y-you’re a maid?” She nodded.

“Yes, and you were assigned to be my master.” She explained as she walked past me. “Do you happen to know the last time you vacuumed this carpet, or dusted off your furniture?” Araceli brushed her hand on a wooden end table, a thin layer of dust built up on her fingers. “I don’t like dust. It’s dirty, irritating, and it gets everywhere.” She unzipped the canvas bag and pulled out a small feather duster.

“You don’t need to do that.” I assured her. “You must’ve had a long day getting here.” She stopped in the middle of her action.

“Of course I need to do it, you’re my master.” She smiles as I frowned in contrast. She was sweet, but sounded a bit demeaning in her tones.

“I’m not your master, we were assigned to live together. That’s it.” She dropped her duster as tears began to form in her eyes. Oh no what did I do?

“Y-Y-Y-You don’t w-want me here?” Oh god what did I do? I rushed over and hugged her as I sat both of us down on the couch.

“No no no no no!” I tried to calm her down, not realizing she could be so sensitive. “I didn’t mean it like that! I thought we were going to be roommates!” She sobbed silently into my shoulder. “I want you here, you can help me out and be great company.” Araceli looked at me, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Y-you mean it?” I nodded as she hugged me tighter.

“I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath and stood up.

“It’s fine, I see what you mean.” I sighed with relief as she picked the duster back up.

“I’m going to tell you a few things before we get further.” She paid full attention as I continued. “First off, I don’t currently have a second bedroom, only mine-“

“That’s fine! I can sleep on the couch!” She blurted out.

“Ok. Secondly, I work Monday through Fridays 8-4. You’ll be home alone during that time if you don’t have a job.”

“I don’t, aside from helping my master.”

“Thirdly.” I have a name. I’d rather be called by it, but do what suits you.”

“I was taught to refer to my masters by that title.” She explained. “It’s what they are to me.” She stood up and began to dust again. “Are you hungry? I will make you some lunch if you are.”

“I’m good.” I responded. It will take a while to get used to this new life, but I’m not complaining.