Member
Dates: November 9th - December 6th
Cleaning Up
Ben hadn’t ever met a soul that enjoyed cleaning as much as his mage did. That was his initial assumption, anyway; while there were a few spots that could use improvement, Lilie always ensured that there were no lingering messes and always cleaned up after herself. Her room was immaculate with nothing out of place. Even her bathroom was perfectly organized and neat, and he mused that he could stand to learn a thing or two from her. Unfortunately he had plenty of servants back home to clean for him and that skill would not be put to use once they would graduate. Instead he focused on her more viable skills. Her initial audition was but a memory at this point and the sheer difference a voice coach made was outstanding. He was more than pleased and was certain that she would impress those worth impressing. There was no pleasing a Sinnenodel no matter how optimistic he was, but he hoped it would get some semblance of approval that resulted in indifference as opposed to pure scorn.
Today would be their last fitting—for his suit and her dress—before the gathering. He was eager to see the final product on his mage; finding something elegant with a face that round and youthful was quite the challenge but they settled on something that they were both happy with. Modest and ladylike, Ben had to say he was actually looking forward to the evening even if he was sure it would be spent trying to please someone who was notorious for deriding anyone who dared not to worship the ground he walked on. If Varis thought Ben would stoop down to Eris’ level, then he was sorely mistaken. At the very least he wouldn’t have to deal with that insufferable buffoon.
He sat at his desk in his bedroom as he scribbled down a few notes. The sound of the vacuum could be heard from his end bumping into the door a few times before it stopped. For the moment he paid no mind to it until a soft knock caught his ear. Settling his notes into a proper folder, he then approached the door and opened. Lilie had yet to be ready for their appointment although she had a frown on her face. He wondered what she was doing at first but it was obvious she was cleaning.
“You should leave that for later,” Ben said. “Our guest will be here soon and I’d like you to receive them as practised.”
Lilie narrowed her eyes at the count, slowly pushing in the vacuum and noticing the noise it picked up. Sure, she wasn’t allowed in his room, but she assumed he probably cleaned after himself. But the amount of dirt and dust picked up in front of the count’s room told a different story.
Clicking her tongue in disapproval, she lightly pushed the vacuum in further. “When was the last time you cleaned your room?” She asked, ignoring his question and trying to listen to how much crud the machine was getting.
Was she really asking that? Her small stature made her look more comical, and yet her tone did strike an odd sense of shame in him. He should not tell her the truth under any circumstance. Firstly, it was none of her business, and secondly he would not be spoken to like that. Even if he knew he was in the right he could not rid himself of that odd feeling of guilt. It was that machine, wasn’t it? The one she held! It was telling lies and making him look bad! He would get rid of it the first chance he would get for certain. First that thing called the ‘microwave’ that had made such unholy noises, and now this ‘vacuum’ exposing him. He wouldn’t stand for it.
“Last week. I will clean after our appointment,” Ben said.
Lilie didn’t believe him for a second, shaking her head as she tried to push herself in. The vacuum didn’t lie as it picked up more stuff along the hardwood floor, but she felt a sneeze coming, taking a step back to let it go into her elbow. “Last week? Maybe last month. Move aside, I’ll be fast,” She told him as she tried to go in.
“No!” Ben protested. It was his mistake, there was no convincing her otherwise now, especially as he instinctively moved to block her. What could he possibly say to get her to leave? He had no choice, he had to order her to save his dignity. “Do not enter. You know I’ve forbidden it,” He reminded her.
Gee, Ben, could you be any more obvious? Lilie wasn’t really fazed by his ordering--especially since he was basically acting like a little kid that just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His room must’ve been a mess if he didn’t want her in there. Too bad she was used to getting past people twice her size. It was time to go for drastic measures. She clicked the vacuum off and pretended to give up, resting it against the wall, but right when she saw Ben let his guard down, she charged at him. She squeezed herself through the space between the doorway and his arm, jumping up and down in victory
“Aha--oh my goodness!” Lilie gasped, her jaw dropping as she realized there was no reason to celebrate. His room was a disaster! Clothes were piling up over what she thought was a chair, his sheets weren’t even on his bed, and there was dust everywhere! Even his desk was a mess with papers and bottles covering up the entire surface. He was a noble, how could he live in this filth?!
The white haired girl whirled around with her hands on her hips, her expression one of pure disbelief. “Look at this place! This is not the way for a noble to live!” She scolded him. “When was the last time you actually cleaned your room? I want the truth!”
Ben quietly cursed the fact that Lilie was so small. He had greatly underestimated both her size and speed and would have been impressed in any other circumstance. There was no stopping her tirade and his previous shame came in full force from beneath the surface. This must have been what the children in his estate felt like when they were reprimanded. And by his own mage, no less! His most inexperienced mage! His shortest mage! The one mage that he was certain he could pick up with one hand! How humiliating.
“I haven’t had the time,” Ben said. “I was under the assumption that a cleaning service would come. After our previous conversation I learned I would have to do it myself. However, I do not normally clean in my room at home, I’ve always had servants pick things up for me and decided I could live in squalor without it affecting me.”
Lilie listened in disbelief. She could definitely believe that he probably had never even so much as picked up a broom before, but this was pathetic! She was also really, really annoyed--if he wanted her to clean, why didn’t he just say so? She took in a deep breath to calm herself down, turning towards the door and walking out of his room.
She came back with a laundry basket and a duster, looking directly at Ben. “We’re going to clean your room right now,” She said without a hint of room to argue. “Do you want to get your laundry together or vacuum the floor?”
“Are we—That is to say, we mustn’t—” Ben stuttered. How he stumbled! This was quite the predicament. But Lilie’s expression left no room for any argument or pleading. She did not so much as flinch as she stared at him, and eventually Ben conceded. He took the laundry basket from her with much reluctance. “I will gather my dirty clothes. But please, do not touch my desk, it is haphazardly organized and I can’t lose anything there.”
The girl brightened up immediately, bringing in the vacuum once more as she placed the duster on his bedside table. “Okay, we can organize that together, then,” Lilie replied cheerfully, putting herself to work on fixing his bed first.
Making sure to direct Ben as needed, the two worked on cleaning his room together. She still couldn’t believe it, really, but at least he was receptive to her directions. Maybe she should use the cleaning service, if he was this messy, it would be a pain to clean every week. But would he end up locking his door when they came? Then they would be starting over from square one!
Letting out a sigh, she figured she should ask. “You said you were used to cleaning people, but you also don’t want anyone in your room. You can’t have it both ways, you know,” She frowned at him. “I can just clean your room, it’s not a big deal to me. I like everything neat and organized, you know.”
Ben had finished organizing the papers on his desk when Lilie spoke. He mimicked her expression as he respectfully put away the documents into the drawer before he would decide on how to respond. In truth she had every valid reason to question him, but it was too soon to divulge why.
“Forgive me, my first taste of freedom was one I fully threw myself into. This is my first time away from my home. I miss my servants and mages terribly but this is very much like a vacation in my mind,” Ben said. “I let things get out of hand, I suppose.”
Listening to Ben’s response made Lilie giggle a little. Is that how he saw everything? It must have been nice, at least someone saw coming to the academy as a good thing. She frowned at that thought, feeling a little bitter. No, she shouldn’t feel like that. It wasn’t Ben’s fault.
Putting on a smile, she patted his bed before turning to him with her hands behind her back. “I never imagined you were like that!” She teased him lightly. “You’re usually so straightlaced that I just assumed you were neat like me.”
Was that how she saw him? Ben found that amusing. He supposed he could come off as strict but he felt it was needed. Lilie required much guidance and direction that he felt he was constantly teaching her something new almost every week. She was an apt student when she was interested but could be difficult. Still, that was his duty and she was now his responsibility—and he would make a mage out of her one way or another.
“I made more of an effort when my mother was alive but I will admit it has always been one of my weaknesses. Moreso after I was spoiled by one of my father’s mages as well,” Ben said. “I’ve always prioritized my duties above all else and didn’t adjust after coming here.”
Lilie nodded in understanding as she organized his bedside table, grabbing the duster. Old habits really were hard to break, that much she definitely understood. She felt herself slipping into a darker mindset and needed a distraction. “What was your mom like?” She asked, deciding that was as good a topic as any.
Ben was surprised at Lilie’s question. It was welcomed if he was honest. “A stern woman with a brilliant mind, she was nothing short of a genius. She tutored my studies for many years, even when she was elderly. She was well respected and was always at my father’s side. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him utter a negative word about her,” Ben said. “She wished that my father and I would get along, but differentiating views prevent that from happening to this day. We promised to remain cordial for her sake, but after her death there has been some distance between us.”
He decided to return the favor to satiate his own curiosity. “And your parents? Do you get along with your family?”
Lilie nodded. “Yeah. I love them a lot. My mom’s kinda serious but she loves to mess with me, and my dad is the nicest, warmest person I know. My brother’s a little...rough around the edges, but he’s a good guy, even if he can be a little rude,” She said sadly. “I used to talk to them almost every day, but the schedule difference makes it hard. They worry about me a lot, but I think...I think maybe that’s my fault.”
Ben stopped what he was doing as he noticed the change in tone. She seemed to go from happy to sad in such a short time. It was worrying. Mortals were so unpredictable sometimes with their emotions. “Why do you say that?” Ben asked.
Lilie hesitated. She shouldn’t have said anything, but it was too late to back out now. Not that anything she said was a lie, but it was still hard to talk about. The practical had brought up all those unpleasant memories to the surface all over again. She swore sometimes she could still see the debris floating in front of her, her chest tightening when she saw Ren drowning in front of her again.
She shook her head, letting out a sigh. “I Awakened right before my eighteenth birthday, and ever since then, they’ve always sorta hovered over me. But...I’m not ready to talk about that. I’m sorry.”
It would seem he had hit a wall of sorts. He hadn’t expected her to decline to speak on it. As much as he wanted to press on it, a glance at the clock told him that it was nearly time for them to expect their guest. Another time, then. “Your apology is unnecessary,” Ben said. “How about we finish up, I know the tailor will be here any moment now.”
“Good idea!” Lilie perked up immediately at the change of subject as she stooped down and grabbed the laundry basket. “I’m gonna put this with mine, I was planning on going to the laundromat, anyway. Going forward, I’ll make sure your room is clean.”
Back to this topic! Lilie was keeping him on his toes for once. There was certainly the possibility that she had drawn him in just to get his guard down, but he somewhat doubted that. He refrained from groaning as he decided to try to rid himself of her concern. “That isn’t necessary,” Ben said.
Lilie gave Ben a look when he said that. Yeah, right, like she was going to trust him after this! It would be more work, but she’d make sure to keep an eye on his room. “I’m sorry, but it is. Noble or not, no way am I letting things get this bad again, I’m going to be on top of you for this.”
Ben was soundly defeated by that logic. Alas there was no getting out of this, it seemed. He would admit defeat and make sure he would never let this leave the room. There would never be any surviving the humiliation! The state of his room would be the least of his worries! Being bested by his mage would make him the laughingstock of the academy!
“I understand,” Ben said. “So it shall be. I only ask that you take it easy on me, I have to learn how to do everything.”
“We’ll do it together until I can trust you to do it on your own. Every Sunday will be a cleaning day--don’t go forgetting!” Lilie grinned as she walked out, not wanting to hear any protest.
Ben watched Lilie leave with a slight frown. That didn’t end the way he would have liked, but something else preoccupied him. He did recall his notes indicating that she had an early awakening but he never thought to look into it. Young mages wreaking havoc wasn’t uncommon and she did mention there weren’t many where she came from. If he wanted to look into it he was sure he would find something. He decided to send a message to Noah to research any events before her birthdate, surmising that it wouldn’t take long. Once he finished he went back to cleaning since he wouldn’t be getting out of it.
