Characters Interacted: Raynard Radclyff, Laura Weber, Rebecca Radclyff, Stanley Anderson
Location: Radclyff Manor to Anderson's Clinic
[spoili]
Rolling his eyes, the master of the house simply sighed and shook his head at the maid's words.
"Well, if you didn't grope and grab me so much. I understand I have this thing most other spoiled brats lack, called muscle, but I don't care for being poked a prodded like some farm animal... Not that I've ruled out you seeing me like that." Despite her looks, the woman
was a demon after all; she could put his head through a wall if she wanted to and wasn't bound by that contract of their's. She could just see him as a tasty soul she gets whenever he finally kicks it.
Still, demon or not, their contract kept the maid from being looked at as a threat or anything really scary. Not only that, but it was amusing how human she was at times. Regardless of how she felt of Raynard, it was obvious that she possessed a very volatile jealous tendency. It was a good thing for him. While Laura performed her duties, she was far from what you could call a lapdog. Thankfully, her little jealousy-streak gave Raynard a perfect way to manipulate her into doing things she wouldn't otherwise. Still, he had to be careful with how he did it; the woman had no issue's at all with eliminating any competition for his attention.
"Oh, love, how can I help that? You were unfortunate enough to form a contract with a man with a natural charm like myself. It's not like I can just turn my charisma off," Raynard replies with a smirk, modest as ever.
Having equipped his trousers and now beginning to pull on a shirt, he thought on her latter inquiry.
"Just get some breakfast ready; something for Rebecca too whenever she decides to wake the hell up. Afterwards, maybe we can go ask Anderson if he knows anything about this." It had been a while since any major cults were pulling things like this, and last time most of his family died looking into it, with him being a close second. These matters were hardly upbringing.
Listening to Raynard the Demon Maid smiled briefly at his response, at first anyways. Putting her hands to her hips and tilting her head sideways a semi serious expression comes over her face at his mention of charm and charisma.
"Oh? I can help that..I just need to dress you in something less noticeable..or I could cut your tongue..make anyone that talks to you go insane..Lots of things really, My Master.." She says with a slight edge on the last word. While the words sounded upbeat and friendly they were anything but.
Fortunately he seemed to have the sense to change the conversation once again. Venturing her smile once more, he hadn't disappointed her. Those were her thoughts on the situation as well. The Doctor would likely know something. Bowing in a curtsy fashion, Laura clears her throat.
"At once my Master... it seems the cook is away again but I am well versed in cooking. Given that time seems to be of the essence I'll make something simple..." Tilting her head once more as if lost in thought, she suddenly makes a soft giggle.
"Ahah! Hmm I do have all those cooking books on hand...hmm maybe I can make something quickly from it."
With a twinkle to her eyes this would likely be trouble if left to its self given her normal reading habits.
"Laura. If you wanted to be able to threaten me, you shouldn't have explained what the hell this contract is," Raynard replied with another roll of his eyes. He bet the maid missed those times in their first year together in which she actually could scare the crap out of him.
Hearing her "excitement" to getting to cook something, the Lord of Iron quickly waved an open palm to get the woman's attention.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just... make me some... pancakes! Yeah! Make me pancakes. First one you find in that cookbook of yours, use it. Don't pay attention to any other recipes."
Walking up to her, Raynard places his hands on her shoulders and starts guiding her out of the room.
"Got it? Pancakes. First recipe you see. Don't look at anything else; I'd like to eat breakfast today, after all. Now... Go! Be free! And don't burn the estate down, please!" Giving her an encouraging shove forward and out the door, the master turns to go finish dressing himself.
"Thank you, love! ...Please don't burn the estate..."
"Tch, My Master if only your wits were as sharp as your tongue. I need no book for these pancakes. The Greeks called them teganites. Cratinus and Magnes both wrote of them. Though I doubt you would know of them." With a hint of contempt to her voice, the demon was referencing two poets of the 5th Century BC. Though there was some truth to his words. When she was confronted with knowledge all else tended to run off the side.
"Hmph...as you wish Master." Being called love and shoved out the door it was perplexing how this man would behave. Regardless she needed to find Shana, that cook and to wake the Mistress if the smell of food did not. Arrangements would be needed to see Doctor Alexander normally unless one had a medical emergency, but given the history the two shared that braggart of a Doctor would make an exception for Raynard, though it always came at the request of a donation or two, as the man had put it.
Heading for the kitchen Laura quickly makes her preperations, knowing a great deal of greek cooking given her hidden history with them, making these in the greek style was rather easy. The main supplementation was honey for sugar. The latter, while it may not seem it now, did not arrive in Europe till well past that time. Humming and using her own abilities to heat the furnace quickly she frys up a modestly sized stack for the siblings to share, setting the table in a simple fashion there was a cup and saucer for tea or coffee, the plate for the meal, knife and fork, and lastely syrup with a small bowlfull of strawberries. All in all the time to compleat such a simple meal would time perfectly with the Master finishing his dressing.
"Let's see, no smoke... No screams of burning agony..." Begins the master of the house as he enters the kitchen, but then was interrupted by a younger girl of the same hair color entering the room as well, groggy from having just woken up and rubbing her eyes.
"...The brat isn't panicking... Hell, you're not even reading. I'm impressed, Laura!" Chiming that, Raynard rested his arm on the shorter girl with a similar appearance and leaned against her, quickly garnering the girl's aggravation.
"Stop it! Why must you aggravate people from the moment you awaken to the time in which you shut your eyes?!" The girl argued, futily attempting to shove her elder sibling's arm off her head, but to no avail. Raynard rather just kept it there as he spoke to the two women in the room.
"If you want me to stop, then grow a couple of feet or stop amusing me." Giving Rebecca rather poor advice to halt his annoyances, he gives her a light shove towards the table. The two often bickered like this, but aside from all the bullying, he did truly care for his sister; he was doing most of this for her sake anyway.
"Shut up and eat. Laura made pancakes...! ...Do be careful..."
Narrowing her eyes with his rebuttal Luara scoffs, he acted as if she couldn't cook at all. While it may be true she would get side tracked with new things, something like this was rather simple..for one hell of a Maid so to speak..
"Oh? I'm sorry Master, Tomorrow morning I'll be sure to include a burning village. I had no idea you developed a love for Tyrannical displays." Chuckling softly with a hand to her mouth in a lady like fashion it seemed she had more to say until the sister showed up.
"Ah but my Lady, if he didn't do that, then how would we know it is your brother? That would be like him dismissing me from his chambers...and no my Lord they are.." Sighing with her response to the pair and his little remark, a knife seemingly appears in her left hand, most people believed it to be some sort of party trick within the house, regardless of the truth she twirls it, smiling in her typical fashion with narrowed eyes, a sign of anger.
"...Yes they are Pancakes...please enjoy Mistress. Is there any other orders my Master?"
"Just what are you doing to the poor girl? Just because she is our maid doesn't mean-" Cut off, she's sat down in the chair by her elder sibling and a cut piece of one of the pancakes finds its way shoved into the girl's mouth to silence her.
"Arse in chair. Eat." With a minor grumble, Rebecca does as she's told and continues eating. She was a bit of a glutton when it came to sweet things; it was rather easy to pacify her.
Making his way around the table and over to his maid, Raynard once again places his hands on her shoulders from behind.
"Stop making me out to be some kind of rapist, for one," He replied to her inquiries for orders, then leaning down to speak quietly into her ear.
"And... none of what I have said was permission for you to commit a genocide. Yes? Understood? Just making sure." Placing a kiss on the younger-seeming woman's cheek, though it was more an action of teasing or mockery than of affection, Raynard takes his own seat at the table across from his sister.
"Tell Shana to get ready. We'll go see Anderson after I eat." Obviously, those who inhabited the estate had grown used to Laura's "tricks" with her knives, and Raynard—Well, he just knew she couldn't actually hurt him. Still, he knew when to stop his advance; push the envelope without bursting it open.
"Anderson? ...What did you do now?" Rebecca questioned with a suspicious stare, to which her elder brother shrugged and played at that offended, "innocent" look he tended to adopt.
"Why am I always the one that has done something?" Sighing and shaking her head, Rebecca shifted her gaze to the maid.
"You are a woman of significant strength to deal with my fool of a brother every day. Please continue to look after him, less he get himself stabbed in an alley somewhere." Taking another bite, she seemed to smile with glee.
"And the food is delectable. Raynard possesses a garbage taste; perhaps all those years rumbling in the trash with urchins caused some damage, hm?"
"A rapist? But my darling I always consent, its not my fault you do not practice Christian Values of the state..my the queen would be so shamed." At the kiss however she decides to play a little with his whispered words in retaliation.
"...I see my master..but such things that you wish to do with me..is this really the time or place here in front of your sister? I highly doubt she would want to watch.."
Turning her attention to Rebecca with a bow and soft chuckle, she waves her hand dismissively.
"Oh its nothing, his tastes were known to me for some time, more so with the business I had to help him with, poor fool was wandering in the rain when I first met him..drowning in it as matter of fact. Heh.." Briefly pondering paying back his physical kindness with some of her own, there was the issue of finding the Texan, plus this way maybe when she left his sister would have more of her misguided petty for the Demoness.
"By your leave My Lord and Lady, Arrangements are to be made. I'll be sure to run a bath upon our return." Waiting for the Okay in her leaving, technically it was fine, or would be given Raynard s command. However to simply leave while the Sister was speaking would go against her aesthetics as a proper maid...well proper enough.
Nodding, Rebecca dismisses Laura to go perform her duties.
"Enjoy your moments of quiet from this buffoon." To which her brother responds by swiping her plate away from her.
"Hey! Return that!"
"I'll return it when you stop runnin' your mouth you brat. Eat your food." Keeping it barely out of reach as the younger girl attempts to reach out for it, Raynard continues to taunt her with a smirk.
"You know, maybe I'll eat this plate too... Or at least keep it out of reach, you midget."
Growling, the youngest of them seems to give into defeat.
"Fine... just give me my palate back." Grumbling as the plate is placed in front of her, she continues to eat with a pout.
"At least stop abusing poor Laura. You're making her go above and beyond the call of duty doing that-" Stopping in her words with a surprised flinch as she's lightly tapped on the head by a rolled newspaper, Raynard then straightens it out and starts reading from it as he eats.
"I'd worry about stuff like that after you find a man... and you have a ways to go in doing that with your assets." At this point, Rebecca begins berating her elder sibling, albeit one-sidedly as it's obvious he's begun focusing his attention elsewhere.
"Do not be hurt by his words, mistress. Your personality alone will atone for what you lack. Unlike your brother you are a virtuous Spirit I can assure you." Bowing and taking her leave, the pair would be left to eat and converse amongst themselves. Finding Shana was rather simple, the girl, well..to the Demon at least, was rather trivial. She was tending the stables, enjoying the sunshine as she was given.
"Wha-Laura! That is a double-sided sentiment!" Slumping her shoulders, Rebecca sighs in defeat. Her brother saying something was one thing, but Laura agreeing with it was another, not that she needed anyone else to point out the areas in which she lacked. The rest of the breakfast proceeded with the girl sulking and Raynard simply chuckling as he read.
After a terse back and forth talk that mostly consisted of the Texan being on edge, the buggy was brought around to the front of the house, with her rifle sitting in a holster on the coach seat, the young Woman seems to be chewing on a strand of hay, waiting as the Maid takes up position in front, bowing to await her Master. Something about the relationship those two had irked her from the very first day she seen them so many years ago..nevermind while she didn't much like Raynard, any time she had spent a lot of time with him she would hear the sound of a flood, and the damnable Maid always seemed to be around during those times, smiling with a knife in her hands.
After a while, Raynard exited the estate, long coat draping his body and hair slicked back as he tended to have it when not forced to dress himself for the sake of other nobles. Walking down, he smirks up at Shana, who seems to be a bit peeved.
"You alright, love? You look as if someone just barged into you room screaming about something in the middle of your sleep... Oh, wait, that was me! How could I confuse that."
A sarcastic remark as a greeting to the cowgirl, it was rather normal for them.
"I take it Laura's already told you where we're headed? When we get there, you can kick down Anderson's door too if you want, not that I'd advise that."
"Well, don't think I'll do that Master Raynard, If I Recall right that good ole Doc likes to keep a real gut buster under his chair. Ain't very sport'n as yer people would put it. And course not sir, why whatever gave yah that Idea." Spitting off the side of the Wagon while not staring at him, the man was infuriating, but he paid well. Sighing to herself she heard that damnable sound again. And sure enough that damn Maid was smiling.. Shana sighs to herself motioning to the coach.
"Well get on in. I might can wait around, but I doubt that damn money grub n son-ova-bitch will." Referring to Doctor Anderson, she inspite of her words didn't seem totally angry with him.
Opening the Door for Raynard, Laura waits for him to walk the rest of the way. The trip wasn't likely to be a long one after all. Which was good, though she rather doubted he would take an interest in that Vulgar Cowgirl, it didn't hurt to make sure, now did it? Smiling thinly it would be likely Raynard would know she was up to no good, if not what.
"That would be smart. Now, Shana. I know you're all rough'n'tough states cowgirl and all... But I'm a lazy, rich, pretty-boy. I need my beauty rest... Which comes from not having the shite scared out of me, hm?" Raynard commented, stepping into the back of the carriage as Laura opened it for him. She had that eerie smile on her face and Shana was almost glancing around, as if distracted by something. Damn maid was hardly lovable yet she seemed determined to making sure other women stayed less so.
"Come on, now, Laura. We should get a move on." Holding out a hand to help the maid into the back, he assists pulling her into it.
"...And don't think I don't know what you're doing..." He alerts her in a hushed voice.
"Just don't drive her insane and make her crash this damn thing. Fortunately for you, she's not likely to consider anything with me without an amount of work that isn't worth it... or half of my possessions. Actually..." Initially attempting to assure the girl, Raynard now held a hand to his mouth in thought, wondering what it
would to get the texan to "ease up". Or he was at least just trying to taunt the maid, full well knowing of her jealous tendencies.
Climbing into the coach with her masters help it was hardly needed, but a nice gesture none the less for Laura. Sitting down and spreading her skirt, a soft chuckle emerges from the Maid. He knew of her jealous nature yet would play with it..though she knew of his entrapment there was little she could do to stop it. It was her nature to put it simply.
"Oh? If you like her that much I could easily make her willing to bed you." Scoffing slightly with narrowed eyes, and crossed arms with a wave of her had as if to be dismissive.
"She may enjoy being a mother, and with your legacy secured your contract with me will be fulfilled..then I may end you, My master. A pity my service doesn't seem to be good enough for you. Hmph..though with the contract better a woman I can control than not..though a price will needed to be paid for such. And don't dare request it of others..I may cannot harm you, but I can and will them, even if its by the will of nature." Widening her eyes with a smile a trickle of water forms in the maids outstretched right hand. Allowing it to absorb into her body
The Demoness decides to somewhat comfort Raynard Sitting next to him while leaning slight against him on his left side.
"Oh don't worry master, I hardly wish to be in a crash either..I think we should arrive shortly. Please relax."
Chuckling at the demoness' offer, Raynard shook his head.
"No... No... I don't even—Wait. You can fucking do that? Since when?" He questioned. The damn maid always had another skill hidden up her sleeves.
"And you do realize that wasn't the only condition of our contract right? A legacy, yes, though I'd prefer it to be some battleship that scares the shite out of sailors rather than some brat runnin' around. However I have to secure my family's legacy; keep them where they are so my sister or anyone else don't have to worry about this politics crap."
Sighing, the maid sure as hell wasn't subtle with what she felt. Upon her changing seats to lean into him, he pulled and arm up to wrap around her shoulder.
"What's a pity is that you only get lovable after I mention other women. Don't worry so much about Shana; face isn't bad, but I personally prefer some curves... poor girl..." Leaning into the maid slightly, Raynard shakes his head in pity for the poor cowgirl and her lack of "assets".
"Hmm, I can do many things my master. From making the design of your ship, being your servant, or even a wife given how concerned you seem to be with women.. You underestimate me far too often, there is very little I cannot do." Giggling to herself it was amusing how she never would bother informing him of her true name or the extent of her powers or position. Had she been human her social status would be worthy of his own by human standards, if not more so.
Scoffing at his hold she however lets him do as he wished. Laughing at his reply in her typical dry fashion that last bit was truly amusing on two grounds, which she would point out with no hesitation.
"I might would be lovable as you put it, if you stopped bringing other women around. And had the Texan heard you I have a feeling she would shoot you for the trouble. If you weren't so lecherous I may be even kinder to you."
"Well, if I had you do everything, that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?" Raynard questioned in turn.
"As to that... Yes, I could have had you pose as my wife or fiance, but there are perks to people thinking you're a servant. Firstly, you can accompany me to private events and the like. If the Queen called for me, even if I were to say you were my partner with the company, it wouldn't be tolerated. As a servant, however, they don't bat an eye... Privileges of a noble and all that," He explained, though there was also the fact of what would happen when the contract was said and done with. If she were his wife, what would happen? He was doubtful that the demoness would remain and run his family and company with his sister and her disappearing would cause some unnecessary suspicion upon his house.
Scoffing at her blaming him for her attitude, Raynard shook his head.
"Please, I bring no women around. At gatherings and public events I flirt and socialize and build connections. And even when I try to be affectionate with you, you brush it off like that," He said in regards to her scoffing.
With that said, the carriage slowed to a halt finally, signalling that they had arrived.
"Ergo, stop driving the damn women insane. It's hard to build connections with someone when whenever you're around them you feel death creeping up on you. Hell, you can coddle me in my bed at night... If you don't already do that. Honestly, find that less creepy than the thought of you just sitting in a chair staring over me."
"Oh so you are more clever than the bag of drowning meat that I mistook you for all those years ago?" Arching an eyebrow up at his comments on why she was made a servant, it didn't matter to her much it was interesting to see he had some rational to it. Plus there was likely the unspoken issue of his sister. And other problems that could crop up from her in that capacity. Though that was not covered by her contract.
"Oh? Is that so My Master?" As if ignoring his words till the end, she does sigh and scoffs once more, with a bow of her head it was clear she in fact listened.
"Hmm...As you wish I'll leave the poor girl as you put it, alone. Though the other bit, we shall see. But maybe her alone I will leave be, just to spite you, my Master. After all it would make choices easier for you no?" Grinning it was difficult to be sure if she was being serious or not.
Exiting the Carriage and going through the typical manner of helping her master down, Shana curiously seemed more relaxed than normal, though the answer to that was rather easily arrived at. Opening the door and introducing her master, an irritated looking man with glasses cuts her off.
"Oi, shut the door, your letting my heat out, whats the problem this time, the boy running away from..oh no he s here and not bleeding like a slaughtered cow. Your physical is no time soon Raynard, time is money, why are you here?" As rude and to the point as ever, the Doctor has a cup of tea in his left hand, as his right lowers a double barreled shotgun back behind his chair.
Rolling his eyes as he stepped out the back, Raynard padded himself off and straightened his coat.
"You know, maybe I should have had you pose as a wife. You scoff enough to pass as a noblewoman and we even argue like an old married couple to boot. Oh lost opportunities." Shrugging, he turned and headed for the door behind the demoness.
"And I was a drowning bag of meat that you decided to take a little lip service from."
Smirking as if satisfied with some accomplishment, he allowed her to open the door for him and entered quickly after the man inside spoke.
"You know, I understand the need for safety but holding a gun whenever someone knocks on your door probably isn't good for business, hm?" As if knowing that the doctor would likely grow annoyed with the comment, more so as it didn't pertain to what brought them to the man, Raynard didn't waste much time after getting to the point.
"You've probably heard of the mutilations done around town. Was wondering if you knew anything about that."
Scoffing slightly Doctor Alexander turns back to his tea taking a slow savory sip. Holding his now free hand out, it seemed he wanted another of his donations, to which the Maid handed a sealed envelope with a few pounds. Opening the contents and nodding his head, Laura always found this to be unneeded, but Raynard didn t want the man to come to harm.
"Well, yes, I performed studies on a few of them. Bloody nutters out to the northwest around the Druidic sites is where the bodies are found. Often the victims seem to be from the lower quarters, immigrants, people that aren't overly missed, but noticeable enough to send you."
Pausing a bit for another sip, and setting the cup down on the sauscer Alexander continues.
"Ritual markings on the corpses, often bound, curiously I ve found animal blood, cats and dogs mostly. Some exotics as well, wolves, lions, all manner of beast one does not find in England. If you want more information than that, I don t think it would take much effort for even you to figure out where to take a look, All I know at any rate, though I ll try and keep you in mind should Scotland Yard share any information with me, though of note on the bodies is the cutting differs, I suspect multiple culprits. Some are highly unskilled, even a butcher could do better, some are done well enough to pass through doctor school..but not too experienced I think."
"Hm... So these fuckers are slightly more intelligent than their predecessors? Surprising," Commented Raynard in regards to the perpetrators lacking the gull to target hose of more significant priority or status. Listening to his comments on the animal blood, it was really the only piece of information that lead them somewhere immediately. Sighing, he nodded.
"I'd appreciate that. If you have any new info to spare, send for me. I'll compensate you for it."
Turning, Raynard nodded again to Laura as a sign of their leaving.
"Well, I won't waste any of your time; probably have some cripples to shake down, after all." With a smirk and wave, Raynard let himself out, shutting the door after Laura followed.
"Well, the cats and dogs aren't exactly a rarity, but those other animals you'd only come about finding in the London Zoo; used primarily for scientific research and the like... Well, we got some new information, but nothing that gives a solid animal. They'd have to have some connection to the zoo, though I suppose they could be an extremely wealthy piece of shite and just smuggle what they want here... No, too much work for random targets like this..."
"Yeah yeah, don t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Mister Hero." Waving Farewell the Doctor returns to his tea contemplating matters from the looks of things.
Laura escorting Raynard out and back to the carriage she is in agreement in part. The Harbor may also be worth looking into depending on what information could be pieced about the victims. Regardless, with this and his earlier remarks, perhaps a measure of a reward or kindness was due in place of her off handed remarks. Waiting for him to get settled, the Demoness sets along side him, smiling thinly.
"I would say be careful in dismissing the Harbor straight out, we know there are multiple people, or so we assume. Other than that my thoughts are in agreement with yours." Allowing her right hand to rest atop his head briefly she ruffles his hair before moving it downwards to massage his neck and shoulders.
"As I said I can be kind when I have cause, my Master." Speaking up to be sure the Texan heard the next command, was rather simple.
"Shana, to the zoo!" The hell for a reply shouts back in response.
"Just do it, maybe we ll buy you a ticket to look around."
As Raynard sat to continue his mumblings, he was interrupted by Laura and her uncharacteristic acts of kindness. Breaking from his thoughts, he turned to his maid with a perplexed look at the petting.
"Uh... Laura... Oh, that's nice," Commenting that to her massage, he leans his head down to allow for easier access.
"And you have cause now?" He questioned with a chuckle.
"Oh, stop complaining girl. You're an animal-lover, right? Go look around while we do our work... And verily, what are you doing this for? I don't care if you're nice it just... is a bit out of character, love."
"Hmph maybe I do you some kindness when you are sleeping. But if you wish for me to cease, so be it." Leaving her hand motionless for the time being for Raynard's reaction she then smirks slightly at the notion of where they were going.
"At the very least it won t be a total waste of time regardless, though we might should bring a present back for your dear sweet sister."
[/spoili]
