Sanctuary II

Classical music began playing from an alarm clock, in a sleek white marble tiled modern apartment. Giant windows overlooked the city of Sanctuary. Varla sat up in her bed, the sheets were red silk, she lightly tapped the alarm clock and put on a silken patterned blue kimono.

She headed into the bathroom to brush her teeth, she put a small pea sized ball on the brush and methodically used it to clean her mouth. Varla then cleaned the brush thoroughly, before placing it back in a bespoke case. She then cleaned the sink and dried it, making sure it shined.

After she showered, she put on her black leather coat. She then opened a case and retrieved her black leather gloves, then headed into the elevator. On top of the button pad she noticed a spec of dust, she brushed it off with the finger of her glove, she had a look of disgust on her face as she did.

As the elevator reached the ground floor, she stepped out, a servant was waiting nearby.

"Good Morning, your Radiance, may I get you some breakfast? Mayhaps some fresh toast with a side of poached eggs?" The servant smiled. "With some tea made from leaves from the valleys of Inchaya?" He added.

"Not this morning, Bartholme. Instead, could you bring last nights cleaner to the main office?" Varla smiled.

"But of course. He left only ten seconds prior to your arrival, I shall fetch him immediately" Bartholme nodded, as he headed outside. Varla nodded then headed into her office. She walked over to her desk and sat down. Taking the pens from her pocket and straightening them in front of her on the desk.

Meanwhile, Bartholme headed outside, he picked up the pace as he exited the building, heading in the direction of the cleaner's home. Eventually he reached the flat, and banged his fist on the door. The banging was loud enough that dogs across the neighbourhood began barking.

The cleaner opened the door, he was in his boxers and vest, with water, presumably from his shower, dripping down his skin.

"Huh? What are you doing here?" The cleaner asked.

"The Empress wants to see you" Bartholme said sternly, before pulling a baton from his vest and whacking the cleaner in the neck, knocking him out. Bartholme sighed as he grabbed the man's vest before he fell, he then began the long walk back to the office, dragging the cleaner behind him.

As Bartholme walked down the streets, people averted their eyes, having witnessed such events many times, they knew better than to interfere with the Empire's business, and hurriedly made their way away from the scene. Bartholme took no joy from this task, or if he did, he didn't show it.

Soon enough, Bartholme dragged the half naked man through the foyer doors and over to Varla's office, he rapped his knuckle on the door, he could hear classical music playing behind the doors.

"Come in" Varla called. Bartholme nodded, he brought the cleaner in and threw him across the floor.

"Well done, Bartholme" Varla nodded. She stood up from her desk, pulling out some smelling salts. She then walked around to the front and knelt down, holding the salts below the cleaner's nose. The cleaner stirred from his daze and looked up to see Varla towering over him, he jumped as the door clicked shut, and he turned to see Bartholme standing in front of it.

"Name?" Varla asked, with a scowl across her face.

"Uh... what's going on?" The cleaner's voice quivered as he asked. Varla sighed deeply and punched the cleaner in his stomach, before pulling him to his knees.

"Name?" Varla repeated.

"Uh... Daniel" The cleaner stuttered. "Daniel Berne" He added.

"Very good, do you know why you are here Daniel?" Varla asked, kneeling down to his level, if, slightly higher, so that she could look more imposing.

"I... I'm sorry, Ma'am" Daniel frowned, as he finished speaking, Bartholme looked over and frowned.

"Address the Empress as 'your Radiance', citizen, you are permitted to live here under her grace" Bartholme barked.

"Go easy on Daniel, Bartholme" Varla smiled.

"As you wish, your Radiance" Bartholme nodded as he resumed his stance.

"What are you sorry for, Daniel?" Varla asked, turning back to stare into his eyes, as she gently grabbed his chin and tilted his head up.

"I thought the mints on reception were for everyone, please forgive me, your Radiance!" Daniel sobbed. Varla shook her head from side to side.

"Wrong answer" Varla sighed as she pulled on her leather glove, once again she punched Daniel in the stomach. Daniel coughed up blood onto the floor. "How vile" Varla commented.

"Did you just spew up in the office of the Empress?" Bartholme barked.

"I.. I'm sorry, please!" Daniel begged. Varla stood up and walked over to the shelves that lined the office, she looked at a gold trophy, which was a left over from the previous owner of the office, it was in the shape of an airship. She grabbed the statue, and tightened her grip.

"You know what you did, Daniel" Varla stated, in her monotone voice. Daniel laid on the floor in tears, terrified.

"Whatever it was, please forgive me, your Grace" Daniel hurriedly said. Varla closed her eyes, the office was momentarily silent for a few seconds, before Varla spun around and bashed Daniel across his head with the trophy. She didn't stop with one hit, for several minutes she continued her onslaught, before standing up, and tossing her leather coat and gloves on the floor. She turned to Bartholme and smiled.

"I will take care of this mess myself, your Radiance" He nodded back and smiled.

"Thank you Bartholme" Varla nodded. Before walking over to the door and opening it. As she was about to leave, she turned back.

"I think I'll have that breakfast after all" She smiled. "Could I trouble you for some black pudding too?" She added.

"As you wish, your Radiance" Bartholme bowed his head as Varla left the room.