Luna Simon's Story

"Hush, Ava!" Ellie slapped her sister on the arm, smoothed her hair into place, then turned and opened the door. A pretty girl was standing there in a cardigan and jeans, her hair slightly mussed but still in place.

"Hello, welcome to my home!" she was so relieved to see that someone had actually shown up to the house, and she wavered her inside, her face broken out in a smile, "please, come in. The little ones aren't up quite yet, so there's no need to worry about them at the moment."

"This is my fraternal twin sister, Ava, and I'm Ellie, it's such a great pleasure to meet you."

Ellie knew what would come eventually...someone, maybe not this girl, maybe not the next worker, but somebody would eventually ask where her parents were. She wasn't looking forward to it.

Salem arrived at the lot and admired the manor that sat upon it. He leaned against the fence leading in as he took in his surroundings. The place was enormous. "Must have a great kitchen." he decied. He bobbed his head in agreement with himself and strolled towards the house. His earbuds were quietly playing a love song in his ears as he hummed the tune. In his left hand he carried a guitar case. This was the home of his companion most nights. In his right, he had slung a duffel bag over his shoulder. This bagh holding clothes, toiletrees, and his own set of kitchen knives. He grinned at the house in anticipation. He was in quite high spirits this morning.

He arrived at the door just as another girl knocked. He was suprised he hadn't noticed her before, and was glad he hadnt started singing as he often did when he thought he was alone. That wouldve been embarassing. He shrugged the insecure thoughts away and smiled at his new co-worker, he guessed. The girls bleached blonde hair was radient and he found himself staring as the breeze played with it. He set his bag and case down on the floor and held out a hand to her. "Salem Huntington," he offered. he playfully tilted his head a bit with his smile. "I take it you are here for a job?" he asked.

Before his question had a chance to be answered the door to his left opened and two young girls were inside. Salem withdrew his hand and took up his bags as the girls led them inside. He would have time to meet people later anyway.

<edit>

"Come in, yes, oh, please, come in!" Ellie said, gesturing to Luna and to the boy behind her, sweeping her arm out and almost whacking her sister, "welcome to the Ravie manor!" She took the resume from the girl's hands and smiled at it, her eyes a bit hollow. Parents coming home late...yes, that was...something like what it was. Loosely compared.

"Don't worry about the past, we really need workers, so you're hired!" Ellie blinked at Luna happily, then glanced at the boy. He was cute, she had to admit...but she didn't have time for things like that, no, no no. "You both are hired. How many...well, there's enough, I assure you. And yes, you would be live-ins, it would be much easier that way. Feel free to choose any of the open rooms upstairs, you have full access to anywhere in the house, and...oh what else...oh." She suddenly grew grave, her eyes losing some of their depth.

"Don't ever, ever go near the cellar door. It's just...a house rule. I'm the only one allowed there. Trust me."

Salem had not finished his game when Luna passed by him and headed up the stairs. He shrugged and followed her. She quickly claimed the first room after the stairs, leaving Salem all alone to find his own room. A few feet later He settled on a room across the hall and a few yards down from Luna. He pushed the door open and walked in. He dropped his bag and case at his sides and walked to the large window looking out to a huge garden. He smiled and turned towards the door. "Im not gonna stay in here all day." He decided with a smirk. He left the room and closed the door.

He spent the next couple minutes strolling the hallways of his new home. Too much to explore, Too little time. He came across two big white double doors and curiosity pushed him inside. He smiled upon entering, as he had just found the Chef's Mecca. This kitchen was outstanding. He saw everything he would ever need to cook whatever he pleased.

He hadnt noticed the girl cleaning the counters. He was too distracted. He turned to her, noticing she was one of his employers. If so, why was she cleaning? He wasnt sure if she had noticed him or not.

"Isn't this why I'm here?" He began. "To keep the kitchen in working order?" He joked as he moved towards her. He was opposite the counter from her, looking down at her while she slaved on the top.

Salem smiled at Ava. "I might end up teaching you a few things." he said with a wink as he twilred his spatula. His attention was shifted by the sight of Luna walking in. Her hair still enticed him. He controlled himself enough this time to not stare at it. She strolled in like she owned the place and took an apple from a fruit basket on the counter. She joked to him about the dankness of his kitchen. He rolled his eyes. "I seem to keep running into you, hun," She was flirting with him. 'I've only been here half an hour' he joked to himself. He twirled the spatula one last time and set it down on the counter as she took a bite. She began to talk, and as she did some juice rolled down her chin. He chuckled as she wiped it away.

"Well that was adorable" he remarked as he put the spatula away. He was busy exploring the kitchen, but not so much so that he couldnt talk. He moved over to a wall near the fridge where a few hooks stuck out from the wall. 'Good, a place to hang my apron and hat' he swooned. He had brought with him a large white chefs hat. If you were gonna cook high class, why not look the part, right? He turned to the fridge and inspected its contents. "Maybe we have a natural magnetism." he jeered. "Two people in a house this big, couldnt be coincidence that they run into each other twice in one day, could it?" He smiled and pulled his head out of the fridge and closed it. He turned to her, at the same time scanning the room for more secrets to unfold.

Salem smirked at Lunas flirtatious behavior. He pushed himself off of the counter he was leaning on. He scanned the room one more, looking for secrets. Satisfyed with his knowledge of the kitchen he walked around the counter to where Luna was standing. He grabbed an apple from the same basket she had and took a bite. It was delicious, much better than the apples he had at home, but maybe that was just the endorphines of living in a new home, and meeting new people getting to him. Regardless, it was good.

He stood next to Luna. "I'm not one to tattle, but I believe that may have been some sort of sexual harrasment." he said to her. "I might have to take this up with the boss." he smiled and headed for the door. He stopped at the threshold and turned back to her. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to explore." He held his hand out. "Care to join me?" He took another bite of his apple.

She led him as he slowly strolled through the hallways. He was in no hurry, but she seemed to be quite animated about exploring the house. He smiled and follwed her quietly eating his apple. They rounded a corner and the quality of the rooms began to sink. He saw cobwebs and insects, much unlike the main rooms. These rooms seemed under utilized and uncared for. She asked him a question, but he hadnt been paying attention. 'Dammit, what did she say.' He decided to go with the simplest answer he could think of.

"Uhm, I dont know. Maybe" He didnt know what he was responding to, but he would soon learn if his response would yield a happy Luna. He wasnt sure if he wanted to see her angry.

Salem nodded as she inspected the chains. He couldnt think of the type of person who could own another. It just seemed so... ignorant. He shrugged and laughed at what Luna said. "No, Ive never been enslaved or anything like that. Just a simple cook" he said with a small bow. He smiled and grabbed her hand. C'mon, We should go somewhere less somber" He said with a grin as he drug her out of the room. He wasnt a fan of sad stuff, It bugged him. There was much more house to explore, and much nicer things to see than slave quarters. He lead her through a hallway and down another. Not much to see except for a few paintings as decoration. He picked a random room and entered. Inside He found a large brightley lit bedroom. A King size bed sat against the far wall with lace curtains surrounding it. It was covered in decorative pillows and it just looked fancy. Salem smiled and closed the door. This place seemed like it could have some secrets.

He made his way to the bed and sat down. It was like sitting on a cloud. He smiled closed his eys, and dropped onto his back. He laid there in paradise for a few seconds before he remembered Luna was with him. "I'm Sure theres something cool in this room. It obviously isnt a room for employees with this kind of furniture, Wonder whose it is?" He told her without opening his eyes.

*Sorry Luna, Was out partying XD*

Salems eyes opened slightly at the sound of Luna jumping back. He had now moved fully onto the bed and was readily using all of the pillows. It wasnt often that you get to use a bed like this. He opened his eyes and propped himself on his elbows. Luna looked a bit frightened, but for pride's sake she covered it up. He smiled. "I'm sure the gun is just for protective purposes, This must be the parents room. Or at least an older, trusted worker." He said this, but so far he hadnt seen anyone older than Ellie in the house before he arrived. Whose room could this actually be?

She said she wasnt scared. Salem chuckled and laid back down. "No of course not." He wasnt worried about the gun, but he figured he should keep a little eye on things.

David walked back into the house as he clipped the walkie back onto his belt. He gave Jack a polite smile hoping the nervous teen had calmed down a bit.

"Got word from the boss. She should be back soon. She'll more than likely like to speak to you personally. Until then just relax here. I'm sure you'll be fine with Bells here keeping you company."

He said glancing at the polite young maid. The two seemed like they were hitting it off and he didn't really want to interupt them too much but he would stay close by until he heard a deffinate green light from Ellie on Jack. The new Bodyguard of the Ravie household made his way to his room to wait for Ellies call while he serviced some of his gear. After he ascended the flight of stairs and was walking down he noticed one of the bedroom doors open that was closed the first time he had walked by. He paused near the door way and looked in. The light was on and two people were inside. One was a young man, with light blonde almost platinum hair. The girl standing beside him had bouncy blonde curls. She had her back to David as he took a step into the room.

"Hope I'm not interupting."

He said speaking up. His voice had an asertive, almost authoritative tone without being rude. David learned that the bodyguards that pushed everyone around were little more than thugs that people hated. He didn't work that way. He tried to maintain calm and asertive at all times when dealing with people while working. Those he was meant to protect he tried to maintain a friendly, calming attitude to help put them at ease.

Charlotte felt that something was wrong. She couldn't quite place it... but she was getting antsy. Charlotte walked back up the porch steps and into the house. She came into the foyer and started walking down the hall. She noticed light streaming from one of the bedroom doorways. She looked through the door to see a young man on the bed, David was standing a short distance from the door, and- A blonde girl... holding a gun that she had pulled from the bottom drawer. It was clear she had been snooping. Charlotte grew infuriated. She stepped into the room, her shoes clacking against the hardwood floor. " Do you have a death wish?" Charlotte's voice was deadly quiet, barely above a whisper. Her anger could clearly be heard underneath. Her eyes were dark and fierce as she looked at everyone in the room. " Get out. Before I have sister fire you." Her voice was sharp, and she could barely keep from yelling. [b] "GET OUT!"

David turned to look down at the tiny girl, a blaze with fury. The way she was talking this had to be one of the Ravie sisters. He was about to try and calm her down when he noticed the gun. Relfexivley his hand went to the gun on his hip in an instant, his tone no longer polite. He stepped in front of the young, enraged Ravie sister protectively as he narrowed his gaze on the young woman.

"Put the gun down. Now."

His right hand cautiously unclipped the latch on his holster freeing him to draw if need be. Never taking his eyes off the young woman who looked as shocked as anyone to be in this postion David addressed the young girl behind him.

"Ms. Ravie my names David, I'm here to protect you. Don't worry, I'll take care of this just stay behind me."

Her eyes shot up to David's face. " I don't need your "protection." Just get out. Everyone. Right now. Unless you'd prefer I called Ellie. I'm sure she'd be happy to hear that the..." She spat the word with venom, " children she hired are playing around in other people's business." Charlotte took a deep breath and steadied herself. "Just leave." A pleading look came to her eyes, and she felt as if she were going to cry. "Get... out."

David finally took his eyes off the woman in front of him. The way the little girl at his side was speaking chilled the ex seal to the bone. He'd been through alot in his years in the Navy and now as private security but this girl was down right dark. It actually made him sad for her. What had happened to this poor young girl that took her from the carefree, playfulness of most girls her age? He wanted to find out but now wasn't the time especially with an armed stranger standing in the room.

"Sorry miss, normally you and your sisters would call the shots but she's got a gun which means I call the shots until I figure out what's going on. If your sister would like to fire me after that she's more than welcome too but I'm not leaving you alone here."

David said, his voice steady and unyeilding. The young girl was upset, understandably, but he wasn't going to allow something to happen to her whether she felt she needed his help or not.

"One warning, gun down. Not going to ask again."

David said, his voice serious as a heart attack.

Salem looked up as more people entered the room and the situation quickly got out of control. 'Shit' He grumbled and sat up. This wasnt good, they werent supposed to be here. He hoped this wouldnt get him fired. He slid himself off the bed as the huge guy who walked in yelled at Luna to put the gun down. Salem put his hands up defensively. "woah brother, Calm down." He began, He should probably play this safe, that or get his ass kicked by captain muscles.

He walked to Luna, took the gun from her and closed it in the drawer. She seemed paralyzed. He shrugged it off, shed be fine. He looked back to the large man and the young girl accompanying him. "Sorry guys, we were just exploring and she got a little nosey. The gun was in the drawer and we had just found it. It wont happen again." His hands were still up defensively. He studied the mans face, wondering just how froggy he was, and if this would come to blows. He really hoped not.

David arched his eyebrow as the young man took charge of the situation, disarming the girl and defusing the tense stand off. He diddn't say a word right away. He just crossed the room and pulled the gun out of the drawer. With practiceed ease he released the catch dropping the clip out of the pistol.

"Empty..."

David looked up, his stare still not exactley relaxed but these two were no llonger an immediate threat.

"If this was loaded someone could've gotten hurt... Come one you two, lets continue this conversation downstairs."

David said sternly, ushering the two out of the door. He paused in the door way and turned to the little girl.

"Sorry for the trouble Ms. Ravie."

The big man said, honsetly sorry the young girl had to be put through the short but tense ordeal.

Salem walked out of the room, following Luna who left in a hurry. She was much more worried about it than he was, It was a simple mistake, and it was dealt with. No harm no foul. Either way, she was mortified. He turned around and looked at the brute behind him. The man didnt seem like your run of the mill Highschool tackle who decided to become a bouncer. This guy was serious, and well trained. Must be a soldier, or ex soldier.

Salem didnt feel like he had to talk to him just yet, the kitchen wasnt too far away. He made his way there. Luna was already inside, and on the counter freaking out. He smiled and leaned against an opposite counter. She told him she wouldnt let him get in trouble. he chuckled. "If I hadnt said we should go exploring, you still wouldve been in here eating your apple." he told her. "Dont worry about it, Itll be alright." he assured her.

He closed his eyes and waited for Mr. Muscles to enter the kitchen.

David followed the pair into the kitchen. His tone still serious but significantly more at ease. These two weren't hardened criminals. He doubted they were even trespassing. Ellie was hiring a lot of new employees they more than likely just got turned around but he needed facts. He took up a relaxed stance by the doorway into the kitchen and folded his arms across his chest before speaking.

"Ok you two. Who wants to tell me what happened?"

There was a brief uncomfortable silence. It was obvious neither wanted to get the other in trouble. David softened his tone before speaking again.

"C'mon. Neither of you really scream dangerous gun totting psycho, so why don't you just explain to me what happened. If it was an accident I'll beleive you I just need to get the facts straight."

Salem had zoned out in the time it took for him to arrive. He was caught in thought when the man asked them what happened. The next time the man spoke Salem came back to earth. He shook his head to pull his thoughts together and looked at the man.

"Well, sir." he figured the added sir would help the case. "Like I told you in the room, we were just exploring the house and we came across the room. The drawer was unlocked and curiosity got the best of us." he said. He figured he would leave out the part where it was just Luna snooping. "We were hired this morning by Ms. Ravie and she gave us leave to explore, we just got a little out of hand."

He wasnt sure who this guy was. Dad, Old friend, neighbor, or employee. He had no idea but he was intimidating and it would help not to lie to him.

David smiled knowingly, figuring as muchy. Just a simple mix up that got blown way out of proportion. David reached around his back and pulled out the empty gun. He looked at it for a minute curious as to why it was in the drawer in the first place.

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Sorry for the craziness you two. I'm going to make sure things like this don't happen again."

He pulled himself away from the wall and returned the source of all the commotion into his belt.

"I'm David Grayson by the way. The new Head of Security. You said you both were hired this morning too?"