Matilda Chambers

“Of course I’ve got some. Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours.” The maid offers a gentle smile. “I do hope that they haven’t done this in the past-- like you said-- it’s a security issue.” 

“Positive.” She says quietly. “Oh, heavens, no. I can’t take the day off.” Matilda replies hastily. “Something is ALWAYS going on, here.”

“I-- I needed to get something.” A terrible excuse, considering that she’d exited empty handed. “Oh, I’m just wonderful. Truly. There’s no need to worry.” What is she supposed to say? I hate my job? I’m lonely and aging poorly? I miss home? Surely not.

It’s times like these that Matilda doesn’t mind selling info to the tabloids-- they deserve to be publicly humiliated. She can’t stand these brats. So far, her day has consisted of being mocked, ridden with tedious tasks, and scrubbing the puke from the carpet of a student that’d probably partied too much the night before. Matilda didn’t bother asking-- she never does. She simply KNOWS.  So, for at least a few moments, she needs to get away from it all. The strawberry blonde finds herself in the same storage closet that she always runs off to in times of stress. By now, she’s coined it the crying closet. She’s not the only maid to have put it to good use, at the institute. Sniffling, she dries her eyes, and cautiously exits the small storage space. With wide eyes, she’s met face to face with someone on the other side. “My apologies-- can I help you with something?” Her voice wavers. 

“Oh, Princess. You’re so silly. Everyone returned last week. With classes beginning monday, I certainly HOPE they’re not at home.”

“Your highness-- my most sincere apologies.” Her face flushes. “It was just so quiet on this hall-- I thought I’d tidy the dorm rooms before more students returned.”

“I wasn’t able to fully begin-- you came in, and so I thought that perhaps tomorrow morning would suffice better. Perhaps while you’re at breakfast.” She clasps her hands together, stepping towards the door. “Right away, ma’am. I’ll be but a minute.” Disappearing into the hallway, Matilda heads for the one of many cleaning closets throughout the castle, using the towel heater to warm the plush towels before folding them neatly and returning to Esmerald’s dorm room.  “Your towels, duchess. Would you like me to place them anywhere specifically? I know how particular you can be about what goes where.”

“Good evening, to you too, Princess.” She sputters. “W-Well, I meant this hallway of rooms.” Matilda reassures her. “Oh, no worries. I can tidy that for you straight away.” She bows her head, clasping her hands together before attempting to maneuver around the princess. “Your highness-- where...where is everyone tonight?”

“Duchess Esmerald, I can assure you-- I was simply folding a few items for you. Just to make your life a bit easier.” She places her hands over her heart, taking a few steps toward the young royalty with a casual head-bow. “After all-- you treat me ever so kindly. I only wish to repay that kindness.” She lies. Matilda can’t STAND the duchess. “I... noticed that you’re out of plush towels. Shall I fetch you a new set?”

It’s quiet tonight-- too quiet. Matilda knows that something strange is going on. She is damn near the eyes and ears of the castle. Little to nothing gets past the help. She sees the good, the bad, and the ugly around here. Using her master key to wander into a dormitory, she parks her cleaning cart outside of the room. At first, she lets her eyes wander about the bedroom. Fixing her glance upon a drawer, she hesitantly opens it and carefully searches through. Coming across an item of jewelry that she particularly likes, she holds it up to herself in a nearby mirror. That’s when she hears the door creaking open. Dropping the item back into the drawer and shutting it, she turns on her black heels.  “Oh, dear-- my apologies.” Her voice wavers. “I was just tidying up this hall while everyone is out.” Suspicious for a Friday night-- nevertheless, Miss Chambers forces a convincing, warm smile.

“SHE IS A PARADOX. SHE IS FAITHFUL AND YET DETACHED. SHE IS COMMITTED AND YET RELAXED. SHE LOVES EVERYONE, AND YET NO ONE. SHE IS SOCIABLE BUT ALSO A LONER. SHE IS GENTLE AND YET TOUGH. SHE IS PASSIONATE BUT CAN ALSO BE PLATONIC. IN SHORT, SHE IS PREDICTABLE IN HER UNPREDICTABILITY…”