《Mind your Manors, please.》Chapter 12 - Nemo and Headless Housemaid (part 1 - first encounter)
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With great power came great capability to prank someone. Nemo believed that was how the superhero saying went. What the superhero forgot to mention was that she also needed to take care that the greater the prank, the easier it was for her to anger the victim.
However, when Nemo demonstrated the ability to cling to high places and drop water out ot thin air, there was only one thing to do. It would be a travesty not to do that one thing.
Nemo spent the entire day off trying to find victims for her newly discovered ability. Yet even then most of her intended targets had really boring reactions.
The White Titan stalked the hallways without care as usual and the water leaked down for her to mop up. Rainbow Fluff soaked up all the water and simply looked at her with a bewildered expression before floating away to wherever. The Count on the other hand must’ve already figured out her intention and basically roamed around by dipping in and out of the shadows on the ceiling.
Nemo believed the house guests not on friendly terms with her might’ve provided much more entertaining reactions, but their ‘I will murder you’ aura more or less dissuaded the notion. That was when Nemo realized that there was one more individual in the manor that would provide an entertaining reaction without also risking herself being shredded to pieces.
That was why Nemo decided to douse Demon Lady with water. It was a long journey and she had many failed attempts but she finally found success.
That was also why she was standing in a hallway with en entire section blown off.
“I do believe you have outdone yourself, Nemo” The Count said as he slithered down from what was left of the ceiling. A hint of amusement was masked behind his tone. “It seems you do have a talent for making another break character. It had been a very long time since I’ve seen Demon Lady just storm off like that. Well, if we discount the other times you have made her do so.”
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The Count then pondered for a bit, his smokey tendrils wavered around the chin of his mask.
“Alas, it would be wise for you to avoid Demon Lady for some time. I have no doubt she would not inflict any harm towards you. My mansion however would only be able to sustain a limited amount of her outbursts. This also means you would need to seek out Headless Housemaid to complete your final training.”
Nemo protested with a silent groan but the Count remained unmoved. After ten minutes of staring in his face with the ferocity of a tiger, Nemo stalked towards the room of Headless Housemaid. Nemo was unhappy that she needed to attend another lesson but meeting someone new was always fun.
Nemo knocked on the door. It was one not unlike her own but the room itself took quite some time to get to. It was far away from the servant quarter. The owner of the room clearly had special accommodations and didn't want to be around others. Nemo wondered was it safe to bother someone like that but the Count assured her that Headless Housemaid was kind, and even if she wanted to do something she couldn’t, whatever that meant.
No one answered.
Nemo thought that Headless Housemaid was not in the room but the Count assured Nemo that it was because the servant inside was ignoring her. There was one way to get the shut-in out and that was to make to largest ruckus ever.
Nemo gladly obliged. She couldn’t speak but she was a master at making loud noises.
[Skill - Splash of Sanitation (rank E)]
Magic flowed into her hand and Nemo poured puddles of water onto the floor. Normally she would feel bad for making a mess but the Count did tell her to do whatever she could to get Headless Housemaid out of the room. She believed that was what the Count said. His wording not so much, but the meaning definitely.
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The art to annoy others was a skill Nemo honed over the years and started to master ever since she moved into the mansion. Everyone here had the ability to storm away before she could do anything so she had to learn to push the limits. She had to learn to annoy others just on the edge so they could continue to make funny and angry faces while not messing up Nemo’s shenanigans.
Splash. Splash.
Nemo hopped and skipped from puddle to puddle, small noises of water sprinkled in front of the door. Headless Housemaid had no idea the severity of what would happen next. Nemo continued her act and she could do it all day. Stomping on puddles was in itself fun. However, she didn’t have all day so she continued and waited for the right moment.
A small rustling of bed sheets could be heard within the room. It was an opening. She couldn’t allow Headless Housemaid get used to her ruckus.
Nemo channelled magic again but this time with all her might, gathering as much energy as she could within her palms. When it was about to burst she unleashed a torrent of water and doused the door directly.
[Skill - Splash of Sanitation (rank E)]
After the splash she began whacking the door with her cloth and the loud snaps echoed in the hallways. It was not enough. She started to jump and stomp and pound on the door. This was fun. She was conducting a symphony, one full of noise and cheer. Now she only needed one final climactic drop.
The door slammed outward and Nemo tumbled backwards.
Nemo rubbed her forehead, a boo boo that would be red for a day or two. She shook her head and looked at the girl standing in front of her.
The girl was wearing the same uniform as Nemo except for some differences. Her shoes were black instead of brown and unlike Nemo’s they were shined perfectly. She wore a black long sleeved dress that covered her entire leg with simple white trims and an apron in front of it. The only that was missing was a bonnet. Devil Lady taught her what it was called. To be more precise however, the entire head was missing.
Nemo screamed in her own head and fainted.
When Nemo awoke she found herself sleeping in a bed not her own but she was warm and dry. She rubbed her eyes and saw Headless Housemaid sat in a chair next to the bedside tending Nemo.
Headless Housemaid realized Nemo was awake and was still. She was afraid to scare the little girl.
Nemo was already used to it. The first time was a surprise for sure. She would’ve thought she would be used to the literal naming by now but once she saw the monstrous and had a good scare, she now found the unknown exciting.
The maid realized that Nemo was not scared she then got up to a stand and proceeded to pour a cup of hot tea and gave it to Nemo. Nemo reached for the cup and took a sip. It warmed her body and gave her a fuzzy feeling. It was delicious.
The Headless Housemaid was not scary at all. She was kind and gentle. Nemo might’ve even made another friend who couldn’t speak!
Nemo gave her a thumbs up and a grin.
The housemaid bowed. It was graceful.
“So what do you want, punk?”
A voice rang out of the headless body and Nemo’s smile froze.
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