Midnight Manifesto

[Yuki]

It was strange how the atmosphere of a place could change simply by the time of day.

During the daytime, the halls of the Destiny Manifesto were not busy, but when you saw people walking the halls, they moved with purpose and determination. There was research to do, reports to fill out, errands to run, chores to complete. There were places to go, people to meet and speak to. But at night, the building seemed to take on an entirely different character. To Yuki, who considered these halls home, they were serene at night, relaxing. The plush carpet felt softer, the marble tiles were cool underfoot. The windows looked out onto water turned into quicksilver by moonlight. The hallway lights were dimmed, as if to say the whole world was asleep, and all was well.

The glaceon quietly unlocked a cleaning cupboard and stashed away her broom and dustpan. She had been on the kitchen cleanup crew today, and they had been down two members, so the work had taken a little longer than usual, after the last meals had been served. She was tired, but, she could sleep in tomorrow if she liked. It would be her day off.  She couldn't wait to get to her dormitory and crank up the air conditioning. Take a cool shower. Eat some ice cre.. wait a second. Yuki frowned as she glanced at the shelf of various cleaning solutions. They were all mixed up! That would never do. If not organized, someone might attempt to clean a toilet with the solution meant for windows! Or mop the floor with the disinfectant! She sighed, and dedicated her entire attention to putting these bottles back into proper order.

[Ardan O'Donnell]

It was definitely true that the base was a quieter, and one could say serene place at night. There were people still about, but they were mostly the grunts assigned to night watch who mostly patrolled outside and the occasional scientist and such who would work late into the night on projects and would a rarely be seen outside of their workplace. Most grunts were asleep by this time, but there was no true curfew so outside of their assigned work schedules technically they could spend their time doing whatever they wanted at night as long as they still didn't break any rules. So you would get your groups that would get together to play card or drink, but they still mostly stuck to the crew quarters, leaving most of the base empty and silent for the most part.

Tonight, however, things were different. Moving around in the hallways was a pair of Grunts, both male humans. They way they checked behind their backs and whispered each other not wanting others to hear made it clear the two of them were up to something. Spotting the Glaceon maid up ahead, the two of them grinned to each other and then split up, with the one on the left approaching Yuki from behind. With her bent over  trying to sort bottles of cleaning solutions, the grunt took the opportunity and smacked her right on the ass. "Hey there babe," The grunt said coolly, "I saw you cleaning the kitchen today. If you Pokemorph maids live to be of service, then I was thinking that maybe we could find a closet and you could service us?" With him saying that the second grunt appeared to Yuki's other side, blocking her from heading in that direction. The both of them watched  and waited for what she'd do, their sinister intent hinted in their smiles.

(OOC Note: Ardan himself has not shown up yet, these are only NPCs)

[Yuki]

Yuki could not help but give a yelp as the grunt's slap was not only completely unexpected, but actually rather stung, even through the fabric of her skirt and petticoat. Even as a child, slaps, cuffs, and other forms of physical discipline were extremely rare, used only for punishing the most serious of offenses.  Whirling around, sea-jewel eyes wide with shock and surprise, she could only look from one man to the other as they hemmed her in, wondering how she might have offended. Unconsciously, she backed into the broom closet to make more space between them. A strange feeling began to spread in the pit of her stomach, but the Glaceon tried to recover her smile.

"I saw you cleaning the kitchen today. If you Pokemorph maids live to be of service, then I was thinking that maybe we could find a closet and you could service us?" said the one closest to her with a strange leer. Yuki's faltering smile failed completely and the uncomfortable tremor in her stomach grew into a migration of tiny butterfree, fluttering. "I...." she began, then looked both men over, quickly and carefully. Suddenly, she relaxed. Surely it was a misunderstanding. "I am here to serve, gentlemen." she said, simply and quietly. "But this is not the right kind of closet. If it pleases you, I will lead you to the laundry, where I will iron out those wrinkled jackets and find you some clean shirts to wear. No doubt you are uncomfortable, looking," and smelling, she thought, but did not say, "So poorly groomed. I would be happy to help."

[Ardan O'Donnell]

At first the two grunts seem got the idea that she was complying and took a step forward eagerly, but as Yuki was speaking, the two grunts simultaneously changed from a smile to a frown and then looked at each other. "I don't think she gets it," Grunt One said. "Me neither," replied Grunt Two, who seemed to be the quieter one of the bunch given how little he had been speaking thus far. Grunt One sighed, now with a look with more irritation than feigned charm and stepped forward again, putting his hands on Yuki's shoulders. "Here, let me put this into simple terms that even someone with a tiny Pokemon brain like you would understand. You're going to have sex in this closet with us whether you want to or not because we're in charge here." The second grunt still stood back, acting passively as if waiting for his friend to do something while the first grunt started moving with his hands down the Glaceon's backside until he was touching her rear. "Now why don't you be a good girl and take off that dress. You wouldn't want to get it dirty, would you...?"

"Ahem," came a thundering voice from outside the still open closet. Both of the grunts froze as if suddenly hit with an Ice Beam and the first grunt quickly took his hands of Yuki, before they slowly turned to face the grizzled man standing in the doorway. "You two. In my office, 12:30 PM sharp tomorrow." The two grunts looked at each other, the first looked liked he was about to say something be decided against it, then they both solemnly nodded. Apparently, they heard about what happened to the last guy who got called into his office like this, which was probably why they were stalking around in the middle of the night. "I don't think I need to remind you that things will be much worse for you if you don't show up." The older man spoke firmly but calmly, but on close inspection one could see the seething rage burning inside. He just about looked on the edge of throttling the poor bastards. "Go back to your rooms." He took a step to the side, then the two grunts quickly rushed out into the dark. Entering the closet, the face of Ardan could fully be seen, if the thick Irish accent wasn't a clear enough indicator already. "Are you alright lass?" he said, while gently offering her a hand.

[Yuki]

No. She hadn't been mistaken. Her first instinct had been correct after all. The flutters of fear became icicles of terror that froze her solid when the first man took her by the shoulders to "explain" things to her. She tried to pull away, to step back, but she found herself pressed up among the shelves of supplies she had been so industriously sorting. She had heard rumors about something like this happening recently, but she had dismissed them. Such a thing could never happen to her. Not here. That kind of behavior was only prevalent among the lesser species, and only where they were not properly brought up. But then, why...? Yuki gave a tiny whimper as the hands on her shoulders moved southward. Her heart began to race, and her breathing quickened.

It was happening to her.

"Please, don't. I..." she began, unsure of what she could say to convince them. Her mind seemed to be frozen too, all she could do whisper was a panicked "Don't." She squirmed against the unyielding metal of the shelves as the grunt pressed against her, suggesting that she take off her clothes. She must do something. What could she do, though? ... she could fight them... impossible! She knew better! Her earliest lessons had been that Pokemorphs must not use their abilities against humankind. It was unforgivable. She gave a little sob of helplessness, and then...!

"Ahem."

It was so loud in the darkness, like a pistol shot. She felt the grunt holding her tense up for a moment, felt sudden terror in him that nearly rivaled her own. He released her with a suddenness that made her fall to her knees, trembling. Overhead, there were terse words,a sense of anger barely, just barely, restrained. She couldn't make it out. They left. And then, there was a much larger, looming shadow. The one shadow she would know above all others, the one she feared beyond all others.

"Are you alright lass?" he asked gently, taking her hand to help her to her feet.

"I am so sorry, Master O'Donnell!" was the only thing Yuki could get out. She bowed deeply and stayed bent, her frosty fur tinged crimson with shame and humiliation. "Please forgive me, I did not mean to... that is... I was only..." she stumbled on her explanation, as scalding tears escaped her.

[Ardan O'Donnell]

Ardan's expression softened with the two grunts out of his site, look down at the poor frightened maid. His hand moving from holding hers to under her chin, lightly pushing her face up to meet his own concerned gaze. "It's not your fault. You've got nothing to apologize for." With his free hand he pulled a handkerchief out of his coat pocket and gently dabbed under the Glaceon's eyes to dry her tears. "Here, lass. Come take a walk with me," he said while pocketing his handkerchief and motioning towards the door. The way those two frightened this poor young lady and only fueled the rage and disgust he had built up inside, yet he kept his expression gentle around the maid. Though  the would exit the closet and he paused to turn off the light and close the door, one could hear him mutter, _{"Fucking degenerates..."} under his breath.

He then started to move down the hallway with a purpose, staying mostly by Yuki's side but staying one step ahead so he could lead her to their destination. "You see lass, while it may be true that it is humanity's destiny to be the master race, some people," he said, putting a contemptuous emphasis on 'some people' that caused signs of his anger to seep through again. "don't yet act the part. If we are meant to guide the lesser races, then its about damn time that we started to act like it. Some of these recruits, they wouldn't know how to treat a lady if the answer hit them in the face. They try to use their position to take advantage of your kind for their own selfish needs instead of acting like proper leaders, and I will not stand for it." He paused in front of a door, that if Yuki knew the layout of the base well she would know is his office. "But they bloody well learn soon, because once the revolution happens there will be no room for people like them in it." Ardan stared at the Glaceon curiously for a moment, seemingly trying to evaluate something. "What's your name lass?"

[Yuki]

He was kind, so inexpressibly kind, when he tipped her face up, and dried her tears. It made Yuki want to cry even more... that gentleness. But he wouldn't like that. Yuki bit her lip as she straightened, struggling for self mastery. That was the characteristic that made humans superior- that suppression of instinct. They were strong enough to control themselves, and so, could control others. Another early lesson. She firmly blocked the sudden, intrusive thought that how they controlled others might not always be so noble. She couldn't quite suppress a little tremble when Ardan muttered his judgement of the two grunts into the darkness of the closet, and shut the door on it as though he could shut them away just as easily.

And yet... she didn't fear him. Or rather, she feared displeasing him, but she did not fear what he would do to her. He had said she hadn't done anything wrong. She clung to that thought as she trailed, precisely one step behind, and listened intently, eyes on the floor. She thought she understood what he was trying to tell her, Not all humans, just like Pokemorphs, were perfect. Though destined to be the leaders, they weren't born knowing how to lead. And what had just happened was not part of the grand design. That comforted her, significantly. It was just a mistake. An unfortunate... accident. Incident. She felt him stop, and she, looking up, met his gaze trustingly when he asked her name.

"My name is Yuki, Master O'Donnell." she replied, instinctively clasping her hands in front of her and dropping into another bow. She glanced from him to his office door. She knew it well, of course. Every so many months, she would take her turn on the rotation for cleaning it, though she hadn't been on the roster lately. Which was something of a shame, really, for it was one of her favorite chores. Because she could be trusted with the responsibility, she got more 'off-island' duties than a lot of the others. She glanced back at him, distress beginning to fade in favor of curiosity.

[Ardan O'Donnell]

Ardan nodded at the Pokemorph as he opened the door to his office. "Yuki. A graceful name. I'll remember it," he said in a softer, earnest tone. Entering the office, the cooler air of the room could be immediately be felt, and it would be cold to anyone unless you were wearing warmer clothes as Ardan tended to do or if you stayed in front of the fire in the fireplace off to the side. The room was mostly clean, as it tended to be with the maids tending to it on an at least near daily basis, but the big dark oak desk that Ardan sat at was currently cluttered with papers and other work related items from him working throughout the day. In fact he was not even done with them, and was out in the hallways because he was taking a walk to take a short break and relax a little. Well, so much for relaxing now. Dealing with such a tense situation left him on edge, but he was personally glad that he, of all people, was there to protect Yuki.

"Make yourself comfortable. As of now you are not on duty, but merely a guest." He gestured to a few chairs, most positioned to be facing Ardan's own desk, and a soft and from the looks of it not often used lounge couch in the corner. "Would you like a drink? They aren't for everyone but they're good for calming the nerves." He opened a cabinet and showed her a shelf full of alcoholic drinks; mostly the harder, manly stuff that you would expect someone like Ardan to drink, though there was also... Pinap Berry flavored vodka? A strange choice for anyone to keep, let alone a 52 year old man. He waited for Yuki to answer before he would go to his own desk to sit down and pour himself a drink.

[Yuki]

As she stepped into the room behind him, Yuki allowed herself a small, nearly soundless sigh of pleasure at the cooler temperature of the room. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable in the rest of the base... or if she was, she would not admit it.  The base was almost always cooler than the tropical outside, after all. It was just... that stepping into this room and its nearly frosty temperatures, always felt refreshing to her. She looked around with a maid's eye on instinct, noting that everything was in order, except his desk- well, it wasn't uncommon for Master O'Donnell to work late.  To her, that desk looked right when it was in mild disarray. It was the only thing in the world she preferred to see untidy. It was a sign that... well, that the leader was at work, keeping a watchful eye over everything and working toward the betterment of everyone.  To see it straightened or worse yet, empty, as it became when Master O'Donnell left the island- had always made her feel a little lonely.

When he told her to consider herself off duty and a guest, Yuki looked a little startled and pensive. A guest... how was a guest supposed to act? Was she supposed to make witty small talk and entertain him? She tried to remember any clever jokes or funny stories she'd heard recently, but not having prepared, her mind was coming up a complete blank. No doubt Master O'Donnell was used to the best company, when he wanted it. She was surely going to disappoint. Meekly, she made her way to the chair he'd vaguely gestured at, and settled herself in, comfortably. A drink? She'd never indulged before. When she was thirsty, her mind went to thoughts of juice, or moo-moo milk, or water. It had never occurred to her to try alcohol, though she was certainly old enough. She had no idea what would be good, and she didn't want to put him to any trouble, so... "If you don't mind, Master O'Donnell, I will be pleased to have whatever you are having." That felt like a good safe answer to her.

Yuki started to relax a little further. The adrenaline of the...incident was fading out.  The chair was comfortable, despite often being a place where people- of all kinds- were called to be reprimanded. She told herself that she was not here because she had done something bad. And yet, unaccountably, she began to ...tremble. She wasn't cold. She wasn't... frightened. There was nothing to be afraid of, anymore. So why...? the Glaceon clasped her hands together in her lap and tried to will herself into stillness, hoping that Ardan would not notice until she had this under control.

[Ardan O'Donnell]

Ardan was not too surprised that the maid seemed to be caught off guard at being invited in as a guest, but after what happened he didn't mind letting her stay somewhere quiet and relax for a while. He imagined that it would be better than leaving her alone, as even if she were perfectly safe she'd probably feel afraid without someone trustworthy nearby her. That, he could easily oblige to. He wasn't sure how well he could entertain a guest while he was working, but it was better than nothing.

He turned to look at her with an expression that wasn't condensation, but still... a little skeptical of her choice. "Alright, if that's what you want." He pulled a bottle of whiskey out of the cabinet and two glasses, poured a glass for each of them and then pushed one over to the Glaceon. "Don't try to drink it all at once; this stuff burns." He said, while downing a decent amount of his glass in one drink. After drinking for nearly 40 years, he could handle the stuff a lot better than the petite little Glaceon who probably never even had alcohol at all before, let alone whiskey.

Starting to get back to work, Ardan kept himself busy with some paperwork while occasionally glancing up at Yuki to see how she was doing. Though too preoccupied to notice at first he began to sense her unease and looked up at her while putting down his pen. "Are you alright Yuki? If there is still something bothering you, you can tell me. I know what happened must have been traumatic." He held a hand up, as if pausing something that had yet to have been said. "And before you insist that I don't need to worry about you because you're only a servant, I'd like to remind you that everyone in this organization is of my concern."

[Yuki]

It was a relief to the glaceon to see him go back to work after handing her the drink. She inclined her head in acknowledgement of his warning not to drink it all at once, and she held the glass under her nose for a moment. Alcohol always had such a strange smell, but it was good to have something to hold in her hands, something else to think about other than... that. She sipped her drink quietly, and although her first reaction was to spit it out and warn Master O'Donnell that clearly, someone had put some sort of floor cleaning product in his drink... she saw that he had polished off a considerable amount of his glass. She supposed he must... enjoy... that taste.  She couldn't help scrunching her nose, but she sipped again. The second time wasn't so bad, though it still burned. She took a deep shivery breath, quietly, but she saw him look up and study her, sharply.

And so of course Master O'Donnell asked her if anything else was wrong. Yuki dropped her gaze to the wood grain of his desk and was about to shake her head no, when he added, "And before you insist that I don't need to worry about you because you're only a servant, I'd like to remind you that everyone in this organization is of my concern." Yuki looked up at him then, meeting his gaze for a moment with an admiring look, before looking into her drink as though she might find the words she wanted in there.

"I know.... I know that you would worry, Master O'Donnell. I know that everyone is your concern, even a servant." Yuki said, softly. Somehow... the whiskey felt like it was in her blood, warming her limbs and easing the shivering, just a little. Or was it his aura? She felt a little more confident, and she sneaked a look up at him. "But I... my...my concern is to be useful. That is my job, and also... my wish. I am here to help you and your mission, not to hinder it with... with trivial incidents.. I am grateful that you...saved me, but I am also... also ashamed, somehow. I made trouble for you..." Yuki took a much longer pull at her drink this time and swallowed a few times. She had the idea that she was not making a whole lot of sense. "I am making trouble for you right now." she added in a gentler, sadder tone. "Its strange... I was frightened at the time, but I felt numb, too. Now there is no danger, and I... I'm shaking." She gave a nervous laugh, and, leaning forward slightly, she drew a handkerchief of her own from her sleeve and set her drink upon it, in lieu of a coaster. Then she hugged herself.

[Ardan O'Donnell]

Ardan knew from experience that shyer people like Yuki had a habit of bearing their burdens without telling anyone. He also successfully predicted that the whiskey wasn't going to sit well with her. Well, it was definitely an acquired taste. He listened to Yuki try to explain herself, keeping his usual quiet and neutral expression he kept when listening to someone else speak. After he was sure she had finished speaking, he then responded. "You weren't making trouble, Yuki. Those ruffians... they're the ones who caused a problem. I admit I have not known you too well, but when I have seen you at work you've always done things without complain and to the letter." Probably why he didn't remember her name before. She was so good at her job she probably just blended into the background. "And this is no trivial matter. I assure you I take matters like this very seriously."

The old human leaned back in his chair and lit a cigar. "I do know what you're feeling, I believe. Sometimes we feel nothing at the moment something happens, too paralyzed to do or feel anything, and then all out emotion comes out after the fact." He knew the feeling all too well. A puff of smoke appeared as Ardan exhaled then took another sip of his whiskey. "If there is any problem on your part Yuki, it is not anything you can control. You're a young and beautiful woman, and some of the grunts that have yet to be broken in might seek to use their position to take advantage of other people. To take advantage of you." He looked very serious right now, not angry at the maid but resolute in his need to do something about this. "When everyone learns their place, no one will need to live in fear of anybody else. But until then... I would like to offer you a position as my personal servant. It would be your job to clean the office and my personal quarters except when you are busy with other work such as errands outside the base." He reached out with a free hand and and took Yuki's gently, looking her in the eyes. "You can decline if you want; I know you do good work where you are now. But I can assure you that around me you would not have to worry about anyone taking advantage of you."

[Yuki]

In that moment, when the leader of the Destiny Manifesto took her hand and offered her the privilege of becoming his personal servant, Yuki could have blessed those two miscreants for opening this door for her. The glaceon's fingers curled around his, gently. In truth, she would have willingly suffered a lot worse than a scare for this opportunity. She looked up into his face with wondering eyes as clear as an untroubled ocean. "I gratefully accept." she said at once, rising to her feet and bowing deeply, without releasing his hand. Yuki was not a fool, though silly at times. She did not say that realized he was offering her this chance not because of her loyal and meritorious service, nor because he believed he needed a personal retainer. He was offering it as a means of protection. A favor to her.

Even so.

Yuki could be proud at times. She was proud of her work, she was proud of her loyalty, she was proud of belonging to Destiny Manifesto. But she would not let personal pride get in the way of this chance. She believed that she could be useful to him, whether he knew it yet or not. She was sure she shared his vision of the future, and she wanted to see it achieved. A future where everyone was much happier. "I will do my utmost to make this a decision you have no cause to regret, Master O'Donnell," she told him with intense gravity.  And somehow... without her noticing just when.... her trembling had stopped, and she felt steady again.

[Ardan O'Donnell]

Becoming the personal servant of the leader of the entire organization was not something to take lightly, and judging from her expression Yuki was definitely not doing that. It made him proud, in a fatherly way, that she would seem so honored to be offered the position. It gave him the validation that he never needed but always wanted; that a Pokemorph like her could be so eager to work together as servant and master. She had reason to be proud, even if Ardan gave her the position to protect her. The Glaceon was a hard worker, and as long as she was safe and content he was certain that she would continue to be one. It was a move of practicality as much as it was sympathy, but the Pokemorph had earned it all the same. Obedience was to be rewarded.

"I know you will Yuki. I trust you with your own work a lot more than some of the grunts with theirs." He finished off the rest of his whiskey then took another puff of his cigar. "I still have work to do, but you can stay as long as you like." Even if he didn't feel obliged to offer her company when she may feel vulnerable, the shy maid was far too quiet and polite to interrupt him. "You can start with your position tomorrow. You'll start at the same time as usual, but you'll be reporting to here instead of your regular station." He did not, of course, keep track of the schedules of every servant in the base (though he likely would if it weren't impossible), so he did not know that tomorrow was supposed to be a day off for her.