OUT TO SEA

CH.2 NEW JOB

CH.2 NEW JOB

          A willowy girl with blonde hair so pale it seemed white braided around her head like a halo. Her eyes were a light gray that seemed to weep as she spoke, “Hello, my name is Siren. Are you the new maid?” she shivered slightly as she spoke. “Yes Lady Siren. My name is Oceane. How may I start?” “Follow me,” she led me through a dark hallway. “These 3 rooms need to be cleaned since Father is having very important guests over so it needs to be spotless, please.” She wrapped a shawl tightly around her frail shoulders. “I’ll leave you now.” She whispered and wandered out of the room.

           As I drew closer to get the broom, a beautiful, haunting melody began to play. Each note was full of beautiful darkness, the very thought of this music ending was unbearable evil. It unleashed magic in me which enabled me to sweep all three rooms in the next few notes. Then the song ended and tears felt like welling up and spilling out. I went to fetch water to scrub the floor with and upon returning a second song started. This one happier and faster than the last. The floors were scrubbed quickly and polished, the tables waxed and polished, the shelves and chandeliers were dusted. The music inspired me to work as faster as possible, so the player could be seen. Following the sweet sound, I stepped in to the next room.

          It was Siren; her long, slim fingers flew across the keys. All that mattered right now was the music. But she suddenly stopped to cough. She seemed sick and I felt as if I didn’t belong in this moment. “Ahem Lady Siren, I finished.” I blushed. “Goodness sake, that was quick! Please just call me Siren. If you have time, there’s another job I’d like for you to do” she said standing. “Yes, lad... Siren.” I followed her out the door. “Tend to the barn animal.” She sadly said. I walked down the dirt path and the music started again. The sad sound made me ache deep inside. I couldn’t explain the ache; it was full of pain, longing, sadness, and regret. There was only one time I had ever felt this way.

          “Milking cows makes you feel better.” I said to the cow. Suddenly the cow turned, almost knocking over the bucket of milk. The dogs began to “dance” with the sheep who beckon us to join. I locked the cow in its pasture and ran to join. We danced in the field, herding the sheep in their pasture. Then his voice ran through the fields, “Who is that girl dancing in the field, Siren?” “Brother dear, tis the new maid.” I turned and looked. “Oceane?” he called “Jac?” “Oceane!”  “Jac!”  we ran towards each other. I jumped into his arms and we hugged while spun me around. He had lost his childhood chubbiness, his angular face pale with olive tones. His dark eyes flashing with excitement, his dark curls framing his face, all so painfully familiar. Breathing his sweet scent, I wanted to stay this way forever, but he was still human.

          “Still barefoot as always.” He chuckled.” Yes, look at you a navy officer.” “Ahhh, it’s good to see you.” He said. “You also.”  “So you’re the new maid?” “Correct.” “Please stay for dinner, be my sister’s lady-in-waiting.” “I don’t know.” “Please Oceane, I would be honored.” Siren stated politely. “I don’t know, I have no nice clothes.” “You can borrow some.” She replied. “Okay, I’ll go with you.” “Thank you, let us go prepare.” “Um, okay….” She pulled me away to her room. She held up two dresses, “which one the green on or the pink one?” she asked. “The pink one, Lady Siren.” “Thank you.” The dress was a drop waist silk with silver embellishments. She slipped it on and motioned for me to tighten the corset. Pulling on the slim strings she asked, “How do I look?” she turned around to face me and the mirror. “Beautiful, my ladyship.’ The pink brought color to her pale aura.  I glanced to the setting sun,” Excuse me lady.” I ran out to find a secluded room.

          “ Lune ball.” I whispered letting the ball of light between my hands grow. “Mere, Mere are you there?” “Yes. You sneak, why are you so late?”  she snarled I’m sorry but I got promoted.” “I’m sorry, but I got promoted.” “Wait, what did you say?” “I’m now the maid and the young lady’s lay-in-waiting.” I said proudly. “Hmm, I see don’t mess this up. I already know about your friends and both of their slips.” I thought she meant about Jac and I. “Yes, Mere, it won’t happen again.” “Good, remember we are not the common swine who let humans in their covens. We have remain pure for the last 25,000 years under my family’s rule. We all must stay pure, even you my little half-pure.” She said ending our conversation. “Oceane, where are you?” called Siren from her room. “Coming, my lady.” I called back. So here are your choices, this green or the silver.” The silver was fully-skirted with a low-chest cut with no sleeves. The green had a slimmer skirt, peasant sleeves, a sweet-heart neckline, a front-tie corset, and no back. “The green one, my ladyship.”  She turned her head as I slipped on the dress.

The dress’s material was the softest thing I’d ever felt. “Here,” she loosely tied the corset. I looked the same as usual and felt the same as usual, too. “My lady, allow me start your hair.” I plaited it with pink ribbons. When I finished my plaits, I twisted them atop her head. “Well are your ready, My Lady?” “Your hair, do you want it braided? If not, let us go down to dinner.” We walked down the hall, to descend the long stairs where Jac stood waiting to escort us. “You two look beautiful, the least, only if there were better words to describe you.” He said taking our hands. “Thank you, Jac” Siren said. “Yes, thank you.” We walked down the stairs to the crowd below. “Jac! Oh, my dear Jac!” An elderly woman ran to tightly embrace him. She was plump, her bosom spilling out of her too tight dress, her was ugly, pale, veiny, covered in moles and powder. Her stringy, yellow hair was pulled I a bun. Who was this woman, his grandmother? “Siren, meet Etoile, the girl Jac is betrothed to.” Said Franz, Jac’s father. 

Um, Father. That’s lovely, but isn’t Jac a little young to be married?” Siren stammered. “Of course not, Siren, I’m still looking for your husband. “Oh my, Father, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Why not, Siren.” His brows began to knit close together.”I’m very focused on training right now.” She meekly stated. “Nonsense, the finest mater in all thy land said you could take your own! Your 21, it’s beyond time you became betrothed! Now what did that blasted cook make for dinner?” he thundered. “Roast goose, sir.” Jac managed to escape from that horrid Etoile’s grasp. “Let us go then.” Franz led the way to the dining hall. Jac pulled Etoile’s chair and struggled to push it in. And he was extremely fit. Dinner was a quiet affair and everyone seemed relieved it was over. Jac walked Etoile out who simpered,” Thank you for the dinner, I look forward to boating with you tomorrow.” He stifled a groan. After preparing Siren for bed, I prepared to leave.

          “Wait. Oceane, I’ll walk you out.” Jac called. He joined me by the door. “You don’t seem pleased about marring Etoile.” I didn’t know where that came from. “I’m not, I don’t want to.” “Then why are you?” “Father.” “You know quite a few people choose their own these days.” “You know how he is. He feels he’s losing power, especially since I replaced his position in the navy.” “You still should make your own choices.” “Ha! What about you? Set your cap to anyone yet?” he asked. “No, but I’m sure Mere will tell me my choices.” “Hmm, still Etoile will crush Father’s power if she doesn’t get what she wants.” “What does she want?” “Power, status, money, my hand.” “Better-fitting clothes.” He laughed,” I missed your judgmental humor.” “Not judgmental, ok maybe a little. I don’t like people who are like that. Tight-clothes, a lot of make-up, you know the sick styles of fashion.” “You were never like that.” “Neither were you trying to be someone you’re not.” I said, dreading the fast coming gate. “I missed you, really.” “I missed you, too.”  We hugged tightly. Little did I know, that was one of the biggest mistakes in my life.