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 Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 8:17 pm
 Charlotte, the Demon Maid
"It's not a bother at all." Charlotte answered reassuringly - and she didn't seem terribly fazed by the scar. She did, however, take care to be gentle around it as she helped Miki get clean - and once that was taken care of, she left Miki to soak and enjoy the tub while she headed off to get a clean set of clothes. She did take a peek at the existing ones - folding them nicely and putting them in a box afterwards - to get the sizes, and returned with a couple of shirts, a good skirt, and various other items. Most were geared more towards comfort than fashion - and, hopefully, they'd help her start to relax.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:22 pm
Miki Nanao After soaking for a good 10 minutes, Miki decided it was time to hop out of the bath. Yes, it was her first proper bath in almost 6 months, but both Char and Rednal had said that it was a busy household, she couldn't afford to hold things up on her first day. Stepping out into the dressing room, she was surprised to see Charlotte was still there. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here, I didn't mean to make you wait for me."Miki absentmindedly reached for her old clothes, noting that they'd been moved, but then saw that Charlotte had brought her some clean ones, and promptly dressed herself in those instead. She may have been used to living on the street, but that didn't mean she liked it. Miki fidgeted a little in the unfamiliar clothes, she really hadn't worn anything other than her tattered uniform for the longest time. It did feel nice to be in clean clothes though. Looking at Char from the corner of her eye, Miki coughed lightly. "Um. Can I ask a question? What kind of person is Rednal? He seems... Well, not very special? Yet he said there are already 3 or 4 other girls living here? Is he a playboy? I'm not sure I want the help of someone loose like that..."
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:58 pm
Charlotte, the Demon Maid
Charlotte patiently helped Miki dress - not that there was much to do with a long dress that came down from the top. Really, clothes didn't get much simpler. Still, she had her pride as a maid, and that meant she tried to help people whenever she was around. Besides, it was a bonding experience! Sort of. ...If Miki was gonna be her new roommate, it only made sense for the two of them to start getting to know each other.
Aaaaaand then Miki asked the question. More than any kind of upset, though, Charlotte just looked amused as she started toweling Miki's hair dry. "What kind of person, huh? Well... that's actually kind of complicated, but I'll do my best to answer." the maid said. "Basically, though, he's someone who wants to help other people. See, back when he was a kid, he was born with some medical issues, and nobody really thought he'd live... including him. He risked death as a kid to donate an organ someone else needed, and ever since, he's tried to help people when he could. He tries too hard sometimes, but in the end, I think he just wants the people he cares about to be happy. He goes to some crazy lengths for it, too. As for the other girls..." Charlotte chuckled.
"I suppose it is a little weird from a human point of view. There was a time when he was... lost, you could say. He felt like his whole world was crashing down around him, that he'd never have the power to make things better, and he sort of latched onto people for emotional support. Lady Kyori managed to pull him out of that, and he's a lot better now, but... well, I guess you could say he's just sort of a loving person. Playboys are more the type for shallow relationships - meet girls, enjoy themselves, move on fast, you know? Rednal really, truly cares about those he dates, and he looks for long-term relationships. He doesn't feel limited to caring for just one person, or that it's somehow cheapened if he likes anyone else. They're all special to him, and he'd risk his life for any of them. I mean that literally - he's done it in the past. It's more... different standards, you could say, instead of being loose." She paused for a moment. "Oh, just so you know, it's not like he's expecting anything just because he's helping you. I mean, he wouldn't say no to a hug and a kiss from a girl as pretty as you, but he's actually pretty shy about taking the initiative and would rather you be comfortable with your place in the house. He'll help you no matter what, so just... focus on making yourself happy, whatever form that takes. If you want a relationship, go for it. If you don't, then don't. No need to overthink it." She finished drying Miki's hair and put the towel in the hamper, then nodded in satisfaction as she started brushing Miki's hair with smooth, practiced motions.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:09 pm
Miki Nanao"What? No! No... I didn't... I didn't mean like that! I was just wondering..."Miki let her voice trail off, as Char's story filtered through her thoughts. So he's had that kind of past... I wonder if I could help him...Absentmindedly touching her lips, she suddenly realised what she was doing, or thinking of doing, and shook her head violently, checking to see if Char had seen, she hoped she hadn't. "I'm grateful that I'm allowed to stay here, and for the help, but I'm nothing special, he's already got so many girls, there's no way he'd want someone like me. I just want to go home, anyway."Miki was a bit more forceful in her rejection of the idea than she really meant to be, but she left it as it was, or at least tried to. The idea of kissing Rednal, it had a certain pull to it.... No, no, no. She couldn't give her first kiss to a playboy, no matter what his maid said, she was probably just under the same spell as the rest of them. "Anyway, um... What now?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:22 pm
Charlotte, the Demon Maid
Charlotte looked thoughtfully at Miki for a few moments. "I dunno, you cleaned up pretty well - I'd kiss you myself if you liked girls. And didn't I say? The fact that he cares about one person doesn't stop him from caring about someone else. You should have a little more confidence in yourself!" she lightly pat Miki's back. "I'm not saying you should go for it - I'm just saying you shouldn't reject it because you think you're not good enough. Anyway, let's go get our room rearranged a bit, shall we?"
With that, the demon maid led Miki downstairs and into one of the side bedrooms. A fair chunk of it was taken up by a large bed - but the room was almost unnaturally clean aside from a couple of cute plushies on the large, soft bed. ...The hallmark of a maid, apparently. "Aaaaand here we are! I think we can squeeze in a dresser over there for some clothes, but you're free to dig into my stuff for now. We're close to the same size, and that helps. Pillows down the middle, or should I be your pillow instead?" she gestured to the bed. If Miki was worried about bumping into someone else in the middle of the night, pillows could help keep them separated. On the other hand... well, Charlotte was clearly fine with being hugged at night if Miki preferred some contact. The maid seemed perfectly happy with either option - among other things, she was trying to help Miki feel welcome.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:47 pm
Miki Nanao"I don't mind sharing without the pillow wall. It'll be fine, I'm used to sleeping in cramped spaces, I won't bother you during the night. This is a very cute room, are you sure you're ok sharing it with me?"Miki had a good idea of how the maid would respond, being as kind as she was, but figured she'd ask anyway, it was better to be polite, rather than just imposing herself upon someone so kind. Moving towards the bed, she picked up one of the small stuffed animals, and gave it a cuddle, before realising what she was doing and, forgetting to drop the toy, turned to look at Charlotte with an almost fearful look in her eyes. "Don't tell anyone! I just... It was cute! I couldn't help it! I used to have a bunch of my own little animals on my bed at home, and they reminded me, and I just..."Miki trailed off, a few tears forming at the edges of her eyes. Thinking of home was something she had trained herself not to do very quickly while living on the streets. She had no idea if there was even a home left, let alone parents.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:56 pm
Charlotte, the Demon Maid
"Like I said, I wanted a roomie. I'm kind of a people person in the first place, and honestly, I'm happier sharing. Besides, the only other real option is Rednal's room, and that would be moving a bit fast even if you did like him." As Miki picked up one of the stuffed animals, though, Charlotte moved closer and then gently held Miki's hands in her own. "Hey, it's okay. Everyone has things that hurt, and there's nothing to apologize for. Go ahead and let it all out - I promise I won't tell, and since I've already seen, you don't have to hold anything back." she gently hugged Miki from the front, happy to be there for as long as the other girl needed her. It was Charlotte's nature to care for others when they needed it... and she'd be as patient as needed. "But when you're done, just know that we're all ready to help you move on. You don't have to be afraid anymore."
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:02 pm
Miki NanaoThe sudden hug from Char, more than just physical contact, but the feeling of support, instantly shattered what remained of Miki's defence, and she threw her arms around Charlotte, a pained cry ripping it's way out of her throat, and collapsed to the floor, dragging the pink-haired girl with her. Burying her head into Charlotte's shoulder, Miki cried, long and heavily, all the painful memories that she had held back, deadened herself to, flooding back like a dam bursting, causing the young girl's frame to heave and shake as she lost control. For what felt like an eternity, Miki clutched at Charlotte, needing, begging for, that feeling of support.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:09 pm
Charlotte, the Demon Maid
"There, there." Charlotte said, gently stroking the back of Miki's head as the girl cried. "It's all going to be okay. When you're feeling like you are right now, you can rely on us." She didn't mind being there when someone needed help, and since Miki had been welcomed to their home... Charlotte just embraced the other girl and let her cry for as long as she needed to. "Just remember... you have friends now, and you're not alone."
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 7:42 am
Miki NanaoAfter what felt like an impossibly long time, but would only turn out to have been roughly ten minutes, of crying into Charlotte's warm, careful embrace, Miki managed to calm herself down enough to speak roughly. "Thank *hiccup* Thank you, Charlotte, I'm ok now. Just... Give me a second... Please."Tears were still dripping from her lashes as Miki softly rubbed her eyes, still clutching to Charlotte with her other hand. Pulling away, Miki took Charlotte's hands in her own, smiling a tear-stained smile to her new friend. "I'm sorry, that came on so suddenly, I haven't been hugged like that in so long. Thank you."She suddenly coughed in embarrassment, realising the mess she looked, and right after having a bath. Wiping her face clean with her hands, she tidied her hair and clothes, attempting to make herself look respectable again. "Well, enough crying, it's time to meet everyone else I'll be sharing a house with, I think. If that's ok?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 7:48 am
Charlotte, the Demon Maid
As Miki tidied herself up, Charlotte took out a handkerchief and carefully dabbed around Miki's eyes to help clean and dry them. "Of course. I'm sure they'd be happy to talk and get to know you better." the maid demon answered. "I think Lady Korina's still in the living room, studying some of her texts. Rednal's there too, of course. Lady Flandre lives in the basement and doesn't really come out - she's a vampire, and hates the sunlight - but you can go say hello if you'd like. Lady Keira's out shopping, though, so you'll have to meet her later. They've all got their quirks, but at heart, they're good people."
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 3:36 pm
Miki Nanao"I think I would like to sit down, so meeting Korina first would be nice."Miki managed to stand up on her own, though she was a little wobbly, and held out a hand to help Charlotte up. "Um, if possible, I'd prefer if we kept what just happened a secret, though I imagine even out there they probably overheard me..."Shrugging, and with a smile, Miki indicated she was ready to go meet and greet, waiting for Charlotte to lead the way.
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 3:48 pm
Charlotte, the Demon Maid
With a cheerful smile, Charlotte led Miki out into the main rooms. Rednal was still doing something over at the table - looked like some homework being done in preparation for winter break, actually, though he did look up and smile when he saw Charlotte continuing to guide Miki around. They were going into the living room, though, and he looked back down to his homework so he could continue working diligently. Korina Yamaka
For her part, Korina just stared at Miki for a few moments. "I see." she said, an amused smile on her lips as she slipped a bookmark into her tome and closed it. Before she did, it was possible to see that it didn't seem to have been written in any recognizable language. Her eyes had a similar tint to Miki's, although her hair was both much longer and far more pale - as was her skin, for that matter, which was pale enough to occasionally make people worried about her health. There was certainly quite a contrast with the more normally-toned Charlotte.
"Welcome to the Ak'Thias home. I'm Korina Yamaka." she said, one finger idly tracing the markings on the outside of her grimoire. "Would you like to sit down?" she gestured to the open seats next to her - it was a three-person couch, and she was on the far side, which left two spots open.
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 4:08 pm
Miki NanaoShe didn't really have time, when she first entered the house, to get a good look at Korina, but now that she did, Miki was taken aback by Korina's almost otherworldly beauty, and paused before approaching and taking a seat on the sofa next to her. "Miki Nanao, thank you for welcoming me, it's nice to be warm again."As she was in the middle, Miki softly pat the cushion next to her, inviting Charlotte to sit beside her. A bit silly, she was the guest in the house, but she wanted her new friend beside her, for comfort. "So, Korina, um... What do you know of Rednal? Char's given me some information, but I'd like to know more. Specifically, is he actually able to help me? I don't mean to be distrustful, but, well... This isn't the first time someone offered something they couldn't provide."Miki looked sad for a moment, but put those memories aside, focusing on the present.
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 4:18 pm
Korina Yamaka
"Well, I'm not going to say he can do anything..." Korina said thoughtfully, tilting her head and considering the question. "I suppose it really depends on what your problem is. I mean, if it's something nobody can do anything about, then it's a little unrealistic to expect him to be able to. But if it's something that can be changed - and especially if it's something inside of you that's getting changed - he's the kind of guy who will support you all the way. Learned that from Soji, I think. He won't give up on you even if you give up on yourself, and he'll always be encouraging you to move forward and better yourself... not to be dependent on him or anything, but so you can be strong on your own." she paused for a moment, then turned and looked right into Miki's eyes. "The first part, though, is believing that you can overcome your problem. Having the right state of mind is important for these sorts of things. They say that the gods help those who help themselves, after all."
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