"There, all done," Lucy said as she capped the bottle of black nail polish. Lucy had been putting extra time in at the nail station in the afternoons after her conversation with Fae. That conversation was two weeks ago.  The threads of the bottle were crusty with polish, evidence of her early mistakes, but she was noticing improvements in her technique. At first she was going to stick to the plan. Lucy tried to find someone to confide in, just as her and Fae had talked about. A simple plan to make friends. She found herself unable to approach anyone. She couldn't open a conversation. Making friends was never her strong suit, but she thought if she wanted to do it enough she could get it done. That didn't happen, desires changed nothing. She decided to passively listen to gossip while she worked on her nail technique. She didn't need a friend for this. In the world of inspections from Jezebel, the other maids never hesitated to point out errors with the work she was doing. Lucy could glide an even coat in three strokes now, and she was proud of that. She hadn't heard anything about deleted photos from anyone else. She hadn't hear anything about photos at all. Lucy noticed the gossip was frequently salacious. Lucy wondered why she didn't recognize this for the ineffectual idea that it turned out to be. Lucy tried to make sense of the situation.

If this deleting photos thing was an old rule I'd have heard something by now right? Someone would have told me, I would have been trained. I would have been warned by someone by now. I would have been told about policy changes If it was a new thing, I've heard gossip about rules changing before. I remember when the bows came. We've tied them three different ways at this point. I was told about the old doors getting a badge-in months before it was put in place.

Lucy wondered if Fae had any more luck than she did, and whether or not she was wasting her time at the nail station. Lucy caught herself tapping the nail polish bottle against the table. The scent of cinnamon and rosemary filled the air, it was today's bath fragrance. No, Lucy thought, I'm doing the right thing. Even if  we're wrong about the photos, improving my skills here is a step to the fourth floor, so I'm not wasting my time either way.

Lucy surveyed the wash hall as she rose from the nail station. It was practically empty now and she wasn't going to wait for the stragglers. The din of nearly unintelligible voices bouncing off the tile gave way to singular voices taking turns as more maids filed out. Lucy just wanted to get on with her day and get to her bed to think things over. Lucy overheard someone as she left the wash hall. It stopped her in her tracks.

"Did you hear Morgen got called up to the fourth floor today?" the voice said.

Lucy stepped out of the was hall. She stopped herself just outside. She could still hear them clearly, a bonus of the acoustics. They couldn't see her, and she was hidden from most of the maids in the main hall. The voices continued, but she couldn't identify who the voices belonged to. Lucy lamented her lack of attention to voices and faces. She heard a lot of giggling but managed to focus on the voices causing it.

"Oh, what trouble is she in now?" one of them said.

Another simply stated, "Oh, really." It seemed to be the go-to response.

The first voice spoke again, "That's just what I heard ladies, I don't have anything else to tell you. I can't wait until she gets back, she's usually not shy about it. We'll have to hold onto our hats until then."

The giggling and banter continued but Lucy decided she had heard enough. Lucy thought if she lingered any more it would be obvious what she was doing. Lucy felt light on her feet as she left the wash hall with her new questions about Morgen. Eyes followed her as she moved through the dormitory. She was getting accustomed to the attention. After that panicked night with Fae she was bombarded with questions about why she bolted from the cafeteria. There were moments when she was surrounded and cornered for answers. Her lies were never satisfactory to the mob and she dared not tell the truth. They all knew it had something to do with a text from Foras, Morgen saw to that but Lucy never gave them more details. The spring in her step remained. Rumors spread when the other maids couldn't get the answers they wanted. They had made up their minds anyway. They weren't going to listen to anything except what they wanted to hear. It wasn't long before she'd heard stories about how she was finding time during the day to slip off to Foras' office or she'd contrived the whole incident for attention. Lucy would have loved nothing more than to have the spare time to take risky trysts. Lucy found herself wishing the predominant rumors were the rumors about her faking the whole thing, the ones that made it seem like she was capable of pulling a fast one. She thought that even if they thought it was a terrible scheme, that they'd also think she was capable of scheming. It was better than what they thought about her intelligence before. Interest was finally starting to die down; stares, side-eyed glances, and occasional averted gazes from the shyer newer maids were all she had to put up with lately. She continued to bounce down the corridors with a smile on her face. Smiling was something she was doing a lot more of.

Lucy recalled those first hard days after the incident. There were parts of her time in the wash hall every morning that she used to enjoy. Lucy especially enjoyed the couple of days when her and Fae were working together, and Jezebel didn't bother her as much with her bullshit. She used to enjoy her afternoons in the dormitory. She didn't have to worry about being disciplined for speaking in the dorm corridors, she could get away from Fae for a few moments too. Those used to be good places. Those sanctuaries turned hostile last week. Now her only respite was with Fae. Lucy didn't feel the urge to leave Fae's side anymore. They made good on their deal twice that week and Fae initiated both times. Lucy didn't mind, Fae had been pulling her weight that week. Lucy got careless and ended up surrounded. It had happened a few times that week. The last time was different. She got shoved around, they pulled her hair, started to hit her. They threatened to ruin her uniform every morning. They weren't quiet about it. That's when Fae showed up. It wasn't just Fae either. She had gathered her friends into a posse when she saw that Lucy was in real trouble. Fae's friends were known for being rough. Fae was known for being rough. That circle attracted no nonsense types and Lucy had stayed far away from that. They were too forward, too direct, they spoke their minds. Looking at them intimidated her. Lucy could hardly recall their faces. She remembered how the other maids scattered when they showed up. Fae's gang never had to throw a punch. One of Lucy's assailants noticed them just as they got close, and the whole group scattered as fast as they could. Lucy had bruises from it that were still healing. There were whispers about it in the bath. She had been lucky. The uniform and her makeup covered them all without having to change it.

Lucy was already feeling the urge to call in their deal again, but she couldn't. She wasn't annoyed with Fae, and the deal was about relieving their animosity towards one another. Animosity for Fae was in short supply. Their first session was quick. Lucy could feel the pressure Fae was under that night. Every movement was purposeful, forceful. It couldn't have been five minutes before she was soaking her bed. She wondered if Fae had even gotten anything out of it in return. Lucy wasn't able to summon the same energy Fae had. Lucy tried some of the techniques she'd been taught when Fae introduced the idea to her, but she must not have been satisfactory. Fae told her to stop before she finished. The second night, it was different. Everything was slow. They kissed, boy did they kiss. Lucy recalled it felt like forever before they moved on from that. The touches were gentle, though Fae tried to push a few boundaries. Lucy remembered her ass being touched. That was gentle too. Nothing went in, but she could tell it was a prelude for next time. Maybe she'd let Fae do that, she thought to herself. Maybe she'd even ask Fae for it. It tickled a little, but it wasn't bad. It felt adventurous and she thought if anyone could guide her through that it was her. Lucy, for her part, had done the same things she tried the first night. The results were different. Fae got off more than once the second time. Lucy was still finishing quickly, but the second night Fae assured her it was just Lucy being inexperienced. It was different than the audible frustration she showed the first time. She wanted it again. Lucy wanted to explore things, she wanted the closeness. The kisses, Lucy enjoyed those the most, especially when they wandered.

Lucy revisited the thoughts about her assault. She disliked Morgen for spilling the beans about the text, but she was hanging on her words about going it alone. Lucy wanted friends. She didn't want to be cornered and helpless again. She wanted someone she could take care of her needs with, share baths with in the morning. Lucy wanted to have a group she could count on to watch her back and look after her. She craved the security she saw Fae enjoying with her group.

When Lucy returned to her room that night, she found it empty. Fae was normally there before Lucy was.  She felt a pang of loneliness and disappointment. Lucy looked to the floor and sighed. She had been holding in the news about Morgen all afternoon and wanted to blurt it out the moment the door closed. She stared at the nightstand and the freshly made beds. The silence was getting to her. Lucy was jolted back to her senses as someone collided with her from her rear. Lucy hopped on one leg as she was moved forward in a desperate struggle to keep her balance--It was a battle she lost. Lucy fell to the bed face first with her assailant on top of her grabbing her around the waist. Was she being pressed for information again? Her heart raced at the thought.

"Hey Lucy! Wha'chya starin' off at?" Fae said.

"Oh shit Fae it's just you! Fuck you startled me." They both broke into a light-hearted giggle.

"Just me?! That's hurtful Lucy."

Lucy snickered. "Get off me damnit. You got me Fae alright? You win. Now let me up."

"Oh you think you can get rid of me that easy do you? I think not! You need a reminder!"

Lucy felt Fae's fingertips dig into her ribs and wiggle around. Immediately her legs started kicking as she was overcome with laughter. All her muscles seized on her, compelling her to curl up into a ball, but she couldn't with Fae on top of her.

"F-Fae--I can't--b--br--", was all Lucy could get out between fits of laughter and gasps for air.

"What's that? Would you like me to stop?" Lucy nodded and slapped the bedding with her hands. It was the only response Lucy could manage. Fae wasn't accepting. "I need to hear you say 'Please stop Fae' or I'll keep going until you go blue in the face!" 

Lucy tried in vain to roll away from her predicament. Fae had too much leverage and Lucy could hardly control her body in the first place. She took a large gasp of air, it was now or never. "P--Please stop Fae!" Lucy managed to squeeze the words out by shouting them. They came out as a squeal instead. Lucy knocked her pillow to the ground as she struggled with Fae and a white box followed it to the floor. Fae stopped tickling Lucy and they both looked at each other quizzically. Fae scrambled off of Lucy to grab the box. Lucy couldn't get herself upright before Fae scooped it up and leapt onto her own bed. Fae was wearing a wide smile, and her eye contact was unflinching.

"Looks like your vibrator Lucy," Fae said. She gave quick glances to the box to read it. She didn't take her eyes off of Lucy long enough for her to make a move. "This isn't one of the cheap ones, now I'm even more worried what Morgen did with your phone."

Lucy blushed. "The way you are just so casual about that, like how many of those things have you used? You act like you're holding onto my headphones or something." Lucy tried to choke down her embarrassment, rationalizing. She was already having sex with this demoness, so why did she feel so embarrassed that Fae was holding her new toy? Surely that didn't make sense.

"Where's the plastic wrap? I wanted to take the peel experience from you," Fae started opening the box, "wonder when Morgen managed to slip this in here? I bet she's already opened it. Someone has at least."

"Oh right Morgen!" Lucy's attention to the vibrator evaporated. "I forgot about Morgen when you tickled the shit out of me, damn. I heard she got called to the fourth floor today and she might be in trouble!"

"Okay?" Fae picked a pink U-shaped object out of the box, one end was significantly thicker than the other, and she had it hanging by the small end on her finger. "Is that supposed to be a big deal? She gets in trouble sometimes."

"That's sorta weird lookin'. Are they supposed to look like that? I always thought they were, you know, longer. How in the world is that supposed to work? I don't get it. That big end looks large, and it's kinda scary."

"Did you already forget what Morgen told you? You wear it. You know discretely? It's not for pounding like a jackhammer. You could always read the manual. It came with one. This is what I suspected it was when you told me about it. It's giving me ideas. Anyway, why did you think Morgen was a big deal? I didn't think Foras was a big deal until you explained more."

"Are you gonna just keep twirling that fucking thing around on your finger?" Lucy giggled. She was still embarrassed, but watching Fae handle it like that tickled her.

"Sure, you seem comfortable with it."

"Well anyway, I don't actually know why I thought that was a big deal, it just seemed like, you know I guess I was just starving for news? I haven't had any luck with that thing we're working on, it's been weeks. I wasn't able to make any friends and I tried something else, but that didn't work either. I can do nails okay now though! The others have stopped complaining."

"I got somewhere at least," Fae stopped playing around with the vibrator and put it back in the box. She tossed it to Lucy. "You should charge that. Near as I can tell no one else has had their pictures just disappear on them. It's just an us thing like we suspected. I think we should--" Fae was cut off by the familiar chimes signaling the time for lights out. Fae sighed and got up to flick the switch on the wall and then came back to turn off the lamp on the nightstand. "Well that's going to have to wait."

Lucy fumbled the charger out of the box. A click could be heard as the magnetic end grabbed onto the accompanying pads on the vibrator. She set it to the side. "Well that's fancy."

"Sometimes I forget you can see in the dark. Are we going to finish this conversation tomorrow?"

"No," Lucy got up and crawled into Fae's bed dropping her voice to a whisper, "I don't want to be done yet. We hardly get to talk because of all this hush hush shit. It sucks that we just can't talk about this while we work and stuff." Lucy got on her side. She held on to Fae before throwing a leg over her. Lucy felt Fae's arm slip under her and pull her closer. This was the closeness she'd been craving. Fae was always warmer than she was. It made her heart flutter. She waited for Fae to make fun of her.

"Yeah. Interesting month. I think if you tried to crawl in here even 3 weeks ago I'd have kicked you in the face. I hate to admit it but you've grown on me a little."

Where was the jab? Lucy realized there was a question she needed an answer to. "Fae," Lucy took a deep breath, "are we friends?" Lucy felt Fae's chest quiver a bit as she tried to hold a laugh back.

"Maybe? We're working towards something right now. After that who knows? But I think for now I'm comfortable calling you that."

A friend, I have a friend. Don't get mushy Lucy don't ruin this. "You know what I'll fucking take it, that's good enough for me, shit." Lucy put her chin on Fae's shoulder. She found more questions. "L--last time. I mean the first time we actually, you know not the practice. That was kind of rough and I was really sore after. B--but the time after that it was. You were gentle and I was wondering--"

Fae interrupted, "You know I hate it when you stammer like that. Sometimes I wish you could take a hint. Sometimes I think you're making progress and then you go and ask me to tell you what should be obvious. There's a lot about you that still frustrates me," Fae turned and gave Lucy a quick kiss on the forehead, "It's what it looks like Lucy, stop asking. I'm surprised your skin is still as light as it is though. How's the succubus influence treating you?"

"Definitely hornier Fae, thanks for that," her voice carried the twinge of sarcasm, "still wish you would have warned me! Can't change that now though can I? Do I actually get anything out of this or is it just a straight up horny all the time and that's it? How do you even function like this. I want it all the time now."

Fae brought a pillow up to her own face and smothered herself until she stopped cackling, "In this place? Just the horny. If we escape I'll show you that whole sleep paralysis dream eating thing. Anyway like I was saying earlier I think we need to go ahead with that plan we decided on."

"Oh right that." Lucy had forgotten about their plan with Foras. When they first talked about it she was hesitant, but now she didn't want anything to do with it. Things with Fae seemed to be going better than expected and the idea of intentionally seducing someone else didn't sit well in her stomach. "I hope that gets us out of here." Not that I'd mind spending the rest of my stint with you. I could tolerate it if things stayed like this.

"You're telling me. Ugh, Imagine it being a dead end and I have to spend another decade here or more."

"No. No I won't imagine that, holy shit Fae no. A week in the wash hall wouldn't make that come off. Taking all the risks, fucking Foras, with nothing to show for it? Ew."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah I guess." A silent moment passed. "Hey," Lucy said.

"What?"

"Since we're friends, does that mean I can hang out with you in the wash hall and at lunch and stuff?"

"Duh. I'll have to introduce you though. We're both going to be made fun of, but especially you, be prepared for that, they don't like timid weaklings. We should get some sleep before we ruin our morning." Fae yawned.

"Yeah okay, you're right, it's late isn't it. Can I--can I stay here? I'd like to fall asleep like this."

"Okay okay geeze. You're so clingy. Did you think you weren't being obvious?" Fae pulled Lucy in closer, Lucy was practically on top of her now. "I'm going to need a little payment though Lucy."

"Sure," Lucy pressed her lips gently to Fae's. They lingered on it, and they both let out a soft moan before they were done, "will that do?"

"Yeah, I liked that. You did good. Goodnight Lucy." Fae ran her fingers through Lucy's hair.

"Night Fae."

Lucy opened her bleary eyes and fumbled for her glasses. Her fingers groped around for the cold end table. They found something warm and soft instead. What in the world? Why-- Lucy withdrew her hand quickly, remembering through the fog of waking that she wasn't in her own bed. She turned hurriedly to get off of Fae, but her ass left the bed first and drug the rest of her with it. She felt a sharp pain in the back of her head as it hit the nightstand with a thump. The lamp wobbled and fell on her chest. Lucy cried out frustrated and in pain. Her legs below her knees were still propped up on the bed, and her tail doubled back on her, hanging pathetically. Fae turned over, even she couldn't sleep through the commotion.

"Lucy what in the--" Fae burst into laughter as her head cleared the edge of the bed, catching sight of Lucy, "Very nice view from up here. I can see a lot."

"Fae would you just help me up! I'm kinda stuck here!"

"I can see that. What to do with you? I might prefer you stuck and helpless."

"Fae!"

"Haha, I'm kidding sheesh. Here you go." Fae shoved Lucy's feet to the side until they hit the floor with a thud. Lucy found herself turned around enough to move and picked herself up. Lucy got to her feet and started rubbing the back of her head.

"Fuck that hurts. Damnit, I hope I'm not bleeding that would be just fucking great." Lucy groped around her head trying to find a wet spot and kept checking her hand for any signs of blood. Fae rolled off her bed in the mean time and started collecting her things off the nightstand. Lucy was relieved to discover she was okay.

"Lucy don't forget to shove that new toy of yours in your satchel. Mid-morning cleanup is going to find it for sure if you leave it here."

"You'd think they'd give us a dresser or something, this is ridiculous," Lucy said.

"Yeah, this is probably why the don't. I wouldn't count on them not rifling through stuff anyway though."

"I guess we're probably not the first to need to hide shit they don't want us having, but damn what I wouldn't do for a nightgown or something," Lucy stuffed her belongings in her satchel, "it's getting a bit crowded in there."

"Yeah we're gonna have to figure something out. If I solve that problem I get to use it first."

"You are out of your mind, there's no way I'm letting you have it first! You know what I did to get that! If you're doing anything you're helping me put it in. You seem to know so much about it after all."

"Have it? Oh Lucy, I wasn't talking about taking possession of it. I just meant I'm going to use it first. You have no idea what I mean by that do you? Oh I can't wait to see the look on your face." Fae already had her satchel over her shoulder. "Let's get going."

Lucy furrowed her brow and started looking for the instructions Fae mentioned last night. She needed to know what Fae was blabbering about. Then it occurred to her, "Oh shit Fae the box, we have to get rid of the box too. I almost left it behind."

"Yeah should probably just repack that or it won't fit. We'll figure out how to dispose of it later. I'll see you in the wash hall Lucy, besides I could use a little time to prepare my friends to meet you properly." Fae exited the room with a wave goodbye.

Lucy finished hiding the evidence and made for the dress hall. As she approached the double doors she heard the muffled sounds of excited voices. Lucy badged in wondering what all the fuss was about and opened the doors. No one was dressed. Not a soul. Most of the maids were lined up in front of their locker. There were none of the usual sounds escaping from the wash hall, and Jezebel was standing in front of it, directing the maids that didn't take the hint to their lockers in her usual condescending tone. Fae was already at their locker and she beckoned Lucy over. Lucy quickly took her place beside her. This didn't happen often, and there was usually some sort of warning the night before. The swirling questioning voices from the rest of the maids were overwhelming and for a moment all Lucy could do was look around the room in disbelief. There were a few dozen empty positions waiting for arrivals.

"Looks like we're just waiting here until everyone shows up," Fae said.

"What's going on?" Lucy replied. They had to talk loudly to hear each other.

"Hell if I know, no one else does either. We should wait this out quietly."

"Yeah, don't wanna be the last voice Jezebel hears when she tells everyone to shut the fuck up, I get you."

Lucy and Fae watched quietly as the empty slots filled one by one. Lucy tugged on Fae's hand and pointed to a familiar spot. Fae looked over where Lucy was pointing and then looked back at Lucy with eyes that longed for answers. Morgen wasn't here yet. Morgen's roommate was. Lucy couldn't remember ever arriving to the dress hall before Morgen was already in the bath. Lucy turned to Fae and mouthed the words 'Boiler Room'.  Fae shrugged and gently took Lucy's hand. Her thumb moved back and forth in a slow rhythm. Maids arrived, they were diverted, they were yelled at, and more slots filled. No Morgen. The last few stragglers arrived and it became the only empty space. Her roommates gaze hadn't left the locker immediately across from her since Lucy arrived.

"Button up those jaws ladies before I sew one on!" Jezebel shrieked. The room fell silent. "Over the last few months I have certainly acquired a number of empty lockers haven't I?"

Lucy obediently yelled out, "Yes Madam!" Her voice joined the synchronized chorus.

"Good good, so you haven't forgotten your manners after all! I hope you will teach those manners to your new peers. Yes, yes I can see your confounded gazes despite your disciplined mouths. It's not time for this yet, you wonder. When I was appraised this morning I thought the same but we are professionals aren't we?"

"Yes Madam!"

"We're going to get our work done won't we?"

"Yes Madam!"

"Precisely." Jezebels clacking heels were a metronome for her words. "That means some of you will be separated from your partners to train the new ones."

Lucy felt Fae's hand squeeze her just before she felt it fall away. Discipline broke. A whirlwind of protests started. Lucy wanted to join in, a lump in her throat stopped her. Fae's sudden shouting startled her.

"That's not how we do things!" Fae's voice cracked.

Jezebel raised a foot and plunged it into the floor. A clacking sound bounced around the room and a crack showed in the tile. "Silence!" The voices stopped. Jezebel held out her hand and from it a small curtain of flame fell, producing a parchment. Resin, still burning, dripped to the floor from its lower edges. "You forget yourselves. There is no point any of you are about to make that I didn't raise myself. Keeping you with your teams is the most efficient way to do anything. I was overruled. If that's not clear to you than I will find a way to make it clear. Shut your mouths.

I will call the partners to be separated by their most senior member, if you hear your partners name it will mean each of you has been reassigned. You will be oriented today, the rest of you will resume work as normal. Let us begin.

Agenis"

Lucy clenched her jaw. Her teeth wanted to chatter again. The hair stood on her neck, and she held her breath. Fae took her hand again. Her grip was tight this time.

"Alma

Apistia

Heidrun"

Lucy recognized the name. That was Morgen's roommate. Had she been senior to Morgen? Lucy wondered. Lucy recalled that Morgen was the closest maid to finishing her stint. Had she missed something? Heidrun's expression didn't change. Her face remained stern. The other maids that were called had all reacted along with their partners, some more than others and all quietly, but Heidrun was frozen.

"Juno"

Lucy knew there weren't many J names among the demonesses. If her name was going to be called it would be soon. Lucy thought her knees might give. Fae rubbed her hand. She must have realized the same thing. Lucy remembered that parchment. If this were just a simple matter of reading names off, Jezebel would have recited them from memory. That parchment was read to Lucy a month after she first arrived. She had spent that month in training. The morning Fae arrived, they were paired up. Their names were read on the parchment together. They were partners from that day forward. There was something binding about it. Something she couldn't put her finger on. She remembered how much she disliked Fae when they met. She remembered how quickly it became mutual. Fae was holding her hand now, and Lucy's heart was in her throat.

"Lucy"

Her eyes started to water. The list of names continued, but she heard little outside her own heartbeat. She stared at the floor, it was blurry, her glasses were useless. She became aware of a scent. Aware of Fae's scent. Lucy couldn't feel her body anymore, all except her hand. Fae was still holding it. Droplets fell to her lenses. Droplets fell to the tile below, to her feet.

"Minerva

Naamah

Ogree

Vitruvia"

The last thing Lucy remembered that day was falling to the floor in the dress hall, sobbing.