Chapter 43: The Maid

Circe was waiting for someone and she was wearing heavy dark shades and a cap. Her hands are dunk into her jean's pocket. She was chewing a gum to contain her nervousness.

Yes, A Servant was nervous here.

She can't decide about something and she was fiddling her fingers about it. She temporarily forgot about it when they were still on the island. When she was now back, the 'thing' came back to her mind once again moe. Why didn't she consult about this to her Master? She was sure that Ritsuka will just laugh her into oblivion.

She considered this as something that she needed to deal for herself as well as to the other individual that she needed to talk to about this. The other individual wasn't a Servant per se but definitely involve in this 'thing'.

Circe was glad that she managed to reconnect with the individual and the individual's name was Kurumi Tokisaki. Kurumi agreed to meet with Circe in an isolated, private area.

Circe wearing disguise indicates that this case was something more serious. Circe's version of isolated, private area was the abandoned warehouse.

The shifting of the shadows indicates that Kurumi has arrived and she seemed to be serious.

"Speak up, Circe. What do you want?" Kurumi asked her warily. It was weird because Ritsuka herself rarely calls Kurumi and just leave her alone let alone a Servant communicate with her. Kurumi obliged because this is the first time a Servant called for her.

…and it seemed that she does't need any violence right now. No one wanted to kill each other. Kurumi knew that Circe was trying to be civil with her.

Circe repeatedly patted the large box next to her while sporting a large grin. "I just want to offer you something good…" She looked shady at the finest to the point that Kurumi was dubious. Circe was dangerous enough even when she was alone when Kurumi herself was doubting.

"What's the catch?"

"The catch? Nothin'. I really wanted to get rid of this but I'm having a second thought. I really tried to consult Master but I have the feeling that she might just tease me."

"I-Is that so?" Kurumi questioned her warily. She could hear something from the box covered in a cloth, upon closer inspection she guessed that it was kind of a cage of some sort and something was moving within the cage.

What in tarnation is Circe was offering to her?

"Can I check the box?" Kurumi was now extremely curious after the cage covered in cloth move slightly. Kurumi now has a suspicion what was behind the cage.

"Sure, go ahead…" Circe didn't care. Immediately, Kurumi approached the box, all thoughts about traps, retributions and whatnots disappeared immediately in her mind as she hurriedly grabbed the cloth and threw it away.

Kurumi held her breathe for a full minute. Is this real life? Or is this fantasy?

"Yeah. Piglets." Circe concluded. "Those happened to be 'your' piglets, Kurumi. Your clones that are changed into piglets." Circe laughed nervously. "They should have returned to their former selves already but it seemed that my spells are nigh permanent."

The piglets just squealed cutely when they saw Kurumi for the first time. Kurumi remained frozen and wide-eyed. The piglets bore the same color as her Astral Dress. For god's sake, they even have a clockwork eyes? Is this heaven? Or hell?

"I don't really want to rid them because they are piglets."

"I consulted you because the clones originally belong to you and I can't think of any spells that will bring them back…so what do you think?" Circe said as she gathered her breath.

However, Kurumi did not even utter any word. Warm air cascade under her nose as she undertook heavy breathing. She even pushed her face into the cage, scaring the Kurumi piglets away from her face.

Circe for some reason, expected this attitude and did not complain anymore.

Even though she didn't completely trust Ritsuka, she felt that she could act freely the way she wanted, 'cause they have already seen her manic side of hers. She's getting tired pretending over individuals who managed to defeat her.

Kurumi then looked toward Circe with a crazed expression but Circe was unperturbed by it.

"…yeah, go on." Circe agreed somewhat.

Then suddenly, shadows sprouted somewhere, about four of them and approached the box. Four clones of Kurumi surrounded the cage and the piglets are now scared more than ever.

In a whim, they took the cage and went outside, forgetting that Circe was still inside the warehouse, who was busy observing them with confusion.

Circe didn't say anything and just leave it as it be. What happened to this day, only happened on this day.

The room was cozy and grandeous. Hanging chandeliers lit by a hundred bulbs and a wel-crafted long table at the center laden with a silk.

Shidou and the Yamai Twins sat at the side of the table while at the opposite side sat Tohka, Origami and Yoshino. Ritsuka was at the other side, facing the sides of Shidou and Tohka. They were sipping some teas while the others do not, while content on gawking at Shidou all the time; Tohka and Origami where the victims of this.

A mature woman in a full maid uniform entered the room and presented herself.

"Esteemed visitors, welcome to the Tohsaka estate, all of you are welcomed by the Tohsaka sisters themselves. While we are waiting." Said the maid as she bowed down before them.

Everyone was quiet, except for Ritsuka who kept on clapping.

"Thank you, Head Maid Priscilla."

"As always, Madam Ritsuka."

After looking at the beautiful head maid, Shidou then turned to Ritsuka and questioned her. "You knew Ainu and Izanami?"

"Not that long, although topics connecting to astronomy really did its magic."

Upon mentioning of astronomy, Shidou was reminded of the planet Venus, the planet that Ainu used as a bombardment to the ship Arbatel. That was just a scary thought. Ainu was a really powerful, scary Spirit.

"It was a coincidence that Ainu and Izanami have a trip to Arubi island."

"I-I see." Shidou sweatdropped. For him, there is still something else fishy going, particularly toward Ritsuka, who always seemed present whenever something happened or it could be just a pure coincidence. He knew that Ritsuka was easygoing and carefree but there is a slight chance that she was a Spirit.

Well, 60% chance that Ritsuka was a human or 40% chance that Ritsuka was a Spirit. He was still unsure then.

Head Maid Priscilla reappear again, Shidou and the rest of the girls didn't notice that she was gone for a moment.

"Apologies, but it seemed that you have another visitors incoming."

Shidou was choked for a reason. "I think it was my sister." He blurted out his conscience. He could literally feel it. Priscilla was staring at him for a meantime before he turned to the expected new visitors. There is such a large wave of visitors unexpectedly today and she wondered why.

Maybe, their mistresses' popularity was astounding all of the sudden.

The sound of light footsteps announces the arrival of the new visitors and when they peek inside the room, Shidou realized that it was indeed her sister. She has still her commander's jacket draped on her shoulders, a chupa pops in her mouth and black ribbons tied to her pony tail. Kotori was sporting a frown face. Her company was Reine Murasame, who peeked alongside Kotori with tired face as usual.

Shidou felt her nape stood up when he saw Kotori. "Oh, what's this? My brother became a butler for someone else?"

"N-no, this is just a big misunderstanding." Shidou desperately defended himself and sweatdropped. Kotori was really angry and stomped her way toward Shidou…

Only for Priscilla to grabbed her shoulder strongly, to the point Kotori couldn't walk anymore. Kotori looked up at Priscilla in uncertain. When Kotori saw Priscilla's very scary face, her brave, arrogant nature dropped for a moment.

"Not so fast, my lady." Priscilla's voice was dropped dangerously and a sudden ominous pressure filled the atmosphere. Shidou could even feel it from afar. It was choking him for a while. "We can't let violence rule our lives, aren't we?" Priscilla was really scary when she grinned, even Reine stepped back from witnessing that damn smile.

Kotori was shaking and felt cold chills all of the sudden.

Kotori now seated beside Tohka, who of the entire time was gawking at Shidou's attire. Reine also content herself sitting beside Kotori. Kotori now knew that one of their rules was strictly no violence and she felt bad but she quickly recovered from it.

Kotori just crossed her arms underneath her chest as she just stared at Shidou from disappointment.

Priscilla this time was just standing from the corner, smiling, however, the atmosphere she gave was almost scary just to make Kotori behave. Kotori must have been itching to hit Shidou here.

Eventually, Tohka raised her arm up, taking the attention of Priscilla, who was confused for a moment.

"Yes, dear?"

"Can I wore a maid suit too?"

Cue, Priscilla becoming more confused. Origami realized what was going on and raised her arm too. Yoshinon definitely followed suit too.

"I want to dress as a maid too." Origami said fiercely. The competition was high with Shidou

"Y-Yoshino wanted to look as a maid." Yoshino, although shy, courageously wanted to be maid too.

"O-of course." Priscilla seemed to be obliged to do so.

Shidou just sighed from this. The Yamai twins were curious to find out how the rest looked like in a maid dress.

Finally, Ishtar and Ereshkigal arrived at their mansion in a limousine. They were expecting a visitor but Ritsuka being one of them was making them giddy. If that's the case then, they would have to pretend Ritsuka as a friend per their Master's instruction. Under no circumstance would they reveal that they are Servants and that their Master is Ritsuka or Ritsuka's privacy and life will be under threat.

That's their iron rule to this issue no matter what. The maids have already informed that there is a rather a multitude of guest that are present and now are waiting for them. Ishtar was suspicious about this but she will try to be accommodating as much as she can together with Ereshkigal.

The mansion was large that it has so many rooms. It has also a room fitted for receiving guests and visitors and that's where they are going.

Ishtar suddenly opened the door. "Thank you for waiting for us, dear guests—what the hell are you doing!?" Ishtar usual stature was interrupted when she saw them at once. Ishtar and Ereshkigal were confused.

Cue, the confusion inside the room. Everyone, sans Ritsuka, Kotori and Reine, were all wearing a maid uniform. Ishtar and Ereshkigal readily expect that Shidou was wearing a butler uniform because of a deal but they didn't really expect this.

Why the hell are they wearing maid uniform all of the sudden?