Fast forward to the first day of Annie and Claire's job as maids at the Lytton household.
It was early in the morning, Elaine was now in charge of preparing breakfast as the two girls began braiding their hair and putting on their uniforms. It was simple, like any other, a simple black gown with aprons and bandanas. Yet, the two wore it with charm.
"Well, good luck you too.. hopefully you will not encounter that strict looking lady again."
Elaine said as she recalled the awkward memory.
"It's hitting me now. Ugh"
Claire said, running her fingers through her hair in frustration, slightly messing up the straight strands.
"Gosh, I'm not ready. I should have..um..I don't know...been ready for this beforehand somehow I guess."
A gentle hand reached over and evenly caressed out her hair.
"It is okay, Claire. We're in this together, right? We will make it work somehow plus there is nothing you could have trained for. We're the temporary squad for the masquerade. They will probably give tasks that are not the usual daily ones."
Annie said out, positivity practically beaming throughout her.
Elaine nodded and patted Claire's back. It was confusing really, whether the gesture was a comforting one or was it to secretly remind her of their true purposes and carry out the task?
Claire sighed and looked down at the wooden boards upon which she stood.
"I guess it's not so bad."
The manor was huge. The entrance a sublime representation of nature with a variety of flowers and plants, some as rare as the ghost orchid. The most striking however, were the wisterias and willows. Claire had heard that somehow each Lytton was fond of a willow tree. It reminded them of themselves, their failures, achievements, all in a leafy string, swaying down, while they were the strong, mighty trunk that bore them.
The Manor was a spectacle itself. The early morning blue hues hit the dull white surfaces, giving it a nostalgic ambience, like the hidden place where you go once and the charm is only there that time. Unfortunately, their work was not inside the Manor, but rather at an installed settlement at the north banks of the land, primarily for such sophisticated gatherings.
The northern banks itself was just as breathtaking. The resurgence water soothingly flowing down, as the wind causes the cattails and weeds to dance.
Even more unfortunately, they were indeed met with that strict looking recruiter. Claire was almost about to leave and give up although Annie tried her best to make Claire stay.
"No, I do not wanna be here, I am sorry, I really am but I just cannot."
"Claire, not after we came so far, not now!"
A fierce, and sharp "silence" clamoured throughout the place, causing every chosen candidate to stand on their heels, eyes ahead.
There she was, the recruiter. Brown hair, slicked back bun, a strict gaze and yet somewhat of a frail figure.
"If you all plan to be maids of the Lytton household, at the very least, know the basic etiquette of silence."
She said as she looked around the entire place, making sure everyone was spotted.
"I am Olga, you may address me as the head mistress. There are three rules. See, Lead , Obey."
She began walking straight towards the small crowd, each of her words reverberating with each of her heavy steps.
"If one goes wrong, consider yourself gone. Lytton's demand perfection. The masquerade is to be set as one of the highest, and populous gathering of the decade. Henceforth, it is the job of us workers to ensure our masters are well fed, well taken care of, and.."
She stopped right near Annie and she looked at her briefly before continuing.
"that we are of no hindrance to them. I hope I am clear, if not, leave while you still can."
She waited, her eyes watching every soul like a hawk, waiting to see who would disbobey. Not a single sound, or movement.
She turns back and tells them to follow. With untmost fear instilled in all of them, the crowd made their way, flocking towards the head mistress.
Evening began to set in, the sky became dull. It was about to rain soon. Elaine hoped the girls made their way back home from their shift in time. She had already prepared dinner, to make it easy for them to just eat, do chores and go back to sleep. Her mind wandered back towards the hostile exchange between her and Vermont. It was not exactly hostile but.. something like that.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the pitter patter of raindrops hitting the window pane. She shut the windows, and went to go get the clothes from the balcony. The main door opened, revealing two, poor girls drenched in rain. Their strands of wet hair clinging to their forehead and yet, they had a smile on their faces.
Elaine rushed back into the corridor, and saw them.
"Goodness. I see you two went for a swim huh?" Elaine said with sarcasm.
"Well, mind telling me what's so amusing at the moment?"
Annie looked up, her eyes all big and full of enthusiasm as usual, "God, Elaine. We did run into that strict lady, and she bossed us around the entire time. Although, at the end, as we were walking back home, it started raining and something between us clicked and we started dancing in the rain."
Claire laughed and closed the main door.
"It was refreshing. I would have wanted you and Vermont there too, Elaine. I really wanted too."
The words somewhat made a flashback. There was a time, the three would rush outdoors, and play in the rain. Yes, even the grumpy, Vermont did. It was long long ago, almost like a another life that was too old to recall and yet it's feeling was as rejuvenating as ever.
" I see..I take it you had fun, girls?"
Elaine said as she handed them two towels.
Annie and Claire looked at each other and exclaimed in unison.
"Totally."