Michaela Elkins
I met someone recently. A newcomer to the manor. Perseus Prince, Son of Diana of Themyscira and my new master. Wayne Manor was rather crowded at my initial assignment here, though my uncle Alfred vouched that I would make a valuable addition to the staff as even more of the family gravitated to Gotham. Though he was not biologically Bruce’s like the twins, he was worthy of being one’s master. He was friendly and kind and… he approached me with a certain warmth, as though he may be…
As I polish the silver, I see your face in the shine.
Another swipe of the rag and you’re gone again.
I continue my work, looking over my shoulder for you.
Someone I could never hope to hold as I am now.
Yet you find me and find me and find me again.
All I can do is wish to become someone treasured.
I put what shines so much brighter than I on the shelf.
And cease my lonely contemplation at an empty reflection.
~M. Shale
We spoke again yesterday. He kept me company in the library as I dusted. I tried to keep from sneaking glances, but our eyes caught each other. He asked me if I had any days off, what I did on them, if we could spend them together… I told him that it wasn’t a good idea.
Sculpted to perfection, a crystal blue shine.
Brought to life by force of love and lightning.
Plowing your way into a world unworthy.
You ask to take the burden of a lesser man.
A failure of immeasurable detriment.
The traitor of duty, of respect, of honor.
One desperate for the ending of his soul.
Too broken for the love of a god.
Swept away by the blood of his mistake.
~M. Shale
I was avoiding him, taking the hidden pathways to not come back into contact. I couldn’t keep him out of my head anymore, if he invited me out again, I knew I would yield, give in to his charm, allow him to treat me as someone… who wasn’t lesser to him. But it could never change what I am. What I did.
Ceaselessly tormented by a mistake.
I awake every day with its claws in my chest.
They slice through me without remorse.
It brings me to the day.
The day I let you in.
The day you ruined me.
But it’s my fault,
And I am left with the ashes of my home,
Tainting the gloves of a love-sick fool.
~M. Shale
He sought me out, my cat gave me away, following at my feet. His crystal eyes put me in a trance, his gaze so comforting, almost as if my mistakes were never real. I agreed to a romantic endeavor, I’m so weak. But how could I let him look at me that way…
Why should words be enough for you?
Would you listen if you knew what I’ve done.
What it costs to be close to one so foolish.
You reach for me, and I withdraw.
Afraid to bring forth more ruin.
Better to shy away, keep them safe.
Don’t let them in again.
Sword at my side I will stand till my last breath.
All for you.
~M. Shale
How can I tell him the truth? It’s all I can do to stop whipping myself in the night as repentance. He claims to be stronger than those who would fall at my mistakes in my past life, my former home. But how can I be strong enough to endure that my life’s downfall, my former master’s death… will always be my fault.
A pauper, playing second fiddle.
When I fail to catch the right notes,
Why should anyone listen?
A burden, waste of your kindness.
The curse on my heart everlasting.
Yet I am cast in your brilliant light.
Perhaps someday I’ll free myself,
then you shall be my masterpiece.
My clear and perfect melody.
Grant me my swan’s song,
And I will sing it only to you.
~M. Shale