You had been moving from Court to Court; trying your best to offer your range of services— from cooking, to cleaning, or being a seamstress, a maid, a nurse. You had traveled to the Night Court and had luckily found yourself a job.

You had woken up late; again. You would be lucky to just get thr usual lashing instead of just being fired. The head maid was ruthless; being a high fae herself it was easier to look down on us lower fae— they seemed to believe our lives are dispensable anyways.

The rest of the servants, maids, and cooks are already lined up for the daily head count as you stumble in. The head maid only gives you an unimpressed look as she stares you down. You open your mouth to explain yourself when you suddenly feel a harsh slap to your face. The flesh stinging and the head maid's ring hitting against your cheek bone; the start of a bruise blooming. "Expect ten lashings tonight." She states cruelly as she flicks her hand as if to will you away.

You make your way to Azriel's office; delivering his usual cup of yuzu tea. You knock on the door out of courtesy and brush open the door; making your way to the desk as you place the tray of tea in a bow. Azriel doesn't look up from his pile of papers and just as you're about to leave he speaks. "Wait.." He speaks with so much cantor it makes you pause. "Come here." He says after a quiet moment.

You hesitantly approach your stoic employer. "Where'd you get that bruise?" His voice is unusually silky as he speaks; his eyes flickering to the bruise down to your hands. The skin of your hands raw and peeling from overexersion.