Blue for the Green Part 3: First Day By TommyTheGunM99 In which Tetyana has a change of employment following her little accident. A “Tails from Blauerberg” story Written by TommyTheGun ---------------------------------------------------------------- Blue for the Green Part 3 “First Day” A “Tails from Blauerberg” story Written by TommyTheGun It had been one day since Tetyana was turned into a living blueberry following an accident in the Inner Grove the previous day. After being collected by some of the maids, she was rolled into the castle’s juicing room and placed inside a centrifuge-like machine. Now, she was fully drained, but extremely exhausted as she lied in the chamber. In the morning, the chamber door opened up, and a familiar figure, a fox, was standing there. “Ah, you’re fully juiced now. Let’s get you to the maid quarters and help you get your energy back.” Art Nett, the head maid, helped the tired and exhausted Tetyana to her feet. The mouse’s clothes were wet and soggy due to yesterday’s events. Art helped Tetyana out of the chamber and out of the juicing room. She continued to help her out of the cellar before they walked down the corridors of the castle towards the maid quarters where Art helped Tetyana strip off her clothes before setting her in bed. “There. Now, wait right here while I fetch you a pitcher of water.” Art said before leaving for the kitchen. Tetyana lied on the bed while too exhausted to even move her limbs. She could only vaguely remember what had happened, but was more focused on how thirsty she was. The juicing machine had extracted the blueberry juice that was produced inside of her. In doing so, it also left her quite dehydrated to the point of fatigue. She could only breathe softly and shiver from how wet she was while waiting for Art to return. The door soon swung open, and Art returned with a tray carrying a pitcher full of fresh water and an empty glass cup. “Here we are.” The green-haired, blue fox walked over to Tetyana’s bedside before setting down the tray on a nightstand. “Drink up now, Frau Myshkapole. You’re gonna need your energy.” Tetyana could only weakly look at Art then turn her gaze towards the water. As if her body moved on its own, she picked up the whole pitcher and began to chug and guzzle down the water in huge gulps. For her, it was as if she hadn’t drank water in two weeks straight. Art watched as the blue mouse drank the entire pitcher until it was empty. At which point Tetyana sat the pitcher down on the tray and panted from drinking so much. “So…thirsty…water…so…good.” She let out between pants. “Guh…I’ve never had water that tasted so good.” Tetyana said with a hint of amazement in her voice. “Do you feel better now?” Art asked sisterly. Tetyana looked at her then at her two blue hands. She then looked in a nearby mirror and saw her plant green hair and eyes. Being reminded of what happened, she shivered and stifled a small whimper. Art could only sigh. “I’ll take that as a Maybe.” Tetyana looked at Art with worry. “Am I…going to be like this forever?” Art shrugged at the question. “Everyone of us haven’t gone back to normal since turning like this.” Tetyana shivered. “I-I’m a monster. I’m a freak.” She picked up her pillow and covered her face. “My family are going to hate me!” She yelled, the pillow muffling her words. Art sat down next to Tetyana and looked at her. “I know it’s…tough for you to process this. How about we get you lived in and then we can do some work to help get your mind off of things? Hmmm?” Tetyana put the pillow down before taking a deep breath and sighing deeply. “Fine…not like I have a choice.” Tetyana would get up from her new bed. She then stretched out her arms and back before she grabbed the maid uniform given to her by Art and began getting dressed. As she puts on the dress she couldn’t help but feel comfortable in the purple silk gown with white cuffs, and white frills along the bottom of the skirt that reached down to her feet. Next, she put on the black apron which covered her torso from her chest down to her shins. Finally, she put on the white belt and tied it around her midsection before putting on the maid cap on her head. Once she had finished, she looked at herself in the mirror, and saw a blue mouse with green hair wearing a purple and black maid outfit. One that felt comfortable, yet foreign to her as she never wore something so fitting and new compared to her old ensemble. “Now then, for your first task of the day, we shall head up to Mistress Hilda’s room to pick up her laundry before heading to the laundry room. She is currently out of the castle, but I’m sure she’ll want to meet you. Come along now.” Art said before leading Tetyana out of the maid quarters and through the halls of Castle Blauerberg. As Tetyana followed, she looked around and saw a rather extravagant and well decorated castle interior with a clear blueberry theme. Vases with blueberry patterns painted on them, finely made wooden furniture with blue cushioning, purple mulberry silk curtains. It was if she had stepped into the mansions she had witnessed the Muskovian nobles of her homeland would occupy. Walking through the main hall and up the grand staircase, Tetyana would look upwards towards a large gilded portrait featuring a rather intimidating sight. The portrait was of a rather large and rounded blue bunny woman who was the same shade of blue as Tetyana and Art, but instead of leafy green hair and eyes, she sported a dark purple color to her hair in addition to a set of brown eyes. Tetyana would feel a shiver down her spine as she looked at the portrait as if the subject was looking down at her with a unsettling gaze. Art would turn and look at her. “Something the matter, Frau Myshkapole?” Tetyana shivered before pointing to the portrait. Art would turn and see before looking back at Tetyana. “The portrait?” Tetyana nodded. “I-Is that the Mistress of this castle?” She asked with a hint of fear. Art sighed before shaking her head. “Nein. That would be the Mistress’s late mother. Countess Franziska von Blauerberg. I can assure you, Countess Hilda is far less dreadful in her demeanor. Now come along now.” Art and Tetyana continued going down another hallway before heading up more stairs to the master bedroom. They reached a set of large double doors before Art pushed them open to reveal a rather large and dimly lit bedroom. Tetyana could only look in awe as she walked inside. The bed was larger than any queen size bed on the market with a large canopy and translucent blue curtains while the mattress itself looked like it could fit at least three individuals in width. A large vanity with a counter and mirror which Tetyana could barely even reach even if she stood on the tip of her toes. And a purple and blue stained glass window which dimmed the sunlight giving the room its dim lighting. Art looked at Tetyana before speaking up. “We will be picking up the Mistress’s laundry for the day.” Tetyana nodded. “Very well. Where are the dirty clothes?”She asked. Art simply smiled. “You’re standing on them.” Confused, Tetyana looked down and noticed what looked like a dark blue sheet. “This? Looks like a regular sheet to me.” Art giggled. “Oh, but they are anything but that. You’re standing on the Countess’s nightwear.” Tetyana could only raise an eyebrow before she picked up what she thought was a rug. Much to her surprise, it was in fact a gigantic blue nightgown with darker blue trimmings. “Goodness! These are huge! Just how big is your Mistress anyway! She has to be a giant to fit into these!” Tetyana exclaimed much to Art’s amusement. “In any case, that will be your task for the day. Don’t worry, I’ll be helping you until you learn your way. Come on, let’s head to the laundry room now.” Once the tiny mouse bunched up the gigantic nightgown which formed a ball almost as tall as her, she followed Art out of the bedroom and down the stairs back into the castle hallways while trying not to trip over. Along the way, Tetyana would ask Art a question. “So, will I become a giant ball again? Will I have to go back down into that…place?” Art would listen before answering. “Yes. Since you’re the newest berry in the Countess’s grove, you’ll have your first growth spurt within the end of the week. You can expect yourself to fully ripen up within seven weeks. I should say, we cannot juice you when only partially ripe.” Art explained to Tetyana. The mouse would feel a sense of worry. “Is…is there a way to juice me without using that machine?” Art shrugged. “We do have a more…hands-on method.” Holding the laundry in one hand, Art would take her index and middle fingers on her other hand before performing the fingering motion. Seeing this, Tetyana blushed a deep purple and walked in silence the rest of the way. The two maids would soon reach the laundry room of the castle. Tetyana looked around room and saw all the sinks and cleaning equipment. There were some recently cleaned sheets hanging up on the clotheslines along with some washed maid uniforms and aprons. “I assume you know how to wash dirty laundry?” Art asked. “Of course. Mat? and I did plenty back in Zaporizhia.” Tetyana explains with some of her native mother tongue. Art smiled at her. “Very good. In any case, I will be assisting you with the Mistress’s nightgown.” The blue fox smiled before she went to one of the larger sinks and began to fill it up with hot water before adding some soap which created a pool of bubbles. Tetyana would walk over with the balled up nightgown before placing it into the sink. With a light splash and bubbles flying into the air, Art and Tetyana would get to work on washing the giant blue nightgown. It was quite a huge task for a little mouse like Tetyana as it would take her and Art quite some time to fully clean it. A full hour would pass as they thoroughly washed the nightgown before taking it out of the now lukewarm soapy water. The fox and mouse maids carried the wet and heavier blue cloth over to a large machine that resembled a mangle, but was larger than a typical mangle and seemed to be powered rather than hand cranked. Tetyana looked at the large machine. “This is way too big.” She commented. “You said the same thing about Mistress’s nightgown, and yet you managed to wash it nicely.” Art smiled. “Be careful though. Make sure your hair and uniform don’t get caught.” She instructed. Tetyana sighed before she and Art put the nightgown into the wringer. Once in position, Tetyana stood back while Art pulled a switch as the machine activated and began the process of drying the nightgown. Art wiped her brow before smiling. “Another job well done done.” She then turned to Tetyana. “Now for your next task while Mistress’s nightgown is being dried. Do you know how to clean a bed?” She asked Tetyana. She nodded. “Mat?…er, mother would make Pavlo and I clean our rooms in the mornings back home.” She told Art, translating her Mother Tongue since she is the first maid from her region. “That’s good. Today, Thelka has the responsibility of making the beds in the maid quarters. Why don’t you go and help her out? I’ll be heading to the kitchen to prepare today’s dinner for Mistress.” Art tells Tetyana. Tetyana would ask a question. “I hope I’m not overstepping, but where exactly is your Mistress?” “Ah, yes, Mistress Hilda is currently in town to get supplies for the upcoming Harvest Festival Ball.” “Harvest Festival Ball?” Tetyana asked. “Yes. Every early fall is when the blueberry harvest comes in. It has always been a tradition here at the castle to open our doors and allow the townsfolk, regardless of status or wealth, to partake in the annual gala and enjoy the amenities the Countess has to offer.” Art explained with a smile. Tetyana was quite bemused. She had resided in Heidelstadt for under a year, and yet she had never heard of this harvest festival until now. At least not until she remembered the previous week. “That paper…if I hadn’t found it I…” she began before she cut herself off as the thought finished in her head. Had she not found that flyer at the garden, she’d still be a normal mouse girl. But now, as she saw it, she was but a monster. A half-plant freak abandoned by Gaia. Art noticed Tetyana’s more solemn demeanor and quickly pondered. “On second thought, it might be best if you stick with me. Thelka can be quite tough on the new maids. Do you know how to cook?” Tetyana would snap out of her distressed numbness before looking up at Art. “Cook? T-Tak…yes, mother taught me much about cooking back home.” Art smiled at hearing that. “Good. Then you can put those lessons to good use for the Countess’s dinner. Shouldn’t be too hard. Follow me then.” Art said beforeshe lead Tetyana down the halls and stairs of the castle until they reached their destination: the kitchen. Upon arriving in the kitchen, Tetyana was greeted by a scene of maids working away on preparing the food.One station dedicated to making what looked like a large pot of tomato soup, another station was busy chopping up and cooking roast beef and baking potatoes, and a third station making what looked and smelled like blueberry pies.The scent of blueberries from the pies would remind Tetyana of yesterday and what had happened. Before those memories began to affect her, Art placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do you know how to cook?” She asked once more, knowing that question got the young mouse to be distracted enough to function. Tetyana looked up and nodded. “Yes. Well, not exactly for something like this.” Art softly smiled. “You can work on whichever you’re more comfortable with.” Tetyana made a deep sigh before she looked at the stations before walking over to the baked potato station. As Art watched as Tetyana began to help with the baked potatoes, Thelka soon came in. “Art? Erm, I mean, Head Maid?” Art turned around and smiled. “Art is just fine, Thelka. You’re wanting to tell me something?” Thelka nodded. “Mistress is here. Earlier than expected.” Thelka explained. Art smiled with joy. “Oh wonderful. That means she’ll get to meet Miss Tetyana at dinner. I’ll go and greet Mistress. Why don’t you go ahead and help here? Maybe assist Tetyana?” She asked Thelka. The blue eagle raised a brow. “You want me to help the new maid? I suppose I can since I have nothing else to do.” “Excellent. Don’t burn up the potatoes now.~” Art said before leaving the kitchen. Outside in the courtyard of the castle, a purple stream-powered vehicle resembling a carriage drove up the winding cobblestone road before pulling into and parked in front of the steps leading up to the doors. The carriage driver, a brown male anthroid horse wearing a coachman uniform including a long coat and top hat, climbed down from his seat before walking over and opening the passenger door facing the castle entrance. “Mistress Hilda, we have returned to your estate.” He said in a stoic tone. The carriage creaked slightly as a large and heavy figure stood up before turning and stepping out into the evening sun. She pulled out a decorated purple and blue parasol to shield her face and upper body from the sunlight. She stood at seven-foot and six-inches tall, and as wide if not wider than her height with her massive round stomach, large breasts, and wide hips all contained in a finely tailored gothic corset dress made with dark violet blue silk, purple cotton, and black strings containing her massive stomach and breasts. Her cleavage was able to be seen by any who gazed at her. Not to mention her dark blue fur covering her body, and purple curly hair and dewlap that covered most of her face save for one silver-grey eye and her light purple muzzle. Her large rear was accented by a dark purple bushy tail. Her head was topped my two large ears matching her fur color with the tips a darker shade of blue matching her bloated forearms.. Dangling from her ears were two long earrings made of fine silver which held two blue sapphires held in silver rings. The large rabbit woman, Countess Hilda as she is known, twirled her parasol and smiled. “Danke schoën, Karl. You may take the rest of the day off.” She spoke with a sweet, yet deep feminine voice with a noticeable Bavarian accent. The coachman, Karl, nodded before tipping his hat. “Take care, milady. I am always at your service.” Hilda began walking up the stairs as Karl got into his seat and drove the steam carriage into the stable. As Hilda reached the doors above which her family’s coat of arms appeared, Art opened the doors before bowing. “Welcome home, Mistress. I trust your trip was productive?” Art asked with a smile. “Oh, only somewhat. I’m just glad it ended when it did. I simply don’t know how much longer I could’ve lasted.” Hilda let out an exasperated sigh before looking down at Art, past her large chest. “Anyways, I trust you’ve kept things in order while I was gone. Though, how is that new blueberry who is now part of our grove? She must be fully juiced by now.” Art nodded in confirmation. “Indeed. Frau Tetyana has recovered and I’ve already put her to work on her new duties. From what I saw, she’ll need a lot of time to adjust given what happened.” Hilda simply nodded. “Very well then. We should expect as such given her background. Now then, I’m simply famished.” Art smiled before leading the Countess inside. “Say no more. Your three-course dinner is already prepared.” Art said as she took Hilda’s parasol. “Your spot in the dining hall is all ready for you.” The blue fox smiled happily before she went to put away the parasol. Back in the kitchen, Tetyana is cooking the last baked potato. “Careful now. That one is going to be your dinner tonight.” One of the maids said. Tetyana looked at her in confusion. “Really?” The maid, who happens to be a duck, nodded. “All of us maids always eat with the Countess at dinner time. The food we cooked tonight isn’t just for her alone. Of course, she gets the biggest portions, but by no means are we left with scraps.” Tetyana could only listen with curiosity. “But…she’s a noble. Isn’t she supposed to not be dining with the likes of us?” She asked, thinking back to her experience in her old country where Muskovian nobles would take her family’s harvest while leaving them barely anything for the winter. The maid shook her head. “Countess Hilda is different. You’ll see.” As if on cue, the sound of a bell is heard. “Ah, that must mean she’s in the dining hall.” The maids began leaving the kitchen save for a few who’ll serve the food. Tetyana would ponder before realizing her baked potato was getting overcooked. She quickly took it out and placed it on her second course plate before she followed the maids out. The dining hall is a massive room which contained a large long table able to seat about fifty guests, covered by a white cloth, and decorated with vases of flowers along the table. Tetyana walked in and looked around to see Art, Thelka, and the other maids totaling thirty seated at the table. At the head of the table sat a sight Tetyana could never imagine. She saw the massive wide and tall blue rabbit sitting on a large chair custom fitted to hold her large frame. Tetyana was simply stupefied as she walked over closer to the far end of the table and sat down. Hilda looked on and saw Tetyana sit at the far end before she leaned over to Art who sat the closest to her. “Art? I don’t suppose that is the newest addition to our Grove right there, ja?” Art looked up at Hilda and nodded. “Yes, Mistress. That is Tetyana Myshkapole. She immigrated from the Muskovian Empire and has lived in Blauerberg for about a year now. From what I gathered, she’s lived in a poor house her entire time here until two weeks ago when she joined the harvest. Yesterday, she had an accident in the Inner Grove that resulted in her transformation and…change of employment.” Hilda listened before nodding. “I see, and how old is she?” Art then responded. “She is no less then nineteen years of age. Making her the youngest maid in your employ.” Hilda then followed up with another question. “Any family?” Art nodded. “Ja. Her family, consisting of her father, mother, younger brother, and baby sister are all coming here to reunite with her. Tetyana sent most of her income to them so they could buy tickets for the whole family.” “Do we know when they’ll arrive?” “As of now, their airship should dock at Munich Aerodrome tomorrow. Should I send someone to pick them up?” Hilda gently shook her head. “No need. I shall pick them up myself.” Tetyana sat in her spot, looking down with a feeling of sadness and loneliness. Thoughts going through her mind about her family. “Frau Myshkapole?” Hilda asked, trying to get Tetyana’s attention. Tetyana was simply in her mind thinking how her family would react to seeing her like this. A blue freak of a girl that was their daughter. “Frau Myshkapole?” Hilda asked again, her voice more raised. Tetyana shook her head before looking towards the head of the table. “Y-Yes?! S-Sorry!” She finally responded. Hilda looked at her before gesturing her to come closer. “I’d like to speak with you. Please, come closer.” As if by instinct, Tetyana stood up from her chair before she proceeded to walk along the table towards the Countess. Once she had approached her, she stood stiff with her hands behind her back and head bowed downwards. Hilda would look down at her. “I understand you were in an accident?” She asked the meek mouse maid. Tetyana simply nodded, not saying a word, as she was intimidated by the Countess’s sheer size and regal demeanor. “I see then. I understand you lived in my County for a good while. Less than a year ago.” Tetyana nodded again. “And that you have family from your home country. Traveling by airship as we speak.” Hearing this, Tetyana looked up at the Countess. “Y-Yes. I had sent most of what I saved up over the past year from cleaning the streets which barely covered rent and necessities. I then joined in the harvest in your grove, and your generous pay was more than enough to get my family away from Muskovia, and help me move to a more comfortable place at the tavern.” As she spoke, tears began to well up before she fell to her knees. “Please. Please, make sure my family gets here safe.” Hilda looked at Tetyana as the mouse girl began to cry. “All I wanted…is to help my family. My papa, mama, Pavlo, Anastasia…to get them away from our cruel and evil oppressors.”Tetyana looked up at Hilda again, softly gripping her skirt. “I have done everything I could possibly do to help my family. And yet…” She sniffed. “I ended as…this. A monster. A freak!” She said, sobbing. Hilda watched the little mouse girl beg at her side, before she offered a napkin to her. Tetyana sniffed, tried to catch her breath before she accepted the napkin and wiped her eyes. “Countess…all I ask…is that my family are safely brought here and allowed to live on your land. Papa and Pavlo, they are hard workers. A-And mama she…” before Tetyana could speak further, she felt a plump, gloved hand touch the top of her head. Looking up, she saw it coming from the even plumper blue arm belonging to Countess Hilda. “My dear Frau Myshkapole. Your tears are genuine, but they are ultimately unnecessary.” Hilda said as she gently pets Tetyana. “I can assure you that your family will arrive safely. That being said, I am curious about one thing.” Tetyana looked at the Countess. “Y-Yes?” Hilda then smiled in a gently and motherly fashion. “Would you prefer that your family see you before making themselves at home in my County?” Tetyana, looking at Hilda smile like that, felt her sorrow melt away and replaced with a sense of calm. “B-but, I’m a monster. A half-plant freak. Godless abomination. How could my family ever accept me like this?” Hilda gently pets her more. “Well, if they truly love you as part of the family, then they should have no trouble accepting you as you are. Sure, they may be put off by your new…complexion and functions. However…” Hilda then said with pause. “However…?” Tetyana asked the Blueberry Maxine. “Should your family of birth reject you, it will not mean you’ll end up alone in this world.” Hilda explained. Tetyana became confused at hearing that. “H-How?” Hilda smiled again. “It may take some getting used to, but you are part of a much bigger family here. Under my care, and together with your fellow maidens, you are part of a much bigger Grove. Even if your the smallest berry of the bunch.~” Hilda let out a giggle. Tetyana, upon hearing this, stood up before facing the Countess. “If it means my family will be safe, then I shall do as you wish of me.” Hilda could only smile at the mouse. “Very good, Frau Tetyana. Let me assure you that you will be taken care of under my care. That is if you put in your fair share of work with the other maids.” Tetyana nodded with a firm expression. “Yes. I will do my best.” Hilda clapped her hands together and smiled widely. “Wunderbar!~ You may return to your seat, and we shall have our dinner!~” Tetyana returned to her seat as maids from the kitchen brought the the three-course dinner: Tomato soup served hot with leaves of basil, roast beef with a side of baked potato and butter, and for dessert…blueberry pie made with a graham cracker crust served with a side of Thermidorian vanilla ice cream. Tetyana sat at her spot and ate her food as it was served. While she felt a heavy weight upon herself, she nonetheless felt a little relief knowing that her family will be safe…