The dream went lucid at once. As did my work. I bid Horatio to attend to me as I walked the house. He was no longer going to be a pretty trinket hanging off my waist. He was going to work for me, or be sent to the Boneyard.
As I’m telling him what I want done in each room, he gets a little excited. “Hey! I get to be your butler! Like that drawn fella you and the girl giggle about. I’m your own Black Butler!”
I come to a halt and face him. Horatio is grinning ear to ear in puffed pride at his little ‘joke’. Top Hat Spider, who had been following me via the ceiling, suddenly reversed course and turned the corner, motioning to Head In Chest to do the same.
When my face remained severe, Horatio’s pride began to falter. “[Horatio]. You will not address my daughter as “the girl”, you will address her as “Young Miss”. You will address me as “Master”, not “Mistress”, because I know what those words mean to you, and I am not beneath you. You are my servant. Keep pushing your luck and I will remove your will and make you my slave. This is the last time I will hear you make any reference to being above me or being the controller of our… relationship. You know damn well that “drawn fella”, Kuroshitsuji, is the portrayal of a demon that owns his “master’s” soul. No. [Horatio]. You are not my Black Butler. You are one wrong phrase from one hell of a hurt. Do I make myself clear?”
Horatio tried to laugh away the tension, but his chuckles died. I prepared to start his asswhipping right there in the middle of the hall. He looked at the Regulars in askance, but the few that remained visible were far out of reach. A few of them were making a lowering gesture to him, until they saw I had seen them, then they hid.
Horatio lowered his eyes, then his head. “Yes.”
My hands took on talons. I was not going to settle for that.
He saw, knelt, and said, “Yes, Mi… Master. I understand.”
We remained in that pose for a while. All the house felt frozen as everything was waiting on me. I put away the martial gear and walked to the next room, detailing who should be here and who shouldn’t.
The tour of the house complete, I gave him orders to make a full census of the Regulars (and any Irregulars that may be about), and to report to me later in the day with his findings. In the meantime, his number one priority of the night was making sure I was not bothered unless it was an emergency. I warned him I would tolerate no slacking, and the same Regulars he taunted yesterday will be quick to return the sentiment if he tries to be a layabout again. Chuckles were heard just outside the door. He acknowledged his instructions and I returned to myself in preparation for deeper sleep.
I had meant to settle in the lair for the night. But when I came in, Snake was absent. His friend Crow, was waiting.
“No adventures please. I’m short on hours tonight.” Crow only cawed in laughter and shook his wings. “Wut. I’m supposed to stay out of trouble, remember. I’m actually trying.”
Snake entered the lair. “That’s the problem. We know that’s not your normal state.” I gave both stink-eye. Crow laughed again but Snake remained serious. He handed me a tall staff. “Hold this and hold still. I’m going to tat your shoulder.” He changed form to a garter snake and slithered under my clothes to coil on my shoulder and press himself into my flesh.
“And then?”
“And then you’re going to answer that summons you’re holding.” Crow answered for him, flying to me and settling on the unmarked shoulder.
And that’s what I did.
I don’t remember a damn thing of it.
Only that I woke up laughing and felt as rested as a full night’s sleep and not the four hours I actually got.
Horatio bid me a good morning, and quickly told me the more troubling Regulars hide in the attic until my mother starts her malaise. He also mentioned the House is very much a gate, but not as open as it was when that event first happened. No accidental passing through. Only the determined and those strong enough can pass through on their own. This is good to know.
I thanked Horatio for doing his job and proceeded with my day.
Make of that, what you may.