Easier Said Than Done (1)

There were walls around her, too close to be a room. This time there were no gaps beneath the panels so there was no way to see the feet that appeared outside. The smell of faint rot was masked by the popurrí sitting in a wicker basket on the back of the toilet.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are." Called an old sing-song voice that stirred dread in the pit of her stomach.

Ari held her breath. Not daring to move a single muscle. Somehow she knew that if she was caught, bad things would happen. That this person who called out to her from beyond the door was the flame for a moth.

Footsteps echoed closer and closer and right when they were before the door the chime of bells pierced the tension.

The bells persisted even after her eyes opened to soft morning light and the promised birds chirped in the garden.

"Madame, are you awake in there? I'll be coming in now." Benjamin said before pushing the door open. "I don't know if you wish to bathe before breakfast, but I have a warm bath ready, food is currently on the table."

It took her a moment to fully rouse from sleep. It was weird waking up in someone else's home, in a bed that wasn't hers, without Rooster taking up all of the space trying to cuddle her. "I'll have breakfast first, if you don't mind. I took a bath last night." She yawned, bringing tears to the corners of her eyes while she lowered herself into the wheelchair. Ari refused to acknowledge it as her own. It felt too much like acceptance that she was stuck.

"I'll give you the clothes he requested that you'd wear after breakfast for the study meeting." Benjamin guided her down the hall towards another dining hall usually used for meetings. He didn't want her to have to roll down the steps or be carried when it was obvious being dependent bothered her. Pushing the beads and curtains out the way, he directed her inside where Alaric sat with an open newspaper in his hands, held out in front of his face while he carefully lifted a tea cup to his mouth to drink every so often.

Ari wheeled herself up to the table, eyeing Alaric cautiously. "Good morning. I hope you slept well." Though they were often at odds because of his usual penchant for insulting her, she was still a guest in his house; indebted by kindness or whatever obligation he might claim it was. He always seemed calm and collected although distantly she could recall worry filling those deep gray eyes that mirrored the Seattle skyscape. The smells of breakfast and hot tea made her stomach growl.

"If Benjamin's cooking is always as good as last night I'm honestly amazed you haven't gotten fat yet. What's your secret?" Her mouth shaped a playful smile while she leaned in on her elbows, peering at him over the newspaper.

"I cook rather well, don't I?" Benjamin smiled and poured cream in her cup of tea. "wheat toast, eggs, turkey bacon with a place of fruit to balance the meal."

Alaric lowered the newspaper enough where she could see those narrowed grey eyes and the raise of his brow before he took another sip of tea. It only lasted a moment until it was covering his face again.

"My apologies, Madame." Benjamin said, moving plates around and adding butter to her toast. He sat the butter knife back on the plate and made sure all the extra silverware was sitting side by side and in reach for her. "He's technically not here until after your meeting and you sign the papers.

He likes strictly following business. You already being here before the papers were signed has crossed a few of his codes already, but under the circumstances of two nights ago, he's decided it was necessary. So now he's trying to fix it by ignoring you and pretending he isn't quite here yet. If that makes sense." All while he spoke, he folded the napkin at her opposite side, then lifted a silver tray and walked off to clean up elsewhere in the room.

"That's pretty weird but I guess that's fine. It might be the only pleasant meal we've had together thus far." Her gaze twinkled with amusement, focusing on her food instead. She tried not to eat like a slob, sweeping up crumbs from the toast as she ate.

Ari remembered that Alaric offered her a deal but she thought it was just his word. Nothing official like papers and documents. What exactly did he plan to give and really what did he want from it? Seeing potential in someone was one thing but taking them into your home, dressing them, feeding them and covering their medical needs..well it might have been too good to be true.

She slipped a piece of bacon beneath the table where she could see Rooster's long neck poking out from while he waited eagerly for scraps. He didn't really even like table food but he was always interested in whatever she was eating. It was awkward not being able to talk to Alaric or tease him while he was sitting right in front of her. Ari had never been fat but she sure could eat; downing everything in front of her.

"Clean plate club once again." She moved the plate so that the light caught it showing a vague reflection of herself. It was a childhood ritual she'd never quite grown out of.

"Hope you plan to stick around to taste more of my meals," Benjamin smiled. The beads swayed, making it known someone was entering. A man with long blonde hair stepped inside with his arms open wide, cheeks rosie despite the weather being warm.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my!!!" He said loudly, "What do we have here Benji Boo?" The tall slender male slipped an arm around Benjamin's waste, giving him several pecks on the lips.

"I'm working." Benjamin laughed and returned only one before continuing what he was doing.

"My bad, I forgot the strict rules." He plopped down beside Ari, elbows on the table, both hands pressed to his cheeks as his head tipped left to right, those slanted yet big eyes locked on her. "You're cute." Grinned the man.

"Uh," No one else seemed fazed by the very sudden and very loud entrance of this man, but she'd not seen anyone in the house besides herself, Alaric, and Benji. Four if she were to count the evil ghost that wanted her dead. "Thanks?" She leaned in to whisper to him. "Is it really okay to pick up Benjamin like that? He's pretty old and I hear they get rather fragile after a certain age." The irony wasn't beyond her that it was coming from someone in a wheelchair.

Benjamin smiled almost like he could hear her whisper, but the other man nodded his head, pressing his cheek into the palm of his hands as his lips pursed into a pout. "Of course it is, Benji may look old, but he doesn't feel old. Did you know he can do backflips and the splits?"

A chair screeched, Alaric pushing back from the table as he stood up. "I'll take my leave then. Make sure Ari is in my office, five minutes tops." Then he was gone, leaving the newspapers folded on the table where his empty plate was.

Ari watched him go and sighed. "I guess that's my cue to leave. It was nice meeting you." She didn't wait for a response, going to her room to change quickly then rolling to the study with not a minute to spare. She gave the door a quick knock before entering. "You wanted to see me?"

The door opened but Alaric was sitting at his desk with his hands folded, there were few windows, a fireplace, and a nice chandelier that had candles all around. "Yes." He spoke clearly, sliding the paper over to her.

"To Ari Damar,

This is a contract of secretary of estate over Draconis' personal and private life with the intent to legally bind your services to Mr. Draconis. The expectations for this role are as listed: cleaning his office, keeping track of work schedules and personal schedules, well being, medications, paperwork. At some points the contractor must take drug tests monthly as well as blood tests.

The use of etc. or more to be disclosed at a later point or even subject to change or at the behest of the Mr. Draconis are acceptable. A failure to complete these tasks will result in your license being taken, jail time, and immediate compensation of past checks. By signing this agreement you are consenting to and therefore bound by law to bring forth any information pertaining to past criminal records, and giving permission to search private birth records.

At this time the signee can ask in depth questions before signing this document. Be clear and precise.

————x Signature here.