05/04/1935

Dear Mr Otto Paimon,

We are delighted to offer you a three-month contract at a property outside of London in the county of Somerset. Our client's collection requires organisation, authentication and valuing. Background research into the items' origins has also been requested by the clients and we believe that your expertise would greatly benefit the project.

The contract will be paid at your usual daily rate, however expenses can be discussed. We look forward to hearing your response.

Regards,

Beleth and Co.

Otto glanced over the letter several times and let out a prolonged hum, tapping his foot to the tune of the radio. Somerset was deep in the west country, filled with fields and all that quaint countryside nonsense. Three months of nothing but winding roads and little villages might just drive him mad from pure boredom.

His eyes slid to the window where the London lights peeked through the net curtains, tempting him with options and amusements aplenty. Even a being like him could always find things to do in the great city, whether it be a new restaurant, show or art gallery. Unlike the bloody countryside all of places.

Frowning, he cast a look at the printed letter again. Your expertise, that was what drew his eye, what caught his attention. His expertise was rather niche: demonic writings, occult materials, things that gentile society wouldn't approve of. A collection that contained less than savoury artefacts could be interesting to work on- shame it was in Somerset of all places.

A noise from another room made him lose his train of thought.

"Oh, not again," he muttered to himself, placing down the letter on a dark wood table beside his whiskey decanter.

Otto stood up and abandoned his armchair, the comforting warmth of his lounge. He stalked into the hallway of his home, mirrors and oil paintings covering every inch of the intricately patterned wallpaper. He moved slower now, his footsteps creaking ever so slightly on the polished floorboards as he drew closer and closer to the kitchen. A small slither of light danced beneath the doorway and he could hear the whispering of soft voices, an occasional clink or scrape of kitchenware.

Reaching out, he clasped the doorknob and swung the door open, so fast that he felt the air drag at his skin.

A bowl hit the ground with a clatter and the two spirits snapped to attention, their translucent faces painted with surprise and thinly veiled horror. The taller of the two, a woman dressed in posh, period garb, sunk down into a mockery of a courtesy. "Evening, Otto. How can I help you?" she asked, clearly putting on a brave face to cover up their misdeeds.

Now Otto generally didn't mind having company in his lonely terrace house (even if it was of the ghostly kind), but their attempts at cooking were growing more and more bold with every passing day. Several eggs lay cracked and leaking on the floor, the flour knocked over. The sink was growing dangerously close to overflowing as water crashed down from the open tap.

Running his fingers through his carefully styled hair, he pursed his lips. "How many times must I remind you that you are not allowed to move things?" he replied.

The second ghost, shorter and dressed in maid's uniform, tried to slink behind her companion. "Oh, you're such a bore," the well-dressed ghost retorted, hands on her hips.

"I can have you both exorcised if you really want," he drawled back, turning off the tap. The room seemed oddly silent now.

"You may be a demon, Otto, but we both know that you don't have it in you."

The spirit was correct, of course, but that didn't mean Otto had to be happy about it.

He pointed a finger at the both of them and stared them down. "Go bother some mortals, would you? I need to clean this- mess you've both made." To make his point, he gestured around the ruined room and made an indignant noise, pleased when he saw the sheepish look on their faces.

The maid peered up at the taller woman and took her hand gently, whispering something into her ear.

"Fine," the first ghost huffed. "See you soon." And with that, the pair faded out of existence, leaving Otto alone with the aftermath.

On second thoughts, maybe a break in the countryside wouldn't be so bad.

A/N -

Okay, so there's been a change of plans for my ONC entry. I was struck with inspiration for this story and just had to switch. I hope you enjoy it!