The lessons were fascinating, both physical and educational. She learned a lot about her capabilities she didn't get from her boxing classes, and learned a lot about the creatures she was fighting. The day was exhausting though, and she collapsed as soon as she got into bed, only managing to get undressed before crashing out. She got a different partner this night, apparently beds were not assigned to individuals but just chosen as you will. It was comforting and invigorating to be so close to her Kitsunes, and she was up with fire, ready to take on the morning.

The first thing, was Asha telling her to go with one of the Kitsune's to Queenie's office. Kiko didn't know she even had an office, but went anyway and saw it was quite nice, actually. Far neater than she ever expected Queenie to be capable of.

"Thank you, Erin" Queenie would nod to the Kitsune guide, and then look to Kiko. "So. It's been a few days, we need to get your life in order. SIR is a full time commitment, as you have no doubt guessed by now. So we need to go to your school and l and talk to the head teacher about why you are not going to be going there anymore, spreading that to the general population that knows you. Would you prefer to tell them the truth, or do you want me to make something up for you?” Queenie offered, sitting in the seat and looking surprisingly official.

“Why, would I lie about joining SIR?” She asked, a little confused at the idea.

“You are still a teenager, late teens though they may be. And a recruit with no immediate family. It's an invite for seedy elements to target you, should you joining SIR come to light. There are a few people that are less than happy that we exist. Some think that the Beasts are oppressed animals we just need to try and understand. Symptoms of society reaching a state where people can dick about and make crackpot theories.

There are also those who actively worship the Beasts as the true masters of the planet and see humans as cattle. And outside of the dark parts, there are obsessives, fans, and journalists who will mob you when it becomes known. SIR Agents are not exactly celebrities, but are still well known individuals. The subterfuge is only until you finish your training, and even then it's just cautionary more than needed. But it will make your free days harder if it is well known” Queenie explained. Kiko never knew there was such depth to being a SIR Agent, though could imagine exactly how Queenie dealt with her belligerents.

“Hmm, I guess I should then. You can make something up for me. Just, make it believable, I'm not exactly a nun you know?” Kiko replied, finally looking to Queenie, and feeling a tad uncomfortable at the way her eyes lit up at the permission.

* * * * * *

Never again, Kiko mentally stated, as she was standing in the Head Teacher’s office, wearing an - albiet beautiful and very finely maid Maid’s uniform. The usual black dress and white apron was only deviated from with some ice-blue trimming around the apron's frills. And of course, she'd obeyed like a good little girl when Queenie had suggested to get into it and then follow her to the car. The woman was a true nightmare, and Kiko really needed to find out why SIR was keeping her around.

Never one to pass up a chance to dress up, Queenie’s outfit was magnificent. The finest red silk, a full length skirt and gloves, studded with fire drops, rubies and emeralds. The look topped off by a red-gold necklace with a large ruby set. It all gave the impression that she was some sort of rich noblewoman or something, and having a Maid just finished the touches.

Dragged inside, Queenie had made some touches to be hard to identify for people who knew her, hair growing out radically and bright red as opposed to the soft ginger it usually was. Kiko, on the other hand, was still very much identifiable, and several of her friends - and many of those she had clashed with - commented on it as they made their way to the Head Teacher's office.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"You miss a few days and now get dragged here again? I'd have loved your tenacity, if nothing else" Head exclaimed, having smelled Kiko coming. But then he looked up and saw Queenie, before glancing to the clock. "Or not. I certainly wasn't expecting to see her wander in with a lady of the Igara Household" the giant wolf man commented, to Queenie's delight.

"Ohh, you are well travelled, aren't you? I can't imagine a man like you maxes out at teacher, head or not" Queenie spoke. Even the tone in her voice was different. Like she was born into money the likes of which few could ever comprehend.

"I had an adventurous youth, My Lady. Eventually, too adventurous, and I decided on a job that would not have such, surprises" he replied.

"Please, Alara. Or miss Igara if you must, but My Lady is far too formal" Queenie exclaimed, holding out her hand.

"Very well, Miss Igara. I am Endran Ridas, it is a pleasure to meet you" he would then take her hand and kiss it gently.

"Endran?!" Queenie's tone slipped in the confusion, and her eyes bulged some at the shock. "Well travelled barely covers it. I used to listen to stories of you when I was a child"

Kiko was blown away by the idea that her Head Teacher that she had argued with and butted heads against was some kind of hero figure that had stories told about him. Stories enough to attract Queenie's attention. Gods, she felt so bad now at every word she had said against the man.

"Mmm. Still, I assume Kiko is here dressed in a uniform more expensive than a modest car for more than just hearing about my youth, no?" he would prompt, gesturing to the maid.

"Ahh, yes. The Ator family has inherited half a Wergild for the just murder of my cousin. Since Kiko is the only remaining family who retains the name, it falls to her. Though I am not heartless and I know exactly the weight of such debt, so I offered Kiko a position as one of my Maids until she can pay off such a debt. Adding in the cost of training, board and suchlike, and it comes about eight years in total. So I came to speak with her prior obligations to ensure a smooth passage" Queenie explained, making a lie with such confidence and panache that Kiko was just stunned.

“Hmmm. I am not well disposed to such a thing, but I will not oppose it. I appreciate you coming to tell me rather than just whisking her away, Miss Fitzen. I hope you will take care of Kiko. She can be a handful at times but don’t let that dissuade you. She’s a good girl. That is, indeed, often why she is a handful at timea” The head teacher explained, flashing his fangs in a smile.

“Thank you for your advice, mister Ridas” Queenie replied, giving a gentle curtsey. Kiko, for her part, was busy internally scowling at Queenie. Maybe if she thought really hard, a large pan would come out of nowhere and hit her on the head or something. Alas, the world did not work like that, and they left Ridas’ office and got to the car with no flying pans. Bundling into the very nice car and having the chauffer start the car and drive off, Queenie seemed highly amused. But Kiko was livid.

“Maid!? Could you really have thought of nothing else, at all, that might have worked?!” Kiko exploded, nails digging into her palms, even though the gloves Kiko was wearing.

“Maybe. But this was the most fun. Besides, you amazing in that outfit, Kiko. It was a suspicion of mine that I wanted to confirm. You can strip naked if you’d prefer. I certainly wouldn’t mind” Queenie was, with her glorious clothes and her laid back superiority and her beautiful car, the perfect picture of royalty right now. Kiko's cheeks flushed at the idea and just sat back down hard, glowering at the whole thing. "And I do hope you'll wear it again for me some time" Queenie put in, further flushing Kiko's body.

"Shut up. And what was all that back there? You made up such crap with out a blink" Kiko exclaimed, wanting to get off the topic.

"It's not crap. At least, not entirely. It's the culture of the northern states of Skivoa. They are pretty violent by our standards and have a more loose moral code. People are kept polite and civil by the fact that a man can throw down the gauntlet and demand you fight him for any insult you give him. And there is no legal or social obligation to keep you alive in this, though neither is there to kill you. Weregild is basically a payment to the family of a man justly killed. You get in trouble if you are a psychopath with it, but the fact that you can get your shit kicked in for being a dick keeps people civil and closely knit" Queenie explained, seemingly well read on the whole subject.

"That's...more than I expected you to know. You've got a lot of personalities, huh?" Kiko would ask, which elected a laugh from Queenie.

"Mmm. I have fun when I want to have fun, and am serious when I need to be serious. But still. Life sorted, you are now free to be a full and proper SIR Agent" Queenie exclaimed. Which, despite everything, was nice.