Escort Services [Solo Job]

Job Number 4:
A Heart that Bleeds

BGM:    
Anastasia's Theme

Job Number 4:
A Heart that Bleeds

BGM:    
Anastasia's Theme

Outside of the Blue Pegasus Guild Hall....

A smug looking man wearing a tuxedo is seen with a classic horse-drawn carriage.  The man wore white gloves matching the white hair upon the top of his head.  Anastasia hasn't heard anything about the mark's appearance, but she didn't realize the person she was to be 'escorting' was roughly 4 times her senior.  Approaching the man, he bowed deep to Anastasia before speaking.

"Madam Anastasia, I presume?" the man spoke eloquently and in a posh manner.  Upon hearing the man speak, she perked up in a smile and nodded her head in response. With the way the man acted, he must be the man-servant of the rich aristocrat that she is to escort.  Stepping up to the cart, Anastasia curtsied to the man.  

"Yes, I am.  You're my ride aren't you?" she stated before the man opened up the door to reveal a plush interior filled with refreshments and luxury.  Certainly the contents within aren't for her; she isn't of age to consume that kind of beverage.

"Yes, I am.  I have arrived to pick you up so my Master doesn't know that you are a Guild Mage.  Master believes that Guild Mages are," the man said as he looked over the girl that stepped into the cart.  "rough in appearance.  But I suppose not all stereotypes are true."  The door closed behind Anastasia as the man boarded the cart.  Leaning forward, Anastasia opened up the sliding door outside to see the horses and the man driving them.

"What's 'Master' like?" she asked curiously and enthusiastically.  "Is he a sweet guy with strong muscles and a charming personality?" she asked, clasping her hands together in a dreamy manner.  She fluttered her eyes in a coquettish manner.  

"Normally, I would say yes to all answers.  However, you are a Guild Mage so I hired you for a reason.  Young Master has had," the man said with yet another pause.  "problems courting women as of late.  His attitude makes it quite difficult to get to know.  But this is a big event that he is nearly forced to attend.  Since he wasn't able to get a girlfriend," the man said before being interrupted by Anastasia.  

"I understand that bit, but why is he acting like such a 'Debby Downer'?" Anastasia simply asked.  This caught the servant off-guard, forcing him to clear his throat and decipher the meaning of 'Debby Downer'.  

"His mother died several years ago.  Since then, he had shut himself inside of his room and have grown hostile to anyone.  Any young women he had attempted to court were driven away by his bitter attitude and, might I be blunt, grabby hands," the man stated in length.  This caused Anastasia to think for a moment.  

"Um, so," she said as the cart hit a bump, causing her to bounce off of her rear for a moment, interrupting her speech.  "What do you want me to do?  I mean, you're telling me this for a reason," Anastasia simply stated.  

Turning around, looking Anastasia straight in the eyes with a firm look on his face, the butler simply stated.  "I want you to return him to the nice boy he used to be before his mother died."  The look and words lingered inside of Anastasia's brain for a moment.  She pondered how to do this and the gravity of the request.  She wasn't exactly being paid enough to perform a miracle, but a job is a job.  After letting the request settle in, the man turned his eyes back to the road ahead of him.  Closing the small sliding door and re-adjusting the direction she was facing, she began to ponder what she was getting herself into.  With a deep breath, the cart came to a stop and the door swung open.

Poking his head into the cart, the boy glanced at Anastasia with a scowl upon his face and jumped in, unceremoniously.  He looked over Anastasia for a moment before turning out the door as the man-servant stayed at the door, waiting for the 'Young Master' to give him permission to close the door.  "You couldn't have found me a girl with bigger tits?  If I wanted to date a boy, I would have asked for one," the boy said in a calm demeanor.  With a single hand gesture, the door was closed and the servant returned to his position by the horse and slaps the reins.

The vein in her forehead pulsated out of annoyance with this boy.  The boy looked to be about her age, but had the most demure look on his face.  "Nice to meet you, too, 'Young Master'," Anastasia said with emphasis on 'Young Master' being more hoarse than the rest of her introduction.  

Job Number 4:
A Heart That Bleeds

BGM:
Anastasia's Theme

~ Oh what a charming little shit.  Already ragging on me because of my bust size.  I bet he isn't well equipped down there or up there.  ~ Anastasia thought to herself as she was referencing the sizes of particular body parts as she was insulted for her lack of 'plentifulness'.  It was something that annoyed Anastasia to the point her face quickly showed it.  However, she was on a job and she had to act her part.

She smiled and squared her shoulders to the 'young master' and held her hand out to him.  "My name is Anastasia.  What is yours, 'little master'," she said in a rather mocking tone.  At least now she knows why this little twerp didn't make well with other women.  Perhaps his inability to act around women is due to his inability to cope with his mother's death?  Perhaps his outlook on women completely changed due to the circumstances of his mother's death.  These were all still unknowns to Anastasia.

"My name is Daniel," the boy said licking his lips a bit.  "Tonight needs to hurry up so I can take you to bed already," he said in an unflinching manner.  Normally when guys say this, they are joking around or fishing for a reaction.  Daniel, on the other hand, thought it was his right to say this.  This caused Anastasia to recoil a bit.  

"You know, I don't think you should talk to women like that.  You'd probably be more successful if you are--" she said as she got cut off by having her wrist grabbed by the dark-garbed boy.  "Listen!  You're a woman and you're property of men like me!  Men like me are made to con-" the boy said before a loud slap could be heard coming from his cheek.  Heat came from the boy's cheek as a bright red imprint of a hand could be seen radiating from his flesh.  Anastasia forcefully pulled her hand back to herself.  

"If you want women to treat you like a human being.  You need to treat women like humans.  If you really want to try to get me in the sack, make me want to.  Treat me like a precious jewel.  Treat me like someone you love and cherish.  If you want to woo a girl, you treat them like they are one-of-a-kind and they have a place in your heart.  Don't treat them like trophies and items," she said before clearing her throat and returning to her side of the carriage.  

The carriage came to a stop with the man-servant clearing his throat.  He tried his hardest to withhold the grin forming across his face.  This was the first time he had heard the young master being scolded for his bad behavior.  Normally, the other women cowered and left for a 'real man' later on half-way through the date.  "We have arrived, young master," the man-servant stated before clearing his throat and dismounting from the horse.  He walked around and opened the door, poking his head inside.  "Please compose yourself, young master, and be on your best behavior.  A lot of dukes and counts will be at this party, so be sure to make a good impression.  And take care of lady Anastasia too.  You will be notice," the man said as he turned his eyes towards Anastasia with a slight nod.  Yes, Anastasia knew what she had to do, even though this boy was a piece of crap.

Still stunned from being slapped by Anastasia, Daniel turned and looked at her with the same dumb-founded look on his face.  A smile was given to him by the blonde and she placed a hand upon the sensitive flesh.  "Just treat me like a princess and everything will be alright.  Trust me on this one, alright?" she said sweetly to Daniel, only to have a nod in response.  "Now, shall we?" she asked as she motioned him to get out and open the door for her.  Like a responsive puppy, he acknowledges it.  He almost runs out of the carriage towards the other side.  While he was moving, she winked at the man-servant.  Things were looking up, hm?

The door opened and a hand was placed upwards.  "Um.  My lady?" he said in an awkward manner.  His hand shook only to be stilled by her own as she placed her hand within his, using his hand as support to step out of the carriage.  The rest is left up to the man-servant who simply bowed and closed both doors, moving the carriage to where the others were in the 'parking lot' only to wait.  

"Introducing...." said the man at the front door with a loud and authoritative voice.  "Duke Mendez's son of Norfolkshire, Daniel with Lady Anastasia," spoke the herald of the ball.   The two of them entered, locking arms with one another.  As the two walked in, they heard whispering coming from everyone.  Giggling and rumors began to fly through the younger nobility that knows Daniel.  She could hear his breathing accelerating and his heart-rate increasing.  He was getting angry.

"Let it go, Daniel.  Their words mean nothing.  Just let it go," she said quietly to Daniel to where only he could hear.

Job Number 4:
A Heart That Bleeds

BGM:
The Ball

The two walked with arms laced towards the conversation center of the ballroom.  There were lords and ladies; influential socialites and nobility within.  Some of the older nobility curtsied and bowed to Daniel, making small-talk with the boy.  Ana nudged him as if to try to get him to lighten up and speak with these influential figures.  Getting to know him would advance his career and network for when he does get a position of nobility.  After about a half-hour of socializing, there was a lull in the event for the two of them.

Nobody was around them for the time being.  "So, Daniel, how does it feel to be exposed to the elite, hm?" she asked the boy she was escorting.  This caused him to turn his eyes a bit.  "Don't worry about that for now, Daniel.  You're here to have fun and make ties to other people that'll be important to you some day.  Life of nobility, right?" she asked before taking a sigh outward.  "Perhaps a break for some refreshments?" she asked as he tried to flag down a cocktail waitress.  This forced Anastasia to pull his arm back.

"We aren't even of age.  Don't be stupid.  You and I will drink something non-alcoholic," she stated.  She didn't want him getting drunk and ruining himself or the progress she's trying to make on him.    

"But I want alcohol.  I've had a drink every other time I go to these events!" the boy demanded only to receive a glare from Anastasia.  

"And how did that turn out for you in the past?" she asked.

"Good point," the boy stated, recalling bad things happening with him acting like a fool which ultimately lead to the women he was with abandoning him. A sigh came out of his mouth as the two of them approached the punch bowl.  As the two arrived, a large man approached the two of them with a confident look on his face.  

"Well, if it isn't the squirt and his lovely lady friend," spoke the large bully as his eyes locked in on their arms.  "Let's change this, shall we?" he asked as he put his hand upon Daniel's shoulder and tried to push him away.  However, Anastasia's grip didn't allow Daniel to be ripped away.  This stunned the bully for a moment.  

"Would you mind stopping that?" she asked as the bully then placed his large hand upon her shoulder. Anastasia turned her head towards Daniel for a second.  A look of defeat was already written on his face like this had happened many times before.  But a single wink change his expression entirely.  Turning to look back towards the bully.

"Hey girl.  Want to get with a real--" he said before being interrupted by Anastasia.

"Oh?  I already am.  He is more equipped up there and," she said as she reached over and grabbed the bully by the crotch.  "Down here.  Yes, definitely better equipped down here," as she pulled her hand away and shook it off as if disgusted by what she just felt.  "If I wanted something tiny like that, I'd ask my teacher for a pencil," she said with a little giggle.  With that, she peeled his hand off of her shoulder and flicked her hair mockingly at the man before turning her shoulder away from him.

A shocked expression came across Daniel's face as the two of them turned.  He saw the look of confidence and the cool smirk upon Anastasia's face.  This was the first time that someone actually treated him with some worth.  To feel needed and wanted was something that Daniel had wanted for so long.  

"Wait for it," she said quietly, awaiting the big bully's reaction.  

"You two, stop right there!" shouted the bully as the two of them continued onward.  Daniel wanted to stop them from moving, but with Anastasia's insistence, they continued.  

"I said stop right there!  Your bitch has some nerve insulting me like that!" the bully said.

Anastasia's ears twitch as the current song was about to end and the next song was about to begin.  Once the current song ended, she whispered "And, now follow my lead," she said as she turned to take Daniel's hands and guided them to where they ought to be for the waltz and spun him around as the bully approached them with a heavy handed swing downward.  Their movement was enough to avoid the mess of an attack.  

"Keep your cool, Daniel, and follow me.  I'll make it look like you're taking the lead, alright?" she whispered to him as the fight with the bully begins!

Job Number 4:
A Heart That Bleeds

BGM:
The Ball

With swift and fluid movements, Anastasia guided the two of their movements to avoid the large bully's attacks.  She pulled Daniel up close with yet another wink.  "Swing me towards him here in 3... 2... 1.." she said as Daniel did as she said and swung her towards him, causing her head to swing out with one of her hands.  She used this as an opportunity to slap the man in the face, further angering him.  Being pulled back in towards Daniel a laugh could be seen coming from Anastasia.  A smile cracked on Daniel's face before he let out with laughter.  A genuine smile finally came across his face.

Anger coming from the bully was palpable.  One could taste his hatred in the air.  But the synergy that her and Daniel had at the moment cut right through his buzz-killing.  More and more of their movements lead to the utter assault on the bully, making his attempts to hurt them look like he's simply interfering with their dance.  The more he tried, the more bruised and battered he looked.  It eventually got to the point where the two of them did a combined attack, knocking the bully out.  They continued to dance until the end of the song, unhindered by whether or not the bully was trying to attack them.  Once the song ended, the two of them struck a pose with Ana's guidance resulting in immediate fan-fare!

"Oh my, the Duke's son must have worked hard to learn that dance with her."
"It must be true then.  The Duke's son certainly did change"
"He can't seriously hate women if he trained so hard to learn how to dance and deal with that guy with such grace"
"Oh my, Daniel is handsome.  Did anyone else notice that?"
"Oh you're right!  He seems so much cooler and more fine now that he's actually sober.."
"And that smile!!!" three girls said in unison as they swooned.  

Daniel and Anastasia posed after their waltz, both with large smiles upon their face.  The two of them turned to each other and nodded in approval.  Afterward, the night was filled with socializing and laughter coming from Daniel.  All Anastasia did was just be with him and observed something change within him.  There was a substantial change, like night and day, from when the two entered the ballroom to now.  He went from dreary and sullen to the life of the party.  Everyone's attention was on Daniel.

Job Number 4:
A Heart That Bleeds

BGM:
Mad World

After the ball, the two of them walked outside to the steps leading up to the ballroom.  They sat upon the stairs and talked to each other and laughed cordially.  Their topics ranged from the events of the night to just random things in particular.  Watching froma  distance was the Man-Servant, simply observing from afar with a smile upon his face.  It's been a few years since he had seen the young master smile like this.

"So, what guild are you from?" Daniel asked inquisitively.
"It was that apparent, huh?" she simply asked as Daniel pointed to her arm as the make-up placed upon it began to smudge.  This caused Anastasia to look and laugh for a moment.  "Well, I suppose that's what happens, right?  Should have bought the water-proof foundation," she said as she laughed a bit.  
"Does that mean everything you said to me was for a job?"
"No, I meant every word of it.  Besides, you seem happier now."
"It's only because you put value to who I was and not because of my title."
"Ah, I see.  But you shouldn't insult girls because of their small busts."
"Haha!   You're right.  I apologize for that."

During a brief break in the dialogue, the man-servant walked up to the two that were sitting down.  This caused Daniel to stand up only to turn around and extend his hand out to Anastasia.  Blushing a bit, she took his hand and picked herself up.  "Now, Young Master.  It is time to say goodbye to your beautiful date and it's time to go home," the servant said.  A look of disappointment could be seen on his face.  

Daniel turned and looked to Anastasia and blushed a bit, turning his eyes to the side.  "Well, I had a good time tonight and thank you, Anastasia," he said before Anastasia leaned in to give him a warm kiss upon the lips.  This stunned not only Daniel but the Servant.  Pulling back from the kiss, Anastasia placed her hand gently upon his cheek.  "We'll continue that if you ever grow up to become a good man," she said before the stunned Daniel nodded his head and ran ahead towards the carriage, jumping around in excitement leaving just her and the servant alone.

The servant bowed to Anastasia.  "I thank you, lady Anastasia.  I haven't seen the young master smile like that in a very long time.  However, you shouldn't make him wait for so long."

"It wasn't my intention.  By that time he would, hopefully, have found a beautiful bride and completely forget about me.  I hope his mother is proud of him now."

"I'm most certain she would be.  I will forward your payment to your guild hall.  Thank you for your services and thank you for helping my Young Master..  From the bottom of my heart," the man said as he gave her a deep bow and then turned to walk back to the carriage...