When the World Ends

10; Daye

It had been an hour or so since I'd sent for Angel to return to the school office. I had just finished packing all of my birds' items as well as breaking down their cages and sending them off to be cleaned. Making my way back to my now bare desk, save my desktop and a landline, I clicked open my emails and started answering them. One that caught my attention in particular was the prison headmistress asking for me revision of the laws on capital punishment. I was midway into typing my response when the door swung open. I glanced up, expecting to see Angel, but instead, it was Shan, who rushed to the front of my desk, glaring at me. He was still in his ceremonial garb, weapons and all.

     "Daye, I can't believe you liberated the serfs! Who do you think you are, pretending you know what's best for all of out households! All of my slaves were content until you stirred things up!" He sneered, leaning down to rest his hands on the front edge of my desk. 

     "Were they truly content, or did you simply forego their misery?" I asked, leaning back in my chair, steepling my hands. "You should be bright enough to know the two aren't the same," I paused. "Unless you're just ignoring the obvious difference."

I could see that I had stumped him, if only momentarily. Shoving his finger in my face, he lowered his voice and said, "Daye, I swear on my life I will find a way to end you-" He stopped, his eyes suddenly widening. He stepped back, looking down at me.

     "Realized who you're talking to?" I asked, smirking. Smirking, not because of what he said, I would win any fight against him, but because Angel had stepped into the room behind him and heard every word. I stood and rounded the desk. Shan stepped back. He was taller than me and, I suppose one could say, more physically intimidating. Sometimes, skill is better than strength in a fight, but nonetheless, I had no desire to fight him. Stepping up to him, I say, "Perhaps swearing on your life wasn't the best idea, because Angel has been there almost the whole time," I pointed towards her, behind him, "and heard every word. I can take said life with the snap of my fingers. Now, you know just as well as I do that the Elector can't be crossed, but with a witness, I have all the more evidence against you for an actual conviction. Thanks to Angel, I won't need to turn to violence, like I've been wanting to more and more often over the past few school years. So, I suggest you collect your ego, and your jaw off the floor and get out of my sight." I shoved my hands into my pockets, leaning back against my desk.

Huffing, he turned and dashed from the room. Giving it just a few seconds, I glance at my watch and then turn to my right and pick up the phone. Dialing the main desk, I say, "Shan just left my office. Find out which floor he's on and detain him. Book him until further notice, thank you." I hang up the phone and stand up, moving across the room to close the door. 

     "I asked you here once again, because I wanted to offer you employment." I turn to face Angel, crossing my arms behind my back.

     "Employment?" She glanced up at me.

I nodded, gesturing to the chair on the outside of my desk. Remembering that she had just come from an adolescence of forced labor, I added. "Completely voluntary. If you say no, I will fully respect it and find someone else."

She crossed the room and sat down, pondered the idea quietly for some time and then asked, "May I know what the position is?"

     "Personal assistant... or something to that like. Accompanying me to events and helping me make decisions on things around town." I came to sit behind my desk. 

She looked down the floor, hesitantly. I knew she needed a job and I was willing to offer her one but I by no means would force it on her. 

     "I have come to learn how to prioritize things and keep them in order since working here at the school."