The building was enormous and as the maid approached it, she couldn’t help but feel the nerves creep up on her again. It had been a long trip and the majority of it had been spent with her figuring out what on Earthland she was going to do and say. Never had she left her homeland of Minstrel until now, never had she ever had the opportunity and it was only now that she’d finally reached Fiore that she’d come to that realisation herself. She’d been so desperate to leave her former home that she’d not contemplated what would happen next. Now, here she was, still dressed in her maid outfit, completely unprepared for this next step. It was all so daunting for the grey haired teenager and as her crimson coloured eyes continued to stare at the building, she couldn’t help but think that maybe she should just turn around and go back. No, that was not an option. It had taken all of her courage to leave in the first place and if she went back, she knew that she’d probably never leave again. This was her only chance to make a life for herself, even if that thought was rather frightening for her to contemplate. She was stepping out and taking control, for the first time in her life.
Why had she come specifically to the guild hall of Dies Irae? It was what it stood for if she was honest. She’d heard of a few guilds as she’d travelled and there was something about the idea of removing evil that resonated with the maid, even if the idea of fighting it was quite scary. Her newly discovered magical gifts could no doubt help with that and the thought of using her abilities to protect those in need was quite a comforting thought. Her life serving her former master had shown her more than her fair share of what those who followed the path of darkness were capable of. Twisted, cruel and willing to exploit anyone or thing that they could get their mitts on. That description fit her master to a tee and after spending her early life serving him, it was all she really knew. He and his associates had been anything but kind to her and had never wasted an opportunity to make things difficult for her when they had the chance. They ruled through fear and intimidation, which had always done well at keeping her under their heel.
Shaking her head, Charlotte would try and clear her mind of those unpleasant thoughts. They didn’t control her anymore and she no longer had to be afraid of them but that was easier said than done. Those memories of her childhood just wouldn’t go away, no matter how much she wished them to and she miserably wondered if they always would, attacking her whenever she felt vulnerable. How did others manage to move forward after suffering as she did? A question that she would love to know the answer to one day. For now, all she could do was try and stumble along the new path that she was on.
Reaching the large doors, she’d take a breath and push them open, before tentatively making her way inside. It was a lavishly decorated hall that she walked into and even her nerves were briefly pushed aside as she took a moment to admire it. It must have cost a fortune to build and the maid couldn’t help but be impressed by it. Maybe if she failed as a mage, she could perhaps help out by keeping the place spotless. It was a passing thought but one that made her again question what she was about to do. Was she truly ready to take such a step so soon?
She felt a presence at that moment in the back of her mind, one that had awakened at the same moment her magic had. A soothing and silky voiced denizen that had been with her ever since. “Why are you doubting yourself, Charlotte?” The female voice uttered inside her head. “You did a wonderful job of using my powers when you escaped from that mansion and certainly made those who abused you pay for it. With just a flick of your wrist, you became the predator instead of the prey. Remember the looks on their faces as they were wrapped up, helpless and at your mercy? That feeling of pleasure that you felt when you bent them to your will? That’s the real you, Charlotte. You just need to embrace it.”
“W-Who are you?” Charlotte mentally stuttered.
“It’s too soon for you to learn my name. Once you’ve learned to handle my gifts properly, I’ll tell you then.” With that the voice went silent, leaving a baffled Charlotte to ponder.
Confused but briefly encouraged by the presence’s words, Charlotte would attempt to find someone to talk to among the many people who were walking all around her. She’d never been very good with crowds though and was a little overwhelmed by the noise. So, she’d decide to take a different approach by taking a seat in one of the quieter areas of the hall, in order to collect herself.
“Great.” She uttered quietly to herself, her Minstrel accent coming to the surface. “I’ve only just arrived and already I’m falling to pieces.”
(896 Words)
Why had she come specifically to the guild hall of Dies Irae? It was what it stood for if she was honest. She’d heard of a few guilds as she’d travelled and there was something about the idea of removing evil that resonated with the maid, even if the idea of fighting it was quite scary. Her newly discovered magical gifts could no doubt help with that and the thought of using her abilities to protect those in need was quite a comforting thought. Her life serving her former master had shown her more than her fair share of what those who followed the path of darkness were capable of. Twisted, cruel and willing to exploit anyone or thing that they could get their mitts on. That description fit her master to a tee and after spending her early life serving him, it was all she really knew. He and his associates had been anything but kind to her and had never wasted an opportunity to make things difficult for her when they had the chance. They ruled through fear and intimidation, which had always done well at keeping her under their heel.
Shaking her head, Charlotte would try and clear her mind of those unpleasant thoughts. They didn’t control her anymore and she no longer had to be afraid of them but that was easier said than done. Those memories of her childhood just wouldn’t go away, no matter how much she wished them to and she miserably wondered if they always would, attacking her whenever she felt vulnerable. How did others manage to move forward after suffering as she did? A question that she would love to know the answer to one day. For now, all she could do was try and stumble along the new path that she was on.
Reaching the large doors, she’d take a breath and push them open, before tentatively making her way inside. It was a lavishly decorated hall that she walked into and even her nerves were briefly pushed aside as she took a moment to admire it. It must have cost a fortune to build and the maid couldn’t help but be impressed by it. Maybe if she failed as a mage, she could perhaps help out by keeping the place spotless. It was a passing thought but one that made her again question what she was about to do. Was she truly ready to take such a step so soon?
She felt a presence at that moment in the back of her mind, one that had awakened at the same moment her magic had. A soothing and silky voiced denizen that had been with her ever since. “Why are you doubting yourself, Charlotte?” The female voice uttered inside her head. “You did a wonderful job of using my powers when you escaped from that mansion and certainly made those who abused you pay for it. With just a flick of your wrist, you became the predator instead of the prey. Remember the looks on their faces as they were wrapped up, helpless and at your mercy? That feeling of pleasure that you felt when you bent them to your will? That’s the real you, Charlotte. You just need to embrace it.”
“W-Who are you?” Charlotte mentally stuttered.
“It’s too soon for you to learn my name. Once you’ve learned to handle my gifts properly, I’ll tell you then.” With that the voice went silent, leaving a baffled Charlotte to ponder.
Confused but briefly encouraged by the presence’s words, Charlotte would attempt to find someone to talk to among the many people who were walking all around her. She’d never been very good with crowds though and was a little overwhelmed by the noise. So, she’d decide to take a different approach by taking a seat in one of the quieter areas of the hall, in order to collect herself.
“Great.” She uttered quietly to herself, her Minstrel accent coming to the surface. “I’ve only just arrived and already I’m falling to pieces.”
(896 Words)
