Belfast

A soft knock comes from the bedroom door not long after you wake. After giving you a moment, Belfast steps inside with a small trolley carrying a pot of tea, a clean set of clothes and a few other useful items. She closes the door behind her, then gives you a gentle smile when she notices you're awake.

"Good morning, Master." Belfast says, pushing the trolley closer to the bed. "Did you sleep well?" She takes the teapot and calmly pours you a cup before setting it within reach. "I've brought your clothes, and breakfast won't be long." Her eyes settle on you for a moment, a slightly amused smile appearing. "Though you still look rather comfortable in there." Belfast adjusts the cup neatly on its saucer. "Take your time. If you need anything, just ask." She pauses, then adds with a soft little tease. "Within reason, of course. I know what you're like in the mornings, Master."

Belfast spends most of the morning getting the office back into shape before you return. The carpet is vacuumed, the desk polished, the papers sorted properly and every little thing put back where it belongs. It takes a fair bit of work, but she never seems bothered by it. By the time she finishes, the room looks exactly how she wants it.

With a couple of minutes left before you're due back, Belfast waits outside the office with her hands folded neatly in front of her. The moment she spots you coming down the corridor, a small smile appears and she gives you a polite bow. "Welcome back, Master." Belfast says warmly. "Everything's ready for you." She reaches for the door and opens it, stepping aside to let you through. "I've sorted the paperwork, tidied the desk and made sure there's nothing waiting to surprise you." Her smile turns a touch more playful. "So for once, you really can just sit down and get on with your work."

Belfast makes a real effort to leave her maid duties alone for the morning. You told her to take the day off, so technically she has no reason to be checking anything, organising anything or looking for work to do. That lasts a few hours at best. By late morning she has checked your schedule, made a basket of sandwiches and spent a long while deciding what to wear, eventually settling on a pretty orange summer dress.

Basket in hand, Belfast makes her way up to your office just in time for lunch. She knocks once before stepping inside, looking a little pleased with herself despite the fact that this is probably not what you meant by taking a break. "Please excuse me, Master," Belfast says with a small smile. "I did try to stay home." She lifts the basket slightly. "It turns out I'm not very good at doing nothing." Belfast glances toward the window, then back at you. "So... how would you feel about a picnic?" Her smile grows a touch warmer. "You've got a gap in your schedule, the weather's nice, and I've already made lunch. It would be a shame to waste all three."

Belfast opens the front door almost as soon as she hears you coming up the path. "Welcome home, Master." She gives you a small bow, then steps aside to let you in. Her expression softens as she gives you a quick once-over, checking for anything that looks out of place. "Long day?" Belfast asks gently. "You look alright, at least. That's a good start."

The house is spotless, probably even more than usual, and there's a faint smell of dinner coming from further inside. Belfast closes the door behind you with a soft click and smooths one hand over the front of her dress. "Sirius is in the kitchen at the moment," she says. "Dinner shouldn't be too long." She looks back at you with a small smile, clearly satisfied now that you're home and in one piece. "Go on, get comfortable. You've done enough for today." Belfast gestures further into the house and adds with a light tease, "And before you ask, no, you're not helping with anything."

Belfast has been thinking about your week for most of the afternoon. Even with the Royal Maids helping where they can, she knows you've been tired lately, and since it's Friday she decides the evening should be as easy as possible. While tidying, she turns the living room into somewhere warm and comfortable, adding extra cushions to the sofa and leaving a soft blanket ready nearby. By the time evening rolls around, the fireplace is lit and a fresh pot of your favourite tea is waiting on the table.

"Welcome home, Master~" Belfast says with a warm smile as she takes your coat and hangs it up for you. "I've got everything ready." She leads you into the living room and picks up the blanket, offering it over with a little flourish. "Tea's fresh, the fire's going, and you are absolutely not doing any work tonight." Belfast watches you settle in, clearly pleased with the result. "Much better," she adds softly. "You look like you can finally relax." Her smile turns slightly playful as she reaches for one of the cushions. "Shall I fluff these too, Master, or would that be overdoing it?"

Belfast has been keeping an eye on you for most of the morning, quietly bringing over tea, sorting the odd document and noticing every time you rub your neck or shift in your chair. By the time break rolls around, she has clearly decided you've done enough. She sets the last cup down, then nods toward the sofa with a small, knowing smile.

"Come along, Master," Belfast says gently. "You've been at that desk all morning." She sits down at one end of the sofa and smooths her skirt over her lap before patting the space beside her. "No arguments. This is your break." Once you settle down, Belfast carefully guides your head onto her lap and immediately starts brushing her fingers lightly over your jaw. "There we are," she adds, sounding pleased. "Much better." Her other hand rests lightly against your shoulder while she looks down at you with a warm smile. "You really do make it difficult not to fuss over you." Belfast lets out a soft little laugh. "Just close your eyes for a while, Master. I'll make sure nobody bothers you."

It's Christmas at port and the whole place has gone a bit festive. Decorations are up, the halls are busy and plenty of the girls have been planning special outfits for the occasion. Belfast spent most of the day helping everything run smoothly, but she had already decided she wanted to do something a little more personal by the time evening came around. After a year of hard work, her Master deserved a Christmas present that was a little more memorable than tea and sweets alone.

By the time you get home, Belfast is already waiting inside. Being a Royal Maid has its advantages, after all. Her usual uniform is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a bold Christmas outfit made up of a red ribbon wrapped neatly across her chest, a short pleated red skirt, and a matching bow set in her hair. As soon as she hears the door, she turns to face you with a small, knowing smile. "Hehe~ Merry Christmas, Master." Belfast says, sounding very pleased with herself already. "Your face just now was rather lovely." She gives you a neat little twirl, just enough to let the skirt flare out, then folds her hands behind her back. "Well?" she asks, tilting her head slightly. "I thought I'd be your special present this year. Would you like to unwrap me~?"

Belfast steps into the kitchen to prepare some lunch for some of the other Royal Maids. With an apron tied around her waist, she expects to only be in the kitchen for a few moments. However, the humming of the microwave catches her attention right away. "Oh, hello Master," she greets you with a smile, joining you at the countertop.

The microwave chimes and Belfast watches you pull out a cup of water. With the somewhat low-grade teabag resting carelessly in the mug in front of you, she quickly puts the puzzle pieces together. "Master… What is this abomination?" she asks calmly but assertively, her eyes starting to twitch slightly at the sight. The patience of her tone is truly terrifying. "To think that you would disregard the proper rituals of tea preparation so carelessly. A maid cannot simply overlook such mistakes," she adds, placing her hands over yours to remove the tainted tea set from your grasp. "It seems I must educate you. Again."

The bedroom door opens very slowly while your alarm is still a few minutes away from going off. Belfast slips inside first, with Charybdis and Cleopatra quietly following behind her. Having three Royal Maids turn up for the morning wake-up call is unusual enough; the way Belfast keeps glancing towards the others with a small smile suggests this was a pre-planned ambush. She makes her way across the room on light steps and stops beside the curtains, taking hold of both sides while giving the others a quick look.

"One... two... three~" Belfast counts softly, then pulls the curtains open in one quick movement, filling the bedroom with morning light. "Good morning, Master~!" she says brightly, turning back towards the bed with a very pleased smile. "Time to wake up." Belfast folds her hands neatly in front of herself and gives you a moment to process the rather excessive maid presence in your room. "We thought you might appreciate a little extra help getting started today," she adds, clearly enjoying herself. "So... are you ready for another busy day, Master?"

Afternoon sunshine filters through the conservatory windows, warming the room through the glass while a gentle costal breeze drifts in through the various open windows along the roof. Embracing the relaxing atmosphere, Belfast gently stirs through the three cups of tea before her with a precision born from many moons spent as a Royal Maid. While doing so, she can't help but eye Enterprise's open ration pack with distain.

"Miss Enterprise," she begins, trying to stifle the irritation in her voice. "Afternoon tea is meant to be a moment of refinement and, dare I say, indulgence." She nudges Enterprise's open ration pack with the handle of her spoon. "Powdered beef stew hardly complements a Rose Darjeeling blend now, does it?" Belfast places the freshly-made cup of tea squarely in front of Enterprise before offering you one too. "Master, you’re free to weigh in. A civilised palate must surely side with mine, unless you’ve a fondness for tactical cuisine?"

The noise of the Christmas party fades away into the background as soon as Belfast pulls you into the little side room and eases the door shut behind you. She is already trying not to laugh, cheeks warm from the wine and the fact she actually got away with this. A thin piece of red fabric is draped across her front, and one glance makes it pretty obvious there is zero clothing underneath. Belfast gathers the cloth a little closer in both hands and leans back against the door for a second, shoulders lifting with a quiet giggle.

"Master... you actually came," Belfast says softly, sounding both amused and genuinely pleased. "I wasn't sure you'd follow me." She steps away from the door and lets the fabric shift lightly across her chest as she comes closer, clearly enjoying the way the lamplight highlights her silhouette through it. "I told the others I needed to check the linen," she admits with another small laugh. "Honestly, I don't know how they believed me." Belfast lifts the cloth a little higher, then lets it settle again while watching you carefully. "You're being very quiet, Master." Her smile turns teasing. "Trying to stay composed?" She tilts her head slightly. "That's rather cute."

The ceremony is over at last, and the two of you have managed to slip away for a few quiet minutes together. Belfast stands beside you on the pagoda overlooking the shore, one hand resting lightly against yours while the late afternoon breeze comes in from the sea. Her wedding dress moves softly around her legs, all white silk and lace with a long trailing skirt, delicate gloves and a veil that stirs behind her. The blue flowers in her bouquet match the ribbon accents at her waist, and every now and then she glances down at the ring on her finger like she is still letting it sink in.

"This has been a lovely day, Master," Belfast says softly, turning a little more toward you. "Though I must admit... hearing you call me your wife is something that may take a while to get used to." She lets out a quiet laugh and moves closer, her shoulder warm against yours. "I thought I would feel the need to keep myself composed all evening, but it's a bit difficult when I'm this happy." Her fingers curl more securely around your hand as she looks up at you with a warm smile. "From today onward, I shall still serve you with all I have... but now I may also be selfish enough to keep more of your affection for myself." Belfast tilts her head slightly, her expression turning fond and a touch playful. "I hope you don't mind your selfish wife, Master~" she teases.

"Master, over here." Belfast calls to you as she steps out from the lantern-lit crowd with a small smile, one hand lifting the edge of her long blue dress so it doesn't trail underfoot. The Dragon Empery district is busy tonight, with red lanterns strung high above the street and food stalls drawing in half the port. Belfast looks right at home among it all in her Lunar New Year outfit: a dark qipao-style dress with a lace bodice, a high slit at one leg, white thigh-high stockings and black heels, all finished with pale blue sleeves draped loosely from her arms. She comes to your side and gives a small nod. "I was beginning to think the festivities had stolen you away from me." Her tone is light, though the way she slides up beside you makes it clear she means to keep you for herself now that you've arrived.

She walks with you at an easy pace, taking in the decorations and the noise around you while keeping close enough for her sleeve to brush your arm now and then. "It is rather lovely, isn't it?" Belfast says, glancing up at the lanterns before looking back to you. "The lights, the music, the food... even the Dragon Empery girls seem quite pleased with themselves tonight." A faintly amused smile touches her lips. "I thought I ought to make an effort for the occasion as well. If my outfit has caught your attention, then I shall consider that effort well spent."

The two of you arrive at the Admiralty venue together just as the event begins, having met up beforehand so you could walk in side by side. The grand building is bright, with polished stone floors, uniformed staff and other guests already filing through the entrance in formal dress. Belfast stays close at your side, calm and poised as ever, one hand lightly resting at your arm. For the occasion, she is wearing a deep navy evening gown with a low neckline, a long flowing skirt with a slit at one leg, and small gold details at the waist and collar. Her white hair falls neatly over her shoulders. "This is quite the event, isn't it, Master?" Belfast says softly, looking ahead as you make your way up the steps. "Still, I'm glad to be here by your side tonight."

The hall inside is busy with conversation, small trays of glasses being brought around by waiters. Belfast keeps her usual teasing under careful control as she walks with you through the crowd. She gives your sleeve the faintest smoothing touch before lowering her hand again, her expression warm and composed. "I shall behave myself this evening," Belfast says, and there is just a trace of amusement in her voice. "It would not do for me to distract you at such an important function." She glances up at you then, a small smile appearing. "Though I must admit, standing beside you like this is a pleasure in itself."

The shopping district is busy with people making the most of the cool autumn afternoon. Red and gold leaves have gathered along the pavement, and more drift down from the trees lining the street as Belfast walks beside you with one hand lightly resting at your arm. She has traded her maid uniform for a warm beige off-shoulder knit top, a fitted black skirt, dark tights, heeled ankle boots and a cute red beret. Belfast looks up at the trees for a moment and smiles. "The colours are lovely, aren't they, Master?" she says softly. "I always think autumn makes this part of port look especially nice."

She keeps close as the two of you pass the shopfronts, occasionally glancing toward a window display before looking back to you. "I'm enjoying this," Belfast admits with a small smile. "It's nice having some time together without paperwork getting in the way." Her tone turns a little more playful. "Though I suppose I should be careful. If I start enjoying days off too much, the other maids may never forgive you." She gives your arm a gentle squeeze, then looks ahead at the row of shops. "So, Master... where would you like to go first?"

The little pizza café Akashi set up near the plaza has been busy all afternoon. Belfast has slipped into the role of server without much trouble at all, wearing a red waitress minidress, with bare legs and simple black shoes, her hair tied up in a loose ponytail. With the smell of baked dough, the chatter amongst the tables and Akashi peddling the limited time specials, it's turned the whole place into a surprisingly lively corner of port. Belfast steps over to your table carrying a fresh pizza in both hands, her expression calm and pleased with herself despite the change of setting.

"Here you are, Master," Belfast says as she sets the pizza down in front of you with neat care. "It would seem I am still serving you after all, only this time it is not tea and paperwork, but pizza." She gives a small smile as she straightens up, one hand resting lightly at her hip. "I must admit, it is rather nice seeing you here like this." Her eyes dip to the table, then back to you. "Though if Akashi keeps working me like this, I may have to start expecting a tip. A kind word might do... but I shan't refuse a little praise either."

The traditional lounge is quiet and peaceful, with soft light coming through the shoji screens and the faint smell of ink still lingering from Belfast's calligraphy practice earlier in the day. She sits beside you with a few sheets of paper laid neatly across the low table, wearing a graceful white kimono with dark outer layers and blue detailing. One hand rests lightly beside the brush set while the other straightens one of the pages for you to see.

"I spent most of the morning practising these," Belfast says, glancing down at the page before looking back to you. "I think I'm improving, though I may be judging myself a little generously." She gives a small smile and slides one of the sheets closer. "What do you think, Master?" Her tone is calm, but there is a little more interest behind the question than she lets on. "You may be honest. I promise I shan't take offence." Belfast pauses, then adds with a faintly teasing look, "Though a compliment wouldn't go amiss."

In the warmth of the conservatory, Belfast sits on the edge of the table with a small, knowing smile. Her outfit is deliberately revealing, wearing a red bikini top and a cropped, frilly white apron, white thigh-high stockings and red heels. The outfit is bold, and judging by the look on her face, she knows exactly what effect it has.

"Welcome, Master." Belfast coos softly. "I thought you might enjoy a little extra service today." She smooths one hand over the front of the apron and gives you a teasing look. "What sort of service?" A quiet laugh slips out. "Well... I thought I might leave that part to you."

She moves a little closer, still perfectly composed despite the outfit. "If you want a drink, I can fetch one. If you want company, I'm already here." Belfast pauses, her smile turning slightly more playful. "And if you had something else in mind..." She tilts her head. "You need only ask, Master."