18th Century tale of the prevy kind

[Randomman]

The cafe' doors bell sounds with a tinkle as one of it's regular hungry patrons opens the door.

"Well, good afternoon."

Daniel the cafe' owner smiles warmly.

" 'Lo"

The elderly breaded patron says as he rests on his typical spot. A bar stole close to the pub owner.

"Looks like like you've got your hands full."

He looks at the crowed cafe's room.

"Thanks to my steady customers like you."

I smile as I use a cloth to hold onto the hot teapot.

'The usual?"

"Yes"

The man mumbles as turns to face me.

"So how're things these days?"

"These days? Hmm..."

I close my eyes in thought.

"I'm pleased to be kept so busy here...but by the time I get home, it seems all I do is sleep."

The elder blinks slowly through his tired eyes as if to comply.

"The other day, you mentioned somethin' about putting out in announcement..."

"Oh, that..."

I sigh.

"It appears that everyone's looking for help."

The old man rests his hand on his chin for support.

"Maybe you oughta find yourself a rich gent' marry into money."

I hold out his hot freshly brewed cup of tea on a plate for him.

"Probably simpler for you to do than runnin' a business."

My face smirks at that thought.

"Heh...Now there's an idea. Maybe I'll give it a try."

I lean over to him.

"But, then again, I'd have to fold up shop...and you wouldn't be able to see my face day in and day out anymore."

The geezer smiles.

"Forget I said anything."

"Forgotten."

I smile as I hold warm platter of food at for him.

The night grows dark in the late afternoon sky. The bells tinkle, tinkle as the last cafe goer leaves.

" 'Night, Luv!"

A wave at the door after him.

"Thank you. Be sure to go straight home now!"

"Right-o!"

He waves as I set out a sigh. I start cleaning up the empty closed for the night cafe'. After cleaning up the cafe'. I sigh as I pass a lit lamp post on my way to home. My thoughts run wild with stress as I walk.

Feels like I'm nearing the end of my rope. Haven't cleaned the house in god knows when....and the garden is a jungle. Sometimes I wonder whether it's worth having a big house. On the other hand, I can't keep counting on Wenson...I'm hungry...

I finally reach the gate to my house. But I pause in surprise for low and behold I see a catboy sitting at the steps of my front door. The gate creaks as I open it alerting the waiting feline of my presence.

"Ah...It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Shuichi Nelson..."

The black fur colored and dressed boy greets me with a bow.

"Are you Mr. Steinbock?'

A smile back friendly at this stranger.

"Yes, can I help you?"

The catboy by the name of Shuichi Nelson starts fishing into his pockets.

"Um...I saw this..."

He hands me a cut out newspaper article add.

Seeking a healthy young man to serve as a live-in housekeeper For the particulars, come for an interview with Mr. Daniel Steinbock at: 360 Lebens Street

"You mean to apply for...?!"

I inquire.

"Yes, Sir."

The cat nods his head.

"I see...Well I do apologize for getting home so late. I run a cafe' and..."

I pause as I look at Shuichi.

"How long have you been waiting here?"

"Oh, Since this afternoon...Sir."

I gasp at this plain reaction to the matter at hand.

"That long?! Oh my! Anyway, Let's go go inside..."

As we settle down in some chairs the warm roaring fire place heats up the room nice and cozy for the interview. I start us off.

"Uh...Shuichi, right? How old are you? And where are your parents?"

"I'm 16, Sir. And I don't have any parents, not as far as I can remember, anyway..."

He says plainly. I raise my foot up a bit in surprise.

"Oh, Dear...then where are you staying?"

He smiles.

"...Nowhere."

Goodness...perhaps It'd be best not to delve any deeper.

I think to myself.

Let's change the subject.

"Would this be your first time as a housekeeper?"

"No...I have some experience from the last house I was at..."

I pause in thought.

...The last house....Mm....

I put my fingers to my chin and lips while thinking this through.

Well...He seems like the serious type and that's not a bad thing...But He is a bit too young...13...

I take my hand away from face as another thought crosses my mind.

If I turn Him down here, Though, I wonder if He's got a place to go...

The catboy keeps a calm and patient expression on his face as he sits in his chair waiting for my response. I start to get nervous. luckily an idea crosses my mind. I touch at my chine.

"Do you know how to make Pigeon Pate'?"

With mushrooms...

"...Sir?!"

Shuichi says questionably.

"Er...Yes...I could make it."

I close my eyes in thought as I put my hand to my lips.

"What about Tipsy Cake?"

"That, too."

I look him in the eyes.

"Can you make it well?"

The catboys face lights up red.

"Eh?! Ah...I believe so..."

I smile.

"In that case...You're hired."

The still blushing catboy gives off a sigh of relief.

"Those two dishes are my current favorites. I'll be pleased if you remember that."

"I will!!"

Shuichi exclaims excitedly.

I start leading my housekeeper to his room.

"I hope it's all right for me to ask this...But many people are advertising for housekeepers. Why did you think to come here?"

The catboy gets a bit nervous.

"Actually, Sir...Your advertisement was the only one that didn't list an age requirement."

This was my only chance...

He says to himself.

Ah, That's right. I meant to write a minimum age, But forgot to...

I scold at myself as we reach the door.

"It's a little cramped, But..."

I say as I open the door. The small room has a bed, table, chair, and dresser which all have a white sheet over each of them so they wont catch any dust. Close by the furniture a window shows the dark and star filled night time sky. I pull out a match to start lighting a gas powered lamp. With the dresser free of its covering I place the lamp on top of it.

"There's no electricity in this room, But I'll leave that lamp here. Use it as you please."

I start leaving the doorway with the sheets in hand.

"It's already late tonight, So We'll start tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir."

I make my leave out the door.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

With that I walk out thinking.

What a quiet child...

Back in the room Shuichi puts down his bag on the table. He looks around the room with a smile on his face.

It is morning now.

"Well? Did you get it on?"

I ask curiously while waiting for my housekeepr to come out of the dressing divider.

Shuichi finally comes out in his uniform. It consists of a black dress going past his knees but not not so much that it touched the floor. A white apron with frilly collars, neck tie and a small tiara. Also white thigh-high stockings where being worn as well. The simple buckle black shoes where a nice fit to and they where looked brand new as well!

"Oh, My. You look adorable."

I exclaim as I take the blushing catboy to a mirror so that he can get a look at himself.

"Thank goodness it fits. It's a little big on you, But if we take in the sleeves and the shoulders , It should be fine."

I smile at how well the outfit goes with my housekeeper. The catboy flushes at his appearance as I hold onto his shoulders lightly.

"I'm going to bring a spare outfit as well. I'll be back in a jiff."

I left Shuichi in the room as I closed the door. The crimson faced maid blushed at his image in the mirror. He did a curtsy and quickly locked at the door in case someone was watching. Feeling quite safe he started twirling, spinning and lifting his dress and apron in a fanning like motion.

"Sorry for the wait."

I said as I opened the door.

"For starters, I've got an apron and a dress..."

Shuichi gasps at being caught playing with his dress. I stare at him in surprise.

"Er...The skirt is just so fluffy...Excuse me. It's just, I've always wanted a proper maid's uniform..."

The red face catboy starts fussing over his hair.

If something like that can make him happy...I'm guessing He's burdened with a gloomy past. Though I shrink from asking him about it...

I say to myself not daring to look Shuichi in the eyes.

I soon lead my maid on a small tour of the house for his job duties.

"The Bedroom..."

A wooden floored room with a rug under a big bed. On the walls hang mirrors and pictures. It also has a curtained window, dresser, and a few cabinets.

"The Parlor..."

It;s the room with the fireplace and two big comfy chairs. At and around the mantle place are some pictures and decorations The floor is carpeted.

"The Study..."

Bookcases filled with books that I have come to collect and enjoy over the years. Theirs also a table with a lamp on top of it and a reading chair as well. The Study is also carpeted.

"And here's the Kitchen. The cleaning supplies are in the closet on the right. Can you remember all that?"

Shuichi nods his head that he can.

"Since you've had some experience before, you probably already know what to do, But please take care of the the cleaning and the linens."

I smile as the catboy follows me out of the kitchen into the parlor.

"Yes, Sir."

He smiles.

The big grandfather clock in the parlor starts gonging.

"Oh! That time already...I have to open the shop!!"

I start rushing for the door while putting on my coat. Shuichi follows after me getting down my orders as I rush out. Luckily he was there or I whould have forgotten to bring my hat!

"After you finish that, you'll find fresh linens in a drawer in the room next to the parlor. Take from the top. I'll probably be home late, so find something for lunch for yourself in the kitchen. What else? What else? Never mind, just do as you see fit."

I put on my hat and wave to my maid as I go out the door.

"I'll see you this evening."

Shuichi smiles.

"Have a good day, Sir."

At the Cafe'. I tell the old man my latest news.

"Well' good for you."

He says with a lit pipe in his mouth. I hand him in cup of tea.

"I suppose so...But...Guess how old he is."

The elder puffs at his smoke before replying.

"A 60 year-old grandmotherly type?"

"The opposite!!"

I retort.

Back in the house. Shuichi brings two buckets of cleaning supplies and tools to the parlor. He goes over to the counter and runs his finger across it. It leaves a long clean trail across the dust. He stares at his now dirty finger.

Ewww...

It's night time now.

"I'm home!"

I say as I open the houses main door.

Eh...? Where is he?

I walk into a now sparkling clean kitchen.

"Oh...My..."

I hold onto my coat as my cheeks flush from this most surprising sight.

"Ah! I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't hear you come back?"

The catboy apologizes as he enters the kitchen.

"Did you you do all of this yourself?

I ask still a bit shocked.

Well of course you did. There's no one one else here...

"Ah...Yes, Sir."

The maid blushes a bit from my surprise.

"I haven't quite finished with the rooms over there, though..."

He hung onto my coat.

"Um, Have you had dinner...?"

"No, Not yet?"

"I made something simple, if..."

"Oh, That would be lovely."

At the kitchen My eyes start to water from hot yummy dinner prepared for me.

Simple? Simply delicious!

I taste another spoonful of lovely soup.

I feel as if I've won the lottery...

The catboy pours a fresh cup of steamy tea into my teacup. I blow off the steam to cool it a bit.

"...Shuichi?"

I say as I set my teacup back on it's little plate.

"Yes, Sir?"

He handles the teapot with care against the white cloth.

"I hope you'll stay here a long time."

I say with a smile.

"...Thank you!"

Shuichi smiles cheerfully. We smile at each other.

And so that...Is how how Shuichi came to be my maid.

"Could I have another cup?"

"Yes, Sir."

End

[Randomman]

The old man stopped with the news of today under his arm.

"What the dickens? You're shutting down already?"

I smiled to my faithful cafe' patron as I started moving the cafe's easel inside.

"Oh, Hello. That's right. Today, I've got....Something to do."

One of the younger patron's start to holler.

"Eh? So soon?"

A smoker looks up from his paper not believing the news.

"By my watch, We still have two hours!"

I have to speak up a bit from the rowdy cafe'ers.

"Yes, Yes. Everyone out!! I'm closing early today!!"

I wave goodbye to the grumpily out the door customers.

"Thank you for coming! See you tomorrow!"

The young and smoking man moan in confusion.

"Strewth, What was that all about?"

The smoker puffs up a couple of clouds from his pipe bitterly.

"Barely got to sit down!"

My name is Daniel Steinbock. This year, I'll be 28 years old. I suppose I could be considered a "Young old man".

As I pass the shops in town. I spot a decent sized leather bound book on display in a trendy shop's window display. I peer at it for a while before alerting the shopkeeper I would like to purchase it. She wraps it up up for me and bids me a good day.

Fortunately, I'm the proprietor of a cafe' that's doing a good bit of business. Enough to make ends meet, Anyway.

I pass the busy shopping district of town and arrive at my houses front gate.

Recently, There's been a slight change in my house. I've employed a maid.

"I'm home."

I announce.

His name is Shuichi Nelson...

"Welcome back."

Shuichi greets me with a smiling face at the front door.

...And He's only 16 years old.

I start taking my hat off inside.

"Not too many customers today, So I closed up early.

He doesn't talk much. At first, I attributed it to our not being used to one another yet...But it seems that He's naturally diffident.

"Here, I picked this up for you on the way home."

I hand the package over to the surprised catboy.

"...Um...This is...?"

Shuichi stares at the gift in his hands.

"A present. It looked so cute that I couldn't resit it getting it. Gon, open it"

I smile as my maid starts unwrapping the gift. Shuichi picks up the book in curiosity.

"It's nicely bound in leather. Go on and touch it!"

The catboy blushes a bit after rubbing his hand against it. He flips through a few pages.

"It's empty..."

I smile.

"You can fill in those pages with whatever you want to."

Shuichi smiles at his book.

Later on. I think to myself as I sit in one of the parlors big chairs.

Hmm...

I support my head with my hand as I stare at the warm crackling fireplace with uninterest.

Maybe a book was to childish...He didn't have much of a reaction to it...Perhaps I should've gotten him a hat or something...

I turned my head around to look behind myself.

"Come to think of it...Where is he?"

I peeked into the kitchen doorway. There I saw my maid sitting down at the kitchen table writing in his book. The table is scattered with art supplies from colored pastels to pens and ink containers.

"Shuichi?"

I ask from behind his view. The startled catboy gets off the chair and faces me. Or was he trying to hide what he was drawing?

"I-I'm sorry! I'll get dinner started right away!!!"

I put my hand to my chine at his sudden reaction.

"Never mind that..."

I look at one of the book pages.

"Oh what are you drawing?"

Shuichi gets all nervous.

"I thought I'd...Try drawing us in different sorts of clothes..."

I stare at the drawing as his voice gets more shy. He puts his head down.

"...I know I should have waited till later. ....I'm sorry."

I look up from the book pages back to Shuichi.

"You drew these, Didn't you?"

He perks up his head at me.

"Yes, Sir."

"I can see you've got good artistic sense. Perhaps you're cut out to be a artist in the future."

The catboy blushes. I smile as I give my maid back his book.

Well he was pleased with the book after all.

"Anyways, As long as you like it, I'm happy."

I hum out the kitchen door and back into the parlor. Shuichi looks back to his art supplies.

It's night time now. The bed sheet covered maid stares at his book resting on the small table near the lamp. He runs his hand over the leather bound book remembering my words.

I can see you've got good fashion sense. Perhaps you're cut out to be a artist in the future.

Shuichi flushes a smile.

"Goodnight...Booky..."

End

[Randomman]

The catboy maid opened the door to my bedroom. He set down the tea set on the dresser as he drew back bedrooms curtains.

"Mmm..."

I stirred in my bedsheets as I put my hand to my face to block the early mornings light.

" 'Morning..."

Shuichi greets me a good morning with a smile.

"Mmm...'Morning...."

I smiled as stood up a bit from my bed. The catboy stared at me for a while before tugging away the bedsheets away from me.

"All right, all right. I'm getting up..."

I laughed as I held onto the bedsheets with one hand.

"Huh..."

I said as I read the paper while drinking my tea at my bed.

"It says even if water gets on the corset, It won't rust. I'll have to look into that."

My maid smiles at my silly habit of reading almost anything in the newspaper articles. I end up reading everything from daily events to some of the most random gossip in London it seems..

"By the way, How are we on wheat flour?"

I ask as Shuichi starts handing me my clothes.

"There's a little left."

He says as I hand him back my nightgown.

"Mr. Kemp always delivers it here, But he's retiring this month. So I'll have to order from a different place from now on."

I start putting my clothes on.

"I believe there's another store in the area run by a Mrs. Colby."

The catboy starts helping me put on my overcoat for God knows how hard it is for me to get into those accursed sleeves when you already have an inner coat and dress shirt on!DX

"Could you go there and arrange to have them deliver the flour the starting next month? Tell them I'll pay upon delivery."

Shuichi stares at me as I try to comb down a stubborn cowlick. I give him a look.

"What's wrong?"

The shy maid blushes.

'Umm...The flour. Yes, Sir."

He walks away with the bedsheets. I give him a puzzled look as he heads out the door.

Shuichi returns to my empty bedroom with the nice clean sheets. He starts storing them into my dresser drawer. He stops at seeing my undergarments.

"Underwear..."

He blushes as he takes it out and wears it over his dress. His tail starts to struggle under the fabric. The maid sighs he takes puts back my clothes. He looks at his reflection in my mirror and starts thinking about me in comparison.

No cat ears, No tail. And underwear that doesn't need a tail hole...

His ears twitch as he starts fixing his hair.

I can't help being an anthro...but I wish I was a human....

Back in the kitchen. Shuichi starts pouring some flour into a bowel. The container is only half filled when the bag runs out..

Out of flour...

He starts shaking the lats bits of flour out of the bag and remembers my words.

When we run out, go to the new store and order them.

Shuichi looks at the empty flour bag.

Hmm...What was the name again? Mrs. Colby?

At the store.

"Afternoon."

Mrs. Colby greets Shuichi who is dressed in his black dress with the white bow collar. He has replaced his apron with a small bow hat to cover his ears and has tucked in his tail as well.

"Whats wrong with you, Little Miss?"

Though Shuichi has carefully hidden his very apparent cat anthro traits. Mrs. Colby has come to the false impression that he is a girl.

"Er...I want to place an order..."

A man walks in carrying a big bag of flour. Mrs. Colby starts writing down the order onto her log.

"Oh, You're one of Mr. Kemp's, Are you? I heard he's going to live with is son."

"Oh, A customer."

The man blurts out. Who Shuichi comes to believe is Mr. Colby. Mrs. Colby smiles.

"Granted he's the competition....But I'll be sad to see him go. We've both been along so long. What's your name and address?"

She looks up from her log to Shuichi.

"It's for Daniel Steinbock at 360 Lebens Street."

Mrs. Colby goes back to her log.

"Daniel Steinbock? Oh I know..."

Mr. Colby slouches over the counter upon hearing my name.

"Yeah Mr. Daniel. He runs the Mona Lisa. Drop in there m'self from time to time. So you're his maid, Are ya? "

He smiles.

"You've got a fine master. Tall, Beautiful, Brown..."

Mrs. Colby cuts in half yelling. Clearly she was getting irradiated about the way her husband was talking about me.

"Don't corrupt the child with your degenerate talk!!"

He whistles.

"You can tell him I'd be happy to deliver the flour right to his door, month to month."

Shuichi blushes as Mr. Colby wife yells louder.

"That's enough!!"

The maid walks home while looking at his refection in the shops mirrors thinking about Mr. Colby's words.

You've got a fine master. Tall, Beautiful, Brown...

The catboy looks at himself closer in the passing shops mirrors.

I knew it...Human IS Beautiful...

Back in the bedroom.

"I wish i was an anthro..."

I said in my nightgown as I looked over a fashion article in bed.

"Eh?"

Shuichi looks at me. He has his full maid outfit back on now.

"Anthro are so wonderful. Just thinking about those cute tails and ears. You're lucky Shuichi. I here cat anthros are very rare."

The catboy pauses as he's having trouble understanding me.

"......I would prefer to be a human."

I look up from my random reading material for the night.

"Really? I can't imagine why. Anthros look more intellectual, sophisticated, elegant...When I was a a student, There was this one anthro wolf boy. He was enivied by many including me."

I chuckled a bit.

"I'll never forget the scolding I got from my Grandmother when I told her I wanted to be an Anthro."

I spoke to myself.

I cried all night...

The maid blushed as he thought to himself.

...Envious?

I started smiling at the pictures on the next page.

Ah look at this dress...

Shuichi smiled as his thoughts lifted him up.

I see...I guess being an Anthro isn't so bad after all.

And so it seemed that He was satisfied.

In the morning Shuichi started helping me with brushing down my hair.

However...

I wish I was a human...

Shuichi thought anew.

End