Glimpses 64

What was it like being a pale lady?  The closest thing Bea could come up with was that it was akin to being one of those invasive predators that pretended to be part of a group to survive. Nothing as bad as a mimic, but more like cats who only made their little cries to copy human babies to trick them into giving them care, love, and attention.

“Mew.”

“Bea, did you just Meow?”  Sandra asked.

Sandra was one of her “new” friends, from a clique of kind yet flighty girls on dayshift. They were all competent at their jobs, as Bates wouldn’t hire anyone who wasn’t, but they were also satisfied with their lot in life as maids working for the fabulous Lady Harmony White, even if they’d never met her. They found the prestige fantastic.  

“Sorry, I had a silly thought inspired by Lord Tyler's visit with that beast-kin entourage,” Bea answered, matching the group's mannerisms and vocal tones.

“We could start a fashion trend!” Cammi squealed. “Wear animal ears and tails. It would be so cute. Some of those badger guards are so attractive. Maybe we could draw their interest?”

Wait. No. That had not been her intention. The need to practice and train this new existence was necessary. The stilted, antisocial maid who looked a little “too” pale, wore a mask and returned with a “beauty mark” she’d since learned to cover up with makeup, who worked for Hazeldown’s premier necromancer had been a huge risk.  The natural mask that helped her fit in could only duplicate and praise with actions that would be most acceptable for the clique.   “That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Bea blurted out.

Please have common sense. Please have common sense.

“But how will the beast-kin feel about it?” Sandra asked, much to Bea’s relief.

“I know one of the maids working for Lord Tyler’s Loap. I can have her ask the bunny.” Cammi offered.

Bea had been around for some of the private discussions between Ambrosia and Bates, and served Loap and Tyler when he visited. Everything was owed to Savior White, and becoming one of her most trusted servants was her role to fill. She couldn’t break her associate's trust and let the girls know that Loap was considered a bit of a rebel. Loap would not be a trusted source on what might offend her people.  The part of the undead maid that demanded she fit in answered. “Excellent Idea.”  

Most of Bea’s cold logic wanted to go back to her closet and wait this out, knowing Harmony might not approve of this route, even as she encouraged the bonds of friendship that let her fit in with this crowd.  Even if this was a disaster, Bea focused on how this could benefit her Lady, noting how her new undead type functioned.

Bea read one of the books that Harmony authored for the new school. It was full of cold, clinical observations on skill synergies. Savior White liked information like this. She could write up records of advancing to a pale lady for her.

“You would be cute with cat ears.” Sandra addressed her.

Be that predator who would survive. “Mew,”  Bea answered.