As I keep massaging her feet, she closes her eyes again and stretches out to release the tension in her body. I ponder how much I do owe her, for taking me in and giving me a chance to finally become her right-hand woman. And just like that new trouble-maker of ours, I too was given a scholarship and preferable treatment by the sisterhood. Like Elizabeth Sutton, I was a rising star, processed quicker the all the rest and given the opportunity to join the chapter in St. Gallen right from the start. And just like her I was precocious and questioning. The ritual was and still is, of course, the bull in the china shop, all inhabitants of the base know about it, but only very few are allowed to participate and know what actually happens. The rumors naturally go wild. The fact the the truth is even more shocking and gruesome than the most fantastic tales spun by myriad apprentices, guards, maids, and slaves. For me the true nature of the ritual was at first hard to swallow. But I learned the ropes and understood why it was necessary to do it like this.

While contemplating whether to bring up the issue regarding our new rising star or allow Madame a breather from all the unpleasantries of this evening, the bell rings and Madame pushes the speaker button. The voice of Miss Sevenson announces: "Madame, we have a situation at hand with the head-maiden. Ms Roberts, the head of underground-security, wishes to discuss this with Ms Bettina or you personally. Given the fact that Krone is in charge of ...". Madame interrupts with sarcastic laughter and says: "Well, what a perfect evening this is! Let them in and let's get the issue straightened out asap!" Miss Sevenson answers: "Yes Madame.", followed by a quiet buzz the door opens and Ms Roberts together with one of the intelligence analysts of sisterhood-security enter, while I help Madame back into her Louboutins after giving both her feet soft and tender kisses. She returns a lascivious smile and then rolls her eyes, which in turn makes me chuckle.

The heavy set bulky figure of Ms Roberts next to the thin elvish security analyst is a funny sight to behold. Ms Roberts steps forward initiates the motion for a curtsy but is promptly waved off by Madame: "Skip the formalities please, let's get straight to the point!".
Ms Roberts says in an unsure voice: "Well, the head-maiden's behavior is unbecoming. He promised to meet a new apprentice after the ceremony, presumably to tell her what took place. And on his way to collect the oblation he stopped in one of the corridors and tried to eavesdrop. I do not know what he might have been after, but he claims he heard someone crying out his name. On that corridor we currently we have two slaves and a maid under interrogation, and we are currently playing back footage of their sessions to see whether this is true. His anomalous behavior forced us to step in and our guard on duty whipped him unconscious. He's currently held on the second level and being interrogated by General Security. We're not sure how to proceed, call his deputy in and let him take charge or put Krone back out there. We need somebody to coordinate this already bumpy situation, a ceremony without an experienced head-maiden can result in a disappointing outcome."

Madame looks at me with a frown and asks in a slow and cold voice: "I trust you know Bettina! What is this business with Eliza?". A little taken aback by her accusatory tone I reply: "It's nothing, nothing at all. Eliza is very much like I used to be, precocious and ever so curious, she wants to know what is going on here tonight. And who can blame her, she never asked for this. We took her out of the London chapter and plunged her into a world of mystery and intrigue. She has already see the preparations and even glimpsed a sight of tonight's oblation. Earlier today, she called him a 'monstrosity". And naturally she is curious. Don't worry about Eliza, I take care of her and accept full responsibility."
Madame, clearly irked by all the irregularities tonight, answers: "Well then, that's on you, Bettina. I love you, my dearest, but this is bigger than the two us. If this state of affairs continues I regretfully have to make a drastic decision. None of us are irreplaceable, do not forget that! So what do you suggest?"
I gather myself and stiffen up a little after the rebuke and ask: "Ms Roberts, I am aware of Ludwig's late night arrangements, but what did exactly happen in the maze?" The underground-security chief answers: "He was on his way to inspect the oblation when he stopped in his tracks all of a sudden and put his ear to the wall. We thought he was spying and immediately stepped in. I wonder what he thought would happen, of course he is not aware that our implants monitor not only his vitals but also his visual and auditory perception, but he certainly was aware that there are cameras everywhere in the maze. His excuse is that he heard someone crying out his name, which we are currently looking into. This is the leading security analyst of General Security, Miss Lovelace. She has assigned at all times at least one operator to Krone's remote data feed and immediately warned us, even before our people ringed the alarm bells. From her we learned that there were other anomalies pertaining to Krone tonight, that forced our hand and we stepped in immediately." For a moment there is silence, Madame shakes her head looks at me and I finally say: "Well, I think at this point this is much ado about nothing. The Sutton-Krone situation was already reported to me and is my responsibility, don't worry about that. Do you have any of the three poor creatures under rough treatment?" Ms Roberts nods and adds: "All three.", and I continue: "So that's probably it. It's very likely that at least one of them cried out the name of his superior, hoping Ludwig could put a good word in for him or exonerate him somehow." Ms Roberts says: "Well one of them ..." But I cut her short and counter: "Let's not complicate things, it does not matter why you hauled in the flunkies, we have bigger fish to fry this evening. Release him and tell him that we expect an impeccable ceremony! Regarding Krone's future, let's see whether he will betray us after the ceremony and reveal to our rising star what happens during initiation." Ms Roberts tries to intervene and say something, but I carry on: "Sutton is fast tracked anyway, we want her in the inner circle as fast as possible, if she gets a taste of it tonight, all the better, but Krone's faith will be sealed by his own actions! That's all, thank you Ms Roberts, and thank you Miss Lovelace, you are excused!"

The two security officers curtsy and promptly leave the room without saying a word. Madame leans back again and pushes a button on her control panel, one of the compartments opens and one of the hermaphrodites lurches out. The blinded creature fumbles around and Madame extends her foot, it grabs to her Louboutins and in an upward motion follows her leg until its head rests in her bosom. From under its right armpit Madame extends her hand and grabs its right breast, while her other hand clutches around its testicles. She lifts the creature up until it rests in her lap and begins to stroke its penis. While the precum starts to form at the tip, she looks at me sardonically and remarks with a sigh: "This is what I should be doing on a night like this, relaxing and enjoying the flawless execution of a centuries old routine, while playing with my favorite toy!"