Author's note: Hi, everyone! I'm HermiaSD here on ffnet, and I'm Ahiru in this story! I'm really excited about working with so many awesome writers, and it's been such a pleasure putting this together with them. It may be choppy at times--RP format is much different than story format--but I hope you're entertained anyway! Thanks for reading!

Author's note 2: Hey, folks. Manda-chan here! I'll be doing Fakir's role in this story - so prepare for some TL;DR on his part. (It's a curse of my writing, I swear.) Anyway, apologies in advance if this is all hard to follow - keep in mind that we were tagging back and forth on this, so it changes POV constantly. That said, I hope you can enjoy it, regardless!

These fics are based off of prompts created for a roleplay community. Mainly for pointless entertainment, this fic is based on the prompt, Maid/Master.

Feather duster in hand, Ahiru marched into the large library of the estate, a determined spark in her to get to work.

And it was still early in the morning; she did her very best to wake up before any of the Masters and Mistresses of the house did. Especially before a particular one...

...But no such luck. For someone was already in the library, quietly reading. He wore crisp black pants with a matching vest, over a dark green dress shirt, and his hair of similar color was pulled back into a ponytail as his eyes focused on the worn pages of the book in his hands.

That is, until he was interrupted. The young man promptly looked up with a scowl when the maid entered. Just his luck. And it just had to be the loud one who was always tripping over things and making more messes than she cleaned.

She didn't notice him at first. She simply moved toward one of the bookshelves nearby, rolling the ladder over so she could reach the higher shelves. Ahiru began to hum lightly, uncaring that it was painfully off-key as she began her work on the lower shelves, adjusting her apron as she went.

Oh god, that noise was grating on his ears. And not even the rain outside the window helped drown it out. He clenched his teeth in annoyance, shutting his book with a snap and sending a sharp glare in the girl's direction.

"Do you mind?"

"GYAH--!"

And down she went, the feather duster flying across the room and Ahiru landing right on her behind. She threw him a small glare. Why did he have to be awake at this time? Of all of the Masters here, it had to be him.

The universe hated her or something. "Sorry, Master. I didn't know you were there. Jerk…"

He shook his head at the display of clumsiness. Not that it was anything new with her, but it was still a sad sight to see. "I swear, you can't stay on your feet for more than five minutes at a time." Fakir then sent her a rather meaningful look.

"...And you'd better watch how you address me. I'm not deaf."

She snorted, rolling her eyes as she used the shelf to help herself to her feet. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry, Master. Not really." With a huff, she made her way over to the side to pick up the feather duster. Honestly, he could've been a bit nicer once in a while. Why did he always have to be so mean?

Honestly, he still found her behavior odd. Out of all of the maids that were in his uncle's grand house, this one was the only one that really had an attitude. The rest were almost sickeningly obedient and apologetic, even when something happened that wasn't their own fault. And they were incredibly refined - the picture of grace.

But not this one. Hell, although it wasn't his problem that she was too blind to see him when she came in, she was probably blaming him for 'startling' her and putting her chain reaction mess-up into motion. Typical. After a few years of service here, he'd think she would have learned some better manners by now. But apparently not.

Fakir rolled his eyes.

"Well, hurry up and do your business and get out. "

Once more, Ahiru snorted, stomping back toward the bookshelf. "Hmph. Acting like some high-and-mighty...Such a big meanie... 'Do your business and get out,' he says. Well, fiiine, not like I wanna be around him anyway…"

And this entire time, she meant to talk to herself, not even knowing her thoughts were coming right out of her mouth, even as she mimicked his face and words.

Fakir couldn't help but raise an incredulous eyebrow at her antics.

Really. He was RIGHT THERE in the room. He could hear and see everything she did and said. And she was openly mocking him?

His scowl deepened before one side suddenly upturned, putting a rather nasty-looking smirk on his features. "Is that so... I suppose you would like to me speak to the head maid about your impertinent behavior, hm?"

Not that he would really bother, honestly. She kept things interesting, if nothing else. But he never missed a chance to threaten her. Just because he could. And because her reactions were often worth the trouble.

Her eyes narrowed. Why did he have to bring that up all the time? Acting so...so much...more important than her or something--!

...Well, then again, she was nothing but the maid. But still. A little understanding and respect would be nice...

She whirled around, glaring at him. "Y-You know what? Go ahead and tell her about my imper-impertant behavior! I don't care! Since you're soooo important and almighty and ooooh, I'm a Master of a house I'm scaaaary!"

Immature? Certainly. But after years of dealing with him, she's had it up to here all ready.

Would she ever grow up? ...No, likely not. He rolled his eyes again, leaning back into the plush chair. "Go ahead, huh. You don't care, huh."

Fakir studied her lazily, still holding his book in one hand. He could think of one thing that WOULD make her care. But like hell if he would ever ask the head maid to arrange that. He saw enough of her as it was. And getting a big reaction out of her was not worth making himself suffer in the process.

"Are you trying to get thrown out of here? You can't take a single criticism about your poor conduct and skills without turning into a little shrew. Pathetic."

"Sh-Shrew--?"

...Yeah, she had no clue what that was supposed to mean, but no way could it mean anything good if it came from this guy's mouth. She crossed her arms again, stomping her foot. "I take criticism fine! I just don't like it when people just go ahead and be mean about it like some people here!"

"The truth hurts, doesn't it?"

He re-opened his book, idly fiddling through the pages. "If you want respect, you have to earn it. And from day one, you seem to think muttering insults and names under your breath and mocking me is the way to get me to be nice to you. Hilarious."

Her grip tightened around the feather duster. Like someone like him would ever bother to give someone like her respect. She was just a maid. No one bothered to try and see anything other than that. Ahiru knew for a fact that she could never be like the other maids here. Not in a million years.

So who was she supposed to be then?

All the same, she kept her mouth shut, unable to answer him, and turned back to the bookshelf. She began her work--but not really. She wasn't really focusing on it.

Fakir glanced up after she had gone silent and set about her dusting. She had certainly shut up faster than he anticipated this time. Had he struck a nerve with just that?

...And why did he feel slightly... disappointed?

True, she did have a spark to her that he kind of sort of liked in some really odd way. But she was also annoying as hell half of the time. So wasn't it more of a blessing that she had closed her mouth?

He lowered the book, watching her closely as she worked, as if that would somehow give him the answer to his own wayward thoughts.

...Ahiru didn't like silences. Even with the raindrops pattering against the large window on the far wall, it was still too quiet for her to be comfortable. But she remained quiet. Because if she remained quiet, then so would he, and then she wouldn't get riled up and start acting like the anti-maid.

Why didn't the other maids act like her? Or why couldn't she act like the other maids? Whenever the Masters and Mistresses were cruel or unfair to them, they'd accept it and even apologize! But why would they? They've done nothing to deserve the that the right way to handle things as a maid? She couldn't accept that. She wouldn't...

And by now, she stopped dusting altogether; it was always hard for her to think deeply and do work at the same time.

Fakir raised and eyebrow when she halted, looking rather like she was staring into nothing.

...Was she day-dreaming or something? Hn. It wouldn't be the first time. Another thing that set her apart from the others was how easily distracted she was. It took her a long time to even complete simple tasks, sometimes, just due to how she wasn't able to stay focused.

Inefficient, clumsy, disobedient, loud and obnoxious, fiery temper, awkward in so many ways... how did she ever become a maid in the first place? She was everything they were trained not to be.

Which thankfully meant, that out of the dozens of them in this house, at least one of them retained a personality. The rest were like drones. And quite frankly, he wasn't sure if he was just aggravated by their perfection and professionalism, or if they sort of even creeped him out, in a way. Who would be that dedicated to a family of wealthy people? Losing your individualism was like losing yourself.

He almost smirked wryly at that thought. Hadn't that been the same for those of his status, too? Strip who you are and become someone else for the sake of your family and your family's appearance and expectations. Spend your life studying and growing up to be what someone else wants you to be. Have the most expected out of you for everything. Have your marriage arranged. Have your whole goddamn life arranged. And not be able to lift a damn finger in protest.

...Damn. He didn't want to think about this right now. He had come in here to enjoy a book and escape, if only until the rest of the family was awake. Then his time would no longer be his.

And a moment later, lightning flashed across the sky and thunder boomed. Ahiru was yanked out of her thoughts and squeaked in shock and fear, once more dropping the feather.

She hated storms. Really. She preferred sunshine. Or light drizzling. But no storms. And she fought the immense urge to literally dive under the table in , she looked rather ridiculous, staring frightfully out the window, knees knocking together.

What a fantastic morning. Yes, the universe hated her.

It was near impossible to miss her yelp in the silence of the room. But the fact that she was afraid of something like thunder was strangely comforting to the wealthy young man. Just another thing to prove that someone else here was still human.

...Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let her off the hook again. He'd done it before for various reasons, but he always masked it over with indifference or some excuse about how she was bothering him or how inefficient she was for whatever job it was. Or as in the case with the broken antique vase, he'd taken the fall for her without even telling her. Even if he'd claimed to her that he was going to let his uncle know what she did right away. When it came down to it, despite his common threats to her, the last thing he wanted was for her to get fired or sent away.

And in this case... well, this was definitely not the best room in the mansion to be in if you were frightened of thunderstorms. But he knew a few that didn't have windows and were far from the outskirts of the mansion.

Fakir cleared his throat. "You aren't getting much work done here anyway, so move on the dining room and prepare it for breakfast." He waved a hand offhandedly before feigning interest back in his book. "I'll have another maid finish dusting this later."

She forced her apprehensive gaze away from the window to stare at him in surprise.

To be honest, she really did want to leave. It was quiet, except for the thunder, and she hated both of them. So why stay?

First of all, despite what she had told him earlier about not caring, she did care. She didn't want to be fired. She had nothing outside of this place. They picked her up from an orphanage, and now she was too old to go back. She would end up living on the streets. If the head maid, who was a lot less nice to her for obvious reasons, were to find out she skipped out on the library duties, she would be fired for sure and tossed out into the world with nothing. After all, dusting the shelves in the library gave the opportunity for her to produce minimal damage to the estate.

And secondly...as much as she would never admit it out in the open, being around Master Fakir wasn't...so bad. And she often tried to convince herself that he was horrible and should be avoided at all costs.

But...he paid attention to her. Not good attention by any means, but he actually talked to her as if she existed, and as if she was more than just a speck of dirt on the ground.

She'd rather deal with his criticisms than the sneers and superior looks she received from the rest of the family. "...I-I don't think they want me to help with breakfast...so I'll just...stay or something."

Fakir looked up in mild shock, blinking uncomprehendingly.

She wanted to stay? After he'd given her a perfect way out - away from the thunder and away from him? Two for one and she turned it down?

...Weird girl, he thought, and not for the first time. Though he supposed maybe she didn't want to be around the other maids. He could sympathize. The drone team with their plastic smiles and almost mechanical bows were not the sort of company he liked to keep, either. In that case... which of the other rooms would be sufficient?

"Hn. I guess broken dishes wouldn't be a great surprise for the rest of the family to wake up to. Head to the parlor, then. That needs to be cleaned up far more than this room needs dusting."

There. Another windowless room far away from the outside walls of the mansion. She could thank him later. ...Only she wouldn't, but he was far used to this by now. And like hell if he wanted to explain his true motives anyway.

Everything was easier when she thought he was merely an asshole who abused his status as power.

And that was exactly what she thought. Maybe he really was getting sick of her if he kept giving her all these excuses to leave him alone. Well, the better to annoy him, she supposed. And with that, she began to walk toward him, leaving the feather duster on the ground...and speeding up her pace when thunder rumbled once more.

She plopped down in the seat right in front of him, sighed heavily and sank into the plush material of the chair, looking hunched over and slouching. Not a very dignified posture in the least.

Her lips formed a tiny pout. "It's boring in the parlor. And your uncle always smokes in there. I don't want to smell like it this early in the morning if he's all ready up."

That...and he gave her strange looks sometimes. It really freaked her out.

Here she was slacking off, using one of the mistress's favorite chairs, complaining about the highest master of the house, and looking not unlike a child who was being told to go and take a nap. Both of his brows raised in amusement.

"Are you sure you're a maid?"

Even WITH his discreet assistance, he sometimes wondered how she managed to hold onto the job for this long. Comparing her to the other maid was like comparing night and day. There pretty much WAS nothing to compare. Besides maybe the outfits that they were all required to wear. That's where the similarities began and ended.

Fakir pulled out his pocket watch, flipping the silver top back and glancing at the numbers. "...He shouldn't be up for at least a half hour yet. He sleeps in slightly later on Sundays."

Which was something he discovered and periodically timed, if just to be absolutely certain of how much free time he could scrape before his unwanted daily schedule started.

She had to furrow her eyebrows in confusion at his question. Of course she was a maid. She was wearing the uniform. And she received no acknowledgment from the rest of the family. Except the uncle. But he was just weird or something.

"Well, uhh, yeah? What else would I be?"

...She would much rather be recognized for being herself, but fat chance that was. Maybe she would've been able to be known had she been able to afford the dance classes she had always dreamed of taking.

At the comment about the highest master's sleep schedule, she had to snort a bit. "Do you always keep track of things like that?"

His brows creased together. He'd expected as much of an answer from her, but still. He thought that one was pretty obvious. "It's called sarcasm, moron. You act nothing like the rest of them."

Upon hearing her snort along with her last question, he quickly snapped the watch shut and shoved it back into his pocket. Hell only knows what she thought of that habit of his, but at least he could take a little pride in knowing that she was certainly far off the mark.

"Hmph. Of course I do."

And he had to, regardless. When you lived by the clock and lived by other people's expectations, you had to be punctual. Always. Nothing less was accepted. Not in this family.

Sometimes he really wished his real parents never died. He didn't ask for this pompous, controlled lifestyle of the rich and self-entitled. And he sure as hell didn't want it. Why his father's brother had been so interested in raising him was beyond Fakir. From what he could remember of his father and uncle, they didn't get along at all. And that was putting it nicely.

He really wondered just what his uncle gained from taking him into this family. There didn't seem to be a single reason for it that he could see.

"...Yeah, you're right. I don't act like them."

She really didn't know whether to take this as a good or a bad thing. Ahiru really wanted nothing to do with those mindless maids, but at the same time, she felt excluded from them as well as from the family they served. So, she didn't belong anywhere, it seemed.

Ahiru shifted so she sat straighter in the chair, bringing her stocking-clad legs up to her chest beneath her flouncy maid uniform. What reasons could he have for keeping track of those things? "Oh. Why? You always seem to look at that thing. Are you in some kind of hurry?"

For just a brief moment, he imagined the look of horror on the mistress's face if she could see the redhead now - shoes up on her favorite chair. How much they all cared about the state of... every material possession in this house was unbelievable. A chair, a vase, a book, a dish - somehow all of that ugly, practically useless junk was worth an insane amount of money. Stupid. So damn stupid.

Fakir then blinked at her question, eyebrows raising in disbelief. It was impossible for her not to be aware that he was running around on a schedule all day, every day. It wasn't a secret. It was the way things always worked here.

He scoffed. "What do you think, moron? I have to know what time it is so I can be where I have to be throughout the day."

"...Huh. You, too?"

So even the family she served was rushed about things. Really, Ahiru couldn't stand being on a schedule. It took her forever to get up in the morning, and just as long to do the simplest of tasks.

"Wish everyone would just...I dunno. Slow down every so often."

"Yes, idiot. Just because I'm not a servant doesn't mean I'm not expected to follow a different schedule."

How she didn't already know that was beyond him, but he decided not to dwell on it. When it came down to it, it hardly mattered whether she knew that or he nearly snorted at her last comment. "Don't count on it. Because the chances of that ever happening are slim, at best."

She rested her chin on her knees with a sigh. Everyone had to follow a schedule here. How boring. But that explained the overall lack of spontaneity on the part of the family she was supposed to serve. They never went on vacations, or even visited the other mansions they had in other locations.

"...We should ditch or something."

"Ditch?"

He almost wanted to laugh. Really, he did. If he were capable of such a thing.

...Not that he hadn't thought of doing something similar numerous times. And even tried. The furthest he had ever made it was the gates - and there he was caught, and forced to spit out an excuse for being that far out on the property when he was supposed to be with his tutor. They kept an annoyingly close eye on him for awhile after that. Ironic how his 'home' had become something of a prison.

"...It's not that easy, you know. To get out of here."

And it was at this point that Ahiru thought she figured it out. The way Master Fakir responded...saying that it wasn't easy. As if he knew. Whereas, the rest of the family would immediately punish her for saying such a had to be something more to him. Why else would he act so differently than the rest? Kind of like herself in some ways.

So, for the first time, she smiled at him.

"...There's a back door in the servants' quarters, y'know. It connects to the stables and out into the town. If we let the horses loose, everyone'll be distracted…"

Maybe what they both needed was to get out of there for just a day.

Fakir placed his book down beside him and seriously stopped to consider her suggestion.

There was one big flaw in it that he could see. But... he thought he might have a way out of that. He should have tried it the first time, and then maybe it wouldn't have mattered if he was caught or not. "Hn. Distraction isn't the biggest problem. I could outrun those idiots any day if I needed to."

Indeed, all of his training was good for something. He had honed quite a few physical skills that would be much more helpful somewhere out and away from this damn mansion.

But...

"The gates are the problem. They're always locked, and only my uncle has the key. And they're too steep to climb. However…"

He paused, and looked out the window, where the rain was still pouring down in buckets. "I think I could jump it. On horseback. If I can get enough distance."

Her grin took on a rather mischievous look as her voice hushed, her eyes glancing toward the door to the library. "I say go for it. Even if it's raining."

He turned toward her and finally saw her smile, which suddenly seemed to remind him about something that confounded him above everything else.

"Why would you want to leave with me, anyway? I thought you despised me."

Unless she just wanted his assistance in getting out. Fakir couldn't blame her for that. And he supposed he could do that much. After all, he doubted that she knew how to ride on horseback, much less control the horses properly. He sighed.

"...You want a way out, right? I guess if there's somewhere in particular that you want to go, I can take you that far."

Ahiru had to stop and think about this for a moment. Why did she want to leave with him? Certainly, she wanted to get out of here, but...The thought of getting out with him seemed to make it...more exciting, perhaps? It was strange. She never tried to think of him fondly before. But maybe she sort of enjoyed the little spats they'd have. And even if he often said he'd tell the Master about her breaking or ruining things...she still wasn't out on the streets.

She lowered her legs from her chest to sit properly on the chair, head tilted in thought. "...I just wanna get out for a day is all. Even if you are a jerk, at least you bother to talk to me.

"And I really have nowhere in particular to go…"

"A day?"

He honestly wondered if she could get away with even that. He knew he could - they would be ticked off, surely, and have him watched on a normal basis after pulling such a stunt. But he didn't think they would put up with it from this maid. Could he lie her out of trouble again? Perhaps, but...

To be entirely honest, once he crossed that gate, he didn't even plan to come back. This wasn't the life for him. He wanted his own life and to make his own choices. Plus there was that itching feeling that his uncle was planning something. With all of his lessons that revolved around combat and weapons, he had the sneaking suspicion that his uncle intended to send him off to war across the seas. And he wanted no part of that.

"...Hn. I don't know if that's going to work. Unless I claimed that I made you go with me. But…" He paused there, and looked toward the window again, eyes following the droplets down the pane. Fakir didn't really want to tell her this, but there seemed to be no way around it. "I don't intend to return to this place."

"...Claimed that you…" Her eyebrow rose. "Why would you take the heat for me anyway? That's kinda...weird."

And at his last comment, she glanced away. Well, freedom did sound tempting. And surely Master Fakir would be able to build himself a good, solid life to live.

But she were to leave...what would she have? She had no skills, not even as a maid. She had no connections, no family, no friends. So what was better? She was probably going to end up miserable either way.

She quickly masked her internal conflict with a small smile, hopefully hiding her disappointment. She'd all ready decided anyway. Outside, she had nothing. Here, at least she had food to eat and a place to sleep, even if she was met with scoldings and disapproving gazes and absolute and utter misery for the rest of her life.

Even if...it will be boring without Master Fakir around.

"Ah. Maybe you should just go on your own then."

She'd only slow him down in any case. And at least she was able to, in some way, convince him to get out.

Fakir mentally winced. Damn, he had just indirectly said he'd cover for her, didn't he?

He supposed he could just tell her the truth, but... she didn't seem interested in going unless she had a way back. And if he came back, he didn't doubt that it would become almost impossible to leave successfully again. Was one day of freedom even worth it? ...No. He wanted out. Completely. He wanted to break the chains that held him down to this home and to this family that he never asked for. Would that show that he was ungrateful for what he had until this point? Perhaps, but he never cared about those things. Who wanted a cold family who thought they were superior to everyone? Who wanted a life of choices not their own? Who wanted to be someone else's pawn for the rest of their lives?

All the same, the maid obviously wasn't thrilled about having to remain here with the drone maids and his haughty blood-relatives, either. He didn't even know why she stayed here as long as she had, unless it was just because she had nowhere to go.

...Fakir couldn't understand that. He had nowhere to go, either. But that wouldn't stop him - he was going to FIND a place to go. He didn't want to rely on this forced family.

"Perhaps." He finally agreed with a short nod. "If you're content to stay here, then so be it. I'm not letting these people run my life for me anymore. I want one that I can call my own."

Once more, she brought her knees up to her chest.

She admired him. For once. Because just a few moments ago, she never would have thought that he felt this way about his lifestyle. In that, he had earned her respect. So, despite the unshed tears in her eyes, she gave him a tiny smile.

He was going out to take control of his life. The way she wanted to, had she the means...and the courage. At least Master Fakir had skills and knowledge and education. He could work with those. He could find himself a job and build himself a long, fulfilling life. Would she be able to do that? Life was...hard out there in the world for a young girl like her all alone. And she would never resort to some of the things other women did for other choice did she have other than to stay here? Where it was safe? And lonely...

She said nothing, and simply buried her head in her arms, a tearful smile still on her face.

He wasn't sure just what to make of that expression on her face. Why the hell would she bother smiling when she looked so sad? Was that her way of silently saying she relied too much on this family to give her a stable and secure life? Even if it was obvious that she wanted something more?

It... irritated him. Giving up wasn't an option if you really wanted something. It just WASN'T.

"Idiot. You don't really want to stay here, do you? But you're giving up because you have no better options?" He turned away with a huff, crossing his arms. "I don't understand giving up so easily. The reality of a life that's your own is taking risks. Chancing - hell, even knowing that you'll fall. And that it won't be easy to get back up again.

"...But you do what you want. If you wish to take the easy way out, be my guest. If you want the chance for a harder road, but something of your own, you don't have long to think it over."

And with that, he got to his feet.

"I'm going to pack a few things. Everyone will be up soon, and I intend to disappear before they can even figure out I'm missing." He started walking toward the library doors, and stopped about halfway, glancing over his shoulder.

"If you change your mind, I'll be at the back door of the servant's quarters in about ten minutes. But I'm not waiting around."

...Why was he getting upset at her? Why did he even care enough to tell her all this? Well, certainly, it had been her idea from the start, but Master Fakir couldn't possibly care about her and her life anyway. So why...?

...Even if he was right. Living a life of your own was about taking risk. What she had here...wasn't a yet, all she could think was why would he even care?Ten minutes to decide. Ten minutes that would determine what kind of life she would lead. Take it or leave it. Now or never. And the choice presented itself so suddenly.

She remained curled into a ball on the chair, mind whirring. Ten minutes.

Fakir left the library without another word, and headed toward the kitchen. First things first, he needed some food to take along, just in case there was trouble on the road ahead. Which there likely would be. There was a forest to cross before the nearest town could be reached - and even there would only be a brief stop. Enough to rest and eat and then move on. He didn't want to stay anywhere that those rich fools could track him down.

After gathering a decent amount of rations, he haphazardly packed them into a knapsack and shouldered it, quick steps carrying him out of the kitchen and making a beeline upstairs for his room.

He couldn't worry about the maid. She was probably confused and wondering why he was even bothering to offer her a way out. And she had every reason to be wary or suspicious. He always seemed to be trying to get her in trouble, even if it was just the opposite. And he figured that she didn't really need to know the truth. He would miss her if she stayed here, but... well, that was that. He couldn't dwell on it. If this was her choice, then it was her life to choose. Just as he was choosing his own. But he at least gave her the option, because she deserved a chance.

He threw open his door carelessly and quickly stuffed a few essentials into his knapsack with the food. There wasn't much needed, considering most of his possessions here were worthless to him. And once he finished, he gave the room one last glance before he shut the door and headed back downstairs. Amidst his quick pace toward the servant's area, he pulled the pocketwatch out of his slacks and gauged his time.

His uncle would be up in less than five minutes. He really had to act now. If the rest of the servants were able to get to the stables before he could prepare one horse in particular for riding, the entire plan would fail. And unfortunately, as good as the maid's suggestion was, letting loose and scaring all of the horses into making a ruckus would not be too smart if he wanted to ride on one and have an open path to the gate.

Ignoring the few practiced greetings from various servants and maids that he passed, Fakir made his way straight to the back door. And subsequently fought down vague disappointment when there was not a redhead waiting there.

So... it seemed she had made her decision. But that couldn't stop him from making his.

…A few minutes after Fakir left the library, Ahiru made her decision.

It was her idea in the first place! He wasn't going to just steal her idea and leave without her! She wouldn't let him!

...That, and everything he said...

She wanted her own life. She wanted to make her own choices and build something of her own. If she stayed here, Ahiru would never, ever own anything. No matter how different she was from the other maids, no one would see her as anything more than that. In fact, she'd probably be known as the worst maid in the mansion for the rest of her life.

But she wanted to be herself now. It was time that she took her life into her own hands.

With that thought, she stood, and ran for the door. She had no possessions, so there was nothing for her to pack. But on the way, she shed her apron and bonnet, her braid falling from the crown of her head to flap haphazardly behind her as she dashed through the halls. The rest of the servants and maids didn't pay her any mind; Ahiru was always acting idiotically, and it was just a matter of time before one of the Masters or Mistresses caught her and punished her.

As she approached the servants' quarters, her heart raced, and she didn't allow herself to stop and think about her decision.

She just prayed that Master Fakir hadn't all ready left.

After feeding a lie to the few lingering and questioning servants, Fakir ordered them away without a second thought. At least his path as far as the stables wouldn't be interrupted now. It wasn't all that strange for him to go out there and visit with his favorite horse when he had the opportunity (and hell, they were better company than most of the people in the mansion, anyway), and so the servants hadn't even cast him a strange or suspicious glance.

And now his path was clear. Fakir wrenched the door open without another thought, shielding his eyes as he looked out through the cascades of water falling from the sky.

The weather conditions weren't preferable at all for what he was going to attempt, but he didn't care. He knew he could do it. And he knew the horse that wouldn't let him down.

Flipping open his pocketwatch one last time, he studied the second hand as it came closer to the scripted number twelve at the top. Eleven minutes and forty-six seconds. Why was he still waiting? Why did it matter to him whether or not she took this opportunity?

Ahiru literally burst through the servants' quarters' door, snatching the ratty, patched up blanket from her cot in the room. She had to make it. As she ran, she quickly wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.

Please still be there...This was her only chance.

Fakir sighed, snapping his pocketwatch closed and slipping it back into his pocket. His uncle would be getting up now. He couldn't wait around for the girl.

And chances were, she wasn't even coming. She was at least more content to live a controlled life than to set foot on her own, apparently.

And just like that, the back door burst open, and the frantic redhead slammed directly into his back, the collision sending her right back down to the floor on her bottom.

"Y-Yowch!"

Nononono, this was slowing her down! She had to make it before Master Fakir left...!

"GAH!"

Not having noticed her approach at all, the impact from behind sent Fakir flailing out forward into the rain, landing on his hands and knees in the mud with a squelching splat.

...Fantastic. Who would be so damn clumsy as to--

But he knew the answer to that question before he even got up and glanced behind him. And sure enough, the redhead was on the other side of the door.

...So she had come, after all. He was warring between something oddly like relief, and annoyance at the fact that he was already soaked and filthy. Shaking his drenched hair out of its loose ponytail, he looked back toward the fallen girl, not even bothering to come back in out of the rain.

"Changed your mind, have you?"

She slowly dragged herself back to her feet, and his voice registered in her she couldn't stop the bright smile from lighting up her face. She wasn't too late! He hadn't left yet! Without another thought, she scampered forward into the rain, taking the ratty blanket off her shoulders to offer it to him. It wasn't a gesture of a maid giving up her possessions for the Master. It was a gesture from a girl who was so happy that someone waited for her, intentionally or not...and the fact that it was her fault he was all wet and muddy.

Even as she stood in the pouring rain, quickly becoming soaked to the bone, she could all ready taste her freedom.

"Mm! Let's go! I couldn't let you take my idea and just leave me behind!"

He casually pushed the blanket back with a shake of his head.

"Keep it. I'm fine. We're going to get soaked and dirty from riding in this weather anyway, anyway, so it doesn't matter."

And she would probably need it more than he did, given the maid apparel that she was still wearing.

"...All right, then. Follow me. There's only one horse I trust for this." And with that, he started off for the stables, adjusting the strap of the sack on his shoulder as his steps increased in speed. They didn't have much time and he still needed to saddle it up--now with room for two people. Hopefully she would still be able to make the jump...

She rewrapped the blanket around her, and quickly scampered after him, clutching the cloth tightly around horse. He must be talking about that horse he rode the most often. Ahiru often watched him from the castle windows. That horse in particular must've been his favorite one.

Fakir pulled open the doors to the stables with little difficulty, and ignored the chorus of whinnies that greeted him from within as he made his way toward the back.

There, at the very end, was a chestnut-colored mare with a straw-yellow mane and tail. She had earned the nickname 'Wild Mare' due to her temperment, but Fakir mused that maybe it was due to her troublesome nature that he got along as well as he did with her. Wasting no time, he pulled the largest saddle down off of the side of the stable next to her and approached the horse, patting her face lightly before he went to set her up for riding.

"Got a bit of a challenge for you, today... if you're up for it. But I think it's going to get us out of here for good. You don't really want to stay stuck here either, do you?" The horse whinnied in what seemed like agreement as Fakir set the final straps to secure the saddle into place.

Ahiru followed in, watching with wide eyes at the scene before her. Fakir was always known for being far kinder to his horse than to anyone else. And it was almost heartwarming to see this other side of him. She almost felt rather...disappointed for not trying to get to know more about him, and instead, spent all that time arguing and picking on him.

She approached quietly, fiddling with her long braid and the wet strands of hair that hung in front of her face, smiling at the mare.

Hearing the light footsteps behind him, Fakir glanced over his shoulder just as he tightened the last belt and adjusted the saddle on top of the horse. "Have you ever ridden before...?" He doubted that most of the servants ever did anything besides groom the animals in the stable, but with this girl... well, he could never tell. She was different from the others.

Ahiru stepped closer, reaching up to stroke the mare's face tentatively and lightly. She was very beautiful, and it'd been so long. Ahiru spoke absently, almost as if to herself. "A few times. With my dad. I once rode all by myself, too, but he was right beside me. And he even let me ride with one leg on either side because I thought it was more comfy."

His eyes widened slightly. Not that he knew about her life before she came to the mansion, but he wouldn't expect that someone as young as her had any experience in riding that early on.

...Well, at least that would make this somewhat easier if he didn't have to worry about her falling off or freaking out. And with that thought, he hoisted himself up onto the horse, swinging one leg over the side and sitting as far forward as he could manage. Then he held a hand out to the redhead below.

"Well, come on, then. We need to get out of here. Someone would have gone to wake me up, so they're probably looking by now."

With a deep breath, she immediately grasped Master Fakir's hand, using his support to lift herself up and behind him onto the horse.

This was it. She was going to build her own life now.

...How strange. It was happening all so quickly...On instinct, and remembering what her father had told her when she sat behind him, her arms curled around Master Fakir's waist for support. After all, she didn't have the reigns.

Fakir really wasn't sure why that made heat rush to his face, but with just the simple curve of her arms around his middle, he could feel himself blushing. Okay, so maybe he just wasn't used to being touched by girls at all. The maids and servants had offered to help bathe him many times, but he vehemently turned them down. He preferred his privacy. Not that this was anything like that--but he still wasn't accustomed to it.

Just don't think about it, he chided himself with an effort, he swallowed his nerves down and took the horse's reigns, giving them a quick, small snap. And that set the animal into a trot, heading for the open stable door on the other side. Fakir cleared his throat.

"There's a chance this might... turn into a mess if it doesn't work, so... just be prepared for that. I can't guarantee anything."

Ahiru didn't know whether he was talking to her or the mare, but nodded anyway, readying herself.

"It's worth it, I think."

And it was. Because with a single leap, if all went well, they would have their freedom. And that was all it took.

"Hn. Yeah... it is."

And with that, the horse trodded right out into the sheets of rain, gradually picking up speed, and Fakir snapped the reigns down once more to coax her into a full gallop alongside the long, dark shadow cast down from the towering mansion.

Hecould see the gates in the far distance, but the more speed they accumulated beforehand, the better the chance of making that bound. Especially with the windy downpour coming from above.

Just after passing about half of his previous 'home' by, the young man heard voices erupt from behind them, straining through the wind and rain.

"Master Fakir! This is not weather for riding!"

"What in the BLAZES are you doing, boy! Bring yourself and that maid back here this instant!"

Fakir didn't even bother looking back and urged the horse onward. He felt a slight embarrassment at the thought that it might look like they were eloping or something, but he pushed the thought away. "Pay no attention to them. They can't do anything."

Ahiru uncurled one of her arms from Master Fakir's middle to quickly keep a hold of the blanket wrapped around her shoulders as they began to speed up, the rain pouring down and soaking her to the bone. She instinctively leaned closer against Master Fakir's back, feeling strangely...safer, as well as warmer.

But that was when the voices came, and she squinted through the fog toward the figures. They were found out! Did they have to go back now--?

But when they only kept going, and she heard Master Fakir's words, her expression hardened just slightly, and she nodded. "R-Right...Let's...Let's just go…" Her arm tightened around his waist for emphasis.

The outbursts from behind gradually faded into the distance, drowned out by the pouring rain and howling winds. Fakir's lips pulled into a thin line as he snapped the reigns once more and caused the horse to whinny as she literally took off like a bolt. He struggled to keep his eyes open through the storm--focused intently on the stone gate up ahead. It was coming... very soon. They had to make this leap into freedom.

"Ahiru. Hold on tight. And whatever you do, don't let go."

It was the first time he had ever used her name, but he couldn't dwell on that right now. He had to make sure that he had her attention. If she let go before or during the jump, she'd go flying off the back end of the horse. And he didn't want to chance that happening.

The use of her name did not go unnoticed

Not only had he actually said it, but he knew it. He somehow knew her name. And remembered it.

Her arm tightened its hold around his middle and she leaned forward, bracing herself against his back. She was so close, she was certain he could probably feel her racing heart. Both from the closeness, and from what was about to one single jump. One leap. And then...Then what? She didn't know. She had no clue what would happen from there. But at least, as Master Fakir had said earlier, it would belong to her.

"...I won't…"

Fakir blocked out the press of her from behind as much as he could manage, focusing on the goal ahead and preparing. The coast was clear. The wind might become a hindrance from the angle it was blowing, but he was confident that his horse could make this leap. He had faith in his hold on the reigns, he readied the foot in the stirrup on the right, lifting it away from the body of the animal. The gate's wall was ... closer... three... two... one...!

He brought his foot back in and impacted the horse's side, provoking her to release a loud whinny and gallop straight into a jump, which just barely cleared the stone wall before thudding down on all fours on the other side.

After a moment, Fakir just sat there, unmoving, eyes wide and breath caught somewhere in his throat. And then that breath released in a combination of relief and adrenaline."Yes... Yes... We're--we're free…"

...Just...just like that? In an instant, her life was changed. With a single jump. And...and now she was on the other side of that wall. She was at the start of her new life. Everything...everything she would do from now on would be...her was so shocked, it took a moment before she could finally released Fakir, and she fiddled absently with the blanket around her shoulders....Free, he said. Free...

"...Fakir...?"

He wasn't her master anymore, after all.

And to say the least, the sound of his name on her lips…was strangely pleasant. Maybe it was because of his sudden freedom that caught him in such a good mood. It was just a girl saying his name, after all.

Nonetheless, despite himself, he found his hand wandering around to find hers, gripping her fingers with his own.

"Come on. Let's…just go from here."

Oddly enough, she could only bring herself to cling to his hand, resting her forehead against his back. No connections, no money, no home…

…But in the back of her mind, she sort of just knew that Fakir wouldn't just leave her. Maybe, all this time, that was all she needed.