Welcoming Song
Summary: When a new maid (yes, maid!) starts working at Redd's shop, people get suspicious - especially Katrina.
...
To Jakob.
Have you ever thought of me?
...
XuX
Chapter 1: Graceful
She rode the bus to Volante City. It was a bumpy ride to the city, and the bu driver was trying his best to make it smooth. She sat in the back, and clutched the material in the dress. Don't rip it, She told herself, This is a qualite dress. She was getting odd looks from the other people and animals on the bus. I mean, who would wear a maid dress to the city? But this lady didn't care; she was on a mission.
This girl's name is Marie. Her scarlet hair was tied up into a tight bun. She had on black and white checkered ballet flats. She was going to the city to see a certain somone for a certain job.
Marie was the last one to get off of the bus, but no one could have wanted to get off of it more. It was a cloudy day in Volante City, just the thing to match her mood. She greatly disliked this job, but it was very important. If she didn't, the top dogs might -no will- chew her up and spit her out.
She quickly walked into the dark alley before she got any more funny looks from pedestrains. She made her way to the dark blue metal door. She held up her knuckles to knock, but the door already opened.
"Quick, get in." Marie quickly and quietly slipped into the business. This was the business for people below her, but she was forced to take it. The room was dimly lit, as if hiding was something it was capible of. There was a painting -probably a conterfit-, and a couple pieces of furniture. The place wasn't big, and only held a few piece of merchandise.
The person quickly locked the door shut. He turned to look at Marie. "C'mon, smile," He said, playfully punching her in the arm. Marie forced a smile. She wasn't... that. She wasn't a prostitute. She knew that most people thought that. She was simply a maid, hired for a business.
It was odd, even Marie admitted that. It wasn't for the money -heavens, no- and it wasn't for the shopkeeper, or any of the products he sold. It was simply for spying; nothing more, nothing less.
Marie looked at her boss. "Of course, sir," She replied. Her boss was was the infamous kitsune named Redd. He had the blue apron tied around his waist. The building she was in was the Black Market, or Crazy Redd's.
"Good," Redd nodded, mostly to himself, "Make some tea. I'm having a very important customer coming here around eight."
"Yes, sir," Marie complied, escaping into a back room. She started to boil some water in a tea kettle. She fished the teapot and teacups from the cupbaords. A single light bulb hung from a strained wire from the ceiling. That, and the little light that crepped from under the door, were the only things illuminating the kitchen. One can only imagine how dark it was in that room.
The door creaked open, and she heard the lock click in place. She could get out. Redd just preferred letting everyone know that the door was locked.
As she waited for the water to boil, Marie fiddled with the silver band around her finger. It meant so much. The band meant she wouldn't have to work at this... God forsaken place. Yet... here she was...
She sighed cheerlessly. The water was boiling, and the sprout whistled. She poured some of the hot water into the teapot. She swished it around the pot, then quickly dumped it out. Marie poured in a teaspoon of crushed tea leaves, and filled the teapot just a little more than half way up with water. She found the heating pad (a fire hazard thrown in the cabinet closest to the oven), and set the timer on the oven for five minutes. The tea had to be heated for exactly five minutes; any less and the tea would be ruined.
Marie walked into the salesroom. There was a small wooden table in the corner, abondoned. She pushed it into the middle of the room. It was nothing fancy; it was just a bunch of random pieces of wood nailed together. The thing wasn't even sanded. She was surprised the craftsman even added a cherry finish.
She fetched some folding chairs from a supply closet off of the kitchen. She set them up, one facing the other. Beep. The tea was ready!
Marie rushed into the kitchen. She turned off the heat pad, and set it out on the counter to cool. She placed the teapot, teacups, plates, and tea kettle onto a silver tray. The door creaked. She picked up the tray, and walked into the salesroom. As she expected, it was Redd and his 'very important' customer.
"Master Redd," She greeted cheerily, "I've made the tea like you requested." She placed the tray on the table.
"Ah, I forgot to mention my employee, Marie," Redd talked, "Marie, this Jack le Borne, the private owner of many wonderful pieces of art. Jack, this is Marie."
Marie curtseyed. "How do you do?" She asked politely.
Jack gave a chuckle. "A polite young lady," He commented, "and quite a piece of art. But I must ask, mademoiselle. Can you sing?"
"Sing?" Marie asked, confused, "O-of course, I can sing." She felt herself blush.
"May you enlighten us with your voice?" He asked.
"Y-yes," Marie took a deep breath as she sang Amazing Grace.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me...
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see..."
She stuttered a little bit, not use to performing in front of a crowd, even if it was only two other people. Jack clapped. "Bravo," He applouded, "You have such a lovely voice."
"Th-thank you..."
"That was quite a show, Marie," Redd interupted, "but can we get back to the actual artwork?"
"Yes, of course," Jack said. They started talking about business. Marie quickly, but carefully, poured their tea, and excused herself.
A/N That was fun to write! This is my first non-crossover fanfiction. To be honest, I'm worried about this one for some reason. I'm not sure if it's because it's not a crossover, or if it's because of all of the OCs. I have no idea. I hoped you liked it...