[IC] Welcome Maid-Sama (Fairy X TheWindel)

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy followed Philip to the living room and of course it was over the top fancy and expensive. She got the fire going so they would not have to rely on electricity and she even was able to find some blankets so they could stay warm. She listened to him suggest ghost stories to her and she was not fond of them. "Ghost stories freak me out by a lot and I blame my friends back in elementary school for that around halloween time." She said to him as she walked over and placed the blanket on him so he would stay warm and also kind of make it feel like a campout almost. She shook her head about the mansion being buried on top of a burial ground or cemetery. "What buildings these day are not build on top of or had stuff like that disturbed." She said for she hated ghost stories but stuff like that for some odd reason do not freak her out. Could be because she was more worried about a possible power outage or the glass from the windows breaking.

When Philip jolted from the banging on the front door Amy tried to calm him. "Its ok someone is just at the front door probably someone that got stuff in the storm and need shelter I will go and take a look please just relax there is no such things as ghost." Amy said before she rushed to the front door and thankfully she memorized where it was and went to the door and slightly opened it to feel the wind blowing hard. "Yes may I help you?" She asked who ever had banged on the front door.

[TheWendil]

The person standing at the front door was certainly a sight to behold. It was almost like staring right back at a mirror, which was most appropriate in Amy's case. The person standing at the front door was a girl roughly around Amy's age, perhaps just a bit younger. Pale skin contrasted with long black hair and deep red eyes that stared back at the maid. Speaking of such, the girl also wore an elegant monochrome maid outfit, much akin to Amy's own attire. Indeed, the girl looked much like a vampire; of course, such things didn't exist. No, this girl was entirely human.

Smiling gently, the girl bowed before Amy. "Well hello there. I'm looking for the Henderson residence and was wondering if this was the right location. I hope I'm not intruding on anything here." Placed next to her feet were two large suitcases; apparently she was here to stay.

Curious about the whole exchange, Phillip, still wrapped up in Amy's blanket, peeked behind his maid to see what was going on. "Hey Amy, who's at the doo-Ariel?" Phillip blinked once as he took a good look at the second maid before him. "It is you...uh, hey Ariel. How's it going?"

The maid named Ariel smiled wider as she saw Phillip, bringing her hands to her cheeks to feel the warm blush growing on them. "Goodness, you've grown so much since I last saw you Master Phillip! It's so nice to hear your lovely voice again."

"Eh, yeah..."

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy was shocked when she saw the second maid for she thought she was the only one working here and not with anyone else. But she was more shocked at how much they looked alike almost but the differnts was in eye colore, hair color, and skin color. She blinked a few times at the girl still in shocked to see someone out in the storm like this. When she asked about the hendersen residence she shocked herself out of it. "Um yes this is the Hendersen residenes how may I help you?" She asked the other girl for she was still very confused by all this at the moment for she was still wondering why another maid was here.

When Pkilip came over to see what was going on she was shocked to here that this girl before her was someone that he knew and she knew him back. "Wait so this maid is the girl you were talking about before the storm him?" She asked Philip as she looked at him and back at Ariel for she was confused still. "And pardon my confusion I thought I was the only maid that was suppose to work here? At least that is what I was told." she said to Philp for she did point out the luggage to him for she was was wondering what was going on.

But then she remembered it was raining outside like cats and dogs. "Oh please come in Ariel the storm is only getting worst outside." Amy said as she grabbed the luggage and brought it inside and let Ariel enter so she could go by the fire to warm up. Once Ariel was in she closed the door and locked it and lead her to the living room area. "Please sit and I will got make something warm to drink for the both of you." She said as she went to the kitchen and got some hot water boiling as she got some tea prepared and also found some stuff to ahve a little fin to make smore for she loeved eating those when she learned about them. Once the water was done boiling she poured it in a tea pot and let the tea start doing its thing in the hot water. She grabbed some cups then placed it all on a try with stuff to make smore and walked out with everything. "I made some tea and also found some stuff to make smores with a fun little treat you can make by the fire." Amy said to them.

[TheWendil]

Ariel said nothing, only smiling as she was led to the large fireplace to rest. It didn't take long before Amy arrived later with warm refreshments and snacks. "Oh, thank you! Phillip just told me that your name is Amy Jones; it's a pleasure to finally meet you!" Standing up straighter, she gave a little bow towards the other maid. Phillip took his own share of food and muttered a small thanks to Amy, feeling all the more awkward in this situation.

"Amy, this is Ariel. She's the maid I talked about earlier. Though I have to wonder...why are you here?" He looked at the other maid with a questioning look. Ariel giggled lightly as she sat down next to Phillip. Surprised at the sudden closeness of their body's warmth, he couldn't help but blush shyly.

"I was chosen personally to arrive here and serve Master Phillip in any way I can. I hate to be the bringer of bad news...but your services will no longer be required Miss Jones. I will take care of Phillip now. However, I'm not cruel as to kick you out; goodness no! However, from this moment on, you are to consider yourself my subordinate and assistant." Ariel smiled brightly.

"Ok?"

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy finished roasting the marshmallows and gave them to the two so they could enjoy something sweet especially on this type of nice as Philip introduced Ariel to her. "Um it is a pleasure to meet you to Ariel." She said to Ariel very confused by the girl. "Master Philip also told me a little about you also before the storm all of a sudden hit." She said in a nice voice for she did not trust this maid at all for how she was acting looked more like an act to her in her honest opinion. And she found it odd at how close she was sitting to Philip for she was trained to not sit so close to the master unless told other wise if given a long term job like this. "Though not to be rude but I believe you are making master Philip very nervous by siting so close next to him." She said to Ariel for she wanted Philip not to feel so awkward.

Amy almost fell over when she was told her service was not needed anymore. "Wait a minute this makes no sense I was hired just today by Master Philip and I can tell you are not from the agency that I am from who would as you to come here to take my job." She said to Ariel a bit angry for she barely just started today and now she was already being kicked out and she did not ant to deal with another head maid problem like she did in training where she was treated like crap. "So who personally choose you to come here and serve master Philip." She said for she did not like this girl for she dealt with to many of them while growing up, especially in job environments where they come a long and get the promotion that should have been here or make her looked like she was the bad worker. She also did not buy the crap about not wanting to kick her out Amy truly had a very bad feeling about this that she got when she was around her parents a lot. And being a subordinate meant she would even get a lesser pay and it would take even longer to pay the credit card debt and other crap that was left to her no thanks to her parents.

"I am sorry but I am in a financial crisis and being a subordinate means I get even less pay and make it harder to take care of some stuff that I have been left to deal with my parents." Amy said as she stood up and Bowed to Philip. "I shall get my things and leave forgive me master Philip it was fin teaching you how to cook wished I could have stayed longer to teach you more." She said as she left the room crying a little for she thought she would not only have a boss but a friend but she was wrong. Its her whole life all over again and it made her feel pathetic and worthless.

[TheWendil]

"No, Amy wait!" Phillip got up to pursue after her only to be stopped short by Ariel. Frowning, he tried to step forward again, but still, Ariel barred his way. "Ariel, please move." The maid shook her head to deny his passage.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Master Phillip."

"And why not?"

"It is for your own good. Please, understand that I have been chosen to serve you alone Phillip..."

"Enough!" The eye-patched boy stomped one foot on the ground to silence her. "I will not let you drive out Amy! She's been so kind to me these last hours...who sent you? Tell me Ariel; who said you had to take care of me?" The maid's smile faltered slightly, knowing that her answer would displease him.

"Your father, Master Phillip."

The very air around them seemed to have chilled significantly, and Phillip tensed. "My...my father...he...he's not supposed to....Ariel. Go to Amy and tell her she can stay. Tell her I'll...pay you the same amount. And I'll double her salary too...she needs..." Eyes distant, Phillip's voice became weak as he sat back down on the couch, staring blankly at the walls.

"Of course Phillip." Before leaving, Ariel leaned forward to hug him and soon left him to follow Amy. Phillip barely felt the kind gesture. Having guessed Amy would be in the servant's living quarters, Ariel entered the room to comfort the other maid. "Good news! Master Phillip said he'll pay us both the same amount! He even mentioned raising your salary more than mine since I'm a friend of the family. Isn't that great Miss Jones!"

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy was in her room getting her one bag mainly with maid uniforms. To held settle some of the debt she sold all her clothes except a pair of jeans, take top and sandals so she could wash her maid clothes when they all got dirty. She also put her cookbook in there. "So must for trying to settle my debt....even if I got my debt paid off honestly I would have stayed here for as long as I could." She said as she continued to pack up and soon closed the small bag and was about ready to call the agency to let them know she was replaced by someone else from a different agency without knowing why. Until Ariel came in to tell her that Philip wants her to stay and is willing to pay them the same amount even raise it just so she would stay. Amy looked at Ariel for a minute and walked passed her. "I am only staying cus it seems Master Philip does not desire for me to leave I will go talk to him myself." She said as she left the room knowing something was off about that girl and she did not like it for she could tell Ariel did not want her around.

Amy went back to were Philip was seeing him stare blankly at the wall and she walked up to him. "You really want me to stay don't you?" She asked as she looked at Philip with her amber eyes. "I will stay for you and I would not mind mine and Ariels pay is the same but do not worry about the raise." She said to him for she may need the money but she did not mind the payment she were to get as the same as Ariels. She walked in front of him and sat on her knees and looked up at him. "Want me to show you how to roast your own marshmallow for smores?" She asked him as she did a small smile at him showing that she was going to stay because he wants her to stay.

[TheWendil]

"No...no that's quite alright." Phillip blinked in realization after noticing that Amy was talking to him. "You're free to stay here and work as much as you want. But the raise is not negotiable." He looked at his maid with an empty stare but mustered just enough to make a stern and serious look. "You're getting that raise Amy. No questions asked. That's final." Standing up from his sitting position on the couch, Phillip traced a finger over his eye-patch before shuffling away from the living room and up the stairs. "I'm going to bed," he called out. "Amy...please try to get along with Ariel." With that said, Phillip entered his own chambers like a silent ghost.

"Oh dear. The Master must be stressed." Ariel's kind voice rang out as she stood near the doorway, having witnessed the whole event unfold. "Come along Miss Jones. We should retreat into our own living quarters for the night. Besides, there's something I'd like to discuss with you in private." As if to emphasize her statement, a streak of lightning lit the tiny room, accompanied by an ominous boom of thunder. Leading Amy back to the room she found her unpacking, Ariel paused before taking a few steps towards Amy.

"My, my, you must have done something to make him want you to stay like that. In the past, the only servant he's never eventually turned away was...well, me. Anyway, I was sent by Phillip's father, Richard Henderson. You see, I've worked so long for the Hendersons that I guess you could consider me a sort of family associate towards them. So please, forgive me if I offended you with my words or actions! I didn't mean it; Phillip's father is a very powerful man after all. I hope we can be fellow workers in the field and maybe even....friends." Ariel then took a small bow to show her appreciation to the other girl.

"But...."

In one quick moment, Ariel stood mere inches away from Amy's face. Still smiling, she leaned in to Amy's ear and let out a small breath of warmth. "Listen good, because I absolutely hate repeating myself," she whispered. "The Master knows me longer than you could possibly fathom....he is mine. If I even suspect of you placing him in danger...then you might find yourself dealing with more than just unemployment Amy. I crave for Phillip....I will stand by his side....I can't say the same for you. Come between me and him like that again...and there will be problems. Is that understood."

Backing away, Ariel flashed her an innocent smile. "Ok?"

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy only sighed as she started to clean up a little and he did not give her a raise it only made her feel like he wanted to get ride of her faster. She looked at Ariel for she just was not comfortable with Ariel for she feels a dark secret was being held with this girl and her attitude was just not normal in her opinion for no one is that happy. "Just let me take care of this first." She said as she took the stuff to the kitchen and clean everything up and now the kitchen was clean for he voice and face went emotionless for it was normal for her to go like that. For she was like that all the time with her parents when they would come home and act like they missed me but then went off to their own little world. She then followed Ariel back to her quarters and looked at Ariel as soon made it back to her room and looked at Ariel as she talked.

"I have done nothing special all I did was teach him how to make seafood pizza he wanted to learn so I taught him since cooking is my specialty ." Amy said to Ariel like it was no big deal as she looked at Ariel though her words still hurt as she bragged how she took care of the Henderson family especially Philip and there was a hint of words stinging and have a harshness to them. Though she wen turned dark that is when she saw the true colors and she only stood there not flinching at all. "Such strange words to say claiming he is yours when he has not say that you are his so it is not right to claim people like that without knowing if they will approve of it." She said to Ariel as she walked to her door. "And I would never do anything to hurt Master Philip so no need to be threaten." She said as she looked back at her from her doors. "Goodnight." was the last thing Amy said as she closed the doors to her room and once they were closed she had tears falling down her face. "I am truly alone in this world I will always be alone." She said as she took her maid uniform off, showing a few scars on her arms that she caused to happen, and went to sleep for the night.

Amy did not really sleep well last night and was up around 4 in the morning and got dress into her uniform and went down to the kitchen and started to pull some stuff out to make Breakfast for Philip and Ariel to at least be nice for Philips sake. She decided to go country style with breakfast to do something different and make it a little fun. She knew it was early but some of the stuff was going to take her a while and she did not mind for it kept things off her mind while she just cooked her heart out.

[TheWendil]

"Oh! I didn't expect to see you here so early in the morning Amy." Ariel arrived from the kitchen with a few eggs in her hand. "I usually wake up around this time myself to make some breakfast. Early meals are always the best!" Still smiling, both maids no doubt knew that Phillip himself was still fast asleep in his own chambers, completely unaware of the conversing of his two servants.

"My, my, did you get enough sleep last night Amy? You look dead on your feet." Seeing the other maid's sleepless eyes, Ariel placed her eggs on the counter and sighed. "Amy, I'm not trying to be cruel to you. I already said that as long as you do not harm the master, the two of us should be perfectly fine. What would poor Phillip think if he knew his two maids were fighting? In any case, Phillip's wants you to stay. If Philip says so, then I approve of it as well." Tilting her head, she smiled warmly.

"Ok?"

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

"I was trained to be up early." Amy said as she cooked breakfast. "And I am fine I did not sleep at what you said to me or all of that other stuff I could not sleep for other reasons that I do not wish to discuss." Amy said as she started cooking the chicken fried steak in the pan. "And two cooking always helped clear my mind and other stuff." She said to Ariel as she worked on making it. "And don't worry about making breakfast for yourself I am also making some for you and Master Philip." She said to her as she cooked the eggs country styled and the way she cooked was fast and amazing skills.

"And like I told you I have no reason in harming Master Philip I am grateful he has hired me to work here and wants me to stay I just wished he did not give me a raise I just wanted the same pay as you nothing more." Amy said as she started to plate some of the food. "Shouldn't Master Philip be up now or is he planning on sleeping in?" Amy asked as she mixed some old fashion country gravy and had biscuits in the oven. "Oh is there anything you are allergic to so I know not to feed it to you and I tried asking Master Philip this but he said he was not sure do you know if he is allergic to anything so I don't give it to him by mistake?" Amy asked for she did not want to but the two in shock or have them sent to the hospital. She wanted people to enjoy her food not get sick or sent to the ER for an allergic reaction.

[TheWendil]

Ariel frowned at the tone of voice Amy was using. "Well it is early....the sun hasn't even risen yet. I'm sure Master Phillip will sleep in. He has a usual habit of doing so." Standing next to the other maid, Ariel brought out a bowl and cracked the eggs into it. "Also, I will hear no nonsense of you making breakfast for me. What kind of maid can't make her own meals? Besides..." She have Amy a stern look of disapproval. "You shouldn't even be cooking when you haven't slept at all. Honestly, you should stop trying to tackle things by yourself." Her frown widening, Ariel narrowed her eyes as her own past-filled thoughts intruded her mind. "No one survives alone."

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

"I am fine really Ariel." She said to her not flinching or anything by how Ariel was talking to her it only reminded her of how her mother talked to her. "I was only offering to make you something out of curtsy and was trying to be nice I am sorry if that struck a nerve." She said as she cooked the food still like she would even if she had a good night sleep. "And unfortunately I have survived alone all these years since I was little." Amy said to her knowing that she and Ariel will never be friends because of the lives they lived were very different. Amy fended for herself all these years cooking with what she could, getting clothes from charity, mainly read books for she never had toys, and worst of all she grew up with parents that never really loved her and just used her. She knew Ariel has spent most of her life working for the Henderson Family for who knows how long. But it looks like she was happy while she grew up mainly miserable. She focused on her cooking and finished up everything and placed the food she made for Ariel on the plate and put Plastic wrap over it for she hate letting food go to waste. Amy then placed it in the fridge and ate what she made for herself and placed what she made for Philip in the fridge also for the food was easy to heat up.

"If you change your mind the food is easy to heat up." She said to Ariel after she finished eating and left the kitchen and went to her room and closed the doors behind her as she breathed heavy for memories of her past started to flash in her head again after how Ariel talked to her and she thought she was fine from last night but it only got worst. She went to her bag and pulled out a small razor. "I swore I would stop doing this but I need this one pain to go away." She said as she rolled her sleeve up and cut her skin deep enough for it to bleed but away from any veins and did it a couple times until she felt better and hide the razor and rinsed her arm off before bandaging it up and rolling her sleeve down hoping it would not be noticeable before she walked back out so she could go outside and see the damage caused by the storm last night.

[TheWendil]

Ariel only shook her head as she heard Amy's words. She just didn't get it, did she? Still, Ariel said nothing when Amy finally left the kitchen. Did the other maid think she was always happy? That her smile was always one of genuine kindness? Of course not. Ariel faced more scars in her past then she'd like to count...she'd rather keep it quiet. Frowning, she stared at the food Amy prepared for her in the refrigerator.

"Whatcha doing?" Ariel almost jumped as the cheery voice filled the kitchen, a stark contrast to her earlier sullen feelings. Phillip was awake and about, grinning as usual.

"Ah Master! Oh...nothing. Just thinking, that's all."

Phillip shrugged. "Well thanks for the breakfast," he said, eyeing the food both maids had prepared for him. "Hey, can you thank Amy for me too? I don't want her to feel like she's a burden to me."

Ariel blushed as she placed a hand on his cheek. "Master Phillip is so kind towards others...very well then. Of that's what you wish." Bowing, she left to go and find the other girl.

"Um, ok then?" Trying to hide his own embarrassment, Phillip's hand lingered on his cheek.

Having not been in he servant's quarters, Ariel finally tracked down Amy outside, who in turn was inspecting the damage from the prior night. Well, at least both of them were dedicated to their work. "Miss Jones, the Master would like to thank you for the meal...what is that?"

Ariel titlted her head to try and why a better look. There was something...a white cloth perhaps trailing down the very end of one of Amy's arms. Not enough to be seen fully, but still noticeable to Ariel's trained eyes.

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy looked around the place and started moving some of the branches in a pile that was blocking the walk way so who ever came by or if they needed to go somewhere anytime soon they could get across with ease. After moving most of the branches into a pile she took out a small pad of paper and a pen and wrote down things that needed to be done outside she could work out a time chart on how long it may take to get the whole yard clean up and to see if she could get someone out if there was any repair jobs that needed to be done. As she was working she heard Ariel say that Philip tanked her for breakfast. "Just doing my job I will tell him later when I see him that he is welcome." She said as she wrote more stuff down and looked at her. "What is what?" She asked not knowing part of her bandage was showing from her sleeve though she thought it was unnoticeable still.

"Hmmm looks like no damage came to the mansion from last night just need to rake all the leaves and get ride of the branches." She said to Ariel to see what her thoughts were on how to take this job on for she wanted to try to get along with her at least and not cause any trouble. "Ariel do you think Master Philip would mind having a vegetables garden or no?" She asked in a curious tone for she was curious about that for she did that for a while and that helped her save a lot of money in the past. Actually she liked anything that involved food for that as her real passion. She looked around the area still to make sure she was not missing anything or any damage that she did not spot at first.

[TheWendil]

Ariel blinked when Amy appeared to not know what she talking about and changed the subject. "A garden, hmm?" The dark haired girl placed a finger to her cheek in ponderment. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind it really. Food seems to be your passion, huh? No, that doesn't seem like an issue. Knowing him, he'll probably jump at the idea and beg either one of us to teach him how to garden." The thought of the Master wasting his time in the garden and no doubt failing made her giggle.

"Anyway...I wanted to know what that was. Is that a bandage? Miss Jones, are you hurt?" Ariel pointed to the strip of cloth hanging from Amy's arm, her voice slightly tighter with concern.

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

"That does sound like him I remember he asked be to teach him how to cook a seafood pizza last night before you arrived." Amy laughed a little. "You should have seen his first attempt at trying to twirl a pizza dough in the air he got it stuck on the ceiling." She said with a smile as she wrote a couple more things down on a piece of paper for she was a list person. "I have always loved cooking but couldn't go to cooking school so I am mainly self taught and a lot of experimenting while growing up I even worked in a kitchen a bit at the cafe I used to work at before it got closed down I could not find another job and a few girls I kind of see as friends knew I was in need of help and helped me get a job at the maid agency." Amy explained to Ariel as she flipped the paper over and wrote some other stuff down for her own mental note.

When Ariel pointed out the bandage on her arm Amy froze a bit. "Oh I just hurt myself while doing something but I am fine really I got it cleaned and bandaged myself." Amy said with a smile for she did not want to worry other or have them find out she intentionally hurt herself. "Thought guess I need to practice my bandaging skills a little better." She said as she pulled the sleeve back a little and tried to fix it to the best of her abilities. "Sorry for worrying you but please do not tell Master Philip I have my arm bandage I really do not want to be a burden and have him worry." She said to Ariel.

[TheWendil]

Ariel titled her head, knowing full well that Amy was lying to her. Still, the desperation in her voice swayed her, and Ariel's gaze softened a little. Although she had a thing for Phillip, the girl wasn't outright cruel unless she needed to be and she had a pretty accurate guess of what Amy was doing.

"Amy...I know you haven't been on friendly ground with me...but if you ever need to talk about anything in private, I'm here for you." The dark haired girl smiled once more. "I promise not to tell the Master about...just please, try not to do it so much, alright?"

"Do what?" Clueless as ever to the gravity of the current situation, Phillip appeared behind Ariel outside with a curious expression on his face. Having finished his breakfast, he wore nothing but his pajamas and a pair of slippers. "Amy, are you in trouble?"

"Ah! The young Master must be hearing things!" Ariel grabbed Phillip's arms gently and began tugging him back inside the manor. "Come now Phillip, we must dress you for the day! It's much too wet for you to wander about outside."

"Ok, ok, I get it! I'm going!"

As she led their Phillip away back into the mansion, Ariel turned back briefly and winked at the other maid. Amy's secret was safe with her. They could talk about it later.

[Fairy Tale Dreamer]

Amy looked at Ariel after fixing her bandages on her arm and pulling her sleeve back down so they could not see it. "Sorry Ariel I guess I am so used to hiding my past for my past always resurface with me nothing but a painful past." She said to Ariel as she held her arm a little just wanting it all to go away forever. 'thanks for looking out for me but I am not ready to talk about I don't know when I will ever be ready to talk about it." She said to Ariel before she saw Philip walk out and saw him in his PJs for that was a first for her. When he asked if she was in rouble she shook her head. "No I am fine we were just discussing on what to do with the yard the storm really did a number our here." Amy said with a small smile before Ariel took him away to get dress then saw her wink and Amy did a tank you smile at her for she did not want Philip to feel worried or be a burden to him. She was just glad t have a job now, a roof over her head, and food in her stomach.

While the two went off to get him dress Amy got to work on moving the broken branches to the side of the road for the city to take them and started raking the leaves of the walk way so it would be easy to walk down without slipping. She got it all taken care up and put to the side for now and went in to look over some stuff and get it taken care off on a list she likes to make for it helps keep her focus on what she needs to do and it helps her figure how long it would take to get them done during the day.

Amy rubbed her head a little for she hoped she calcualated things alrightfor the place was huge and she had no clue how two maids where wereing to take care of this place there had to be 8 more maids here to take care of this whole place. After a while she decided to do a little baking for she liked it and thought she make something for dessert toight. She made a cake batter, backed it, once it cooled one out she crumbled it all up, rolled it into a ball, melted chocolate, white chocolate, used it as a glue for a stick, dipped them in and soon had cake pops made. "There I hope Ariel and Master Philip will like them for I think they are cute and fun to make." She said before writing a couple more things down.

[TheWendil]

"Ariel, what's wrong?"

"Hmm? Oh nothing to concern yourself with Master Phillip!"

Having put on some regular clothes, Phillip wore but a simple vest and pair of pants. He had decided to keep the three in doors for today, and for none of them to spend any excessive time outside for fear of catching a cold. Crossing his arms though, Phillip wasn't stupid; he could easily tell when something was upsetting someone. Years spent around his own family had taught him that much.

"Ariel, tell me. What's wrong with Amy? I know there's an issue going on."

Ariel laughed. "Well look at you taking some responsibility! I'm proud of you Master!"

"Hey, I'm not a kid anymore! Now tell me what's going on already. If Amy is in any kind of trouble, I can hel-h-hey!"

Oh the many ways to keep someone in the dark. Ariel meant it when she told her fellow maid she would keep her actions secret; she would do anything to fulfill that promise. So what was the best way to quiet Phillip's suspicions? Make him embarrassed of course!

Ariel leaned forward to gently stroke his cheek tenderly. "Master needs to mind his own business," she lovingly. "Ok?"

"Um, y-yeah, sure."