“Her throat bloated as a thick glop of saliva forced its way down. Her face sparkled as each drop of sweat reflected the brilliant sunlight. Her hands quivered lightly, clenching a small, fungus covered tome. The shoes she stood in were polished, showing a smooth sheen. Her eyes jolted across the vista of the building, trying to make sense. Her sharp fangs bit down into the lower lip, trying to divert her energy elsewhere. Her heart pounded, faster with every slight breeze that brushed her body. Once more, her tongue slithered over her lips as she got a grasp of herself.”
“Vivid, very vivid.” The sunlight stroked over the wealthy woman’s cheek, as she swirled her glass of expensive liqueur around. The red liquid sparkled, the swiftness of its motions showing the education of its drinker. “But you’re still going. It’s part of the deal.” The liquid vanished down her gullet with a swift sip, before the glass landed on a coaster, resting on a crystal table.
“But...but ma’am!” The shark growled and shook her head.
“Sush! You wanted to see the real world; I wanted a demon servant and your previous owner some details about mortals. You knew the details, and now you protest?” The sharkess frowned down at the cat maid, who shivered, not as powerful as she should be. “You do know WHY you signed that deal, do you? It’s because without an owner and a collar, your powers run wild and you kill everything. So unless you want to choke on sulphur oxide again, comply as you should, maid.” The cat looked down, nodding slowly as she wiped her apron.
“Yes ma’am, excuse me for my disgraceful behaviour, ma’am.” The catgirl adjusted her collar, whimpering at the thought of returning to the world below.
“Good. Tomorrow the semester begins, so you will go to school, make friends and enemies; learn about those... peasants. But don’t slack off or avoid your duties here.” She nodded again.
“Yes ma’am and I won’t ma’am.” The sharkess smiled softly, nodding contently.
“Very well, little girl. Now then, there are probably some dusty tomes or dirty boots that need cleaning. Off with you.” The girl scooted off, whining a little at the thought of having to go meet people that didn’t have control over her. The idea of being with equals or people below her sounded scary, although she found it scarier that she’d not have her mistress around to guide her.
[CALIBRATION COMPLETE.]
[FINISHING ERROR REPORT.]
The bull paid great attention as lines and lines of code flashed past his small screen, telling him the many details of the system he was checking. Next to him was a lifeless kangaroo, who’s arms and limbs were removed and his skull hallowed out, with nor eyes not ears left. His nose was just a small dimple in his muzzle, which lacked teeth and tongue.
“Mm... this looks normal...” He chuckled, looking at the corpse. “Although my language isn’t. Hah! I’m practically talking to a corpse here. Without that brain in your head you’re not very lively.” He smiled, letting the lines flash bye his nerves, until the screen turned blank and a small series of code remained. “It’s nothing too fun having errors like this before school, I guess. Never had any mods myself, not even my eyes. One of few au naturel out there. Well, except my ID, but I can’t do anything about that, can I?” The bull rolled his eyes, realising nobody was really listening. “Ugh... it’s a lot more fun when my ‘patients’ aren’t having brain issues.” He sighed, checking the lines. “I guess I better put it all back, lest I inform a lifeless body on his quirks, no?” After another mild chuckle, he slid all kinds of metal body parts onto the kangaroo, until the little cyborg started to move again. “Nono! Your cables are still in.” The bull held the little kid down, removing several wires.
“Sorry...” The kangaroo said, getting back on his butt. “So... what’s wrong?” The shrug was a lie, a mere quirk the bull had.
“Just some junk data clogging your wires. Strap into the defragmenter and give the old noggin a good scrubbing while you sleep. If you still get glitches, I can send the parts for factory disassembly... but...”
“But nothing beats rebooting, I know, Germ.” The bull let out a modest sigh and nodded.
“Good, I’ll send the cheque to your benefactor.” The kangaroo nodded and skipped off home.
