The Red Room

a Tatiana and Millicent Story

© 2009 Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Tatiana & Millicent created by Mr. Simon Barber, used with permission

Just weeks before her planned wedding, at the English Consulate Millicent Holmes was having one of the worst days of her life. She had found herself trapped in an office with two much older women, undesirably being forced to help plan her own wedding. “Why do I have to pick everything” she asked, stepping away from a list of music. “I thought the brides family did all that.”

“And to which family” a much older hound asked, “Should we be sending this too? Your Tatiana’s? Her mother is forbidden to be involved with Songmark girls, and many will be here today for papers. This as you yourself informed us. Your family? Your father in one country, your mother another? No dear girl, if you wish your marriage to be anything but a farce then it is to you the weight falls. Unless you wish us to let your Tatiana decide things.”

Millicent gasp, lifting her paws to her mouth. “Tattie. Preparing a wedding?” she asked just before breaking into laughter. “Oh... My” she gasped between giggles. “Ask her to successfully invade France. That I believe she could plan with aid by her sister students. But a wedding? Never. Oh dear me quite never, quite quite never.”

Her two companions waited patiently until the felines laughter was in control, then the hound spoke again. “Yer wedding is in but six days my dear. Other than the Church, dress and cake you have chosen nothing. This is unheard of my child. Completely unheard of.”

“Sergeant Proud has agreed to be Tatiana’s best Man” Tatiana countered. “Tatiana has agreed, in fact, she has left everything to me. Why, her idea of a marriage was to stand before a local judge. Unheard of. I have also an official photographer, Mrs. McGee has agreed to handle the reception and three friends from the Lotus are my maids of honor. Two of Sergeant Proud’s men will stand as Tatania’s guard. With orders to shoot her in the legs if she decides to run.”

“Not seriously” Millicent’s other companion gasped, the hedgehogs greying head quills rattling as she shivered.

“Quite seriously” Millicent countered. “And I have made quite certain that my Tatiana is quite aware of those orders. I will not be left at the Altar by a frightened spouse to be. After all, it was she who asked the question not I.” She returned to the list of music, turning pages as though idly. “This for Tatiana’s entrance” she abruptly announced, waiting until the hedgehog had written the title down. A few pages later she pointed at another title. “And this for myself.”

“You are certain dear” the hound asked a moment later. “These are...”

“I am quite certain. It is time that a statement is made, it is time to step out of the shadows. To make those who will watch cringe in fear. Those songs. You may chose what you wish for the rest of our ceremony. Now, what else must be taken care of?”

It was nearer six than five pm when Millicent took her leave of the two women. Both were quite skilled in their craft, and both guaranteed that though it would be a tight schedule her wedding would go without a hitch. All she would have to do was to show up, put on her dress and say ‘I do.’ Then why she asked herself, did she feel like she had just gone ten rounds with Bruce Wells. She was still rubbing her forehead as she walked when someone struck her from behind. Hard.

Staggering forward she managed to keep her balance, turning around just in time to be hit again. Pain flared as she felt a rib compress. This time though she stood her ground, a fact that surprised the vixen Monica Green who had hit her. Behind the vixen were two other young women, an otter and a rabbit. All three started forward as though to continue the attack, each holding an improvised weapon in their paws when Millicent’s deadly little blade abruptly stopped them. They backed up a step, looking into eyes that just before had been surprised, and more than a little afraid.

“You dare” the feline hissed. It was a voice none of the three had heard before, for Millicent’s voice had always been soft, sweet. This was more the sound of some jungle cat not a civilized young woman. “I will put you all into the ground.”

“THAT WILL BE ENOUGH” Sergeant Proud’s voice snapped from behind the three, breaking through all four woman’s concentration. “Stand down that blade Miss Holmes” he continued. “Now.”

Quickly that deadly little blade vanished as Millicent’s entire demeanor changed yet again. “Sergeant Proud” the young feline asked. There was confusion in her voice, as though she were unsure as to what had just occurred.

“She pulled a knife on us” the otter accused, lowering the volcanic stone Tiki statue that she was holding. “A KNIFE! Inside the Consulate.”

Ignoring the enraged otter the Scots Terrier walked past the three to face Millicent. “Major Hawkins office, now” he ordered. Only after Millicent had left did he turn upon the other three. “Two things Lasses” he growled in a voice that sent ice down the threes spines. “As Most Secret courier, tha lass has orders tah be armed inside tha Consulate. Two, ye started it ahn with weapons o’ yer own. So tis tha Red Room for all four oh ye.” He then spun on his heel and marched off, leaving the trio to shiver in anticipation.

Millicent quickly found herself standing in front of the bulldog Major Hawkins yet again. They were waiting as Sergeant Proud made his report, then left to return to his duties. For a few minutes silence filled the office until Hawkins finally broke it. “You have anything to add Miss Holmes” he asked in a rather calm voice.

“Sir. Only that I remember vaguely from when Monica attacked the third time, my drawing my blade in defense then Sergeant Proud ordered us to stand down” Millicent answered, fearing what would happen. Fighting within the Consulate grounds was forbidden. There were always serious repercussions to anyone who broke that rule and the young feline had to admit that she had most assuredly broken that rule. Even though it had not been she who had started the fight.

“You remember nothing?” the bulldog asked.

“Not much sir” Millicent answered. “There was a moment I was looking at Monica. She had raised her arm for another swing with that vase. A moment later my blade was out and someone was saying “You dare.” Then Sergeant Proud was ordering us to stop. It was almost as though I were acting as someone else.”

“I see. Very well it will be the Red Room at midnight. You know the rules as well as all others. Coveralls will be supplied, no weapons, and that includes that blade of yours. Turn it over to Proud before you enter the room. He will return it to you when you leave. Mr. Dassher will interview those three before this evening. And dear Miss Holmes, whatever happens in there, this ends there. You do understand?”

“Red... room.” Millicent swallowed, feeling cold water enter her veins. “Yes sir. This ends.”

“Very well, now go prepare yourself. You have a whole five hours to prepare. I myself would suggest sleep, but no food from this point until it is over and only a sip water before going in. Good day.”

“Yes sir.” Millicent managed to make her way to the door, but it took an effort of will to open it. The Red Room, where all fights started within the Consulate compound were ended. As the door shut behind her she shivered, leaning against the hall wall to regain her composure. She had helped clean that room a few times since her arrival here. Padded walls insured that those within couldn’t be slammed against the wall hard enough to injure. There was a long mirrored window along one ceiling. It was behind that glass that sat the witness’s, to insure the fight was fair. That no weapons were brought in or used and that it never went too far. But never had women been sent there. At least not since Millicent had arrived. And herself? Against three? She could not hope to win. Certain of her defeat the feline, tail near dragging the ground made her way out of the building and back to her bungalow. Sleep the Major had suggested, as if she could.

Yet she managed somehow to sleep a full four hours.

It was very late, almost midnight when the four young women stood within the Red Room. A padded room the size of a standard eighteen by eighteen foot boxing ring where all fights ended, or you were shipped home in disgrace. Standing uncomfortable next to the door that she had entered from the feline Millicent was nervous. She felt absolutely naked without the blade that she had turned over to Sergeant Proud. One of the Matron’s had inspected her quite carefully before giving her the faded grey coveralls that she now wore. Inspected most carefully. Her coveralls though were too large by at least a size, yet still very tight at the chest.

Across from her, having entered through the rooms only other door stood the three who had attacked her. The vixen Monica Green came in first. A full paw shorter than Millicent the smaller vixen looked even more nervous than Millicent felt, constantly looking to her companions, then up to the dark glass above them. Melinda Jones was the ringleader of that group of this Millicent was certain. The otter had long been known as a trouble maker, but this was the first time that she had ever been caught in the act. Beside her stood a very pretty rabbit. Susan Gordon was the daughter of very rich merchant and loved to Lady over the other young women. Showing off expensive clothing as though it were nothing but castoffs. Studying the other two Millicent realized that though Melinda looked angry, Susan appeared absolutely bored. She even yawned as Sergeant Proud entered from behind her.

Stepping into the rooms center the very proper and correctly dressed Scots Terrier studied first Millicent, then her opponents. “Ye know why ye be in here?” he demanded.

“Yes sir” all four answered in various tones of voice. Monica, Millicent noted, actually squeaked like a church mouse.

“Very good” At thos words lights were turned on behind that dark glass. Five female forms could be seen, three of which Monica knew. “Yer jury. Tha decide. Rules are simple, leave tha eyes alone. Everythin else is open tah attack. Touch tha eyes, Aye come in tah show yah why yah shouldn’ Underrstand?”

Again all four said yes, though Susan simply mumbled her answer, still it was enough. “Ver well then, till only one side stil stand. When tha bell rins, yah start.” Behind him those lights went off, then the Sargent stepped to each one of them, asking if they would rather talk than fight. Though Millicent expressed the desire to talk, the other three simply wanted to ‘get this over.’ Accepting that nothing else could be done the Army Sergeant shook his head in disgust, then left.

As the heavy door sealed behind him Millicent held her paws out, open palms towards the three facing her. “Please” she said. “Can we not sit down and talk this through” she asked.

Surprisingly, it was the vixen who answered her. “Your still Sapphic and there is no place for a Sapphic woman in this world. No.” She looked up to Melinda, who gave her a smile of encouragement before turning back to face the feline.

Accepting defeat Millicent lowered her arms, gave a prayer to God then her Tatiana. A few seconds later the lights flickered and a bell rang. She waited as calmly as she could as the vixen rushed her.

Up above in the viewing room were now a great deal more than five women. “Do you think she’s good enough yet Sergeant” Major Hawkins asked.

In answer the Army man simply cleared his throat, for Millicent had sidestepped the vixens rush. Not as well as one of his own troops would have. Certainly not as well as Tatiana could, but against the felines inexperienced attacker it was more than enough. As was the knee that impacted the vixens stomach, followed a moment later by an elbow strike that laid the vixen flat.

“I see Sergeant. And you taught her that?” the bulldog asked.

“Part sir” the terrier admitted. “Part, tis from her Songmark woman.”

“I see.” Major Hawkins turned to the black furred otter that most were certain would soon be his wife, though he still wondered. “Odds” he asked.

“Five to one on the cat” Annette Riverstone answered. She sipped her coffee. “And one hundred shells that she breaks a bone in the otters right arm.”

“Her right arm” the bulldog noted. “I agree on Millicent winning, but the arm? Taken.” He turned his attention upon the figures below him. Otter and rabbit were working together, trying to box Millicent into a corner. As he watched the feline feinted towards the rabbit, stepped towards the otter then spun and plowed so hard into the rabbit that Susan slammed her head against the padded wall when she fell. “She has potential” he admitted to no one in particular.

Millicent hurt. Melinda had clawed her arm when she swung wildly and the wound was distracting her a little. With Monica apparently down and Susan stunned she needed to deal with the otter. What would her Tattie do she wondered, then remembered a trick the sable had taught her.

Sergeant Proud sucked air in through his teeth as the otters tail abruptly popped. Even up here behind the glass that heavy sound of bones separating was audible. Somewhere someone rushed out, probably to lose their lunch. “Tha” he said softly. “Ah never taugh tha lass”

“She’ll lose it” Doctor Riverstone announced. “Right at the root. Did you see the distance it was stretched? I can reset it, but that tail is dead. She has torn the blood vessels that feed it, perhaps the artery as well.”

“It was both their full weight going in opposite directions” Major Hawkins noted. “And it is not her right arm.”

“Fights not over” Annette reminded him. Silently the dark furred otter leaned against her companion, allowing her scent to fill his sensitive nose.

Millicent was sick to her stomach. She knew exactly what she had just done, and what it would cost Melinda through her life. Yet instead of backing down the otter screamed, bringing out her claws again as she leapt for her enemy, her lifeless tail now dragging behind her. Adrenaline had kicked in so the otter hadn’t felt the pain of her injury yet. Millicent was still sick to her stomach as something welled up from within her. It was something she had never felt before, and it felt like a pressure in her chest as it took over her reason. Oddly, she could see everything that happened, but as if she were disconnected from her own body. As if someone else was in control.

“Before my wedding” Millicent gasped as she dodged the otters attack. A glance showed that Monica was barely up, still shaking her head to clear it. “You do this before my WEDDING!” She set herself as the Otter attacked yet again.

“That was the right arm” Annette announced as the heavy crack of shattered bone filled their ears. “One hundred shells please.” Her answer was a snort of disbelief from her companion, followed by the rustle of bills as he opened his wallet. Shattered, Melinda had managed to crawl into a corner, nursing her deformed tail and oddly angled arm. As a combatant, she was out of the story.

Susan Gordon though barely gave her whimpering otter companion a glance as she re-entered the battle. With practiced ease the rabbit kicked at the feline she hated more than anyone else in the world. Why, she asked herself as Millicent bounced against the wall from the impact, did this cheap dockside tart get the position she wanted. Most Secret Courier was several steps above a simple secretary. It would have made her father proud, and that pride would have been converted to many more pounds sent her way each month. Instead this unknown bitch had stolen the position, and now she was going to get back at her for it. A hungry tooth filled smile filled her face as her fist impacted the felines oversized chest. Extending her carefully groomed, and extremely sharp claws the rabbit smiled as she felt them enter delicate flesh. In a few moments she was going to rip this girls face open like a ripe peach. Let her lover gaze upon the ruin she would leave, see if she still wanted her then. Unlike the otter Melinda, Susan cared not for who wanted who. Only that everyone understood that she was the richest person here. Thus the one most entitled.

Within her own mind Millicent felt the pain of Susan’s strike and gasped, yet whatever was controlling her body simply ignored the pain. Instead stepping into the rabbits next swing, then bringing the heel of her paw up under the rabbits chin with enough force to lift the rabbit fully from the ground. ‘Strange’ Millicent thought. ‘Sergeant Proud could never got me to do that right. And now...’

Staggering back Susan tried to clear her head, but before she could it felt like someone had swung a Cricket bat up between her legs. With a grunt of pain the rabbit started to kneel, then someone slammed a sledgehammer into the side of her head. Wordlessly her eyes rolled up and she fell flat on the padded floor.

Millicent thought that the battle was over when another, smaller body slammed onto her back. Over balanced she fell, impacting that same padded floor with her face. “Leave my friends alone” she heard Monica scream. “Just leave them alone.”

The pounding upon her back hurt, but it was nothing like she had just experienced. ‘Just please let it stop, before anyone else is hurt’ the feline thought. Instead Millicent’s body forced itself on one side, then her right elbow snapped back. Monica’s screams changed to a sharp yelp of pain. Free, the cat spun around on the floor to face her attacker. Two clawed paws ripped through the worn cotton overalls, leaving parallel bloody scratches on the vixens belly. A moment later Millicent’s own very sharp fangs had a strong grip on the now frightened vixens throat. Slowly her mouth closed, her teeth easily entering the pampered vixens soft flesh exactly as Tatiana’s had entered her own so long ago.

“I yield” Monica gasped through a closing windpipe, her arms and legs abruptly going limp. “I am forever yours.”

‘Mine?’ Millicent asked herself. ‘Not another like me. Certainly.’ Still she felt her mouth open, tasting fresh blood on her tongue as a terrified young vixen stared up at her, the vixens entire body was as limp as though freshly dead. “Mine” Millicent heard her voice say. “Forever you are mine. To do with as I please, when I please, how I please. You are nothing. And since I belong to Tatiana, you are hers to do with as she pleases. Agreed?”

“Agreed Mistress” the vixen whispered from her place on the floor. Then to the felines shock, the vixen lifted her chin, exposing her throat completely. “Agreed. Oh so gladly agreed” Monica husked.

“Then stand and drag this useless garbage out of here.” A sudden rush filled Millicent’s body as she finished speaking and she realized that she had control again of her actions. It made her queasy, and frightened her. Yet as she gathered her self together Monica began dragging Susan’s unconscious body to the nearest doorway.

“What happened” she asked herself.

“Tah. Tha good Major ud lik tah know too lass” Sergeant Proud’s voiced answered from her right.

“To his office then Sergeant” Millicent agreed, pushing away from the wall to follow. She was exhausted, she hurt and right now all she wanted was Tatiana’s arms around her.

“No. Tah tha nurse, Doctor Riv’stone ‘ll take care those two.” He stared at Monica, watching in silence as the smaller vixen exerted all she had to drag her shattered friends out the other door. “Ah wha did ye do tah tha young lass, tah turn her away fro her bes mates.”

“I do not know Sergeant” Millicent answered as she was lead to the clinic. “I honestly do not know. And that frightens me more than even the Major.”

“Good, it should” a third voice agreed.

Looking up Millicent saw Major Hawkins standing behind Sergeant Proud, and the bulldog did not look happy. “You just ruined a promising night young Millicent. Once the nurse releases you to my office. I think that we can not allow this event to go unexamined. What say you.”

“I agree sir. That was not me in there, it really wasn’t.” She shivered in reaction to events, only slowly gathering herself together. “I am frightened sir, and what did Monica mean when she said she was mine? And this mistress thing?”

“That for later. Now move, Annette and Doctor Kiwi are going to need the nurses help very quickly.” He turned away and walked off. From what Millicent could see, he was either very angry, or very worried.

Hours later Millicent still sat in Major Hawkins office while they waited on the medical report. Other than her neck wounds, treatable by the Consulate nurse, and a aching head Monica had been sent back to her quarters with orders not to report to work until otherwise notified. Hours passed, filled by Millicent repeating again and again what had happened. Finally Major Hawkins lifted a paw, silencing the feline.

“You have repeated the same thing exactly five times now” he announced. “I am now most certain that you are speaking nothing but the truth. This must be investigated further, but not through you young Millicent. You have a wedding to prepare for.”

Several minutes later a knock on the office door announced Doctor Riverstone’s arrival. Millicent, at the Major’s nod, went to open that door to learn the fate of the two girls she had so badly crushed.

As she had expected it was Doctor Annette Riverstone on the other side. With a nod to Millicent, who had stepped aside, the otter entered. She was still wearing surgical scrubs, and Millicent’s stomach nearly emptied at the sight of so much blood upon the blackfurred otters clothing. Turning to look at the shivering feline the otter simply pointed towards a chair. “Sit there” she ordered. Without complaint Millicent closed the office door, then hurried to the chair that had been indicated. It was not meant for her species, thus was very uncomfortable. Annette however walked over to a more comfortable chair before sitting down.

“Your report Doctor” Major Hawkins asked gently.

“If you want me to marry you, you’ll close that room down right now. Forever” the otter answered softly. Her voice was filled with not physical, but emotional exhaustion. “Both will be sent home as soon as they are well enough to travel.”

“Your report please” the bulldog asked again, his voice exactly the same as before.

“Report. Fine. Susan Gordon has a major concussion, a broken pelvic bone, two cracked ribs, torn ligaments in her right wrist, a broken jaw and two broken incisors.” She looked straight at Millicent, gauging the feline. From what she had just witnessed this little marshmallow of a woman could clean the floor with her, yet Millicent seemed to shrink into herself at the otters gaze. Turning her attention back to the bulldog she had plans on marrying, Annette finished her report on the battered rabbit. “Four months, maybe five before she is fully healed. She may never heal emotionally.”

Major Hawkins was stunned, though outwardly he showed nothing of that to the others. “I see. Well, Sergeant Proud will be delighted that Millicent paid attention to his training. I shall so inform him tomorrow, and Miss Jones?”

“Miss Jones may become suicidal. Doctor Kiwi and I had to remove her tail at the root. Not even a stump will remain I am afraid.” A heavy sound caused the otter to turn quickly, to find that Millicent Holmes had quite fainted from the news. “Interesting” she observed. Returning to face her intended she continued her report.

“Monica will be lucky to retain the use of her right paw. Compound fractures are like that, they cut muscle and nerves sometimes. She also lost her spleen, Doctor Kiwi is has her in post-op now. She will fall to illness easily from now on. I do hope that we are wrong about the paw as losing ones tail is bad enough. Our initial tests showed greatly diminished nerve response after setting her arm. That could be from trauma, swelling or both. She is going to need a great deal of help to get through losing her tail. You may be aware that my species depend upon our tails for balance and we are very proud of them. For us it is also a rather large loss of body mass.”

Troubled Hawkins stood up. Walking to the unconscious feline on his floor he nudged her with one well worn boot. Millicent didn’t even whimper in response. “What to do with this one” he wondered out loud. Before anyone could answer he continued. “The Red Room stays Annette, I don’t have the authority to close it. Only Whitehall can do that. And Monica?”

“Monica has been fully impressed” Annette answered. “I learned in my medical classes that this is normal for submissive personalities, when they find themselves facing a truly dominate personality for the first time. She now looks upon Millicent as her pack leader. It isn’t my speciality, but Doctor Kiwi has seen this several times before. It isn’t curable, but she can live a perfectly normal life without Millicent in it. I am afraid that you can never trust her again, she will do anything Millicent wants her too. Remind me dear, you are sending Millicent to London?”

“We are. A week before Songmark’s next year starts if she survives the slavers.”

Annette looked down on the attractive body currently acting as a lumpy rug for Hawkins office. “I think that she will. If I were you, I would send Monica with her. As her Girl Friday as it may be, Monica would be most comfortable with that cat. And in truth in London a proper Lady requires a servant. Yes?”

“It would be a good position” Hawkins agreed. “She’s barely been acceptable as a pool secretary. If it wasn’t for her family connections she would have been sent home long ago.” He kneeled down, placing a paw over Millicent’s muzzle to determine if the feline was still breathing.

“If your going to molest the young girl at least let me leave first” Annette laughed. “Or help, she doe look delicious. I assure you my dear that she is quite all right, simply overtaken by the results of her actions. So, the Red Room cannot be closed unless Whitehall agrees. Very well, I shall speak with Helen immediately.”

Giving the otter a smile Hawkins shook his head no. “Not that Whitehall my dear” he admitted as he stood again. “Though I do wish it were that easy. I like her, she has what it takes to hold that title even though she doesn’t want it. Just as Amelia doesn’t want the Allworthy title. What is it, that the ones best suited for a title want nothing to do with it? Perhaps it is because they understand the weight of responsibility.” He removed his pipe from a pocket, studying it a moment before returning it to that same pocket. “I thought the match even, as did Sergeant Proud. There is something strange going on in this ones head. Something I must discover and quickly.”

“Oharu?” Annette asked softly.

“Perhaps” the bulldog agreed. “But she is unavailable to anyone right now on orders from her superior. No. I shall speak to the one who seeded this problem. At worst I’ll release the girl. Her Tatiana can care for her the rest of her life as well as anyone. But we have plans now, events in motion that require the Russian and Millicent comes with her. For good or ill I fear that I may find myself having to deal with a live Mills Bomb, never knowing when the fuze might ignite.” He carefully stepped over Millicent’s still form, stopping to look down at Annette. “I fear that as I can not close the Red Room Doctor, that our time together is over. Good night Doctor Riverstone. I hope that you will find someone more to your liking.”

Very carefully Annette stood, brushing her blood coated clothing straight as she did so until she finally looked up at the barely taller bulldog. “Very well Major, if that is your decision.” It was a slap heard around Spontoon. “You self centered Bastard” the otter growled. “If you think I am going to let you walk out on me now. Just when I was ready to say yes, you are so full of shit you Limey Bastard.”

His cheek burning the bulldog simply looked down at the slighter, and much prettier woman standing before him. “Well, if that is the way things must be.” Very gently he enveloped Annette in his stronger arms, then kissed her. Millicent opened her eyes in time to see the otters body mold against the hounds. She watched for a moment, then just as gently closed her eyes. It was a sight she had never expected to see, certainly not here.

Mid-morning Major Hawkins finally left his office but he was not headed for his own bed, he was headed for Madam Maxine’s. Millicent’s explanation fitted Sergeant Proud’s observations perfectly. Something was up at the Madams, and Hawkins now needed to know exactly what.

“I see” Madam Maxine said after Hawkins gave his story. “I did warn you that she should be watched Major.”

“Exactly what did you do to her” Hawkins asked. “Proud said that she seemed like a completely different woman as she fought.”

Madam Maxine shrugged, a movement the bulldog would never have expected from one with the social training of this Siamese feline. “I really do not know sir.” She took a drink of her tea before continuing. “You are aware of Molly Procyk being able to pass quite acceptably as Lady Allworthy’s personal maid?”

“And that she was trained here in one day. Yes. Is this brainwashing?” he asked.

“Absolutely not” the Siamese feline gasped. “I would never allow such. I have seen its effects personally on someone I knew well. He is in Sanatorium now and will never be released. No Major, what we have is a way to open ones mind to new training. Since I do not understand the way, I could never explain it. Perhaps one of the Priestess’s could help you there. What I do know is that a pocket is made within the students mind. Within that pocket information is poured. While this is happening a part of that students personality takes control of that pocket. Apparently a part that is never used and I would hazard a guess a part that frightens the superior mind. Certainly Procyk would normally kill herself before taking employment as a Ladies maid. Truly what part no one knows, or the how or why. In Miss Procyk’s case, either a code phrase or event will trigger the pocket. Thus whenever Lady Allworthy requires a maid she can trigger Miss Procyk into that position. Likewise, should someone refer to Miss Procyk as Lady Allworthy’s maid while the doe is in earshot she will revert but only as long as is needed. While she is a maid, the dominate personality watches as though from a windowed room. She will remember everything, but it takes days to understand what has happened when one has no such expectation. It is a frightening thing I would think.”

Major Hawkins sat stunned. “You can do this with anyone?”

“Only women Major. My employee refuses to touch any males mind, nor do we accept males here for any education.”

“What is Millicent’s trigger” the bulldog asked. “And what personality?”

Madam Maxine smiled then. “Miss Holmes trigger is any woman who challenges her. Her secondary personality then determines an appropriate reaction. Had those young women been too much for her, she would have run. Likewise it will never awaken against her Russian because she is completely in love with the sable. But you want the personality Major Hawkins. As you recall I warned you that an incorrect form was used. Millicent should have been given a stronger personality to help her though difficult times, a stronger her, and she was intended for that careful training. Instead” the Siamese shrugged again. “A Dominatrix.”

“A...” Hawkins sighed, lowering his head. “This explains Schwarzkopf and Millicent’s reaction when pressed. I will have to send her home though, tonight if I can find transport.”

“But why? She is still your Miss Holmes. It is only when she is challenged by a woman, then only in certain ways that Millicent herself could not handle. Only then does this personality emerge. As Millicent becomes more comfortable being around strong willed women, this hidden Dominatrix will appear less and less often.”

Hawkins looked up at his hostess, noting the honest surprise on her face. “Because I can not know what else that you may have done to her.”

“I see, then I suggest that you ask a certain ferret if he truly trusts his wife. She too had training here, in the social graces and languages of several countries. Both high and low social graces sir. She can be a Lady in High Court, or a China Dock walking doxy if she needs. Major Hawkins, I make my living by training young ladies in the things that they need to know. Nothing else. Older ladies in very rare cases. My entire business is based upon my own honor, and that I do not meddle with the minds, honor or loyalty of my students. My employees? Oh yes, they may think about leaving, but they never will. They are quite aware of what the world, people like you would do with them should they become available. In any case, should I start doing what you are thinking about. Well, not only would I be out of business within days I would be very dead. Most likely at the paws of someone like you, or Miss Bryzov. Sir. Your Millicent is still loyal to your country. My employee has no ability to affect that. As always she was monitored during each session by different people. Twice by myself so do not discard a card in your paw Major, though it may at present not be exactly what you wish it to be. It is still your card, and it may be exactly what you need before your game is over.”

“And I am to take your word for this?” the bulldog asked.

“No Major. Never take my word for anything. Take your friend the ferrets word.”

“All right then, I shall ask him and I thank you for your honesty.” He stood, bowed ever so slightly to the still sitting feline and made his way out. Behind him he left his tea and cookies untouched.

As he left Madam Maxine sighed. ‘If only I could do such things’ she thought. Millicent would have made an excellent discardable traveling companion, once she had successfully been turned away from the Russian. But that chair could not change minds, only create sub-personalities. Even then only personalities that were on the supplied wires. Slave, though a wire had come with that personality, had been thrown into the deepest part of Spontoon’s harbor by Madam Maxine herself. She had seen the results of brain-washing upon her oldest brother and she could not find it within herself to burden another with that kind of pain.

Long after sundown Major Hawkins bid goodby to his two confidants in the Consulate. At the moment all listening devices in his office were cut off. His conversation with the two, and with his next visitor were simply too delicate to go onto record. Outside his office waited probably the most delicate problem of his life. That she was beautiful in his eyes simply didn’t help at all. Taking a deep breath he walked to his door, opening it. “You may come in now Millicent” he said in a much gentler tone than the feline was used too. “Please find a comfortable seat, if you would.”

He watched as the shapely feline walked away from him, enjoying the view of her swaying hips and tail for nothing but the pleasure such a sight gave him. From now on he could look, but never touch as another had finally entered his life. Another now wore his ring of promise, a ring that had eaten heavily into his available personal funds. ‘But’ he thought as he followed Millicent, continuing on to his own chair. ‘I have always given my women diamonds when they accepted my proposal of marriage.’ Annette Riverstone was so much like his first wife that it sometimes hurt. But enough different that he could accept the occasional pain of woken memories.

Settling into his own chair he picked up his pipe. It had to be the fourth or fifth he had purchased since Millicent encountered Tatiana. “You are going to bankrupt me” he said softly as he slipped his pipe-stem between his lips. “Simply bankrupt me. Have you any idea what a good pipe costs today?”

Millicent opened her mouth, then closed it. For a moment Hawkins thought that she wasn’t going to answer. “No sir” the feline admitted softly. “Neither Tatiana nor I smoke sir.”

“One and six” he informed her. “One pound, six shillings and this is the fifth that I have had to buy because of you young lady.” Pulling the pipe from his mouth he tapped the stem on his desk. “I have had a full day today, thank you. Young Miss Holmes, you have again managed to stave off the dogs. Though Dassher now has twenty pounds on you seducing them to your personal service before they can harm you.” He tapped his pipe against his teeth as if in thought. “I have traveled a great deal today, I have visited people I never expected to know. The only reason I didn’t visit your future mother-in-law is because she is unapproachable right now. No water taxi would take me near South Island, not even the false taxis of China Dock. Which tells me a lot more than I wanted to know.”

“I see” the feline answered in a much subdued voice. “Would you like for me to arrange for you to visit Mother Oharu? I would, of course, have to go with you sir but I will stand away as you talk with her. If you can. It is her season sir, though near to the end of it.”

Hawkins snapped the pipe in his paw, looked at it in amused reflection, then dropped the pieces into his trash bin. “One and six, and its only four hours old. Are you trying to make records young Millicent? To see how fast you can make me ruin a good pipe?”

Millicent blushed, failing to hide a tiny smile from blooming on her lips. “No sir. I simply wished to give you all the information that you need sir.”

“Hurmp.” Looking up at the rooms ceiling Hawkins asked that age old question that had no true answer. “Why me Lord. Why me?” Then returning his attention to his employee the hound steadied himself. At least Dassher wasn’t here, he had business on Meeting Island tonight with a certain skunk. If he were, by now the poor Border Collie would be laying on his floor gasping for breath. “And what makes you think that you could get me to see Honored Mother Oharu tonight. I have been well informed that it is impossible.”

Millicent stood. “If you will come with me sir, I shall prove it.”

It was a challenge the intelligence agent simply couldn’t miss. Standing he grabbed his hat. “Very well I shall allow you to make a complete fool of yourself. Lead child, I shall follow. I shall even pay the taxi costs both ways. If you do win I shall buy you supper at the Marlybone as well.”

It was a bet that cost Hawkins more than just water taxi fare, though he learned nothing new. Millicent was able to get him near her future mother-in-law, but from the scents and sounds they encountered while still thirty yards from their destination both agreed that right now was not the time to bother the mouse.

Dinner though was most enjoyable.