He was disappointed as well. The rest of his day--his last day on the job before having to take a confounded vacation--was just petty crimes. It was highly unusual for Kirtchan to have a day that was filled with petty crimes such as graffiti, marijuana, and theft, but today was one of those days. 

He was bored throughout much of it, and did not experience any real action other than the initial robbery and homicide he had witnessed, which he reported at the end of the day to his superiors. 

He did something strange for a reason he could not understand as well. He had not reported that his twin was the one who had robbed the house and abducted the mother. He had instead reported that it was a member of the Praetorian Guard and a Designer Child who had stolen her, but did not ID his twin. He preferred not to think of the reason why he had done this, because it made no logical sense. 

He just knew that when he came home at the end of a long day where nothing exciting had happened, that he didn't want to talk to anyone at the house. Especially Maru’Chi. 

He walked into House Go’Trin hanging his head bitterly and trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. Unfortunately, the Master of the House, Go'Trin stopped him on his way to his room, touching his consciousness with his mind.

Joseph. He said clearly, his voice ringing out in his mind. Joseph recognized the man’s voice, and turned toward him at the bottom of the stairs. He bowed to him, and then shifted into a kneel, as was proper etiquette when regarding the Master of a House. “Yes Master?”

He kept his eyes down for a moment, and then when Go’Trin demanded he stand, he did so. He kept his hands neatly clasped behind his back and stared forward expressionlessly. Briefly, he had glanced at Go’Trin's black eyes, but he knew from training that Masters did not like their Designer Children to look them in the eye, so he looked away immediately after a second. 

Go’Trin was a sallow-faced Erulanite with short tentacles dangling from the back of his head and four, deep-set black eyes. His slippery skin was white in color in stark contrast to Maru’Chi’s bright, orange skin. He looked like he had jumped from the pages of a fairytale featuring a ghostly sea creature, and Joseph had to admit that looking at the man made him feel slightly uncomfortable in his own skin. 

“I spoke to one of the Praetorian Guard Captains, and he informed me that he would like to put you on a case to sniff out a spy who sketched a map of the inside of the city.” Go’Trin explained, looking pleased with how well Joseph followed protocol. 

“That is correct. However, the Daughter of the House has deemed that I should take the week off instead.” Joseph replied.

Go’Trin smiled. “That girl… yes, I was unaware that she had done that until this morning. I reprimanded her and told her that she is not allowed to make such big decisions about you without my permission.”

Joseph felt his heart hammering with uncomfortable, alien excitement, and the words, “Then I don’t have to take the week off?” tumble out of his mouth unprofessionally. 

Go’Trin regarded him with a curious smile. “Unfortunately, no. Maru’Chi practically begged me to let you take the week off, so I couldn’t say no. We did commission you at the same time she was born, after all, as a pet.” 

This was a bit of information that Joseph had not heard, and explained why Maru’Chi was taking such a strange interest in him. He knitted his eyebrows subconsciously, furious that she had once again convinced her father to make him stay home for a week. 

“But, you know, after your week off, the captain would love you on this mission.” Go’Trin said with a contented nod. 

Silently, he nodded, a smile coming back to his face. At least he still wants me on the mission. “Understood.” 

“In the meantime, the Designer Child, Jorge, will be taking over your duties to the city, and you will be guarding our home. All you have to do is patrol the grounds for three hours during the day, and three hours at night.” Go’Trin elucidated. 

“Roger.” Joseph answered, about to go on his way, but then Go’Train scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile and cleared his throat. 

“Your service has been exemplary, you know. You may spend your nights on recreational activities if you wish, so long as you give advance notice.” Go’Trin informed him. He cleared his throat bashfully. “Additionally, my daughter has been scared for her life for the past week, and would like you to guard her whenever she goes out. You see, just recently, she was witnessed to one of her friends being attacked in the street, and she, herself, was harassed by one of her male friends. She’s been quite worried since. Understood?”

His mind pulsed with annoyance--it felt like there was a bee inside of it, incessantly buzzing for a moment--but he nonetheless forced himself to nod obediently. 

“Good.” Go’Trin clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m quite happy with how you’ve turned out. You’ve already doubled the money we spent commissioning you, and you’ve defended this house with outstanding work ethic.” 

Joseph didn’t like unnecessary compliments, and was glad when Go’Trin said, “Anyway. You can go now.”