Proof, support, and time.  All large problems in their own right.  This would be unlike campaigning against the hordes, with clear allies and enemies.  Though she could see how she might apply her experience:  scouting without drawing attention to one self, gathering intelligence, identifying enemies, nonhostiles, and allies, gathering resources, choosing battlefields.  Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.  But city life would be quite different; she'd have to remember all the lessons in courtesy and courtly manners.  And while she had no fear of sex, using it as a subtle weapon was going to be new.<br/><br/>Celes picked the painting back up, setting it back on the mantelpiece.  Gazing at it for a while, she wished she could take it with her, but the utility of leaving it home was too important.<br/><br/>"Thank you, father.  This is so confusing, but I appreciate your help.  I will revive our home in Londinium and bring honor to our house.  I will definitely need some help running the household though.  I'll see who is still here..."<br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/327/3/a/smile_honey__this_one_is_for_the_avatar_by_shiniez-d4fr5yg.jpg)</div>Picking her cloak back up, she wrapped herself, simply carrying her armor with her as she made her way to the house steward's quarters.  It would be easier to review the remaining staff list, and see who would best serve her needs.  Entering, it was arranged a bit differently than before, but she never saw it much before.  Sitting down at the rolltop desk, she looked through stacks of ledgers and schedules before she found a listing.  It had been pared down a lot over the years.  A few maids, a cook, stablehands; it seemed like a few were pulling double duty too.  Browsing through, Celes never noticed the presence behind her until she felt gloved hands grasp her shoulders gently but firmly.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Miss Eva</div><div class="spoiler_body">I always love writing up a new character, it's my favorite game:<br/><br/>NG Medium humanoid (human), Trickster 1<br/><strong>Init </strong>+0; <strong>Listen </strong>+1, <strong>Spot </strong>+1<br/><strong>Languages </strong>Common, Elven<br/><strong>AC </strong>12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+1 dodge, +1 Int)<br/><strong>hp </strong>2 (1d6)<br/><strong>Fort </strong>-1, <strong>Ref </strong>+2, <strong>Will </strong>+1<br/><strong>Speed </strong>30 ft<br/><strong>Melee </strong>Dagger -1 (1d4-1)<br/><strong>Ranged </strong>Dagger +0 (1d4-1)<br/><strong>Base Atk</strong> +0; <strong>Grapple </strong>-1<br/><strong>Attack Options</strong> Sneak attack +1d6<br/><strong>Abilities </strong><strong>Str </strong>8, <strong>Dex </strong>10, <strong>Con </strong>9, <strong>Int </strong>13, <strong>Wis </strong>12, <strong>Cha </strong>11<br/><strong>SQ </strong>Fake it till you make it, Unfettered code<br/><strong>Feats </strong>Nymph’s kiss, Urban tracking<br/><strong>Skills </strong>Appraise 5, Forgery 5, Gather information 4, Heal 3, Intimidate 4, Perform (sex) 4, Profession (maid 5, tailor 5), Sense motive 5, Use magic device 4, Use rope 4<br/><strong>Possessions </strong>Dagger, sap, uniforms, flint and steel, mirror, tailoring kit, rope<br/><br/>Specialization in management, shopping, tailoring, personal care.  Her professional duties happen to make her a competent forger and at intelligence gathering.<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Ally</div><div class="spoiler_body">does it show? http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/080/e/d/does_it_show__by_shiniez-d4tje6i.jpg (http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/080/e/d/does_it_show__by_shiniez-d4tje6i.jpg)<br/>paddle http://th02.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/327/1/3/there_will_be_consequences_by_shiniez-d4fh8z4.jpg (http://th02.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/327/1/3/there_will_be_consequences_by_shiniez-d4fh8z4.jpg)<br/>strapping in http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/327/f/7/i_said_stop_squirming_by_shiniez-d4fhada.jpg (http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/327/f/7/i_said_stop_squirming_by_shiniez-d4fhada.jpg)<br/>teacher http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/327/9/b/detention_by_shiniez-d4fkrvg.jpg (http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/327/9/b/detention_by_shiniez-d4fkrvg.jpg)<br/>corseting http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2011/327/8/9/aw_come_on_its_not_that_tight_by_shiniez-d4fn9oi.jpg (http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2011/327/8/9/aw_come_on_its_not_that_tight_by_shiniez-d4fn9oi.jpg)<br/>hug and gag http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/327/3/a/smile_honey__this_one_is_for_the_avatar_by_shiniez-d4fr5yg.jpg (http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/327/3/a/smile_honey__this_one_is_for_the_avatar_by_shiniez-d4fr5yg.jpg)<br/></div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Bayonetta</div><div class="spoiler_body">Leaning back http://th07.deviantart.net/fs47/PRE/f/2009/213/8/7/Bayonetta_by_molybdenumgp03.jpg (http://th07.deviantart.net/fs47/PRE/f/2009/213/8/7/Bayonetta_by_molybdenumgp03.jpg)<br/>Cockeyed http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/011/5/a/Bayonetta_January_Desktop_by_Tevc.jpg (http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/011/5/a/Bayonetta_January_Desktop_by_Tevc.jpg)<br/>Closeup http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxbohmuC6L1qe175ao1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAI6WLSGT7Y3ET7ADQ&amp;Expires=1333670050&amp;Signature=bxnM42jtxCqFYut9tRXff8qf8lA%3D (http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxbohmuC6L1qe175ao1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAI6WLSGT7Y3ET7ADQ&amp;Expires=1333670050&amp;Signature=bxnM42jtxCqFYut9tRXff8qf8lA%3D)<br/>Back http://thegamingliberty.com/wp-content/uploads/BAYONETTAINTERVIEW1.jpg (http://thegamingliberty.com/wp-content/uploads/BAYONETTAINTERVIEW1.jpg)<br/>Unzipped http://www.bayonettahentai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bayonetta-hentai_038.jpg (http://www.bayonettahentai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bayonetta-hentai_038.jpg)<br/></div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Baroness</div><div class="spoiler_body">On belly http://blackmage9.deviantart.com/art/The-Baroness-III-139874449?q=gallery%3Ablackmage9%2F29243856&amp;qo=21 (http://blackmage9.deviantart.com/art/The-Baroness-III-139874449?q=gallery%3Ablackmage9%2F29243856&amp;qo=21)<br/>Explosion http://www.graphicsdb.com/data/media/780/the_baroness.jpg (http://www.graphicsdb.com/data/media/780/the_baroness.jpg)<br/>Profile http://crispme.com/wp-content/uploads/10278.jpg (http://crispme.com/wp-content/uploads/10278.jpg)<br/>Unzipped http://comicartcommunity.com/gallery/data/media/443/Baroness.jpg (http://comicartcommunity.com/gallery/data/media/443/Baroness.jpg)<br/></div></div></div></div><br/>"Well well well, it looks like my little Kit has grown up and come home..."<br/><br/>A trill ran down Celes' spine.  The gloved hands, that dangerously husky voice whispering in her ear.  "M-miss Eva..." she couldn't help but stammer a little.  Growing up, the girl had been a sort of governess to her, though only a decade older.  She taught Celes manners, needlework, dancing, but there were other lessons too.  Discipline, wrestling, knot-tying, love-making.  While she was expected to respect her governess, "Miss" Eva was quite a bit more.<br/><br/>"Come back for new lessons?  I think I could<em>whip</em>something up..."  Her lace gloved hand walked its way up Celes' shoulder, it slipped inside the fold of her cloak to slide along her naked shoulder.<br/><br/>"No, no!  Well, that could be--but, what I came here for was, I'm going to Londinium tomorrow, to the townhouse, and I need someone to run the property.  Miss Eva, do you think, would you like to be my house stewardess?"<br/><br/>"Now dear, that's not a way for a Lady to give a command.  Do it--properly!" she commanded, a little forcefully, squeezing her cheeks together as she pulled Celes' face to meet hers.<br/><br/>She felt a little silly, but she tried to muster all her authority, holding her cloak and standing erect.  "Eva, you shall be my house stewardess in Londinium.  Pack your things, I shall expect you with me as we travel tomorrow morning."<br/><br/>The dark haired woman smiled with pleasure, then a little wickedly.  "Of course, my lady, it shall be as you command.  Now,” pushing her hands across Celes’ shoulders, making the cloak slip down to pool around her ankles, leaving her naked and covered in goosebumps.  ”Get to bed; it’s time we were reacquainted...”  Eva walked across the room and opened a wardrobe, revealing a rack of whips, floggers, rope, manacles, and other mysterious objects.  It was strange, the woman was tall and slight, Celes was sure she was twice as strong as her by now, yet Miss Eva always had some power over her.  Part of Celes' own commanding presence was simply trying to emulate what Eva had over herself.  Celes, again feeling like the nervous, obedient girl years ago, laid down on the bed as Eva took down some silk rope and chuckled.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">This can be played out more.</div></div><hr/><br/>The next morning came early for Celes.  Eva had sweetly bathed and put her to bed after the previous night’s activities, so she only had to dress and eat the breakfast prepared for her and father.  They said their goodbyes and hugged many times as they made their way to the courtyard.  There, her horse, Maximus, stood ready but unbridled, as there was also a carriage loaded with suitcases, Miss Eva waiting at the door.  Celes didn’t know how she did it:  while she felt like dogmeat, Miss Eva was fresh and immaculate as ever, professional and capable, pulling the door open for her Lady.  As soon as they entered and seated, Celes had to lean out the window as the carriage quickly trundled away, waving goodbye to father in his blankets and wheelchair as they started the journey to Londinium.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The footmen helped unload the carriage and bring the luggage into the townhouse, but they had to leave soon after to return to the manor.  The house was furnished, and Eva was able to quickly unpack what they had brought from the manor:  a few personal effects, ledgers and manuscripts, and many, many clothes for Celes.   She never wore them much even growing up, so some old ones were still unworn and retailored for her, others were left over from Jeannette, and there were even some new, more formal things apparently readied for her arrival in Londinium.  As Miss Eva readied the townhouse, Celes explored the rooms, looking out the windows into the foggy, crowded city:  her new battlefield.