Sadist Leashed by Her Dogged Soul's Mate
The blood seems to be running a bit low this evening. Pity. The mistress will not be pleased with that. After all, we must continue to improve upon our household. The floors on the eastern wing need the wood stained, after all. While I could preserve it, there wouldn't be that same, sweet smell in the mansion. Oh, how it makes me shudder to think of it…
Oh, calm down girl, don't get ahead of yourself. After all, after the young mistress had her temper tantrum the other day, the halls suffered some dreadful damage. And I'm afraid that the carpet shan't be the same. Oh well. I'll just have the blood sacks bleed some more, and fill up our coffers. Not like they can die. Mmm, such a sweet scent.
I suppose I should go ahead and get a hold of myself. There'll be plenty of time to partake in the hedonistic rituals later, with my mistress. Once the mansion is in otherwise immaculate shape. Course, that would be taken care of just shortly. Just a short click of the pocket watch… And I'm in business.
Sometimes, I wish that I could train those fairies to do these jobs. Such ignorant creatures they are, though. As much as I would like to, I'm afraid they might end up harming the mistress' prized possessions. Such as this lovely little motif, here. If I recall the story correctly, this was woven with the blood of a certain Serbian. Hrm. After my time, I suppose.
Knowing the fairies, they wouldn't care. They'd just see a cloth. Oh, they'd take it down, race about the mansion. I remember one time… Oh, yes. Many wings were plucked that week. Many wings indeed.
Nonetheless, that is the way things shall be. And I truly don't mind. Such is life for me, nowadays. Oh, so fun, even if there is the mundane task of cleaning the household. But for my youth, I can't complain. Such a fate is not something to be bothered with.
Now, it is about teatime, is it not? Milady should be awake relatively soon. Not that she needs much sleep, what with her sanguine sustenance, but she does enjoy it, from time to time. Ah, the pleasures in life. Waking up on silk sheets stained red with the blood of a thousand meals. It sounds delightful, indeed.
I think I'll take my walk in real time. There is nothing much to attend to, at the moment, and I would enjoy a nice breeze. The air frozen in time is so stale, that sometimes I wonder how I can breathe? Of course, I wondered that many times when I first wore this bustier, but that was when I was younger and foolish.
Well, and not quite as flexible, but after so many years…
What is that? Footsteps, in the mansion? Could be the gate guard, I suppose, but it isn't her time of week to be inside. No, more likely… multiple footsteps. Definitely not the gate guard, then. The librarian never leaves her Tower of Babel, nor is she capable of it. The poor fool, but that is her lot. Pity. She could be so delicious if she were more useful.
Still, that does not matter. Who is it that intrudes upon the sanctity of our fortress? I shall just have to go ahead, and investigate. Now, where is- Ah. Ol' Jack, indeed. I do love this knife. Always nice and trustworthy. And perfect when I need something sliced. Not exactly the best for precision work, but one can't have everything, after all.
Now, who is it that dare intrudes on these halls? Hrm, I wonder. Must be someone especially brave, and especially foolish. But, they did manage to get past the guard. Would they have been able to fool her? No, unlikely. She is much more capable than the vast majority of youkai. And it isn't as if she has a choice.
It was in this room… Oh, I know you're here, after all. I can hear the sound of your breaths… Oh, but now it's gone? What about that of your footsteps? Or your beating heart? Able to hide that from me, even? Really, I wonder what can be here, waiting for me. Let me just take a little look see…
The pocket watch does indeed show all, does it not? I wonder what a satori would be doing here, along with a maid and a shield. Accompanied by a spirit? Hrm. Interesting indeed. Perhaps it is her entourage accompanying her. Would explain why she has so many superfluous members. Mistress will be most entertained to meet them, but I shall find their motives first… After all, they must be worth of her attention.
Ahem. I know you are there, so you might as well come out of hiding. Whatever method your using doesn't make you completely invisible. Although that is some rather spectacular magic indeed. You almost had me fooled for a little while.
Not coming out? Interesting indeed. You intrude into our home, and you believe that you, along with your companions should be allowed free reign? Please, do not make me laugh, satori. I know how well your kind values their privacy, beneath the surface. Whatever magic allowed you access into this mansion does not make it your right to continued presence. Please do share why you are here, or I shall be forced to evict you.
Oh, that's not a threat, not a threat at all. Well, I suppose I'm using Jill here to sharpen Jack, but that is just something that I do idly. One must have something to do to pass the time when interrogating intruders, after all. Please, pay it no heed. So, satori, come and tell me what it is that you want.
Oh, no, you are looking for a meatbag? I wonder what exactly you want a particular one for… Surely, you could have found one just as easily by raiding the human village. There is always a little human living outside of the village, foolish enough to think that he is protected from the youkai. Or that he can fight them off. Amusing, don't you agree?
Or not? Oh, I saw that little twitch on your face, satori. How very droll. It is almost as if you care for the humans. Or is it… one particular that you want? IT would explain why you would go to all of this effort. No, I don't think I'm done here. After all, I'm quite interested. Why would you want something so inferior?
Aha! I suppose that would be a question, if it were a question in the slightest. I used to be human, but I am much, much more than that now. Oh, don't mind if I twirl Jack at all. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, after all. And I intend to keep him quite sharp. Even though I do enjoy my work…
Funny that you should be here, though. Here I thought I had honestly and truly found something that had gotten through to the little mistress. Oh, you know of her, don't you? Such a violent thing; she never does as her elder sister wants. I'm sure you know how it can be. She has such a violent power, that she has never learned how to control it. My Mistress has one that surpasses her in all regards, but she is well enough in the head to use it.
Not to mention that she is much better at being subtle. Oh, why indeed would a lady need to go out and destroy things as if a heathen would? It would be most unbecoming of her; most unbecoming indeed. And she might sully her pretty dress in the process. She has grown fond of that she of pink in recent years, even if the level of blood that it takes to dye that dress is quite touchy. Too much, and it turns the most dreadful shade of brown.
Oh, you weren't aware? Everything that my Mistress has here is stained in some manner of blood. It isn't the most efficient use, I will admit. But it has quite the symbolic meaning, does it not? She walks with the blood of her enemies staining the floor under her feet, just as they should be underfoot.
I can see you cringing yet again, satori. You seem hardly a mused. Considering who you are, I can't help but wonder why you care so badly. Are you not the one who forgot how to feel? Heh, I've heard of you… You always forgot how much a mess you've made, haven't you? Cavorting around this land, free as the wind. After all, that is your fate, is it not?
Getting angry now? Pity. I had hoped for some more stimulating conversation. I suppose that rabble that comes from under the surface itself can't quite be trusted on for such things. So, if you're going to be so hostile, I'll let you meet Jack, here. He's such a good boy. Always takes care to rip anything that I want him to. But one last question.
Are you sure that you cannot stay for tea?
Aha, oh, looks like I finally got you angry enough. Are you taking orders from that spirit, there? You keep on turning your head towards it. I didn't know you'd be one to keep a retrained that is so ghastly, but it is not just a simple retainer. What could it be now… You'll have to be faster than that, though, if you want to get me. Throwing the furniture… how uncouth. You know how much it takes to repair those tables? They are priceless relics!
Especially since the mistress dined upon the maker's blood…
Oho, having the others attack me now. I suppose I'll just go up against the maid first. I want to see if she measures up to my high standards. As you might imagine, they are quite demanding. So, robot, tell me how good you are at using that mop. Since you carry it around with you, it must be what you're best for.
Indeed, good observation! After all, I carry my knives around with me all of the time. But I still think that Jack will be quite enough to handle all of you. Even if it does mean revealing my area of expertise. Perhaps you should try it sometime. It is quite thrilling to dissect an insect, to butcher a side of meat. And that's all that you are, is it?
…Or perhaps not. Oh, the surprises do keep coming! Very good, keeping me entertained as you are. I'm sure that once the mistress meets you, she will be most agreeable with your proclivities. Pity that you are a machine, though. It is much more satisfying to tear apart one made of flesh and blood, after all. It is so very… visceral. You would not know it, would you.
Still, I cannot allow you to keep little Jack wedge inside your hand. So, I'll be taking him back right now… Yes, that will do. That will do indeed. But the shock of your electricity coursing through my veins… It makes me feel alive. Yahaha!
So, what more have you got for me maid? Can you fight me? Oh, sure, you're stronger. Much stronger indeed. But there is more to combat than being strong. You must know how to dance, to turn in place and launch a devastating attack at me from where I do not expect. But you're not that fast, are you? You're but a machine. And while you have such promise…. You're simply not fluid enough.
Although, I must admit that I am impressed with the sheer destruction that you've managed to create. I'll have to spend so much time to fix all the damage you've done to the structure of the mansion. It's not often that we have such collateral damage done to the mansion. It isn't as surgical as the black-white, I'll admit. But if my master weren't so amused at her antics, she'd already be dead and in the ground.
Fortunately, I do love to exercise so much. The combat really makes the blood pump through your veins. Or it would, if you had any in it. As you do not… Well, you can't blame me for that. But I've got more business to attend to than you, maid. So many guests! So many guests indeed…
So, satori, trying to sneak around? You keep on vanishing from my sight, only to try and attack me from behind. Don't you know that won't work? Whatever your powers are, you must be able to actively use them against me. Once I step outside the folds of times, that power becomes quite useless. Don't you know that? So every time you disappear, I just need to slip a fair bit sideways.
Oh, there is much more than going foreword and backwards, even if that is the one with the most potential. But it is the other ways in which you can slip through tie that is most advantageous. After all, why should I stand here and wait, when I can slip to the side and attack while you're distracted by where I had been?
Just like that! Mmm… Jack's thirsty. And that was the first blood he's tasted tonight. Even if it isn't human blood. Perhaps I should test it out, myself… Mm. I agree. Very pungent taste. With just a hint of sulfur. So, you have lived near hell at one point. Very good. Perhaps if you play nicely, I can help send you back.
Running away now? Or are you trying to lead me into a trap? You know that won't work well at all. I know this mansion like the back of my hand. The very moment I hear or see something out of place, all it takes is one click to have your plan foiled. Don't you know that?
What indeed did you expect to find when you came here? What did you expect to find when you made your way into this house? Oh, I know what it is you search for. What I ask is, what kind of response did you expect to find, satori? Did you expect to simply waltz in and find what you want?
After all, you should have noticed how eerily quiet this mansion is. There are but a few that live within, and none are loud at all. Wit the exception of the little mistress. I do believe that she has been adequately broken this time, though. She will remain quiet from this point on.
What's that? Is that spirit angry at the thought? I might have to get one of the others out for it. I wonder what you might prefer. Maybe Charles would like to have a word with you. But first, back to the satori… Disappeared again, that trick won't-
Hrm, I see. Was too busy monologuing, and you try to swipe me across the midsection. It would have been a good strategy, if I hadn't been prepared for such an encounter. After all, there is a reason that this bodice is made of steel, is it not? But now to take care of you…
Oh, more strange magic? So, what could it possibly be coming from… Oh, the shield? How appropriate. A shield would of course have protective magic. Too bad that it is made from bronze. And while bronze can absorb the impact of steel, it will yield and give away. I just might have to take my time…
Such unsatisfying enemies, though. Only one of them bleeds. And while it tastes good, I'd much rather be taking from a human instead. And this is continuing to drag on much longer than it needs to. Perhaps I should just move on to the next stage in the game. After all, milady would like to meet your acquaintance. So, please proceed onwards.
Not going to listen then? Pity. But since I imagine the mistress would want you intact… I'll do this the easy way. It's not nearly as fun, but much more efficient all the same.
Hrm. These would make some interesting still life portraits, I'll admit. Very amusing, the reactions on these faces. I wonder what would happen if I take some plaster of Paris and make some molds from them. After all, they don't have to worry about breathing… Although, the reaction once they do realize they can't breathe would be very nice, indeed.
What was that? Why, the spirit can see me, even out of time. Well, how interesting is that? Not as if you can do anything to me. A dead soul cannot possess a body inhabited by a living one, so don't even get any funny ideas. Or I might have to have Charles give you a few kind words. Well, except they wouldn't be words, and they wouldn't be kind at all. Sharper than that, you might say.
Still have a funny idea? Well, don't think it will work. See, it wouldn't take me any time at all to kill them. The shield more than the satori and the maid, but it would be relatively easy. All I'd have to do would be to separate as many body parts as necessary. And wouldn't that be fun?
Yehe… I thought as much. So easy to lead around by the nose. Is that why you served her? Like a little dog, groveling on your knees? Well, it isn't good for a dog not to know its place. After all, one might get put down if they aren't careful enough…
Wait a minute, I knew something felt familiar… Ha! That corpse I brought in the other day… That was yours, wasn't it? Oh, how delightful. How dreadfully, dreadfully delightful! This is going to work out in so many ways, that milady will be happy. Perhaps we might have a glass of wine, or perhaps blood, to commemorate such an amusing event. Good idea, yes?
But still, that is for her to decide. And since you're so kind… Get to marching. Or I might have to see how much I can harm your precious satori and friends before you can divine some manner of stopping me. And I do not see such a thing coming very quickly. So, keep moving. And perhaps my lady will let you live a few precious little seconds longer.