>We never learned much about Sakuya's family, did we? For that matter, how did she end up in our service?
>
You would have to ask me that.>You did not. And for that matter, neither has she. Her first memories are of her life in an orphanage in Germany, where she lived for many years up until a visiting noblewoman from Wallachia liked the look of her, and took her back to Romania, where you were living at the time as well. The woman was one of those petty aristocrats puffed up on their own importance without any cause or justification, and as you were a member of the nobility at the time as well, as well as a reasonably close neighbor, you had dealings with her off and on for years. During one of your visits to her manor house, you met the young human for the first time and were impressed by the quality of the tea and biscuits she served you, as well as her good manners.
>Naturally, her talent and potential was being wasted with her current mistress, and your current head maid, though still competent, was getting on in years, and had shown signs of wanting to retire soon. In the young woman, who was referred to only as 'Silver-Hair' at the time, you saw great potential, and so you sought to gain her employ. The Romanian woman who employed her, however, while a bit flightly and shallow, seldom surrendered what she felt belonged to her, and so getting Sakuya away from her without simply slaying the fop proved to be a bit of a challenge. You easily could have, but she hadn't annoyed you enough to take a step that you considered 'uncivilized' yet.
>Eventually, you learned that she had an absolute passion for the horse races in nearby Hungary, and so you challenged her. If after a day at the track, you had made more money than her, you would be Silver-Hair's new master. If she made more money than you, then you would share with her your secrets for looking as young as you did (as your being a vampire was hardly public knowledge among the humans at the time). Given your particular talent, the outcome of the challenge was never in any doubt, and so, after a rather thoroughly humiliating day, the noble surrendered Silver-Hair to you. And the first thing you did once you brought her home was give her a proper name. And the rest, as they say, is history.
>Chuckle a bit. "And time's something you have plenty of. We all do, now that things have regained a level of normalcy."
>Look over to where Dio is. "Oh, recall when you felt something strange? Well, there were two 'fate-bubbles' coming down the line. That woman is the result of one forcibly removing itself. She wants to be called Dio apparently. The other bubble, I was able to eliminate."
>"So her name is Dio." Sakuya says as she takes a cautious step towards her doppelganger. "How did you manage to subdue her without a large fight?"
>"I did that." Haridoku boasts. "Took her down with a stinger to the back. She'll be fine enough in a day or two, but your boss here wants her back on her feet sooner. Got the mage working on it."
>Sakuya looks back at the big bug. "You took her by surprise?"
>"Wasn't as hard as ya might think." the hornet replies, folding her arms across her chest. "See, Remilia here caught her in a bit of a phisophocal bind. Near as we can tell, she hates vampires more than roaches hate clean, and here was one who swore in blood that she meant nothing bad. Part of her was still thinking that this was a trap, so she was lookin' around for something that might jump out at her, and the rest of her was telling her to quit worrying. Which she probably hasn't done in years. I picked my place; she never knew I had that kinda sneakyness in me."
>"You don't really look it." Mystia comments.
>Haridoku shrugs. "People look at me an' think I'm all muscle, no brains. I know I ain't the fanciest folk, and never will be, but I'm smarter than people think at first. I let her think that, too. Right up until I payed her back for shooting my sister in the back."
>Sakuya returns her gaze to Dio. "You've only incapacitated her."
>"'f course." Haridoku says with a shrug. "Just enough to pay back the debt. I'm not stupid enough to stick a lethal poison into someone a vampire likes. 'least not a vampire as strong as the Scarlet Devil here's supposed to be."
>
>Raise an eyebrow. "It now occurs to me that I've not officially promoted her yet" Smile lightly. "Having been pleasantly busy on a quest involving a rescuing alongside mysterious captors".
>"On the subject of that particular fairy maid, Rainy stars I believe was her name, I have to admit that, for a fairy, her level-headedness and good manners were quite impressive ...."
>Chuckle slightly. "Who knows Sakuya, I might've a found you an apprentice in trainee who could lessen your workload and be a substitute in time of needs, after a closer inspection and proper training have been conducted of course".
>"Ojou-sama," Sakuya begins with an apologetic smile. "As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I'm acquainted with Rainy Stars, yes, but... she doesn't work here, at least not in an official capacity."
>"She's a wandering fairy." Meiling supplies. "A few of her friends work here, so she stops by now and then. She lives in the Magic Forest, but I don't think she stays there for long."
>"I have tried to recruit her." Sakuya assures you. "But so far, I've failed. She has helped now and again when she stops by and there is work that hasn't been done, but she claims not to have an interest in doing so regularly."
>"Maybe you could try yourself, Remilia." Meiling suggests. "A job offer from the mistress of the house herself might impress her."
>"I was not aware fairies could possess any degree of level-headedness." Sei comments to Mystia.
>"It's pretty rare." the night sparrow agrees. "One in a million, I'd say. I've never met one myself. Cirno-chan's pretty smart for a fairy, but she's kinda childish. Almost like she hasn't grown up yet, you know?"
>"I believe I understand."
>Sigh. "Right now we're trying to figure out how to return her to her line. I would assume that Yakumo would be able to assist, but it's a matter of getting her attention."
>Nod. "She was actually a thought in the event that I couldn't split you from Pride. If my power was insufficient, then her boundary abilities would have been another possible solution. After all, what sort of person would I be if I didn't care for those who aid and serve me? After all, what would I do without you?"
>Sigh in a slightly frustrated way. "The fairy maids wouldn't even obey me of all people!"
>"That said, that woman over there who resembles you, is one of the people you could have become. Right now we're working to devise a way to return her to her proper line."
>Your Sakuya smlies demurely at your sentiment. A rare sort of smile to see on her face; it suits her. But it fades after another look at Dio. "Perhaps Reimu-san could help in locating Yukari?"
>"I'm afraid the Hakurei is still trying to chase down the remaining two Sins." Sei informs her.
>Sakuya frowns. "Well, perhaps Patchouli knows of a spell that could help?"
>"Remi here's got her on brew making duty for now." Haridoku informs her. "She wants the hunter back on her feet ASAP."
>"What about Sanae?" Mystia suggests. "She's supposed to have the power to work miracles."
>"Who is this Sanae?" Sei asks her.
>"She the priestess of the shrine on Youkai Mountain."
