(This took longer than expected. On the plus side, I'm finally at one of the points I really, really wanted to get to. As usual, thanks for all your comments!)
Time passed.
After the maid figured out how to control the pocket watch, Patchouli gradually taught Sakuya a form of metal magic, one of the six elements the magician could control, allowing the maid to summon knives. First she was only able to create the knives out of thin air, solid metal utensils that looked like sharpened table knives with flowery patterns engraved on them. Then she could create portals to launch the knives. Finally, after only a month of practice, she could freely manipulate the weapons, making them bounce off surfaces or change course in midair. She became truly deadly with them, even beating Patchouli once or twice in practice sessions.
Her physical combat classes experienced similar progress. She could give Meiling a hard time in their bouts now, though the gardener still surpassed her when going all-out. Sakuya also had taken over Koakuma?s job almost completely, using her stopwatch to stop time, shrink the huge rooms of the mansion, and clean them quickly and efficiently, flying to clean hard-to-reach locations. She was fitting into her job very well. The perfect maid.
Finally, a month after she arrived at the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Remilia called Koakuma and Sakuya to her room to speak with them. She sat in a chair next to one of the windows, the curtain open just enough that she could see outside, but not enough to let sunlight hit her. Patchouli sat on a sofa nearby, intently reading a book as usual.
Koakuma and Sakuya entered with a brief knock and a ?good morning, milady?. Remilia turned to look at them, smiling, while Patchouli didn?t bother looking up from her book.
?First, Sakuya, I would like to congratulate you on how well you?ve been doing with your new job. While I never actually see you do much work, which I assume is due to the pocket watch you have, the mansion has remained clean and tidy all month. I appreciate your hard work.?
?Thank you, milady,? Sakuya replied, bowing politely.
Remilia?s face suddenly became serious. An air of apprehension filled the room. ?Now, you?ve been here long enough that I think you can fully take over for Koakuma. That means that, starting today, you will start caring for our?special situation in the basement. Koakuma will explain the situation to you as you go down there, and after you are finished you are to return to speak with me. Understood??
?Yes, milady.? Remilia dismissed the two of them, and Sakuya and Koakuma headed for the kitchen. Koakuma prepared the usual tea and cake as she explained what they would be doing.
?To be honest, I?m not really sure how to explain this to you,? Koakuma began, smiling sheepishly as she prepared the food. ?You see, we have someone staying in the basement. I think it would be best if you find out for yourself, really. Anyway, I bring her three meals every day, and then stay with her for an hour before returning to work.?
?Wait,? Sakuya interrupted, shaking her head. ?You?re keeping someone in the basement? Why? Why don?t you ever let?her?out??
Koakuma?s gentle smile faded. She was silent. ??I?I really think Remilia should explain that to you, Sakuya. I understand the situation, but I don?t really know how to explain it.? She finally finished putting together the meal, placed the tea and cake on a tray, and handed it to Sakuya to carry. ?Let?s go. I don?t have anything else to say right now.?
They went to the door that led to the basement, a door Sakuya had been told never to open. Koakuma produced a key from her pocket and unlocked the door, pushing it open. It creaked on its hinges, revealing a stone staircase that led down into the earth. Candelabras lined the walls, making the shadows in the staircase dance. ?The doors are really just for show,? Koakuma said, starting down the stairs. ?If she really wanted to, she could easily break out, locks or no locks.?
At the bottom of the stairs was another pair of doors, which Koakuma unlocked with yet another key. ?Young mistress, it?s me. I?m bringing you breakfast,? she called.
As Koakuma quietly pushed open the door, Sakuya could hear the voice of a little girl singing. She sounded a little younger than Remilia, but with a slightly more obvious French accent.
?In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.?
Koakuma turned to Sakuya and raised a finger to her lips as she walked into the room. It was quite large, but surprisingly empty, save for a few old bookshelves, a large four-post bed, a child-sized desk equipped with brushes, combs, and a large mirror, and a table next to the bed. Various toys, stuffed animals, and dolls were strewn all over the bed and floor, some of which were torn apart, and others that looked like they had been patched together several times.
?We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.?
It was also dark. Very dark. The only light came from a couple of lit candles, one on the table and one on the desk, and the mostly-closed windows that lined one wall near the roof. There was, however, one odd light source; sixteen crystals, in all colors of the rainbow, hanging from rods or sticks that emerged from the back of a small girl sitting on the bed. She was the one who was singing, reading the words from a book in her lap.
?Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.?
When the girl finished reading, Koakuma applauded, smiling broadly. The girl looked up at her, at first surprised, then overjoyed. ?Koa! Good morning!? She leaped off the bed and ran over to the demon girl, hugging her around the waist. Koakuma laughed. ?Good morning, Flandre. Did you sleep well last night??
Flandre let go of Koakuma and nodded vigorously. ?Yep. I didn?t have any nightmares tonight! Isn?t that great?? Finally, she noticed Sakuya standing nearby. The maid looked both confused and surprised. When she saw that Flandre was looking at her, she quickly composed herself and bowed her head. ?My name is Sakuya Izayoi. I?m the new head maid of the mansion, and I?ll be filling in for Koakuma.?
Flandre suddenly looked terrified and clung to Koakuma?s skirt, staring at Sakuya as if the maid just gave her a death sentence. ?But?but?why? Did Koa do something? Is she fired? Did I do something wrong? Whatever it is, I?m sorry! Don?t fire her, please.?
Koakuma gave Sakuya a look that said ?why did you have to say that? before patting Flandre on the head and shushing her. ?Shh, it?s okay. I?m not fired, and you didn?t do anything. Your sister just wants Sakuya to take over my job so I can focus on working in Miss Patchouli?s library. It?s not your fault, don?t worry.?
?Remilia is her-? Sakuya started, but was quickly silenced by another look from Koakuma. ?Sakuya, why don?t you go set up Flandre?s breakfast on the table over there? I?m sure she must be ready to eat by now.? She jerked her head over to the table, and Sakuya quickly obliged. Obviously she was messing up with Flandre.
?So, Flandre,? Koakuma began, ?what was that you were singing when we came in??
Flandre quickly let go and beamed up at Koakuma. ?I got it from one of the books you brought me. It?s called In Flanders Fields. I thought it was In Flandre?s Fields at first, so I was excited, but it wasn?t. I?m trying to learn it so I can show Remi when she comes to visit me again. When is she coming? Do you know??
The demon girl shook her head. ?No, I don?t. She?s awfully busy, though. I?m sure she?ll come down the moment she finds the time.?
Flandre?s face quickly fell at the lack of news. ?Oh?alright. I wanna see her soon, though. Can you tell her??
?Yes, I?ll be sure to. Now come on, you should have some breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, after all.? Koakuma led the little vampire over to the table, where they sat with Sakuya, keeping Flandre company while she ate.
