Chapter Text
Draco has just been doing his daily rounds of surveying the mansion to check for any inconsistencies within the rooms, despite the immense size of the home, it only inhabited 3 people, if you were to include Mr. Edgeworth's friend, Victor Blake. He's been visiting as long as Draco could remember, even if he found it a bit odd for someone to stay as often as he did but even more so when his master allowed him to roam the halls carelessly. He didn't cause any discrepancies though, and was quite the gentleman. Blake seemed very fond of Draco. Draco wasn't sure why, but he didn't really have any other company to compare him to.
The butler continued with this routine he had grown familiar with only to be startled by the red-haired man.
"Draco, there you are."
"Oh hello Mr.Blake, why were you in this area? I know master is downstairs at this time so it's unusual to see you here."
Victor let out a hearty laugh and patted Draco's head with his metallic pink prostitute, Draco wasn't sure why he would do this, it made him feel like a child. Not that he could be sure.
His mind always seemed fuzzy attempting to reconcile his childhood. Well...he doesn't remember being a child all too well either. Or his past.
Parents?
How had he even arrived as a butler to Mr. Edgeworth?
"Draco, You're overthinking again, I can see it all over your face." Victor slightly bent forward to get a better look at Draco, his crisp blackened eyes scanned every inch, similar to how a father may check a kid for any bruises.
"Ah, sorry. You didn't answer my question, Mr. Blake. Why are you here?" he tilted his head slightly, impatience growing with every second.
Victor retrieved his hand and directed it to the shoulder of him, he looked towards the ground in figuring out the right words. This made Draco's hair rise.
Long minutes of contemplation lead only a few words to escape the elder's lips,
"We have a guest. It's....well, heh. Vanora." Draco's eyes glistened at this, Miss Vanora!? Oh, when was the last time he'd seen her? How is she? Did she come by to see him again? Maybe go to another arcade or a little cafe? Pet the cats? Oh he could've bought extra flowers! Well, Vaonra seems more like a material kinda girl, maybe a hairclip? A soft puppy smile started to form alongside his cheery eyes, thinking of all the possibilities that they could do.
"But." Victor's brows furrowed with dread. He chewed on his bottom lip instinctively, hand still placed firmly on Draco's shoulder, wrinkling the suit up.
He spat it out.
"Her memories are gone. She can't remember anything, Draco. She shouldn't remember it, Draco. Whatever you do..." He bit his lip, "Don't remind her."
That puppy smile dropped. Eyes wide and mouth dry. He started to stutter uncommendable mumbles.
Victor grimaced empathically. "Please, Draco. It's safer this way."
"Ok..?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Draco eased through those hallways doing his rounds yet again, check the room, see if anything had been blemished, refurnish it, repeat.
Though it was painstakingly obvious what halls he favored.
Draco admittedly felt shameful for this, afterall his Master would surely take note of the oddities of misplaced accessories? Plus, was it really worth it? Worth all that hope, day after day, round after round, only to be shot down?
He made his way down to that faithful hallway containing the bedroom where Vanora had been staying these past few days. He practically skipped past the first two doors to knock on the cool wood, making sure Vanora was ok was on the top list of his priorities. Victor had asked him to make sure Vanora didn't get into too much trouble so it wasn't entirely out of orders.
There was no response. Draco's mind started to spiral.
Did she sneak out? Wait then why? Did she realize something? Did her memories return? Oh frick! Oh nonononono-! Fu-Dammit, how was he meant to explain this to Master??? Oh maybe I coul-
As if on cue the ravenette bob-cut woman tapped Draco on his shoulder, making him jolt out of his daze, he snapped his face to face her. Filled with real life.
"Butler?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing?"
"Well dear, I'm just cleaning the rooms at the moment as usual. Why aren't you in yours?"
"About that, could you come with me?"
Draco curled a brow at her. "How come?"
"Dunno. Vincent said he needed you and me so....here I am." She gave a shrug with her response. Unsure if that truly were the case.
"Oh. Well, I guess I can finish this up later." Draco turned his body to face her, and getured to the exit "Shall we?"
Vanora hummed softly as she led the way out, Draco following in tow.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
"Victor, how is this going to work?"
"Ah! Well, Winston owes me so I managed to get him to develop this gadget to completely erase any trace of her past."
"You Blackmailed me Mr. Blake."
"Same difference, ok so what do you think?"
"..."
"Vin you're making a face,"
"Am not. I'm just concerned."
"Well you make a face when you're concerned my dear."
"Mhm sure Victor, if that were the case I doubt I would've made it this far in law. Now Winston.
What are the risks of this."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Draco stepped onto the cold floor following the descending stairs still attached to Vanora. Their shoes clacked along the tiled floor and into the calm bar. Draco looked past Vanora's little stature and was surprised to see an even smaller person slouched beside his Master and Victor. Master looked as put together as he usually was, though annoyed since Victor apparently decided this would be a grand time to light up a cigar.
He scanned the pale face of this mysterious man, he wore spectacles, and apparently hated his back. Not the most useful information if he turned out to be a burglar. Though someone like him probably wouldn't make it far. This was odd, this man felt so familiar, he just couldn't figure out why and that made his skin crawl.
"Butler."
Draco regained his awareness, smoothly as he could entering his professional demeanor.
Vanora calling him 'Butler' instead of his name really did a number
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. of Course." Draco shifted his gaze to meet Mr.Edgeworth's. "I was just wondering why I had been summoned down?"
"What?"
"...what do you mean 'What' master..? You did call me right..?"
Edgeworth's brows narrowed as Draco's own subconsciously imitated them. "Well I guess it isn't too far from the truth, Victor please explain why you asked him down?"
"Oh! How rude of me, yes it was indeed I who called you." He plucked the cigarette out his mouth. "Draco dear! So, Earlier we called a good friend of ours to help assist with Vanora's amnesia, she was skeptical of it, of course. The reason I called you down here was so you’d know what's going on! You're the butler so you should be aware of these things, and it isn't exactly a sit down conversation." As he said this he made his way over to said Butler's side, he then lifted up a hand facing away from Vanora in order to whisper into his ear.
'---Draco. Vanora doesn't trust us at all. Which is pretty sharp of her on its own but it could spiral out of control. I know how fond she was of you before so I was hoping this would ease her worries before we do it.---'
'---Do what Mr. Blake??---'
'---Winston created a gadget which should shrink Vanora's ability to reconcile her past memories.---'
Draco could feel the goosebumps rattling his arms underneath his suit. '---....ok then why am I here?---'
'---Emotions can play a big part in someone's ability in anything. It's better if she is a little calmer with you here than if she is on the edge of her seat once we blast her---'
'---...do we need to?---'
'---Hm?---'
'---Wipe away the bits and pieces remaining of her past...?---'
'---Well...yeah. I know it's going to be hard for you but it's for the best, ok kid?---'
The smoke from his cigarette flowed from his mouth against Draco's face. It was warm, but bitter. Victor ruffled his black hair, an attempt to ease Draco. It wasn't working.
Nonetheless, it's not like he could override an order, it was practically programmed into his system. Draco smiled as sincerely as he could before turning his gaze to Vanora, who had her eyes glued to the gadget.
Vanora wasn't one to back down easily, she liked knowing what was coming and being prepared, factoring in Mr.Blake's little intrusion to speak with Draco, she clearly had no idea what was going to happen. As cool as she attempted to be, her bangs started to cling to her forehead, she seemed to shake a bit.
Draco left his hand on Vanora's shoulder, pulling her attention to him saying with as much grace as he could, "Oh don't worry Miss Vanora, I'm sure master's friend knows what he's doing." He didn't really believe it himself.
"...alright."
It didn't seem to make a difference to her, but Draco could try. He let his hand linger on her shoulder.
Across the room Vincent subtilty grimaced. He clasped his hands declaring "Ok. The sooner this happens the better. Draco I'm going to need you to stand over to the side beside Victor."
"Yes sir."
With that he left Vanora at the entrance of the room, and walked on over to Victor's side. Victor gave him a reassuring smile, then patted Draco's shoulder, keeping his hand on his shoulder. The mystery man in glasses, 'Winston', coughed uneasy, A confirmation that this hadn't been just a bad dream.
"So. Can I go ahead with this?" He murmured to Vincent who gave him a nod.
"Yes. Now Vanora. I'm going to have to ask you to stay completely still, otherwise this may do more damage than good."
"Fine." she replied, not like she had a choice.
"Ok." And with that Winston pointed the gun-like gadget directly at her forehead. Both his hands were on the object, delicately making sure not a hair was out of place.
Draco watched Vanora's expression morph into discontempt, letting her brows flow loose into a subtle sense of apprehension. Sweat started to swell up on her face, and stared daggers into the pointed gun. She clenched her shivering hand, as if she was about to punch those spectacles off that cocky little scientist's face, even if he hadn't really done anything.
All eyes were glued on Vanora, and Victor's metal hand gripped on Draco's shoulder as fondly as it could.
*Click*
Winston clicked the revolver, it shot a brilliant beam of light forward in between Vanora's bangs, she stumbled when her hair flickered wildly, her eyes bulged open at the sudden change in energy swirling around her.
Winston, unfazed at the spectacle, kept his hands firm. Victor in contrast was certainly taken back as he almost fell against the wall, steading himself with the hand on Draco. Vincent was behind the scientist, arms crossed, eyes narrow with the sudden brightness. All that left was the Butler, chest high, chinned up, eyes suddenly wide, pinned at Vanora.
Draco watched as the white engulfed her, she had shut her eyes firmly and shifted her footwork into a fighting stance, applying her weight on the leading leg and leaning into it to formulate her body's balance. Her fists were turning white which each moment, water droplets started to flicker around her face as she clenched her jaw, not budging against the beam. The light swam around her arms, flowing down to those tensed fists. enclosing them in a brilliant glow, the same happened to her legs, her waist, her chest, and finally her face. If it weren't for her muscles and the way she kept her stance firm, Draco wouldn't have recognized her.
And to think. After this, she wouldn't recognize him.
Victor's grip started to hurt on his shoulder, Draco said nothing fully entranced by Vanora's white figure.
Her glowing feet lifted above the ground, following the beam.
And her figure started to...shrink...?
Wait a minute. Oh my wor- Vanora was SHRINKING. And the gadget showed no signs of stopping.
Apparently this wasn't part of the plan judging by the way Winston's eyes widened and his hands started to quiver. Vincent must've taken note of this causing him to step forward demanding "What is the meaning of this?!"
"I-I don't know! This shouldn't be happening!" Replied the scientist, who couldn't seem to pull away from the gadget.
Now that caught Draco's attention as he scanned the situation, seeming of the choices, he could take the scientist but what could that solve? Maybe he could get in the way of the beam? No then he'd be attacked. Vanora was shrinking by the second her body half her original size both height and width wise, dammit! If only he could get that gadget-
Wait- the gadget!
Without another thought, Draco ripped his body away from Victor's grasp startling him, and sprinted as quick as his legs would allow him over to the wobbly scientist. He lifted his hand high above his hair, and smacked down onto the device out of Winston's hands, the bright beam shut off instantly as it clattered out his hands and pounded against the ground. Little spews of electricity flickered around it.
Draco whipped his head around to Where Vanora had been standing and found no one looking back.
No.
In the background he could hear Mr. Blake and his master scolding the scientist. His mind blurred, spewing his thoughts, only picking up little fragments from the conversation happening behind him.
"Win-------------------at!?"
"------don't blame -----! It mus----"
"Oh----word. Winst--------now?!"
He slowly tiptoed to where Vanora was lifted and fell to his knees. Tears started to prickle at his eyes.
"How could y-------------!?"
"------------------this wa------------intentional------device."
"What?! You---------ugh."
Pins and needles started to build up in his legs, it ached. It ached so freaking bad. His vision started to blur, he ducked his head allowing any droplets to fall silently to the floor.
"------------------fix.------But---"
"Th-----yo--------Vince---!"
"Cal--------ok-------what do-------?"
Something pricked near his hands. He ignored it.
Hold on. Something was tugging at his arms. It was...trying to...punch him..?
It was small, no bigger than a cockroach but it seemed determined? Ugh. He couldn't deal with a pest right now and opened his eyes and glared at the site of the nuisance. Much to his displeasure, the creature had placed itself between the cloth of Draco's writs and the skin of his hand. It continued patting against his bare skin. Very much annoyed at this, he lifted his suit sleeve and plucked the bulky sticklike thing away from himself with full intention of flinging it away, maybe even smash it for the uncanny timing. He lifted the struggling thing between his index and middle finger, just to know what poison he'd need to stock up on. When he laid eyes on his hand he staggered.
Staring back at him were...small gray-blue eyes. Underneath the messed up bangs of a bob-cut.
"Butler!" she squeaked. "You're going to crush my bones ow-!"
Draco snapped back into reality blinking back tears and fumbled to get her onto his palm. She stood up and placed her miniature hands on her hips.
"Van-Vanora?" Draco lifted his hands closer to his face.
"Yup, huh." Noticing how the Butler was gawking at her transformation she leaped from his large hands and onto his nose. He joisted his head backwards at the contact, careful not to drop the girl. Vanora hoisted herself up onto his nose, it was round and long, not exactly the best footing grounds. Either way she climbed further up his nose, Draco tilting his head farther and farther, with each new movement she made. Eventually Vanora tugged at his hair bangs and swung herself into the black abyss. Draco's hair was in great condition for a worker!
Scented of Roses, probably at the courtesy of Victor. It was soft and warm, practically inhuman.
"Miss Vanora what on Earth are you doing...?" Draco murmured now aware that there was a very small person residing in his tuffs.
"Wait. Draco what did you say?" Draco jolted at Vincent's voice pinned on the back of his head.
Draco turned his head and saw three separate emotions looking back. One was wide eyed but strict, his masters. Another was sweetly and desperate for a way out, the glasses man. Then there was Mr.Blake who was just baffled, black eyes wide and mouth hanging.
He stood up and turned his torso swiftly to properly meet them. "Master! I uh- Um. Well, I-"
"Spit it out Draco." the tall ravenette scowled.
"Vincent! Calm down we're all shocked ok?" Victor chastised, he turned to Draco, softening his eyes but still shocked nonetheless. "Draco, please repeat that?"
"Well-! I-Uh- It's not exactly an EASY thing to explain-" Oh frick how the heck is he meant to explain this???
Turns out he didn't need to as Vanora popped out of his tuffs screaming in a high squeaky voice. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!?"
She lunged, forgetting to stabilize herself, lost her balance and tumbled forward only grabbing Draco's voluminous bangs marginally with fear.
There she was, dangling from the butler's bangs in front of his face. In full view of everyone else in the room. Victor's jaw dropped at the sight and Vincent's eyes went reasonably wide with a perplextion written all over his face. Winston's face fell into his hands, gripping at his hair.
"Oh shit." Victor cocked as Vincent sucked in the air though walled teeth, he ruffled his own dark hair groaning at this....predicament.
" 'Oh shit' indeed." She echoed, "How do you think I feel about this???" Vanora flared her legs kicking at the 3 men stunned before her. But only end up irritating Draco's temples.
Tired of this abuse to his eyebrows, Draco lifted his hand to the soles of Vanora's shoes gesturing her to let go of his hair and onto his palm. She took the hint and let go, falling onto the skin platform. She landed feet first, but ended up shifting her legs to a sitting position, to ground whatever was left of her weight.
Once it was confirmed that Draco had no other beings rummaging around in his hair, he ran his free hand through it, an attempt to fix it, if anything it made it messier, but there were bigger issues at hand. Quite literally.
"Excellent! Now we have to deal with this!" Vincent jerked sarcastically at the stout man in the back.
"Like I said. This wasn't meant to happen. It should've just shrunk um....a-a part of her. Not her ."
Vanora grunted and crossed her arms. "Well looks like you need to get that thing looked at."
"Obviously De-Vanora." Winton spat back. He looked at the figure on Draco's palm clenching his jaw, Vanora clicked her tongue at the scientist.
"Winston. Do you have ANY idea as to what just happened?" Victor's voice arose, cutting the thickness in the air.
"Well it'd appear that she shrunk Mr. Blake."
"Yeah ok we get it just how?"
"I don't know to be honest, this shouldn't have happened unless I brought in the wrong crystal."
Vincent interrupted, confused. "Crystal?"
"Yeah lawyer, Myers apparently has a mine in the G2 area, and some of those things have special properties that can affect human cells."
"Huh. Intriguing."
"Mhm. I'm not sure how I would've misplaced the crystal unless those G2 kids mislabeled it."
"Hah! We knew someone like that in College, I wouldn't be surprised."
"Ok very nice Victor we can reminisce later-- but for now we have to deal with this."
Vincent spread his hand gesturing to Vanora, now on Draco's shoulder---When did she climb up there--- whispering something to his ear, probably insults.
"Yeah. This is gonna be messy. Winston, think you can change out the crystal in this device?"
"I should be."
"How soon?"
"....a week. Add or take a few days"
"Excellent!" Exclaimed the red head.
Draco piped up "That's wonderful Sir, but what about Vanora?"
"Dammit. She's gonna be like this until you fix it huh?"
"'fraid so Blake."
Vanora latched herself to the sides of Draco's ongoing mullet, eyes firm on the 3.
"Miss Vanora I think you can calm down a bit, you're gripping-ow- a little too hard." Draco murmured
"Oh sorry-" Vanora still kept her hands on his hair, still admiring the softness of it.
Seeing the two communicate was nice Victor thought to himself, an Idea popped into his head.
He bit on the words, this did seem like the best option but Draco's already in a vulnerable position, but what other choice did they have? Closing what was replaced of his eyes, Victor inhaled, and let it spill.
"Draco, how about you take care of her?"
Vincent punched in with "Wha- Victor what are you on ab-MPH" only to have his mouth clamped over by Victor, startling him.
"Hang on Vin- I mean it's the best bet we got, Vanora trust you a lot considering how she practically is all over you right now, and you with your years of gentleness seem like the perfect candidate for this task. Me and Vincent get caught up in our work--and now don't take this the wrong way Draco you work mighty fine too--but maybe you could also make sure Vanora doesn't get into too much trouble?"
Vincent was still protesting against his hand as Draco's face morphed into a horse. Recognizable, but unreadable.
"Look I know it's a lot to ask Draco but please? We really don't have another choice, plus I know you've started to skip rooms to check on her."
"He's been doing what-MPSHS '' Vincent's remark was still blocked by the metallic hand and he shot curses at him. Victor only rolled his eyes.
"Don't mind him, now Draco you think you can do it?"
Draco did his best not to let irrational thoughts cloud his judgment of someone but what in the name of all things clean and holy
DID he have a choice? This all feels like a weird fever dream, do fever dreams come with stings where this- tiny- Vanora stood??? He'd have to look it up but Mr. Blake clearly wasn't going to take a no for an answer.``
Vincent finally pried Victor's hand off his face using his own. Finding his voice he started "Don't get hasty Victor. Draco you don't need to do this if you don't want to."
"But he should!"
"Victor!"
"What?! Do you want to watch her?"
"Of course not. But there's gotta be a better solution."
"Well sorry darling this is the best we got! Unless, *gasp* ! You don't trust your own butler!"
"Victor, stop that. Of course I trust him but is it re-"
"I'll do it."
Victor and Vincent snapped back to look at Draco, he held his head high and little sparkles shone in his eyes.
"Draco. Are you sure?"
"Yes master. I'm sure." he crossed his arms behind his back and stood tall before them. He could feel Vanora's gaze on his cheek, but paid no attention to it.
"Well ok. It's settled. Draco you will take care of Vanora for the time being until Winston manages to fix this gadget."
"Yes sir."
"And Vincent will be paying you extra while you do so!"
"Wha- Victor what did I say-"
"He's going to need it love, I mean Vanora's gonna need some extra stuff, smaller stuff, considering her size right now."
"Well I- Ugh fine."
"Glad to know you don't pull out your debate skills with me~!"
"Shut it Victor."
"Can I go now?" The 2 turned around to the stout man in the back munching on some popcorn. "I need to file the shipment order."
"Yes of course get out of here Winston." Vincent replied
"Goodbye to you too, Edgeworth."
"Should I escort him?" Draco asked.
"Oh no! I can do that for today, actually- Nevermind Draco, you need to come too."
"What? Why? Why does he need to leave?" Vanora, back onto Draco's hair, squeaked at the red head.
"Why for you of course. Did you really think you'd be able to survive with regular sized things when a shoe could squash you?"
"I..."
"Nevermind that dear, Vincent? The check?"
"Ah- yes." Vincent reached on top of the bar counter and produced a banknote into Draco's hands.
"Draco gets whatever you think Vanora would need. She doesn't need to go around causing trouble now."
"Yes sir woAH-" he gawked at the check containing 1000 bucks?! "Sir this is too much!"
"No, no. Please. I did that on purpose. I doubt you'd spend over 600 on miniature her."
"Oh... well thank you sir! I won't let you down."
"I know Draco." Vincent patted Draco's shoulder gently, before making his exit out the door.
"Good he's gone. Now can we go now?" Winston impatiently murmured, fixing his glasses on his nose bridge.
"Yup. Draco I'll drive you to the store after we drop off Winston at Myers."
"I could just drive myself Mr. Blake."
"Nonsense boy, it'll save gasoline. You got your phone right? And the check?"
"Yes Mr. Blake."
"Wonderful now let's get going!"
The 3, really 4, walked on out the house and into the cool air, it was summer yet outside the Edgeworth mansion it was always whimsical.
Draco checked his watch. 13:43.
Day One.