Chapter Text
Mjurran could not be having a worse day. Making reports directly to Clayman was bad enough on it's own - the hatred she held for him never wavered, years and years under his servitude as one of his Five Fingers only fanning the flames.
And yet somehow things could always get worse.
"What a detailed and clear report. Just what I wanted to hear." Clayman was practically purring, with eyes only for the other subordinate in the room, a magic born named Wendy. To Mjurran's understanding, Wendy was one of the oldest servants of the Demon Lord Clayman. One who had once been a human, not unlike Mjurran herself. One who seemingly chose to serve Clayman, and looked upon him fondly. Exactly the kind of person Mjurran didn't get along with, Wendy's position within the hierarchy lacked an official name - they were above the Five Fingers, but worked directly with it's members as Clayman saw fit, reporting directly to the Demon Lord himself.
And they seemed to enjoy some level of favoritism. That had always been true. It had only seemed to grow worse with time. Rumors were spoken in hushed whispers, though Mjurran was sure Clayman had heard them all, as anyone who spoke ill of Wendy seemed likely to become sacrificial lamb sooner rather than later. Behind closed doors, Wendy was referred to as, "the Beating Heart". As the Five Fingers were his hands, acting out his wishes upon the world, Wendy seemed to be the lifeblood pulsing through him, his will personified, as well as someone he held close to him.
Mjurran didn't hate Wendy, by any means, though feelings of disgust and even jealousy sometimes rankled her when they interacted. It wasn't so much that she wanted to be close to Clayman - she wanted to be happy . That was what made her jealous and bitter when interacting with the Beating Heart.
Well, that and how unpleasant it was to be in the same room as the two of them.
"Thank you." Wendy ducked their head, smiling fondly. Mjurran wanted to retch, but held back the urge. "The mission certainly owes it's success to your flawless planning and clever schemes, as well as Mjurran's indispensable skills for reconnaissance."
Mjurran's mouth became a thin line, wincing internally as Clayman's piercing red gaze turned to her.
"Is that so?" He seemed to appraise her. "While that may be true," his gaze shifted back to Wendy as he drew closer to them, "there's no need for you to be humble, Wendy. I saw everything, after all. I know exactly how central you were to everything going as planned."
"Oh, you- you were watching?" Wendy blushed, clearly pleased. They begin to fidget with their hair, rubbing a strand between two fingers.
"Indeed." Clayman's eyes sparkled. "How could I not, knowing my most talented magic born would be involved?"
Wendy giggled, one hand covering their mouth bashfully.
Mjurran was trying desperately to figure out how to get out of this situation. The report had been made, and there were no remaining concerns that she was aware of. But Clayman had not dismissed her, and he took poorly to being interrupted. Generally speaking, he took poorly to everything - everything except the Beating Heart, of course.
She coughed, hoping to draw attention back to the fact that she was still here . If they wanted to flirt or make bedroom eyes or whatever , surely they would prefer to do it privately, right? And yet this kept happening -
Unfortunately, as she breathed in, she choked on her own spit, eliciting a real coughing fit.
"Oh!" Wendy's expression shifted to one of concern as Mjurran doubled over. "Um, Lord Clayman, I do believe Mjurran's duty is done here."
Oh thank god , Mjurran thought, even as she failed to control her coughing fit.
"It if pleases you, perhaps we should send her off to rest, while I answer any remaining questions you have?" Wendy continued.
"Hm..." Mjurran could feel Clayman's eyes on her as he held out the low hum. "Yes, I suppose that would be best. Mjurran is far weaker than you, to be exhausted from such a mission." He made his feelings clear, enunciating his words with a click of his tongue.
Mjurran finally got her coughing under control, taking a few deep breathes before meeting Clayman's gaze.
"You're dismissed, Mjurran." He waved a hand dismissively. Mjurran's hatred burned brighter at the action, but she was quick to bow and head for the door.
The situation could only have been worse if Pirone had been present. Pirone was fanatical about the secret relationship that was swiftly becoming common knowledge - and as such, she gasped and squealed at every word the two shared in her presence.
Mjurran didn't feel the same at all.
"Now, where we were?" She heard Clayman purr, Wendy's giggle not far behind.
She shuddered to herself as she closed the door behind her.