"Wait... We what?" I yelped, taking two steps and closing the ten steps head start she had.
"Maya thinks the noise is coming from our transport rooms."
I followed her as she practically jogged towards the direction of the noise.
There was no time to ask for clarification. Maya had already stopped in front of another black double door. She did her tap thing and the two massive doors swung open for her.
We stepped in just as another bang rattled across the room.
The place we were standing in resembled a long locker room, except instead of lockers this one was covered with black doors from one end to another.
It did not take us long to know which one was being assaulted by our guest, as an even more aggressive knock shook the furthest door.
It was in fact the second door from the left end of the room.
Almost at the instant the system display popped just at the corner of my vision.
{Alert}
Level one guest detected
Grant entrance
Deny entrance
"It is sire's call. Sire can send a guest away if not ready," Maya declared as if she could see the system prompt. Then again, this caretaker's ring which triggered the system had belonged to her not long ago.
In all honesty, I had not thought my first guests would come this easy. It was part of the reason I had spent almost the entire night trying to get some tips from the former caretakers' records.
The ground floor which was the level one common lounge and dining facility was already sparkling clean. Maya and the maintenance department had taken care of that.
Still I felt a little tense. Minor being or not, they were still supernaturals and my tenure literally hinged on how well we got along with them.
"Sire...?"
"Alright... I will allow them in," I said while mentally granting the access.
The system interface disappeared almost the same time the door burst open.
"What manner of welcome is this? Does someone have to lose their hand smashing that door to be let in?"
My eyes that had been looking just above the door for our guest had to travel all the way down to find the individual behind the spirited complaint.
Three figures no bigger than a toddler stepped in, looking quite annoyed by the delay.
For a moment I was tongue tied as I observed them.
Their hair was a matted black, as haggard as their clothes. They wore something like mittens on their hands and oversized t-shirts that on their tiny bodies looked more like dresses.
"A new caretaker? No wonder the air smells sterile and unwelcoming," one of them said, sniffing the air.
"What happened to the poor girl? Young lass was ever so kind and respectful," another declared, looking around like they were expecting to see another person other than us.
"I said it, did I not? Her kind do not last long here. Not with that good heart," the last one added his opinion before the first one cut him off with a furious look.
"That you said, you foul mouth. Must you be proud of jinxing the poor creature?"
I did not have to think hard to know that the girl they were discussing was standing right in front of them.
Maya's face had grown so solemn that I began to think she would be crying any moment now.
"Thank you," I said, patting her on the shoulder to avoid mentioning her name. "I will take care of our guests from here."
She did not wait. She looked grateful as she turned to leave.
"Please pardon me," I faltered. I had no idea what gender they were or the appropriate way to address them, so I just glided over formalities.
"How may I serve you?" I asked in the most polite tone I could summon.
They scoffed like I had insulted them.
"Save your politeness," the first one said. "When we heard Midstreet had reopened its doors, I thought the old warmth of a home would still linger here." She sniffed the air again, almost disgusted. "I find none here. Come on, we will have a better welcome in the woods."
"Wait," I called after them as they turned to leave.
As they had been talking, another system interface had surfaced.
[Guest registry activate]
Guest identity: Brownies
Guest level: level one-minor
Guest description: Brownies are amongst ancient household spirits often working and living in kitchens and attics. They hate too much politeness and praises and being ignored or disrespected.
[Hospitality guide activated]
Brownies love being served around a warm hearth. Their preferred meal is fresh baked bread with honey and a bowl of fresh milk.
What a set of complicated creatures. They hated politeness and praise, but ignoring them was also another problem.
As far as food went, I was sure Madam Arizona would handle that well, at least as far as bread went. About honey and fresh milk, well, I could only hope Ramon and his guys were on top of things.
"We were only getting ready to reopen..." I began before the first Brownie interrupted.
"We gathered from the sterile smell of overcleaning. A place should at the very least have the smell of its occupants. Yours smells of... nothing."
"That is not true," I answered, sounding quite insulted. I mean if I said they were right, they would think I was being too polite.
"This area serves a variety of our guests, most of whom have different tastes. We therefore try to keep things standard."
They stared at me like my outburst had caught them off guard. They had expected that I would probably plead with them, being all new.
"Should you choose to stay however, I am certain me and my staff will serve you to your heart's delight."
They still appeared hesitant and the other two seemed to wait for the first one's lead.
"Cannot hurt to try I suppose," the apparent leader said, turning towards the door Maya had rushed through.
"I still insist on the warmth of a hearth," another said, following.
I stood watching as their bare feet covered with soot tapped on the floor.
The previously pristine surface was left with black marks that followed the trio, creating a trail behind them.
I flinched, thinking of the work the maintenance team would have to launch as soon as they left.
But at least I would have completed the first task. That is, if everything went on well.