Livia quietly sat at her desk. The door to her office was open, as it always was this time at the start of a new semester. A few familiars had decided to pay her a visit, and ask for a job personally, rather than take one of the simple ones. Of course, she didn't mind giving familiars their own tasks, if they wanted them. That was part of her job, after all. Making sure these precious little students of hers learned the value of hard work and perhaps a little humilty in the process. Some were more difficult to place than others, since some familiars could...well, be a little on the troublesome side.
But she was confident she could handle them. She had yet to find a familiar she couldn't handle on some level.
At any rate, however, she awaited the first of the people that would be so bold as to come to her directly for a job.
Iravis had decided this was going to be short, sweet, and diplomatic.
The Phoenix knocked on the open door to alert the headmistress of her prescence, the fist crashing down heavily and producing sparks as it landed each time. Fire didn't follow her feet as she approached the desk, but some smoke did rise from the floor.
"May Ra have granted you a productive day under his watch, Headmistress." There. An introduction. Now only two things to ask about, and then leave. Unlike her younger self, this red haired girl was staring straight at Livia, as if peering into her soul.
Livia, was a bit surprised to see who her first guest was, though it only amused the older woman. A small smile crossed her lips as she listened to the other girl.
“Oh my. Someone must be having a bad day, but there really is no need to take it out on the poor carpet.” Livia replied with a chuckle.
“But indeed, if I was religious in any way, Ra perhaps has granted me a productive day.”“How has your first day here gone so far, hmm? I hope it has gone well, but since you are here I take it you wish to have a job of sorts instead of classes?” Well, she was hoping Roux would chose to attend her classes. A little…hard work would do the girl some good, however, so she wasn’t going to complain.
Iravis returned a glare. Considering the way her dorm had turned out, the cursed woman had to be in on it. Her voice subsided into a small fire.
"May those you do not believe in be merciful when you cross. Either way, I will be given more suitable living arrangements. I will work as Sir Wick's teaching assistant. We both know I am qualified for that job, based on my ability to wield flame and handle the spear." She ignored any more pleasant greetings, getting straight to the point.
“Both requests, denied.” Livia replied rather bluntly, without even giving much thought to it.
“Do you have a problem with your room, Roux?” She asked, a small smile forming on her lips.
“I thought it was quite suitable…you did agree to attend here, after all. And an assistant? For Arthur? He doesn’t need such a person.” The headmistress leaned back in her chair, calm as ever, and not concerned with Iravis’ rather…fiery voice.
The glare hardened, if that was possible, in response.
"It is indeed your created domain, and I shall respect that." She had to resist the urge to tell the headmistress to drop the pet names, and instead continue with her second question.
"So what alternative to class are you offering me, then?"Well, it seemed she wasn’t completely hopeless in the realm of respect, then. She could tell she was annoying her just a bit with the pet names, however. Which well, she had to admit she was having just a bit too much fun with.
“Hmm…I don’t know, Little Roux.” She replied.
“A creature as powerful as yourself…a god is a little difficult to find work for, after all.” She continued, though the tone of her voice was definitely meant to be patronizing and sarcastic.
“Perhaps you could work at the pool located in the dorms, hmm? Or water the gardens. They are so lovely this time of year.”A look of fear crossed her eyes. Livia knew that cold water terrified her. A hundred years ... Iravis shook her head after drifting off to space for a few moments, a less harsh gaze returning to the headmistress.
"... If cruelty is your plan, I will not follow it, keeper ..." If she looked carefully, some of the child who had shown up three years ago was in her voice and posture, eyes drifting towards the ground after a few moments.
Livia simply smiled. She still didn’t like being called ‘keeper’, but well, this was simply a small test if you will. She of course, had no plans of being cruel to Iravis. She cared too much about the girl to do that. Of course, not that she was going to let Iravis know that at the moment. The girl insisted on strutting about as a ‘goddess’, so she was going to teach her the meaning of the word ‘humility’.
“No? Such a shame. That noble friend of yours would love to see you in a swimsuit.” She chuckled.
“But that’s fine. I understand. So…I really don’t have much work on campus for you.” She continued, falling silent as she thought for a moment.
A slight blush ran across her cheeks as her childhood companion was mentioned, and the Goddess regained her ground, back to glaring at the headmistress.
“However…I do have one thing you might be perfect for. You like History and Pyromancy, hmm?”In response to this, the teenager nodded.
"I doubt that's even a question." As if to express a little eagerness towards where this suggestion was going, a snap of her fingers brought a small flame into her palm.
"Of course."Livia smiled, and if Iravis was paying attention, she would recognize it as the smile that Livia wore when she had something up her sleeve. Or as someone else might say, Iravis done goofed.
“Excellent, little Roux. Then I’m certain you won’t mind teaching either to others.” She reached into her desk, shuffling through some pieces of paper as she pulled out a single sheet, and a pen, and began writing.
“It will be work off campus, in the town. There’s a small place, recently the one who teaches history there retired, so I’ve been looking for a replacement. The children there certainly could use someone to teach them a good, exciting history lesson.” She finished, signing and folding the letter and handing it to Iravis.
“A brief letter of introduction. Give this to the person who runs the place, and he’ll take care of everything else. Of course, you will be paid and you will not have to attend classes.”The goddess' mouth dropped. That had gone badly, and her emotions turned around instantly.
"CHILDREN? CHIL-?" Iravis trembled with rage. She hated kids. Despised them. She didn't pick up the letter, and felt tempted to burn it.
Aha, she was hoping she could sneak that word by Iravis by talking quickly.
Ah well~
Livia simply smiled.
“What’s this? A goddess like yourself is afraid of a little children?” The headmistress chuckled. If Iravis attempted to burn the letter, she’d simply find that the piece of paper was oddly incapable of burning.
The goddess' rage finally came to bear, a blast of flame going through the paper and setting the purple curtains on fire behind it ablaze. However, she did carefully avoiding hitting the headmistress herself.
Seeing the paper not burn, the Phoenix snatched it, saying something about starting a religion under her breath and practically screaming at her roomate to enter the room before storming off down the hallway.
Mugi was waiting outside the Headmistress' office for her turn to talk about an idea she had when Iravis stormed out.
"Oh, hi Ir-" She didn't even bother finishing as the girl was out of earshot. With a slight sigh the Yuki-Onna walked into the office.
"Greetings Headmistress." Before continuing she stared the woman up and down for a minute before speaking again,
"Oh my, you're even prettier up close than far away. How are you today?"“Really, Roux, those were expensive!” Livia pouted, as the flames were doused in a timely fashion, seeming to suddenly become slightly damp. Still, the damage had been done, and she’d have to get someone to fix them. Later then, for now she had another little student to deal with.
“Oh my, and who are you?” Livia replied to Mugi.
“At least one of my precious students is good mannered.” She continued with a sigh.
“And I’ve certainly been better, but I’ve been worse, but enough about me.” She gave Mugi a friendly smile.
“I take it you are here because you want a job?” "In a sense I suppose. Oh! Even after you praise my manners. My name is Mugi. On the registry it's Mugi Yukimura. The name Yukimura is hardly my name though, and just an unnecessary identifier. So please, just call me Mugi." She gave a quick bow as was customary from her culture.
"Onto the topic I suppose. I'm a Yuki-Onna and we have an affinity for Ice. Well, I like to make Shaved Ice, Ice Pops and other things of the sort. I was wondering if I could start one somewhere on campus. An pretty place perhaps?" She gave a great smile after asking.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mugi.” Livia greeted as she listened to the girls idea. It was…certainly a unique one to be sure. Most jobs were for the benefit of the campus in some way, but…well. She couldn’t say no, since the jobs were also supposed to teach the familiars the value of some hard work.
And well, if this little Yuki-Onna wanted to, she couldn’t exactly say no, could she?
“That is a wonderful idea, I think.” Livia replied.
“And the garden is a perfect place, I think. So you have my full support in this endeavor.” Livia reached for another piece of paper, quickly writing on it, followed by signing it. Well, this had been surprisingly painless. She was glad that it was after Iravis stormed out of here.
“Take this to the kitchens. The Head Chef can get you started quite easily.” She said, handing the girl the letter.
"Yay! I'm sure people will appriciate frozen treats when it gets hot. I know I would! Come visit sometime, I'll make you an extra big one! I think I'm getting the hang of customs over here!" Mugi took the letter and lightly hugged the Headmistress.
"Thank you again." She said happily as she let go and made her way to the kitchen to start work on her Shaved Ice stand.
Well. She had certainly not been expecting a freezing hug from the Yuki-Onna, and her eyes widened slightly in response.
“O-oh, you’re quite welcome.” She replied. She didn’t think she had ever seen someone get so excited about running a shaved ice stand. Hah, if this sweet girl was one of Roux’s roommates, then perhaps she would change her attitude faster.
“I shall be sure to come and visit once you get things started.”Well. That had gone extremely well.
A few minutes after the Yuki Onna left Livia's office, another figure made itself present in the door frame. Six feet tall and still irritated from that disgusting confrontation with Sorcha and her pussy-whipped lackeyes, Arata made a very visible attempt at keeping his footsteps regular as he approached the amethyst-eyed headmistress of the school. Though he wouldn't mind exchanging blows with her, right now, he needed money for food. An oni like him, after all, could not just subsist off squirrels and sparrows.
"Is there someone you want dead?"A simple question. Oni was synonymous with war and death, after all.
The next person, however, may not be so easy.
“Someone…I want dead?” She replied, fixing the Oni with a somewhat confused look, before laughing.
“Well, there are plenty of people I want dead,” She replied after her laughter subsided, her voice taking a much more serious tone.
“But none of them will be killed by you. So if you understand, then do not ask further.” Of course, she meant she was going to kill them with her own two hands. With that out of the way, she fixed Arata with a small smile.
“You are Arata, then?” She continued, leaning back in her chair.
“I saw your little…argument with the dragon. You are here for work of some sort, I assume? Don’t worry, I won’t be giving you any sort of labor that you don’t find interesting…or fun as long as you understand you will be sharing that tower with a few other people.”"What. The tower is shared?"“Indeed, if you would have read your dorm assignment then you would have noticed that.”Arata paused.
"...I can't read. I don't even know how I'm speaking French right now."Probably some Mentis magic or something. She dismissed the thought quickly.
“That is indeed, that is rather troublesome. Perhaps have Gall teach you sometime. He loves teaching people to read.” In fact, Gall hated it, but well, that was his problem if Arata decided to take up that route.
“But that isn’t what you are here for, is it? You’re here looking for work?”Gall? That flimsy death god was a teacher as well? How far they've fallen after all, though Arata supposed that it made some sense that the familiar of someone who ran a school would also be a teaching type. Well, not that it mattered too much.
"I'll keep that in mind then," the oni said,
"And yes, I need to work for food, though I will not work with food."So far things had been going rather well. So perhaps she should get on with the main point. She had been hoping he would visit her for work.
“Well then, since that is settled…perhaps you should work on fixing that home of yours, you just so conveniently just put holes in. And do not worry about the…” Livia surpassed a chuckle. She was going to have to tease Sorcha with that at some point.
“Bat-girl, she won’t be causing you any trouble if you do. I’ve made sure of that. The construction material will be prepared tomorrow evening. I will pay you in whatever you wish, so long as you do not cause any more trouble to the tower. Indeed, feel free to even improve it if you wish. I will tell the foreman that as long as the changes are reasonable, then you may work.”Construction work? Well...he did thinking that the tower was far too unreliable as a watchtower or a fortress. Though it irked him that the bat-girl was going to benefit from the changes, at the same time, he was going to kick her out after he beat her ass in a week.
Wait, no.
A week was definitely too long.
Arata closed his eyes, envisioning the fortress that shall be constructed. Then, he opened them once more, and said,
"So I'll start work tomorrow. Where's the foreman?"“Around now? Probably in town, getting everything ready.” Livia replied.
"I would...give you written directions, but since you cannot read.""Draw a map. I can read pictures."“Very well.” She pulled out a piece of paper, and a pen, and with somewhat uncanny skill drew a fairly good, clean map of the town, starting with the main road if you were coming from the academy. A thin, easily seen line pointed him right towards the foremans’ office. If Arata hurried, he probably could get there before they close for the night.
“Is that all, then?” She replied, handing him the map.
Arata looked at the the map, folded it up, and then nodded. With the directions in his pockets and his mind, the oni took one heavy step and leapt out one of the windows. Somersaulting through the air, he did a three-point landing as glass shards twinkled around him, before shooting off into the distance.
He had a job now. And that was enough to drown away his thoughts for the time being.
Meria sighed, nearly feeling like throwing up at the moment. I forgot that I hated seafood. However, she simply waved it off after a while, not wanting to ponder on such things like distasteful food. She concentrated on her hand, making a dark fjkdsnafjknsdja appear inside of the palm of her hand. It had images inside of it as she saw someone enter a room with a light. Dang it. It's a nice little
dream she gulped it down, the sweet aftertaste leaving a strong flavor. She never understood how most normal food tasted like... cardboard. However, she could understand Drael and his lust for blood. It wasn't bad for whatever reason.
This place needed good food. She didn't mean to be conceited but she always felt extremely happy when someone, usually her parents in the past ate her food and praised her greatly for making it "perfectly". hfjdshfkjdshfj fjdskfjdkls hfkdsjfkdls jfdjsklf jdks. With that, she decided to decide on her job. Hmmm~ She would love to defeat some beasties but... She felt that she could cook up some food and make people happy with the taste.
Meria smiled and headed over to the spectacular mistresses office to request that she cook up her own recipes. Standing outside, the last thing she saw was someone shoot out of the window. Her eyes almost widened but she simply walked inside of the room unnafected.
"Excuse me head mistress. My name is Meria and I would like to request a certain job if I may. she bowed her head politely before raising it and smiling kindly at the head mistress.
“Why must they insist on destroying my office every semester…” Livia sighed, shaking her head, before turning to Meria. She’d clean it up later. At least there was a pleasant breeze.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Meria.” She replied, returning her smile.
“I apologize for the window…and the carpet and curtains. Some people are just completely unreasonable. But more to the point, what job would you like?”Meria looked over to the window, not realizing that any damage had been done. She had a habit of ignoring things sometimes. Meria frowned, shaking her head at this
"That's not very good... Would you like me to fix up the place? I could..." she honestly wanted to. Things like broken glass didn't sit well with her and she was good at cleaning. I suppose this was the noise.
However, she realized that she had wanted to ask the woman something first.
"Oh, that's right. I would like to request if I could work in the cafeteria? Cooking my own recipes that is." she allowed a small smile to form, her eyes wandering over to the broken glass more than once.
Another request for cooking something? Well, she could hardly say no this time, either. A small smile formed on her lips as she spoke.
“Aha, do not worry about the glass, Meria. I shall have it taken care of soon enough, just try to leave in a semi-normal fashion, if you don’t mind.” She chuckled, before addressing the girls main reason for being here.
“And of course! It would be rather mean for me to not allow you.” She started writing on another piece of paper.
“It always good to see students interested in the culinary arts. Perhaps I will come by and try something of yours one day.” She smiled, finishing the letter and handing it too her.
“Give this to the Head Chef, he’ll be able to get you started.”Meria smiled and nodded her head, understanding that she should leave the glass be. Looking up, her smile widened a bit when she heard that her request had been approved.
"Thank you miss. Interested in the culinary arts? Haha, yes that would be great. rather than interested, she just liked the praise that she had received from her mother in the past. If she hadn't, she would have probably never cooked again in her life if possible. However, I suppose she loved it. Meria took the paper and nearly headed out the door but stopped abrubtly, turning back around.
"Also...Could I tend to the flowers as well? before bowing her head once again.
“Hm? Oh of course. I will inform the groundskeepers that you will be dropping by, Meria.” Livia replied with a polite nod.
“Don’t try to overwork yourself though, now.”
Ayame had finally found her way to the headmistress' office. Instead of roaming around like last time, the fox-girl had meekly asked a student to kindly direct her. So she found herself leaning against the wall, fiddling with the ornamanets on her clothes as she waited for the headmistress to finish speaking to the student who had arrived before her.
After a few minutes or so, a pretty pink-haired girl left the room with a paper at hand. Ayame shyly poked her head inside the room before entering, politely closing the door behind her before reciting the speech she had thought of while waiting.
"I admit I'm not the most comfortable around humans, b-but I would like to try to get used to them. So, if it isn't too much trouble...May I have a job that teaches music to the little ones?"
Well, good. Her office hadn’t suffered any more disturbances yet. Hopefully that would end on a high note. Just one more person to go through at the moment, and then maybe she’d be done.
“Music? That is a wonderful idea.” Livia replied to the rather timid looking girl who was in front of her.
“I assume by ‘little ones’ you mean children, miss?...”She blushed, nodding her head. "C-children, yes. I have heard that they are mostly harmless?"
“Harmless?” Livia softly laughed.
“Well. I wouldn’t say they are harmless. They can be quite a handful, if you are not prepared.” She took a piece of paper and started writing. She would send her to the same place she had sent Iravis, then. It was the only place in town where children were taught, since the Academy itself didn’t cater to younger children.
“Ah…it would be easier to introduce you if I could have a name?” She gave the girl a friendly smile.
Ayame paled a bit when the headmistress said that children could be a handful if not prepared. "Oh, I see," she breathed out, trying her hardest not to pass out. Her ears flattened as she contemplated asking for another job. But...That wouldn't look good! She needed to have some sense of responsibility.
"Ayame. Just Ayame," she replied, twiddling her thumbs.
“A pleasure to meet you Ayame.” Livia replied, signing the letter and handing it to the girl.
“I’ve written clear directions to the place in the letter, so you should have no trouble finding it. A small place that teaches children who are too young to attend my academy yet. If you have any trouble at all, feel free to come talk to me about it.”"Thank you miss!" Ayame took the slip of paper, bowing her head before slipping out of the room.
Livia smiled, watching the girl go. Perhaps Iraivs and her could become friends. It certainly would be a pleasant turn of events.
The corridors would soon ring with the echo of the Nyan cat theme pounding loudly against the walls. Because after earlier today's stay with Shino, Melody had gotten all over herself with her cat love and found some students watching the figure on their cell-phone. It was enough for her to assume its shape and levitate through the corridors while loudly playing its theme followed by a rainbow as the real size nyan cat levitated towards the headmistress office.
It evaded things that came in its path gracefully, and didn't hesitate for a moment to barge right into the headmistress office where it would start circling around the room as the music slowly started dying down, eventually after circling it several time Melody would stop just where she began and settle down by the door.
Livia, seemed completely unimpressed by Melody’s shenanigans. In fact, she seemed to entirely ignore it, almost as if it wasn’t even there. There was always one weird one that always just managed to find some new way to make her shake her head in mild annoyance.
However, as soon as it stopped, Melody would feel almost as if a cold hand was gripping her, but there was no visible force to be seen. It shoved her right out of the room, the door closing shut behind her.
“Next time, try entering normally.” Livia replied from within her office.
“If not, I will throw you out the window.”The Nyan cat sponged slightly to the grip, then as it was shoved out of the room it turned around, grinned and then turned into Livia instead. She then entered the room again.
"What norm do you seek then?... Is your own form entering normal?" she asked as she weren't certain of what normal really meant.
How one entered somewhere normally was not something Melody understood, a 'norm' was a complex thing to one who could become near anything she wanted or someone else wanted in return. She didn't quite grasp the subject, to say that to her was probably the same as telling water it should flow like a rock.
Livia, seemed even less amused as she was treated to an imperfect copy of herself.
“Well. At least you didn’t return with…whatever that was.” She replied, giving the creature before her a glare.
“I take it you are here for a job?” She honestly, just felt like throwing this girl out. If she did a second time, she would not be able to return that was for sure. So she’d give the girl just one chance before breaking one of her other windows.
Melody simply starred at Livia with somewhat Livia's own eyes... more or less at least. Details weren't that important.
"In that assumption you are correct Livia... " she responded crossing her arms as she starred back at her without batting an eye lash at the situation.
"You know who I am already... So I believe no introductions are in order..." she replied pondering about what Job she could have to offer to her.
Livia’s frowned deepened, before a smile formed on her lips. Fine, if this creature wanted to play…games, then she could play.
“Oh yes…indeed, I know you. You’re just a hollow person who can’t show their true face because they have no personality whatsoever.” She cruelly chuckled, before giving Melody a glare.
“Fool, I have no idea who you are. I am not a mind reader, and since you seem intent on using this guise In front of me, then you have no business here. Leave, before I make you or drop the disguise, and address me properly.”To Melody put a hand on her chin, it was a interesting description to say the least. Being called hollow, yet she felt so full.
In that statement you are not incorrect... Nor are you correct. A beings personality have nothing to do with their apperance, but you are right that I cannot show my true face as I do not possess one" she replied, rasing her arms slightly as she reached for the roof.
"You may call me Fool if that satisfies you. And I can become one if its form suit thy more..." she said her body deforming once more.
She turned into what would be quite close to a fool, one who would jester at a kings court. With a Red top hat with bells, colorful clothes and a perfectly white mask with hollow sockets for its eyes.
"How would a proper way to address you be?... Do you want to be called sir?...mam, lady... girl... woman... cat... there are many ways to adress someone... your name is Livia... And it was given to you so you could be known by it... Mine is Melody... " the Eyeless rather creepy 'Fool/Jester' stated emotionlessly.
Melody was her name?...she was the shapeshifter, then. Livia simply sighed. Well, at any rate she wanted this Melody out of her office sooner rather than later.
“You, may address me as Headmistress.” Livia was completely unmoved by the jester. She had seen much worse in her time.
“Very well…what sort of job do you want, hmm? Or did you just come here to waste my time?”Melody remained quite motionless where she stood, as she was told to call Livia Headmistress she simply gave a silent nod in return.
"I want a job... that's suitable for me" she replied, she were told to come here if she wanted a job... yet she didn't know what job she could or couldn't do.
Livia sighed.
Well. She wasn’t wrong about her not having a personality. Really, some of the aides downstairs should have been able to handle this without giving her a headache. Though, she was likely just bitching about the rather rude way she had introduced herself.
Who does that, anyways? Shape shifter, shape shifter…something suitable for a shape shifter. Hmm.
“Honestly, unless there’s something specific you want I’m not sure I can be of much help.” Livia replied.
“I can give you the list of the standard jobs. You can help in the library, help the nurse in the infirmary, and perhaps help with the gardens. If you want something more specific, then you will have to tell me, otherwise I cannot help you.”Melody thought for a while, there was that list to consider yet she doubted they would be her kind of jobs... or perhaps they would.
"Perhaps I can assist in classes then?... I can turn into any form or shape that a teacher might need?... Or perhaps I could spy on your enemies?... But... I will gladly look at this list. Perhaps I can learn any job required" she replied, she reached out a hand for the papers needed.
Livia pondered this for a moment. Any enemy she might have, was already being spied on by people much more capable than this person. The only one she might watch is Roux, but she needed watch her 24/7.
And actually…
“Ah, perhaps I do have something, actually. It just crossed my mind that perhaps you could help with the planning of the Party that will be happening in four days. It’s nothing major. If you do well enough, you can permanently help out with the planning of all future events as well.”Melody nodded to this
"That I can do... I will study party making until then, and shall present you with a party that none have witnessed before" she replied. Shortly bowing as her body deformed.
"Until we meet again... Mistress" she said as he body formed to a mere shadow on the floor... quickly fading away from the room without a trace.
Livia sighed, glad that this was over with. She’d have someone clean up the mess in her office tonight. For now, though, she was going to have a chat with Gall in the library.