The doors were pulled open, into the house. The first thing Kiku caught saw were the huge, grand stairs behind the main hall, reaching up and splitting into two, connecting to adjacent balconies and corridors. Ludvig turned around and held out his hand to the awestruck boy. Kiku tenderly took hold of it and rose slowly, his gaze setting on various people who were lined up on either side of the hall, making a pathway to the stairs. Kiku's father emerged from these people,
"Ah, Kiku, you're finally here! I want you to meet all these wonderful people! They'll be looking after you from now on. Come on and say hello!" The father was just as eager as his son and ushered the small boy towards him. Kiku crept in slowly, the butler in procession. He nimbly jumped behind his father, who led him to the cook.
"Kiku, this here is . He's going to be cooking for us from now on, okay?"
The cook was an average sized man, in his early 20's. His body wasn't that toned, his hair a light chestnut brown, with a whimsical flick. His skin wasn't fair either, it was quite tanned, and he appeared to be from southern Europe.
"~Ve~Bounjourno, Piccolo Master~ I'm a Feleciano Vargas. Nice ta meet you" As Feleciano said this he bent down to Kiku's height and smiled at him, holding out his hand,
"I hope you like a pasta, 'cause many of my dishes have a pasta in them!" Kiku stared dumbfounded at the man's smiling face; he seemed very easy going but kind and gentle. The Japanese boy gingerly shook his hand, smiling in reply.
Next to the cook was a young boy wearing a similar outfit. His hair was blonde, split in the middle and shoulder length and Kiku wanted to touch it. (Blondes always amazed him since no one in the east had blonde hair) The boy had a certain perverse smirk on his face, but it was kind in the least. His eyes were a sparkling baby blue. The boy was a few years his superior. He bowed at the Japanese boy and held out his hand,
"And I'm the cook's hand, my name is Francis Bonnefoy. I come from France but my parents moved to England to find jobs. I too found a job. If there's anything you need just ask me, petit monsieur." Kiku also shook his hand, more relaxed now that he was aware of another child in presence even if there was a few years gap. The father started to talk again,
"If you're ever hungry just ask Mr. Vargas or Francis to make you something, okay?" Kiku nodded in reply, returning to the position of gripping to his father's trousers. They continued on,
"This man here is the Gardener, Kiku. Make sure you don't get in his way when he attending otherwise he'll get angry."
His father signalled towards another young man who looked like a slightly taller and older version of the cook except his hair was an even darker shade of chestnut, his eyes seemed to sport a greenish hue, and his skin was more tanned. He was dressed in casual clothes, chord trousers, and a shirt and chord waistcoat. Hobnail boots, thick white gloves and a sun hat hanging behind his neck were his trademarks.
"Bounjourno. I'm a Lovino Vargas, the cook's older fratello. Be careful not to mess with a my tools or run amok in the fruit and vegetable patches, si?" Lovino's voice was harsher than his Brother's, his presence also. Kiku reverted to his gingerly ways again, timidly shaking his hand.
They continued to the two maids,
"These lovely ladies here are Elizaveta and Lily. Lily's around your age, so I want you to remember that she is here to work, not to play. And when she has time off, you mustn't bother her unless she says it is alright, okay?' Kiku nodded in reply, looking at the small girl. She was smaller than he, blonde hair in a short bob, with a blue ribbon tied in the side. Her eyes were a very pretty mint green. She curtseyed to Kiku, and then hid behind the other maid's skirt, peeking out.
"He-Hello," She said nervously "I am Lily Zwingli, I am from Liechtenstein. Pleased to make your acquaintance, master" She curtseyed again.
"Ahahaha, don't be so shy, Lily!" The older maid laughed. "Hello, kind sir, I am Elizaveta Hedervary. I'll be looking after you from today, so treat me gently okay?" Kiku looked at her bemused. She knelt down placing her index finger between Kiku's furrowing brows.
"Aha, I'm only joking! But if you need anything don't forget to ask, young master" He relaxed upon seeing her at a level height and smiled at her. She was a very beautiful young lady though older than the Italian brothers. She had long auburn hair, parting at the side which reached her hips. Her fringe was clipped back with a large pink flower. Her eyes were sparkling olive, and even though her grin was huge, it was gentle and kind. She wore the same as Lily, a long black dress with a frilly white apron and head piece. After the introduction with the head maid was finished, Kiku looked around the room, believing all the meetings were finished when he spotted another boy standing a little way behind his father. His father explained,
"And lastly, but not at all least," He turned around, following Kiku's gaze, "Kiku, I'd like you to meet Arthur, he's going to look after you now instead of Mr. Beildshmidt. He's a year your junior but he's very knowledgable so behave okay?" The boy called Arthur walked up to Kiku and held out his hand, unlike the rest of the household, who seemed to be compromised of people from outside England, his accent appeared to be strongly British,
"'Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Arthur Kirkland and I'm going to be your valet from today onwards. Stick by me and you'll be alright! " The British boy said this with a beaming smile. He had a messy mop of cream hair and shining emerald orbs for eyes topped with thick eyebrows. His skin was very fair and his complexion was very neutral. He was slightly smaller than the Japanese boy, who also noticed he was thinner. He wore a smart, tidy outfit which consisted of brown shoes, grey cord shorts with a matching waistcoat, a crisp cream white shirt was under that complete with a red bow tie, and to top it off he wore a brown corduroy blazer.
The Japanese boy took his hand. Arthur held tight while Kiku barely even held. Before letting go Arthur said to Kiku,
"You don't shake hands like that. You hold with a firm grip to show your manliness and determination otherwise people will think you're pathetic."
Mr Honda chimed in, "~See, very knowledgeable~"
Kiku firmed his grip, smiling,
"That's better!" Arthur replied beaming again.
I'm not quite sure how old Kiku is here, my estimation was 5-8 years old but I don't want to say in case my calculations are wrong. It was very common in Victorian times for children to be hired as apprentices especially since there wasn't much money for common people. Also, children had cheaper wages, but as you'll see, Mr. Honda is one of the very few nice people to his employees. It was very common in that time for bosses to abuse their workers, particularly factory establishments.