The sun pierced the dark drab curtains that hung idly over the window. Once the sun's radiant warmth crept across the floor and rested upon her face, Mariella eased her eyes open and gently sat up to rub the sleep from her eyes. Her bedroom was closest to the east, so Mariella always awoke before all the other maids. After a brief stretch, she set to work on dressing for the day. Her maid's uniform was simple yet being from a poor village, she found it elegant. The outfit consisted of a navy long sleeved dress, followed by a white apron affixed to the back by a bow. The finishing touch was a white lace headband, or tiara, depending upon who you asked.
The young maid brushed her long aquamarine hair before arranging it into her signature braid. Her first order of business was to open the curtains in every hall and occupied rooms. This was in effect to "wake up the mansion" as Mistress Cromwell was fond of saying. There were many hallways and an exorbitant amount of rooms, so this seemingly simple task usually took quite a bit of time. Mariella found the job rather convenient. She treasured the quiet moments of solace and by the time she was done most of the other maids had awoken. By this time, Mariella found it appropriate to wake her son.
Mariella crept into his room and glanced down at him asleep in his bed. His small chest rose and fell softly underneath the covers, a small drop of drool clung to the side of his mouth. Mariella shook him gently and whispered into his ear. "Tatsumi… Tatsumi… It's time to wake up." His eyes fluttered open, revealing his bright golden corneas. He gave his mother a drowsy smile before attempting to roll over. Mariella stopped him. "Sweetie, Elizabeth and Viola will be very upset if you don't join them for breakfast."
Elizabeth and Viola were Mistress Cromwell's daughters and self appointed big sisters to Tatsumi. Eight years ago, when Mariella had inadvertently passed out on the Cromwell doorstep homeless and pregnant, she had begged the mistress for a job. At the time, the mistress's daughters were listening at the door and had interrupted to come to her defense. They had helped care for Tatsumi since he was a baby and considered him apart of their family.
Tatsumi sat up and yawned. He scratched his head and turned to her. 'Do you think you could eat with us today, mama?" Mariella pulled his night shirt off of him. "Don't be silly. I am a servant of this household. I have work to do. Besides, the maids do not eat with their masters." "Oh." He sounded sad, but not surprised. Mariella paid special attention to Tatsumi's ears. Not the ones located on the side of his head, but the ones on top of his head.
Her son's head had the same blue colored hair as his mother, but he had a peculiar addition. Tatsumi had two triangles of hair that stood side by side on his head like an animal's ears. The ears shifted from time to time. They mirrored his emotions and seemed to act without his conscience knowledge. At this moment, they appeared to droop when Tatsumi became disappointed.
Mariella leaned over and kissed each ear. "Why must you wear your heart on your ears?" Tatsumi put his hands on his head and felt his ears. "Oh, sorry." He pushed them back up again. His mother smiled and turned towards the door. She had her hand on the knob when Tatsumi called her back. "Mama, why do I have these ears?" Mariella would not turn around to face him. She lied. "I don't know." She left without another word.