Gathering her courage, the garter snake girl walked up to the decorated double doors of the luxurious mansion. Her stomach fluttered nervously and she tried not to focus on how much she really wanted this job—a dream come true! She pressed firmly on the doorbell and waited impatiently in front of the ornate doorway while staring at her reflection in the gold-plated handle. When a nearby speaker crackled to life she jumped slightly then smiled shyly into the camera before lifting her hand away from the button.
"Hello, I am here to see Miss Jasmine for a possible maid position," the young snake girl spoke into the speaker with a slight nervous quiver in her voice. She glanced up at the camera then down to the gold-plated doorknob again. Her big green eyes shimmered with excitement and her slender tail swished back and forth nervously behind her. "I can start today if it is convenient?"
"Come in." The speakers crackled to life again.
A rush of heat flowed up her spine as she gripped the door handle tightly. When she pulled it open a blast of cool air touched her sun-heated scales. She was immediately drawn into the warmth and comfort of the interior. She slowly stepped into the massive foyer with white marble tile, two columns of dark-brown stone featuring gold-plated lion-headed gargoyles, and a red carpet runner that flowed down the staircase in both directions. The smell of lavender and honeysuckle mixed with a hint of freshly cut flowers made her snout curl with delight. Sarah slowly turned around to take in every detail of the enormous room that spread out to the left and right of the grand staircase.
To her right she saw a small alcove lined with black-marble shelves filled with crystal statues of elegant animal morphs, from lions and eagles to jaguars and gazelles. To her left there were two sets of stairs, one leading up to an open floor plan with a kitchen and dining room, and the other descending downward and wrapping around to the side of the main staircase. It led to a closed door, presumably leading to bedrooms. There were also two smaller balconies off each side of the living room's center area overlooking a large fountain in the backyard below. In front of her was an elaborate chandelier that dangled above a curved sofa, three overstuffed armchairs, and a glass table displaying several books and ornaments.
This seemed like a lot more work than she had expected! She thought to herself and breathed deeply through her nostrils, her sensitive tongue flickering out in curiosity as she smelled the different scents in the room. Her scales tingled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She couldn't believe how nervous she was to meet her new employer! But what if she didn't like snakes? Sarah knew there were plenty of stereotypes surrounding cold-blooded species, but she had no intentions of hiding who or what she was. She was ready for this opportunity, even if it meant putting herself out there!
Her attention was brought back to the main area as the massive wooden doors at the top of the staircase opened, and a female bobcat stepped through. The light pink bobcat wore a long, blue evening dress that showcased her lithe figure and fluffy fur. A golden circlet adorned her forehead, and her bright purple eyes carried a spark of interest that didn't seem to reach her face. Sarah felt a shiver run down her back at the sight of the graceful woman. She was everything that a bobcat could ever hope for: beautiful, charming, and sophisticated. And the fact that she was a bobcat only added to her desirability in Sarah's mind.
"You'll find your uniform in the back. The basement door is on the other side of the kitchen." The bobcat said and motioned for her to follow her.
"Thank you," Sarah said as she bowed slightly and then quickly straightened up. "Please excuse my rudeness. I have not been formally introduced and am still a little nervous."
The bobcat paused at the landing and turned towards her, amusement seeping into her frozen expression. "I am Miss Jasmine," she said in a husky purr, and then continued into the kitchen.
Sarah's body felt like it was on fire as she hurried to put one footpaw in front of another, eager to escape the piercing gaze of the bobcat as soon as possible. Her heart was pounding out of control as she looked at the bobcat woman with nervous eyes. When she reached the door to the basement, she paused before turning back. She wanted to bow again or maybe even curtsy, but she wasn't sure what was appropriate. Her stomach lurched as her tailtip twitched nervously and her mouth became dryer than ever. She had never been this uncomfortable before!
After taking a deep breath and calming her nerves, Sarah turned and reached for the brass doorknob. Just as she grasped it the bobcat spoke from behind her, her soft voice making it impossible to ignore.
"I will be waiting for you in the library. Please go downstairs and put on your uniform then knock to let me know you are ready."