Of Celebration and Perfume

A salvo of loud pops kickstarted the annual maid's day celebrations. The heiress residence ball room was decorated with simple decorations, this year had been a lot busier and they maids had decided against putting in the effort of going 'golden jubilee' as they had nicknamed it themselves. 

There were smiles abound as glasses were filled straight from their seats at the table, no etiquette or extra decorum required today. Nelly was sitting in between all the maids and personal guards, who had been invited as guests every year since the party's inception. Nelly's throne was turned the other way in a symbolic gesture and a painting—Nelly had made as a teen—was hanging from its back. 

Nelly had been a bit ashamed the first year this party was held, only a few months after she had made the painting for Cinnabar, head maid for her household. Cinnabar had one drunken maid's day misadventure and cried uncontrollably, talking about how the day she got the gift from Nelly, was the greatest day of her life. Nelly admired the dedication all maids had for her, especially color maids and above. 

"A toast for the Heiress who could not make it to the celebration" Cinnabar said and stood up champagne flute in hand. A bunch of 'what a shame's' and 'very unfortunate' rang through the room, punctuated by someone shouting 'she has missed all of our parties, shame on her!' Cinnabar chuckled, but continued on. "And most importantly a toast to our honorary maid for today Nelly" 

Everyone cheered, and a couple of maids appeared behind Nelly setting an old fashion maid headdress on her head. Nelly raised her glass as well from her seated position, in response to the wild noises they made. A sip later, they were adamantly demanding a speech. Nelly shook her head and waved her hand trying to push away the suggestion. None relented, Nelly sighed and raised her hands in defeat. 

"I'd stand but the mistress has stolen my knee." Nelly said raising her voice. At every sentence she paused, taking a sip during the time everyone was shouting their quips in return. Managing to pressure at least some to drink in between their cheers. "I'd pay for todays celebration, but the mistress took that honor away from me." She continued with a few more until she was running out of ideas, and finished with one last one. "I'd dance, but Cinnabar is going to hog the table." 

"Thats right you all better keep up" Cinnabar said, eliciting another round of jubilation as she started chugging from the closest bottle of champagne. The night was going to be long and enjoyable. 

 ***

Nelly's eyes started to have trouble staying focused, and she knew she had to stop for tonight. One end of the table had been hastily cleared, right as a inhibition free Cinnabar had roped in some of the newer maids to join her on 'stage' as she called it. Nelly wasn't planning to leave yet, but needed some quiet from the people and the now quite loud music. Nelly touched her neighbors arm and excused herself for a moment. 

She exited on to the wide terrace, and relaxed as the sounds dampened behind her. Her leg was throbbing more than a little bit, she had to eat a few less painkillers to be able to drink at this party.

The fountain that had tiny angels with bat wings carved was not turned on. It was a reminder of alertness, a signal that the family considered excess a waste when the people were suffering. It wasn't widely known yet that things were afoot, but her marriage problem and the subsequent annulment had already sparked quite some rumors. Adding in several high profile arrests, the general populace was waking up to something going on. 

"You forgot your protection detail." Paco said, having appeared behind her. She flinched a bit, surprised. Nelly had been so deep in her thoughts about the politics she had failed to notice him approach. He came closer and draped her own jacket over her shoulders. It wasn't cold, but she appreciated it, he was always there for her. 

"Since when have maids had protection details." Nelly said and smiled. A light perfume drifted in her nose, a pleasant smell reminding her of campfire and oak. What was it with this man and oak. Come to think of it he hadn't worn perfume before, or maybe this was the first time she noticed it. 

"When they have had such a rough week, they deserve one." Paco said and Nelly noticed he wore a smile. He didn't appear drunk, but must have been. Or again maybe she hadn't noticed it before, because he had been just a guard to her. A close one, but just a guard. "Seeing you sink in to such disturbing thoughts again, you definitely need one." 

Nelly jolted, were her emotions truly that easy to read. He lifted his hand and Nelly's heart beat a double bass beat. Why were his oaken eyes so alluring now of all times. She was already imagining the warm hand on her cheek. It remained an imagination, his hand was back at his side. 

She turned away to hide any other emotions he would be able to read. Her face felt hot, and the words Gideon had said played in her mind. 'Just like yours, my guard has feelings for me too.' With those memories returning, the ache in her knee was nothing compared to what gripped at her heart. There was no way, she wasn't going to fall for another trick, by the disgusting ex-husband of hers. A loud slap rang out, and tears welled in Nelly's eyes. 

"What are you doing?" Paco said panicked and gripped her wrists, turning her to face him. Her cheeks were growing crimson red, and tears were now running down her face. 

"I forgot how goddamn strong I am." Nelly said hurting doubly from the embarrassing situation. The expression of worry on Paco's face, so close to hers, didn't help. I just wanted to get rid of these stupid feelings, not enhance them with my slap, she thought and wished the ground would swallow her. 

"I can't, I just can't" A voice choking on laughter came from the balcony above. "If I am one tenth wolf, how much vampire blood is there in a vampire who slaps herself too hard?" Scratch the previous count, Nelly was triply embarrassed.