Ryder Scarlet's Story

Ryder was in his little world as he floated idly in the backyard pool. He had entered the pool since early morning and spent the entire time making laps until his arms tired, now he simply floated staring up at the light blue clear sky for the past hour or two. The sound of a butler's footsteps heading his way caused him to close his eyes attempting to imagine himself far off, unreachable from these irritating people. Of course he didn't mean it, but in these special moments he preferred to be alone or simply spend time with someone that wasn't so... annoying.

"Sir, the maid has arrived and Ms. Scarlet would like everyone to give her a warm welcome," Those damn butler's words pierced his happy place. Sighing at the word 'Ms. Scarlet' Ryder began his short swim to the steps of the pool. He really hated when the idiot used their last names, did he not realize every blasted person he served was a Scarlet? Regardless, he knew which sister he spoke of... Scarny.

"Well, I suppose I best make my way over there," That was Ryder's way of dismissing the butler as he exited the pool. "Violet."

The maid that stood guard of his clothing and nursed a towel made her way towards him. This being one of the rare moments Ryder revealed more skin than usual, the maid could not help but to observe the scars that seemed to decorate his body. The scars were not excess nor ugly, must have been a vampire thing a clean healing, but they did not help give him an innocent demeanor. The only truly scar was the one that jaggedly traveled from the bottom of his left eye, across the bridge of his nose, and all the way down to his jugular. She did not realize he watched her examine his body until her eyes actually met his and when they did she could see deep in those eyes a hint of anger and she knew why, she was looking at him like a specimen under a lens... seeing the flaws.

"I do not have time to change so I'll need my clothing," Ryder simply said once he claimed his towel and began drying his body.

"What about your hair?" The maid asked as she quickly made her way back to the chair to gather his clothing and back to him waiting patiently but averting her eyes.

Stripping into his undergarments he began dressing in his darkened jeans, black muscle shirt, and dark grey jacket that had furs on the cuffs. "I will have to go as I am," Was his only answer as he put on his face mask then socks and shoes.

The maid stared at his long undone hair as it clung to his skin and clothing. Whenever wet his hair always made him resemble a girl and today was not an exception. Even though he hated the fact they did not have much time and all she could say was, "Yes sir."

Even though Ryder made it seem like he was in a hurry the trip from the pool to the room the new maid was located was a rather slow one and the maid couldn't help but to smile at the sight of Ryder's hair flowing behind him. As they neared the room Ryder's steps slowed and only when did the others began speaking did he silently enter the room. As he made his way from the door to a far off wall to lean on he kept his eyes closed and head low and only opened them when he was leaned comfortably against the wall and even then he lazily opened them.

"Leave me," At those words the maid hurried off. As the maid made her exit Ryder examined the new maid from his position taking in her frame, height, estimated weight, stance, hair, and everything else that could be seen from his location. He allowed his siblings to finish their little conversation that was meaningless to him, only when he was certain that they were done did he speak, "Ryder Scarlet the third child of the Scarlet family, as of today your fate is sealed... I hope you deal with the devil was worth it."

Like a shadow watching them, Mr. Black walked down the staircase from the second floor, no noise made from any of his movements. As silent as a dead night, he crept down each step, the only giveaway of the head butler being present was his tall frame being seen, if anybody had actually looked up the stairs.

He was halfway down, maintaining the dreadful silence produced from each footstep. Noticing that the new girl has arrived and is in well being, he had stopped his staircase descent, and placed both hands behind his back, maintaining a strong, demanding posture.

"Well, it seems that the new replacement has made it here in one piece. Now, you don't need an introduction from me, as we have already spoken, Miss Yokoda. But, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give you a reminder of who I am. I am Mr. Black, Head Butler at your service. Welcome to the wonderful manor of the Scarlet Family," he called out towards the crowd, waving his hands from behind his back to an almost-Y position, both arms spread out wide enough to seem as if he was attached to an imaginary cross.

He was well groomed, wearing an expensive black suit, a blend of elements from both a business suit and a tuxedo, white gloves covering his hands. The only portion of his skin was his face, soft, porcelain skin complemented with a pair of orange eyes that seem to be able to pierce one's very soul just by looking into them. A silver chain flowed in the front, a pocketwatch connected to a button on the lowest row on his coat.

Returning his hands back to their proper location behind his back, he continued speaking in a soft voice, "Oh, before I forget, Master Lucifer, dinner will be ready at 19:00. Also Miss Yokoda, as well as you Miss Larkin, I ask to speak with you after dinner, so if you have anything that needs to be accomplished, any time before dinner would be best," looking towards Lucifer's general direction. "I hope to see you soon, and don't worry about your bags and luggage. Miss Larkin will help you with them, won't you little one? Pardon me, but I have to return to my office as soon as possible." Mr. Black concluded, ending with a slight smile upon his face and climbed back up the stairs.

Now, it wasn't much of a long walk to his main office. Opening the solid oak door, he ventured into his domain, the one room where the law of his word is above everything else, even those of the young Scarlet siblings. This was a promise that their father had given him, and the same with their father's father, and so on. He didn't have to worry about subordinates from wandering into the room, as it was locked most of the time, and the only time one would be invited in was if Mr. Black, or Izual Morzän by what his real name requires, wanted to speak with them in private.

The room could have doubled as a small private study for the family of vampires, but the mahogany desk laying almost in the middle of the room says otherwise. Perched on top of the desk is a computer of a fairly large size, multiple screens taking under half the desk space, whereas several small folders and stacks of paperwork covered the other other half. He had a luxurious chair sitting behind the desk, as it was his for personal use. He had guided himself to the chair, crashing into it before sneaking a look on the the monitors.

Lucifer was in a word, embarrassed but he didn't let it show. He cared deeply for his little brother, he was truly concerned about Ryder but the two of them always had some kind of wall between them and he blamed himself for it. But Ryder had, being himself gone right and put the situation right on the table in a more negative tone than necessary. As for Izual, well Lucifer already knew that the guy could scare people without really meaning to and try as he might to get the man to light up all he'd get was a lecture on how the head of family ought to act.

He looked to the nearest camera on the wall, they covered the entire property and knowing Izual for every camera you could see there were nine more you couldn't even find if you tried. He addressed Izual through the camera, "Hey Jii-san, could you check where Koti is and get her down here if she's not overly busy? Besides, you know i don't like being called Master Lucifer, lighten up a little."

With that he turned to address Ryder," Come on bro, she just got here no need to try to scare her, at least try to act nice to her- as a favor for me?" He didn't even bother trying to disguise the open appeal to his brother at the end.

Finally he turned to Asami and Annie, "Sorry to waste a bit more of your time, but would you mind sticking around for a little bit more so we can introduce our baby sister? Then you'll have met all of us, I'm sure the rest of the staff will gladly greet you at their own pace." He continued, "As for the big guy, he may big strict but deep down he's a nice guy and all around incredible, you wouldn't believe the stuff the guy can do."

Lastly he addressed Skarny,"Since you'll be helping Asami with her uniform before dinner, is it all right if we reign check until after dinner?" He didn't even wait for her to reply, if Skarny showed up good and if not she was grown enough to make her own decisions, though he really would like her expertise for what he had planned.

Realizing he forgot something he turned back to Annie and Asami,"Oh yes i forgot...Annie, after Skarny and i finish our discussion could you and Asami report to my study? I'd like a word with the two of you, and I'm sure that Asami has questions for you and myself as well."

Koti was in her room putting on a new costume when she heard Scarny's voice. It was something about greeting a new maid. Of course Koti wanted to be one of the first people to say hello to the new maid, but she was tangled up in the outfit. Debating over changing in her regular clothes or keeping on the outfit she decided to just finish putting on the costume. It was a black frilly dress with an apron and a cute little head dress thing. A maid outfit- which would seem to be ironic at the moment.

Koti finally finished putting on the outfit when she could sense that the rest of her family already made it to the front door. I better hurry up, she thought. Picking up the bottom of her dress so she wouldn't step on the hem Koti slowly made it to the stairs. When she was about to go downstairs she remembered that she forgot to put on shoes. Rushing back to her room she opened her closet. Inside were a bunch of different outfits and some other doors. Picking the door labeled shoes she quickly looked around trying to find a pair that matched. Eventually Koti settled on some black flats. Remembering that she had to get downstairs she ran towards the staircase and hoped she wasn't too late.

When Koti made it to the staircase she could see the rest of her siblings and Annabel were just waiting around. She didn't really know where Izual was, but she decided that he already came and left. She sighed. It seemed to be that she was really late. She carefully went down the stairs, so she wouldn't trip. However, she forgot to pick up the dress so she wouldn't step on the hem. She was fine going down most of the stairs, but on the last few steps Koti got excited and started to pick up the pace. This caused her to trip and she landed face first on the floor.

"Oww that hurt," Koti said. Then she quickly picked herself up and dusted herself off. Then she saw the new maid and walked over to her being more careful this time. She said," Hi! My name is Koti Scarlet and I am the youngest sister of the Scarlet family. I hope we can be great friends!" She smiled. Koti knew she probably looked odd with her outfit and gave a bad first impression by tripping, but she hoped that wouldn't matter.

Scarny growled at Mr. Black. "Lucifer you know I hate him treating Anna that way." She was half tempted to follow him but decided not to and instead turned to her brother. "Ryder that is very inappropriate. I wish to hear no more of that and as your elder it is that you follow that." Then she turned to her sister. "Oh Koti isn't she just wonderful. She is about your size. Now we have that doll we were always denied."She thought back to her childhood. Then she snapped out of it and looked at her again. "Anyway, If I am wrong correct me Lucifer but from what I understand I am wanted to throw another of my parties. This would be your first you are aloud at and I wish that you and Asami to help me with this one." She told the girls. "Of course I still need your help Anna you give me the themes." She told the woman. "So are you guys going to help me?" She asked them. She couldn't believe she was going to be having another ball. She hadn't had one for quite a while. She smiled at them. "Oh and we still need to go shopping who is going with me and Asami out shopping?" She asked them all.

At the comments of his older brother and sister he nodded, "Very well, now that I've given my greeting I shall be on my way."

Pushing himself off the wall he began he climb up the stairs, he had somewhere to be and now that he was no longer needed here he had his chance to be on his own... until dinner. As he climbed the steps his head got lightheaded and his movements slowed, by the time he reached the top of the stairs he had to lean against the railing.

"I'm near my limit...," He mumbled to himself before pushing off the railing; this was the third day without a ounce of blood.

He made his way down the hall until he reached his bedroom, he barely used it but it was a bedroom nonetheless, once inside he leaned against the door and stared up at the ceiling. The room was in total darkness except for the small rays of light that penetrated from tears on the sheets that covered the window. He remembered once when a maid offered to get them replaced, his answer was a stern ''no'' he wanted it all just the way it was it, it all reminded him of the deeds done within these confined walls. Yes, if one asked this was punishment same as his starving. Sighing he pushed off the door and made his way to the nightstand beside his bed where a cracked lamp and dagger laid. Taking the dagger from the stand he got onto the bed and began making a long jagged beside another jagged line.

Once done he collapsed on the bed, letting the dagger tumbled from his hand and onto the floor allowed his eyes to stare up at the countless rows of lines craved into the ceiling just above his bed. Each line was a mistake, each a punishment. Feeling an unbearable heat he began tearing at his shirt until it was nothing more than torn rags. Closing his eyes he allowed the vivid dreams to storm in.

{OOC: as much as I'd love my character to respond to everyone's it would be such a struggle so I'll sum it up and keep the story going.}

Asami was very glad to meet everyone. She felt comfortable here in the Scarlt Manor, but at the same time she felt that something was off. It was probably just the old house creeping up one her, it did send her chills up her sine, but for now this wasn't something to worry about. The Scarlet and it's residents we're very friendly and kind to her.

"Will there be anything for me to do today? And will my attire be appropriate for that?" she asked, looking at Lucifer and then Scarny wondering if it's appropriate for her to do anything in it. She wore a very loose long-sleeves shirt with a skirt and some torn shoes. It wasnt much, but enough. It was for certain that this wasn't good for cleaning up and doing chores in.