Headed by a Snake

Medousa twiddled her thumbs nervously, sitting opposite the busy woman at the desk. Lady Leserre was finishing inking something to paper and she knew that nobles hated being interrupted.

Doe couldn't help but be a little intimidated. They had so very little in common.

Her own ashen-blonde hair was cut painfully short, barely going past her ears... not that she was ever able to style it properly, anyroad. After her 'vacation stay' in the Galanis dungeons, her hair looked like dingy, overgrown moss. It was better that it was all gone, now... even if she did cry during the haircut.

Maeva Leserre was absolutely gorgeous. Her bright gold, healthy hair somehow managed to have the perfect amount of waviness, her makeup looked almost natural, and she used just the right amount of gloss in her lipstick.

Even though she was now seated, Maeva wore stockings and tall heels to elevate her height. She was the perfect example of a modern, business-fashionable noblewoman.

When Doe wore heels and stockings, she ended up just looking like a whore.

She wore flats... and an Alizeaun maid outfit, resized to fit her.

It was on loan from her friend, Kleio. She wasn't 100% sure it looked good. It was, however, 100%... frilly.

Doe had washed and dried it thrice over. Only the Flame knew what unspeakable acts Kleio had used it for. And even then, knowing her, even the gods might have turned a blind eye to it.

Finally, the businesswoman returned her pen to its inkpot.

"Miss Doe, as you might have guessed..." Maeva steepled her fingers, leaning forward, "I am originally from the nation of Alizeau and am from House Leserre of the Staghorn Crest. No one in this estate is more qualified to judge a potential maid than I am."

Here it was. Doe gulped.

With the help of Madame Virgil and the other girls at the Massage Parlor, Doe had bust her arse off to learn everything she could about being a maid. She learned the proper way to clean, sew... and basic repair on most everything. She found that she was really bad at cooking, so that was a bust. She did find she was a natural at speaking formally and how to appease the ego of a short-sighted noble.

Kleio insisted that Doe brush up on pleasing men (and women) in bed.

That was really stupid and Doe highly doubted it would be useful for anything at all... but she was always bad at saying no to her best friend. That particular subject was the only thing Kleio was really, really good at, so she was really proud of herself.

...Doe ended up learning a thing or three. The art of whoring was not something to underestimate.

Who knew?

But overall, Doe had learned to be prim, how to be proper... how to ignore the itchiness of her maid uniform... and how to not sound like a *complete* idiot.

And so, she applied to House Vanzano as a maid... and was being reviewed by Maeva... a woman from the Kingdom... where being a maid was an art form.

Doe was doomed before she even started her application process.

It was disheartening to fail her job interview... but she immediately started making plans in her head. She'd make a stop at the good bakery and pick up some sweetbread for the girls. Then she'd go back to Kleio and have a nice long cry.

...Maybe instead of going back to a life of prostitution, she'd be a barista or something?

Taking a deep breath, Doe stood up and curtsied as she was taught. She had to leave the room before she cried in front of the noble... "I understand, Lady Leserre."

"Do you?" Maeva snatched her pen again, scratching some more lines onto her paper, "Wonderful. Do you have a place to stay or would you like to be assigned your own quarters? I have contracts prepared for either case."

Doe's heart stopped... but just for a second. And she had to close her mouth because she was staring like a mushroom-brained fool, "Um. What?"

Maeva covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh, "Miss Doe, you are more than adequate to serve as a maid to Miss Athena."

"I... I am?" Doe's head was spinning so hard she had to sit back down. If she were in heels, she was sure she'd have broken her ankle or fallen on her face. That's why she wore flats.

"Indeed," Maeva smiled. "More important than your actual skill, Miss Doe, is your work ethic... your heart. We, of the East Charm Trading Company and its parent group, Sol Invictus, do not believe in mere servanthood, but in self-empowerment.

"From what you've told me, you're not here for some get-rich-quick scheme. You're here to perform your duty respectably, honorably, and with steady pay... and, of course, to work for an employer with the same ethics until you move on or retire."

Oh. Ohhh... Those all sounded like very nice things. Doe wanted that. Doe definitely wanted those things!

"Y-yes! That's right!" She exclaimed, clenching her fists tight. Her head was still woozy and it was hard to think straight. But... she got the job!

Maeva giggled lightly, "And besides, you look very chic in your little maid outfit! I am stunned by your beauty, 'chere'! You'll be working for Miss Athena, herself, and I'm positively certain she'll be thrilled to have you."

Warmth gushed in Doe's heart. Some of what Maeva said was in the Alizeaun language... but it sounded like it was good! It was one of the best feelings in the world... to be complimented by a woman that was so much prettier than she was.

"Thank you, Lady Leserre!" Doe stood up, curtsying again. It was so embarrassing to cry in front of her employer... but she was just so happy, "I won't disappoint you!!"

"Awwww, little Doe... don't cry." Maeva stood up and pulled her into a polite embrace, "Come now, dry your tears. I will show you around ze manor."