To bend the world (closed)

[asetikish]

"You've done so well, Ms. Erin! You've mastered several languages in a few months. Imagine what you can do in a year!"

A mousey man walked beside Ereshkigal--or Erin--as they took a stroll through the manicured backyard that stretched for about a third of a kilometer in all sides before it abruptly ended in a densely wooded forest. Erin nodded absently as they got closer and closer to the forest, shutting out the little man's incessant praises.

Little pitiful humans. They were all the same.

She stopped at the edge of the forest and looked at her tutor. "Do you like games?"

"Yes, of course, Ms. Erin."

"Good. I want you to play hide and seek. You hide and they seek you."

"They? I don't understand..." his voice trailed off as behind him, hulking figures of werewolves appeared. His face paled and his hands shook, sweat suddenly broke out from his face.

"You see, even after about 700 hundred years, we still consider them young and restless. So we give them their fill of violence, sex and every other debauchery imaginable. Only when they are no longer titillated can we say that they are ready for responsibilities." Erin gave him a sweet smile. "You understand, don't you? If you do, I suggest you don't scream. We told them not to use their noses to give the hunt a little more excitement. Because once they catch you, you die and the fun ends. Now go. We'll give you three minutes to run."

"M-ms. Erin!" the man trembled taking a step toward her, but she stepped back and the werewolves advanced. He turned around and started with a shaky run, stumbling over roots and twigs.

One of the younglings beside Erin howled and the man screamed breaking into a run. Screams echoed in the forest making the creatures laugh.

Erin sighed. "They never listen."

The other creature to her left shrugged. "This is getting boring."

"Good. It should be." Erin turned around and headed back to the mansion, the sounds of screaming slowly being muted.

She was greeted by the caretaker of the house who bowed slightly. "Your new tutor will be arriving soon, Ereshkigal. And as you requested, he is an expert in human psychology."

"I doubt I'll learn anything new, but yes, send him to the study when he comes. Is he being fetched by the...limo?"

"The hummer limo, yes."

"Good. Treat him as a VIP, as always, Abed."

"Of course, First."

 

[The_gladiator]

Fingers danced over the strings, filling the bar with the powerful yet delicate sounds that was the only way to describe a rock guitar solo. Some would call it heavy and forceful; others would realize the talent and the delicate care it took to make such sounds come from the instrument. This was Eric’s calling when he was not studying or teaching or counseling clients, which made up his day job in the field of psychology and human relations. This was the time Eric felt most free, playing. With the music he was able to forget the fact that he was pretty close to broke, buried in debt accrued by taking out loans to pay for his education. He loved the work he did, but there were those moments when he wished he had gone into business. Just the other day one of his former class mates had just gotten hired by a large ice cream company, and was being paid 6 figures a year to get people to buy ice cream, with the same skills Eric possessed.

Almost a year ago Eric had on a whim applied for some job that seemed too good to be true. They had offered him $500 a day to tutor some young woman, heiress to some world leader, or business tycoon. No one had told him exactly who she was. Of course Eric had applied, but he definitely thought it was too good to be true so put it out of his mind. Little did he know that he was about to receive a visitor.

Eric’s band had finished their set and he sat sipping a beer, close to his band but apart. He studied how couples related, and how others got along but yet strangely he didn’t have many family or friend ties himself, in those moments when the depression struck Eric thought he could disappear and no one would notice. Today was one of those days.

That’s when a hand landed on his shoulder, “Excuse me sir your car is waiting for you.” Eric looked confused, but for some reason he obediently followed the man, shrugging, maybe one of his band mates had called him a cab.

Exiting the bar Eric saw the hummer limo. His jaw dropped, what was going on? “All will be explained later.” The driver said when Eric started to ask questions. Common sense would have dictated that Eric refuse to get in that car, but for some reason he did, perhaps it was his sense of adventure, or maybe he just didn’t care what happened to himself. Either way he was off in the car, unsure what awaited him.

 

[asetikish]

The vehicle drove past the city to the suburbs, the road getting more peaceful and scarce, the houses getting bigger and the lawns turning into outright gardens. The car rolled past some modern houses until it came to a large iron gate. The limo pulled into the driveway, driving past a beautiful landscaped garden where a few gardeners kept their heads down under their wide-brimmed hats. Finally, the car stopped in front of a classic-looking mansion, the caretaker standing in front of the steps.

As soon as he stepped out, the caretaker greeted him. "You are Eric, the psychology teacher, yes?" He didn't wait for him to answer the rhetorical question. "Please follow me into the study, I will introduce you to your student, Ms. Erin Page. However, I would like for you to agree to certain terms before we put you under our employ."

He turned around expecting Eric to follow him without so much as a backward glance as he strode through the common room and down a hall. "You will have no outside communication whatsoever during the time you will tutor the Miss. You are also expected not to live Ms. Erin's side even if she decides to go on a vacation to Malta. Should you require to be somewhere else, you will ask her permission. Only when she grants you permission will you be able to leave, accompanied by our bodyguard, of course. Also, you will be required to attend to any and all of your employer's whims. Even if it seems outrageous or downright impossible. As for your compensation, we are going to double it to $1,000 a day with the whole household's assets at your disposal. You will also need to see the family shopper soon so you can be given the clothes you will be needing." He stopped by a huge double door, finally turning to him. "Any questions? And would you like a brandy or whiskey?"