1 The Clockwork Mansion

1801, Sometime in late Spring

"Catch me, catch me, Coryan!" the young master cried out with glee, after which he proceeded to jump off of the railing of the steamboat, and unto the middle aged butler's arms. The boy's mother cried out as he jumped, and only peeked to see that he was safe on the platform, being set down by the neither old nor young butler, and not instead drenched in the river Thames, and its dark, murky and polluted waters.

Coryan caught the 9 year old boy as if he were a bail of hay thrown to him, but set him down as gently as if he was made of glass, he both admired and envied the boy's youth, when he was that relative age, he was already rowing war ships on lakes of fire, preparing for war against a demon noble, all in the name of his own faceless demon noble. Needless to say, he did not have such a luxurious youth. A demon has many customs, and rules that they follow, but loyalty is the one most instilled, it was also the one he lacked, until he came here.

The Levitases were a rather odd bunch, conjured of both French and English merchant families, they had a surprisingly high amount of wealth, as well as an uncanny form a bond with all of it's members, that it would be unbecoming in any form unless they were impoverished. Actually, they were impoverished, but not with money, yet rather in class. Making their money off of American and other foreign country's companies, they rarely were able to provide themselves with the social skills to move them high in France's government, and thus moved across the water to their old country's ancient nemesis, England. At least there isn't much prejudice between English and French persons, such a difference from where Coryan came from, would be complete grounds for a war.

Coryan loved, these strange creatures, they had such an odd, yet charming concept about them, that you couldn't help but become fascinated with it. Humans, are perfect, some would argue that they still had a long way to go (the demons), and others would say that they have transcended to the most supreme beings (the church), but Coryan decided that in a way they were both, even when they fight among themselves, tearing down all they worked to build.

In fact, it is especially when they fight that it is most fascinating, it happens to be the most disputed topic, and whether it is good or bad, or if it is right or wrong it is what makes them perfect, not because of the way that they fight, or how one crushes the other, it is how these humans keep themselves in check with each other, and then later down the line of life, they forget about those old teachings and learn them in a newer way, simply fascinating, and that is coming from someone who is 2,001 years old. Of course, while he found this behavior of humans absolutely fascinating, he knew that if any of the Levitases were hurt by this behavior, he would not stand idly by, just because it is amazing, doesn't stop it from being destructive, he knew that better than most.

So he understood more than even the master's mother; the worth of perfectly catching her son, and and then easing his descent to the solid ground. Of all of them, he adored this nine year old boy, William B. Levitase, the most, he felt a responsibility to make sure that this boy, would grow to be a great man. He was even enthusiastic about searching for a new home for his dear 'family' if it meant that that boy, would be able to live and grow comfortably.

"Greetings young master William, you shouldn't scare your mother like that though, I am afraid that she would have a heart attack if anything were to befall you."

"I'm sorry, hey can I see your watch!" the boy replied, completely disregarding the warning.

Coryan smiled and pulled out his old broken stopwatch, with its silver chain, and a carved rowing longship, insignia on the back. To his knowledge, the moment the boy saw that watch, he couldn't keep his eyes unpeeled, and one time when Coryan was intentionally not looking, William, grabbed it and started to carefully but frantically disassemble and re-assemble the watch, the boy was obsessed with mechanical devices, even simple ones like this small box of gears. That small piece of work was given to Coryan, by his father the day he left Hell, and came to this part of the world, there was neither hate, nor sorrow in his eyes, that day, just acceptance and emptiness, especially when he whispered the words into his ear "never forget where you come from."

The other members of the family soon arrived, and with Coryan at their heels, made their way to the streets, where they had horse drawn carriages already set for loading. Master William decided that he would not board unless he got to sit next Coryan who would be directing the train, and after something under fifteen minutes of convincing his mother that it would be alright, Coryan became seated next to young master William. When everything was set, they made off into the crowded streets of London, with their tight rows of buildings everywhere you look. Coryan whipped the reins of the lead carriage, and began directing them towards their new home in Whitechapel. (it wasn't nearly as crowded as it would become) As they drove along the streets, Coryan saw that while some of the streets were nice and paved, others were no better than dirt paths, trampled, and muddy with sewage, truly disgusting, when he first came, he found it bearable, but now that his master's family was here, he started finding impurities in what seemed the perfect place, at least when he scouted out the home area, he didn't recall any trashed and muddy areas nearby.

As they passed onto the Tower Bridge, there was a commotion up ahead, slowing the already sluggish traffic. Half an hour later, when his and all the carriages except the one carrying the parents of the family were crossed, with the latter coming up shortly, Coryan decided to begin letting out a sigh of relief. But either life, God or another higher being had different plans, as one of the steamers down on the Thames, next to the bridge, quickly started whistling and in the next few seconds, exploded a boiler. Debris started to rain down on the bridge, and a massive panic was spurted on the bridge, as people residing on the bridge started running and taking cover.

Coryan wasn't looking at the other defenseless people though, he was instead staring at the miscellaneous ship parts raging towards the carriage train's final carriage, and his heart stopped beating, when he saw that it was hit, and knocked off of the bridge and into the dark water below, never to be seen again.

1836 (September, 4th)

Coryan shot up from his comfortable feather bed, that was currently drenched in a thick layer of sweat from where he had been laying. It was just the past, something that continuously decides to haunt him every day when he let his guard down. His old bones started to wake and creak, while his muscles lessened in their tenseness, until he was able to get up properly and dress for the day.

Drawing open the wardrobe, he decided his normal white and black formal tail coat, with a longer flowing tail that draped down below his knees in an inverse curve facing towards his behind, would suffice for the day. A tie was something he long had decided to forgo during everyday business unless it was for formal occasions and guests, after all he still could never figure out how to work the damned thing. Black slippers, were a common thing for him to wear, for, as he got older so did his feet, and master William made some custom ones just for him for indoor use that had the face of two undefinable dogs that almost looked like Cerberus, except he didn't have three feet, and thus that is what he chose for his feet today.

He had attempted multiple times to refuse the large room he was given, as he was just a butler albeit the head butler, but a servant nonetheless and thus did not require so large accommodations, but William would have none of it. Now that he was older, he long ago decided to give up arguing about it and instead enjoy what excess he had, while he had it. Gazing out the large arched french windows, he saw the Southern Garden, which currently had what looked like thirty year old Mira, and the new hire Josh (a 12 year old boy whom was adopted by Mira) tending the peonies, he had long helped her tend the garden but he turned 12 just two weeks ago, and thus was legal to be hired by the master, even though Coryan could have done it himself, and often did. Mira was an imp by birth, and instead of desiring destruction like most of her kind, had found beauty in flowers and had been granted the rights of being the gardener of the Southern Garden, Coryan still remembered the day he caught her stealing bread from him while he was out shopping and he couldn't help but bring her in to the mansion and let her eat her fill. Josh was a simple rock demon, and had been cast out with his family into this world, they had soon be killed by disease and he was soon to follow if Mira hadn't found him.

Those two were only a few of the many in his home, while it wasn't he who owned it, home for him was with his 'family' who were the only ones who he could hang on to, knowing that they would hang onto him to. Coryan turned his eyes away from the touching scene, knowing that he would probably tear up if he remained. Opening the door to the hall that spanned to both his left and right for at least 15 doors, all leading to rooms as big or larger than his own, most filled with gears, cogs and other spinning devices that made the mansion alive, if Coryan was ever in need of opening doors with his hands full, or if he needed to go up or down a level quickly, the mansion had the mechanisms to make it possible, in fact if he wanted to he could pull a lever and the windows facing towards the Southern garden would swing aside and a staircase would come out of the wall of the mansion and down to the garden. He stepped out of the doorway and made his way to the main staircase, giving him access to his office, which he intentionally asked to be left in that section of the mansion.

The mansion was to be put simply "big," but only because colossal would also fit imperfectly. Though the building was overwhelmingly large, a third of its space was used for gears and contraptions, house shifting mechanisms and miscellaneous inventions. The fact that it was a mansion, was proof alone of his master's wealth, but added with the large gardens, paved roads, and a private hangar for working on new "Wind Sailers" it was a more of aridiculous display of wealth that an everyday person wasn't even able to dream of, and that includes demons from Hell, and most likely angels in Heaven, he has never been up there, so it only leaves room for prediction. Coryan has met many angels, most were fallen angels and the others either never paid attention to him, or attempted to murder him as it was their sworn enemy in front of them.

The main staircase of the mansion curved in a concave arc, with each leg of the staircase ending on the parallel ends of the main entryway, with large chandeliers and elaborate carved railings, further emphasizing the majesty of the building. Coryan still could not believe that this building was made only two years ago, and that was only put into motion due to both the success of his master's inventions, as well as the requirements of more accommodations for the new staff, which had bolstered since the construction was only a quarter done, Mira was one of the few staff who still remembered the old smaller home in Whitechapel that he had hand selected as a suitable location for the Levitase family to reside, he also had hand picked this location when searching, but found it way above their need and budget, now that was an near impossible concern.

As he passed into the hall leading towards his office, he was greeted by his assistant maid Kalen, who informed him that Fernen the butler overseeing construction was waiting in his office. Coryan thanked her and opened his double doors, leading into his elaborate office with a level view of the western fountains and Western Garden (which was substantially smaller than the southern garden, and acted more like a scenic path) his office also featured a large oak wood desk and spruce book shelves holding tomes dating back to the dawn of Anno Domini.

Fernen was an abnormally tall goblin, with pointy outward facing ears, and had a knack for making the master's technology fit together, he also was in his mid forties, which was already a good age for a goblin, and he had a white speckled handlebar mustache. He had been accepted into the household when he assisted with the construction of the house, and was most likely here to report on his completion of renovating the gravel driveway so that it could store multiple carriages, in the event of a massive social gathering, while being able to not provide an eyesore. This was accomplished by placing large raising and lowering platforms on each wide end of the roundabout that were made of wood, stone, brick and other odd materials that Coryan couldn't dream of identifying, carriages were lowered underground, and placed in a large chamber, while the horses were led to graze in a pasture that was intentionally kept with high grass for animals. Master William referred to these raising and lowering platforms as 'lifts' and Coryan could not agree more that they could in fact, lift.

"Good morning Head Butler" greeted Fernen.

"And a good morning to you mister Fernen, I presume that you are here to report on the completion of the "Elevation Project." Coryan responded.

"Indeed Head Butler, I have also brought a report detailing the final dimensions of the finished build, as well as the maximum weight and size of a carriage that both the lift, and room can host.

"Very good, mister Fernen, we have no more work for you so you may be relieved of duty until further notice, and you may go and enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thank you, Lord Butler"

"There is only one lord of this house, and it is not me."

"Begging your pardon Lord Butler, but 'lord' has lost its same meaning in this house."

"In that case, we are all lords, Mister Fernen."

"You are too kind, Lord Butler, but I mustn't debate with you on what I am and am not, as such I shall now take my leave, and enjoy the sun, good day."

With that Fernen left the large room and made a beeline to one of the lifts that lower under the mansion, no doubt to enjoy tinkering or what he called his "sun" (no, that is not a typo).

Coryan sighed and, realizing that he was still standing, took a seat next to the book shelf, with the books dating from 1620-1622. Today was another day, one of sitting in this box, sorting papers, ordering people, drinking a hot chocolate and repeating. Speaking of a cup of hot chocolate, he clapped for Kalen, and she entered, upon hearing his request for one, she let out a faint smirk, and while covering her mouth to hide her smile, she swiftly left to retrieve a boiling pot of milk, a small grater and a square of chocolate. Even though water was much more conventional and common for the beverage, Coryan preferred the creamy texture, and greater absorption that milk housed when compared to water, and with the master's many inventions, as well as the money he makes from them, Coryan was able to enjoy a cup of milk whenever he so fancied. Compared to other drinks Coryan found that he liked this sweet chocolate beverage, as it was much more appealing, than a bitter coffee, and less watered and diluted, than a cup of tea, it also had a special place in his heart for where he came from, a hot drink was a death sentence, if only for the fact that it was a drink, completely disregarding it's high temperature.

While he was musing over the sweetness of hot chocolate, Barbeuz, the butler overseeing common information (which means rumors, latest news and public communications to and from the mansion and it's lord) entered the office, setting down a large sheaf of papers, knocking on them when he realized that Coryan was dazing off.

"Oh" Coryan said.

"You're getting old, my friend." Barbeuz responded.

"And so are you, I don't have the stamina to keep up with these young ones, who've never truly had to work."

"Oh don't be such a sour old man, you'll start to sound like one of those fops who sit in their castles guzzling wine."

"I hope not, so what news have your brought today."

At this Barbeuz started to lose his smile, "there have been reports by members of the church claiming that there is a demon in London. I highly recommend that we take action, if rumors are true then another might die, if not, then it could provide a good time to make it partially true" He ended the second sentence slightly raising lips to reform a smile.

Barbeuz was from the same dominion of Hell that Coryan came from, and they had both arrived to the human part of the world at the same time, mostly because they were both expelled and were both great friends. Unlike Coryan however, Barbeuz was a trickery demon, and an immensely powerful one at that, transcending some of his abilities (namely his stealth, seduction, acrobatics and projectile abilities) to those of higher demons such as succubi, greater greed demons and hell monkeys. Barbeuz's abilities are what made him a great informant for masses and small infiltration jobs, for the larger ones there was another butler who handled covert and special, information and missions.

Taking his report into account, there was little to no evidence, but Coryan knew the anxious look that his friend was hiding, and as such decided to handle this matter with importance, and careful planning. Realizing that he wouldn't be able to send out Barbeuz on his own, and would instead require Coryan's direct help, Coryan decided to inform the master, and search out the best course of action.