User blog:ExdeathsBagel/The mamono beggars of town square WWYD

WWYD by Spazerz: http://monstergirlencyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:706320

A part of me desired to turn and brisk back home, away from the burning mansion. Even in my street clothes I felt like I stuck out amongst the common folk. Nobles such as I had to be weary, as tensions we high between the upper and lower class. And judging from what was ensuing, it seemed like things were finally coming to a head.

His name was Edmund Vilhiem V, and now last of his line, not that these savages cared as they dragged him to guillotine kicking and screaming. If being a dick was a crime worthy of death, I hate to see whatever macabre forms of justice these animals had for true crimes.

This was what they wanted? This was the world their revolution so desperately craved? Division between the upper and lower class was always fierce. Most nobles lived in luxury while the lower class were stuffed in simple industrial townhouses. My simple town house was modest compared the luxurious mansions other nobles had, so maybe that’s why I wasn’t the one on that guillotine-yet.

It’s not like I hadn’t tried helping the peons, nor did I regard them as ‘lesser beings’ like many of my upper class counterparts. But I had inherited a chunk of my father’s business while he sailed to America to set up shop over there, I was simply too busy to provide any aid.

It’s not like nobles were completely innocent however, many used the peons like their slaves, forcing them to work in their factories for next to nothing, and some even had no problem with murder and bribing the cops to look the other way. Perhaps this storm was inevitable, still, I’m not about to sentenced to death for my status, I’ll retreat to my home, and weather out this storm.

“Please help...someone...anyone please save my sister! I don't want to lose her!” In the crowd came running a young Kikimora and her older, sick looking sister.

Tears were streaming down the young ones face as she ran up to the revolutionist, but these savages were too busy reveling in Edmund’s death, whom they now mounted his head on a stick, to pay any attention to her.

Nobles nearby were fleeing mobs congregating on them, others who wisely chose street clothes such as myself also ignored her, understandably eager to keep their heads. That’s when she noticed me and ran to me, she couldn’t even say anything; all that came out were sobs. I didn’t say anything, I just ushered them to follow me.

They reeked of smoke. Could they have been in that mansion? Mamonos mostly inhabited the lower class, but some found a place as servants and maids in the upper class. We reached my house in a short amount of time, it wasn’t far from the burning mansion.

“Thank you so much mister! Don’t worry about me, just please help my sister.” The young Kikimore said as we set her sister down on a chair.

No sooner did we that she vomited. I’m not a doctor, I needed to get one. Looking out the window though, the volatile scene from before was now pandemonium. Revolutionaries and the military congregated at the streets and greeted each other with a hail of gunfire, Molotov’s, and rocks. I peered onto my wallet before rushing to my room and opening a hidden compartment in the floor pulling out my emergency stash of money. It would take a shit-ton of money to convince a doctor to get here.

“Stay here okay? I’ll be back with a doctor.” I say, not waiting for a response before rushing through the door.

A cacophony of shouts and gunfire accompanied the burning scenery and scent of smoke that was my town. I stuck to the alleys and as far away from the fighting as possible. Many others, nobles and commoners alike were doing a same, shuffling through the tight alleys for their lives and putting aside their differences.

I eventually broke off from them and continued my search. In a darken alley I saw a man slumped against the wall. Even in the darkness I saw his tools, this man was a doctor, and the look he gave me told me that he knew that I knew that.

“Piss off, I’m not helping anyone until this storm clears. Certainly not a nobleman like yourself.”

“How did you know I was a noble?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Because you just told me, boy.” The doctor said with a grin, “Wouldn’t want anyone to know about your secret identity would ya? Maybe a few pounds could keep it a secret.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I stood my ground, “You want pounds? I’ll give you that and then some if you come with me. Don’t worry, you won’t be fixing up a noble, but a mamono. I bet the pay I can give you is far better than fixing those savages and military men in the street. That is unless you’re the type to enjoy pulling shards out of wounds and treating burns from screaming men.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor winced at the thought and stood up, “What’s she suffering from?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t know, looks like an illness but I can’t be sure. She threw up when we brought her in.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hah, looks like your precious carpet is stained. Got a maid to clean it up noble boy?”

<p class="MsoNormal">I ignored the snarky remark and simply walked to my house, a hurried second set of footsteps told me he close behind.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Kikimora was still in the chair when we got back, looking worse than before. The younger sister bolted to us soon as we stepped in. I realized how stupid it was to leave the door unlocked. I was grateful no one tried to rob the place when I left.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Doctor! Please help my sis!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor’s snarky demeanor changed to a gentle one as he calmly shushed the Kikimora, “Of course little one, I’ll see what I can do. May I have your name?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Sue. My sis’ name is Mary.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you Sue. Now, I’m going to need you to keep calm and stay quiet okay?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sue nodded as the doctor approached Mary. He looked at the pile of vomit at her feet, then back to Mary.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You haven’t eaten much, have you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary weakly shook her head.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How long have you been feeling sick?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary tried to speak, but her throat was far too raspy and it looked like any attempts at talking were too painful to execute.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Just hold up how many fingers indicating how many days ago you felt sick.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary raised up three.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What?! Sis you told me you were just feeling sick this morning!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor turned to Sue and hushed her, Sue let out a low ‘sorry,’ before looking down. The doctor looked into Mary’s eyes noting that they weren’t bloodshot, but noted the paleness in her skin. Upon closer inspection he saw that her hands were twitching. He paused for a moment before getting very close to her mouth. At first I thought he was peering into her mouth, but he suddenly recoiled and coughed.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Christ! Peons with rotten teeth have better smelling breath than you!” The doctor quickly composed himself, before leaning in again and taking another whiff before contemplating the scent, as if he recognized it.

<p class="MsoNormal">   A lightbulb suddenly went off in his head, “You’ve been poisoned.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary didn’t looked shocked, but I assumed that was because of how sick she was. Her sister however, seemed to share her expression, if anything she seemed…contemplative?

<p class="MsoNormal">I think both the doctor and I were both a little off put by this, “I smelled smoke on them,” I said, “Maybe they came from the mansion?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, yeah, we were from the mansion. We worked for Edward, the owner there, as maids.” Sue suddenly spoke up.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That doesn’t explain how she was poisoned, and his name was-” I said.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well some nobles do poison their maids for fun, or so I’ve heard.” The doctor glared at me. “But more importantly, while I do have an antidote on me, judging from Mary it’ll take a few doses...and they don’t come cheap.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I wordlessly walked up to the doctor and handed him a couple hundred pounds. “And for the check up and travel expenses.” I gave him another hundred.

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor than reached into his briefcase and pulled out a small bottle before handing it to Mary, “Now this stuff is very bitter, so-”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary shot her head back and downed it like a shot, coughing and gaging but managing to keep it down.

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor laughed, “Wow, I wish my other patients were as half as brave as you, make my job a lot easier.” The doctor stood up and headed to the door, “I’ll need to procure more antidotes, until then stay here.” The doctor suddenly glared at me, “I assume you can accommodate and be their caretaker, nobleboy?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Good. I’ll be back in a few days.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Despite the fact that I wasn’t going work anytime soon, life at home certainly didn’t get boring. I made sure Mary slept in my bed, despite the protest in her eyes as she couldn’t speak yet. Sue was content to sleep by her side, but I was quick to pull out a spare mattress and lay it next to Mary’s bed. Sue was speechless at this gesture and Mary gave me a look of appreciation.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you mister, and here I was thinking most nobles were assho- jerks.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Please, just call me Thomas. Now, I’m going to fix us up something to eat okay?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I wanna help! I’m a Kikimora after all, housekeeping is our species specialty. Kinda lame compared to other species, but we take pride in it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Sure, you can help get the ingredients ready.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I decided to keep it simple with a soup, making sure to give Mary the most as to get her strength back, though I was worried if she would be able to keep it down. While we had a nice dinner, the shouts and gunshots from outside spoiled the mood. The town was still falling apart after all. Skirmishes weren’t all that uncommon mind you, but they almost never carried into the night.

<p class="MsoNormal">After a few days, the doctor returned, procuring another antidote and giving it to Mary, and further draining my wallet. He checked up on Mary’s condition, saying he’d need at least one more to completely flush out the poison from her system.

<p class="MsoNormal">Going out and getting food was proving to not only be physically taxing, but also monetarily, I was running short on money thanks to not being able to get to work. Fortunately, Sue said she’d go out and ‘borrow’ some food.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s not how it works Sue.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know, but we need to save money for sis. Don’t worry I won’t take much.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t want you going out, it’s dangerous.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sue gave me a devilish smile, one that betrayed her age, “Oh don’t worry about me. I’m Sue, thief extraordinaire!” She said proudly before climbing through the window.

<p class="MsoNormal">While her procurement of apples, beans, and even bread put me and my wallet at ease, things on the outside worsened. The nobles finally won the skirmish, citing that not only were the peons to blame for the fire, but also mamonos. While business were allowed to continue, what followed was a slaughtering of peons and a bounty for mamonos. Any found would be arrested and sold the highest bidder or simply executed. Any nobles found sheltering mamonos would be arrested.

<p class="MsoNormal">A knocking sounded on my door, at first I assumed it was the doctor and opened it without hesitation. It was Laurence, the vice president of my father’s business. I may have inherited it, but I was by no means in command of much of the operations. If anything, I was fixing carts while learning the ins and out from Laurence.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thomas, thank goodness you’re alright! I was worried you were caught up in the carnage. Come, we have a long day ahead of-”

<p class="MsoNormal">He gasped and I turned, Sue was caught climbing through the window, apples and bread in a bag.

<p class="MsoNormal">Laurence quickly walked passed me, stomping to frozen Kikimora, “Thief! Get out of here before I call the police!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Laurence wait! She’s not a thief.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is she your maid? That does not cover her thievery, Thomas. She must be detained, now!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“She’s not that either. I-I’m sheltering her and her sister. I found them running from Edmund’s mansion.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Laurence’s face turned pale, “Thomas, do you realize who your detaining? These mamonos are of the group responsible for Edmund’s death! Authorities said the fire was started inside the mansion!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We didn’t start it! Maybe some careless noble left their cigarette lit!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Silence beast! Thomas, grab her. Let’s take her to the station.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Laurence and Sue paused, staring at me in awe. “What?” Laurence’s voice was barely above a whisper.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m not taking them in. They needed my help, and judging from what’s happening, they still do.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“But they’re responsible for all this chaos in the first place!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We don’t know that for certain, you know how some nobles are, bribing the police to keep shut or change the story. Edmund might’ve been innocent in the eyes of the law, but he had enemies with some nobles.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You would side with the mamonos and the lower class than side with your own class? With me, your mentor?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t want to take sides, but they need my help.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Laurence gave me a sad look, “Then I’m sorry, but I have to cut you off from the business, I doubt your father would want to risk it. However, I will respect your decision and I’m sure he would too, and as such I won’t tell anyone about this. I wish you the best of luck, Thomas.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Laurence stepped out, leaving just me, Sue, and Mary. Silence echoed throughout the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thomas…I’m sorry I-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s okay Sue. We’ll figure this out. Go check up on your sister, I’ll start making lunch.”

<p class="MsoNormal">As I was preparing lunch, a raspy gasp told me Sue told Mary what happened. Mary even walked weakly to the room to try and apologize in a raspy voice.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s okay. Please just rest up. The sooner you get better the sooner we could figure things out.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately her health seemed tied to her antidotes. She was definitely better than when she first showed up, even walking to the bathroom from her room without assistance, but walking around the house otherwise would leave her exhausted. Where was that damn doctor?

<p class="MsoNormal">My answer came in a few days later when he hurriedly stepped in. Tensions were flaring up once again and the streets weren’t safe.

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor shot me a glare, “You damn nobles are your fanatical witch hunts! I nearly died on my way here! This will cost you!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“But you’ve been charging Thomas the same amount. That’s not fair!” Sue said.

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor dropped his calm expression he normally gave Sue and shot her shot, “I’m afraid you’re in the company of devils, young Kikimora. You’d do best to take your sister and flee as soon as she’s well enough. No doubt this man is trying to make you two well for a quick pound.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“How much do you need?” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Eager eh? Good, then I’ll get right to the point.” He held out his hand, “You’re gonna give me money until I say it’s enough.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I stare into this man eyes. He was unflinching. To say money was tight was an understatement, bills left me on my last legs and no doubt this man was going to take it all. If it saved them, then so be it. I reached into my wallet, pulled out the last of my pounds, and handed it to him. And just prove to him I had nothing left I flipped my wallet upside down and shook it.

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor smiled and pulled out an antidote before handing to me. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">He walked out the door as I handed the antidote to Mary, who chugged it down as usual. As I turned to lock the door I felt Mary’s hand on my shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you, I’m sorry.” Her voice still sounded raspy, but not as pained.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Sis you can speak again!” Sue sounded so happy.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Just barely.” She said as she looked to me, guilt in her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s alright, we’ll figure something out. Right now let’s just get you back to your full strength.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’ve done so much.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s no problem.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal">I paused, trying to find a way to word my answer. “I’m a noble sure, but my dad always told me to help whoever’s in need, regardless of class. ‘Helping someone is not a matter of class, but a matter of human decency’ he’d always say.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary smiled, “Good advice.”

<p class="MsoNormal">While Mary’s condition improved over the next few days, which made Sue and I happy, happiness doesn’t pay bills and I had to go out looking for work for us. Which meant braving the chaotic streets. I would stick to alleyways like always, avoiding crowds of commoners looking to rough up any noble they found or officer’s that would beat you unless you emptied your pockets.

<p class="MsoNormal">I was currently in of my regular alleyway paths when a hand shot out and pulled me deeper into the alleyway, deeper into the darkness.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Been seeing you ‘round these alleys an awful lot boy.” The man who was pinning me to himself said. Judging by the size of his arm he was incredibly muscular.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well, we think y’need to pay a toll.” A slimmer man said as he stepped out of the shadows.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t have any money, please let me go.” I plead, struggling against the man’s grip.

<p class="MsoNormal">They both laughed

<p class="MsoNormal">“Aw, this noble thinks he’s one of us. Want to know how we know you’se a noble?” The thin man scooped up what I hope was dirt of the ground, “Yer face is too pretty!” He quickly smashed and smeared the foul smelling dirt across my face. The larger man and him laughing as he did so.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Enough playing around.” Another man stepped out of the shadows, but unlike his dingy subordinates he was far better dressed, wearing white pants and blue jacket with the hood up.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Are sure this man is a noble?” He asked

<p class="MsoNormal">“Of course,” the slime man said, “Been tracking him the past few days. He always comes back to that same fancy town house of his.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I see. Hold him still then.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The large man held me tighter while the man in blue pulled out a large knife.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wait, please! Let me go!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No. These streets have to cleanse of noble scum like you. I’ve heard you stole two Kikimora’s that escaped Edward’s burning mansion. Filthy slaver!”

<p class="MsoNormal">His lunge forward was cut short as someone fell on top of him. They were also wearing a blue jacket and white jeans.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You work with this man?” The slim goon asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">The hooded figure slowly stood up, the man still under their feet. “Foolish Michael. You should’ve found more intel on this man. If you did,” As their face met mine, my jaw dropped as to who it was.

<p class="MsoNormal">It was Mary.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You would’ve known this man saved my life.” Mary stepped off of Michael, who quickly stood up.

<p class="MsoNormal">“This man is still a nob-”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary gave him a harsh slap, “Fool! Nobles aren’t automatically guilty! Maybe I should poison you and leave you in his care. Perhaps then you will understand.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s what happened to you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes. I should’ve expected a slow poison. I would’ve died had not this man take me and my sister in.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The slim goon cleared his throat, “Hate to interrupt your reunion miss, but I think we’re owed some compensation.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t even try that on us,” Michael barked at them. “I paid you earlier and for your reconnaissance. Get out of here and pretend you never saw us.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well now, there’s a slight problem with that.” The large man gripped me tighter while the slimmer one pulled out a knife of his own. “My knife here craves two things: blood and pounds. If you don’t have one,” he turned to me, a sickening grin on his face, “I can easily get the other.”

<p class="MsoNormal">A sword suddenly went through this chest, Mary’s. Pulling it out, the man collapsed on the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Let me tell you something about intel Michael. I know that man was named Herman Afterdam, he’s a hired killer we’ve begrudgingly used from time to time, but the big guy,” She pointed her sword at the large man still holding me, his grip was shaking, “His name is William D’Frey, aside from being dirt poor and having large appetite, he has a clean record. Unless he refuses to let this man go.”

<p class="MsoNormal">William dropped me like a sack of bricks and ran down the alley, disappearing at a turn.

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping my face, “You alright, Thomas? Don’t worry about Michael, he’s with me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Are you part of the Revolutionaries?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary chuckled, “No, I’m part of the Assassins. We don’t have a true side with the nobles or commoners, only the side of those who fight for peace. Want to join?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You can’t just ask someone if they want to join our order, Mary.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Of course I can. This man not only saved my life but gave everything to save it. He was a noble, but spent all his saving on me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“He did?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, and more importantly, he seems to know about nobles, specifically Edward.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Edmund.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary tilted her head, “I’m sorry?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“His name was Edmund. What did he do to piss you guys off?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary paused for a moment, behind I saw Michael pale, “Shit. I think that was the wrong guy.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wrong guy?!” Mary stood up and shouted at him, her face red. “You mean to tell me we started an uprising and you got the wrong guy?!” Michael shrank back, “I swear to God when the Master hears about this you’ll be lucky if you aren’t killed! Go report back to him this at once!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Michael climbed but a sewer pipe faster than I thought possible before disappearing over a rooftop.

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary sighed, “That’s why we need you. We need you to join the Assassins so we don’t make embarrassing mistakes like that ever again.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“The ‘Assassins’? I don’t want to kill people Mary.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know, none of us do, but don’t worry, you’ll be stationed with a reconnaissance group. Please, I’ll train you. We need someone like you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">It honestly didn’t take long for me to decide, “Why not. I’ve lost everything anyways.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Mary got down and hugged me, “No you haven’t. You still have me. And soon you’ll have plenty of family and friends. Don’t worry, I think you’ll make a fine Assassin!”