A Maid's Tale part 4

James was still on his bed sobbing as the morning became afternoon. He felt terrible. If Martha couldn't convince Sami to turn him back, he would be stuck as a woman for good. Amelia sat at his side with her arms around his shoulders offering her handkerchief to the crying maid.  James took it and wiped his eyes.

"Ja...mes, do you still want to go shopping? Or would you rather stay here?" Amelia asked.

Jana wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, "Yes, I will feel better then. I don't know what came over me Mistress Amelia."

Inside, James barely realized that Jana was in control again. In fact, he did not care. He was just too depressed at the moment...

"Alright. Maybe you should put on new makeup. Then we can catch Gaelle and hit all sorts of shops in the city center.” Amelia proposed.

Jana nodded seeing her hands covered in makeup smears from her sobs, "I should clean myself up. Also, I can't go out dressed like a maid. I need some new clothes. I hate to impose… but Gaelle looks about my size."

"Ok..." Amelia said. She's a bit reluctant about the sudden change of mind, "I can ask Gaelle if she can borrow you something."

"Danke." Jana said as she went to the bathroom and cleaned off her face to reapply make up.

This time, Jana took her time to do the makeup. The result looked cutely feminine. When she returned to her room, Amelia and Gaelle had returned. They had some casual clothes for her. They brought her a nice red blouse and black skirt. She even brought comfy sandals too! It was welcome to have her heels touch the ground after working most of the day in the high heels.

Jana quickly put them one. She admired herself in the mirror. This was definitely something new. Jana looked over herself satisfied. She felt pride in her work but she loved having a nice casual dress on that did not sexualize her at all it just felt liberating! Not that the maid outfit was constraining or the most sexualizing, but this dress was all the more comforting because her friends helped her get it.

"Merci Gaelle! I love it!" Jana exclaimed joyfully.

James, on the other hand, was terrified when he saw the cute girl in the mirror. He had difficulties for a moment to remember how he looked as a man. Quickly, he recalled all memories of his male life. He still remembered his life as a guy. He had only been female for not even a whole day. He remembered the biting disappointment of finding out that he could not easily be male again.

Jana kept smiling though as she, Amelia and Gaelle set off out of the hotel. To Jana's surprise, Amelia had taken a short stop and took a German shepherd to with them, whom she called Andy.  Jana smothered Andy with affection when she first saw him petting him between his ears and rubbing his neck, "Hey there cutie! You are a cutie boy, yes you are! Yes you are!" Andy wagged his tail in response.

"Shall we go, girlfriends?" Amelia asked after she put a leash on Andy.

Jana rose from doting on Andy nodding, "Ready!"

The three walked out of the hotel and headed towards the city.

"I heard you're with David together now, Amelia. Lucky you. I'd love to have the boss as my boyfriend." Gaelle said as they went.

Jana giggled enjoying her time with just the girls in a casual environment, "That could be fun."

"Well, you got Urs, Gaelle." Amelia replied, "He seems like a good young man."

Gaelle nodded "How about you, Jana, do you have a boyfriend?"

James hesitated, he never had a girlfriend himself. But what should he say? If he said anything masculine Gaelle would get suspicious and if he said he had no boyfriend could be misinterpreted. Then again... saying he did have one made him look bad too to Amelia

"Conrad." Jana blurted out suddenly. James was horrified as he relieved the memory of playing soccer with the Swiss student who guided his American group. But then again, he does look rather handsome on second thought… No! Conrad was a close friend nothing more. James resolved Jana should not meet Conrad.

"Conrad?" Gaelle asked. "Well, I know a few Conrads, do you know his last name?"

"No," Jana replied honestly snatching the reins away from James yet again, "He is a student at ETU. When I came from America, he helped me adjust."

"You are from America?" Gaelle gasped, "I didn't know that. Your German is pretty good I must say."

James was confused at that and looked to Amelia, "Have I been speaking German this whole time?"

"You speak perfectly German!" Amelia said with encouragement.

"That is so cool, Jana!" Gaelle said excitedly, "You must tell me about it. I always wanted to visit America!"

James did not want to alarm Gaelle even though suddenly he felt self conscious about speaking German like a native speaker. Was he forgetting English? Jana came to the rescue, "Ah, it is very cool. It has wider spaces then here. It’s terrible though if you want to get across the country fast asides from flying in a plane. It’s not like Europe where you can cross three national borders in less than an hour."

While Jana and Gaelle continued to talk about America, Amelia led them into a clothing store. "I will cover you for one dress until you can pay me back."

Jana was on autopilot as her and Gaelle picked out all sorts of flowery dresses, blouses, and skirts. Jana tried them on modeling a handful of new clothes. She then enjoyed trying on the new clothes with Gaelle helping with zippers. Jana decided upon a sundress, a nice cute t-shirt, and business attire.

Gaelle brought her a handful of pajamas next, "Every girl needs a favorite pair of pajamas!"

Jana saw purple pajamas, and James picked that out immediately. “I am comfortable with these.”

Gaelle peeked over his shoulder, “Those would look cute on you!”

James’ stomach started to rumble, and he was happy for an excuse to leave, “How about we get something to eat?”

Amelia swiped her card to pay for the handful of clothes, “I know just the café. You have been to a café right Jana?”

James nodded as he carried half of the bags with Gaelle getting the other half with some things she bought for herself. James had never been to a European café before only pubs, “No, I would love to go to one. Sorry I keep having to ask for favors."

"No problem. Jana," Amelia replied winking, "You can make it up to me later I’m sure."

The left the clothing store and arrived at the café Amelia recommended which was only a few blocks away. The off duty maids sat down and waited to place their orders. Amelia took the elegantly designed menu and pointed to a selection, "Jana, you must try the Nut tarte. It's a specialty from Switzerland."
 
James remembered that he was a tourist of sorts on extended stay, just with a different form. "I would love some!"

After the three girls had placed their orders, Gaelle said: "Please excuse me for a few minutes." She left for the restroom.

Now, that Amelia and James were alone, Amelia looked to James and uttered in a terrified whisper:, "James. What are you doing?!"
 
"What do you mean?" James asked confused.
 
"Talking about a boyfriend, speaking German, acting like a girl.” Amelia listed “Well, I don't mind to have a new maid at the hotel. If that is what you want."
 
James had to make sure he was speaking English, "I am not trying to speak German, and I did not say anything about a boyfriend. I am doing my damnest to not act like a girl."
 
"Say, do you remember walking with us here?" Amelia asked.
 
James scratched his head and looked around, "We left the hotel for a bite to eat right?"
 
"James, you must take control. Or you'll end up like Andy here!" Amelia cautioned.
 
"Andy?" He looked at the dog and pet him between the ears. Andy licked James' fingers in return, "What happened to him? He looks like an ordinary dog."
 
"Yes, doesn't he?" Amelia commented dryly giving her dog a pat, "Well, he wasn't always a dog. One year ago, he was a banker. A real Schwein. He patted my butt and I certainly didn't allow him to. Well, he got what he deserved: The genie Gregorios turned him into this dog."

James pulled his hand away and stared at Andy. He thought of the obvious question, but he dare not ask it because he knew the answer. If he was not careful, he could be like Andy and forget he was ever James! He looked to Amelia distressed, "Amelia, I do not want my new form. I just don't want to be this way. You have helped me more than I can ask for or deserve. However, I beg that you do not let me become something I don't want to be."
 
"I can see what I can do, but I'm not sure how. I guess you should try to keep control over your body and don't adopt more female mannerisms." Amelia replied as she pet Andy, “Easier said than done, but you need to keep your mind.”
 
James unconsciously crossed his legs more like a woman would do than a man would, "Thank you Amelia."

Amelia gasped, "Oh, and you will need identification if you are going to work here any longer. I don't know how things work in the US exactly but here you need paperwork to work. Otherwise, the authorities will throw you out soon."

This terrible outlook brought Jana back in control, "I can't let that happen! How can I get the papers?"

Amelia smiled, "Don't worry about it Martha can help with that. You can get temporary papers to last you until you have a chance to return to the US."

Meanwhile, the waiter brought the food and beverages. Jana drank some of her water and nibbled on the tarte treat, "Mmm… Martha is a sweet genie though she has helped me out a lot. Maybe she can even help me become more feminine..."

That moment, Gaelle returned from the restroom. "Amelia, Jana! I'm back. And the cake is already here!"

Jana waved motioning for Gaelle to join them, "Yep! And it’s good."

They enjoyed getting to know each other over the tarte dessert. They also ate a filling dinner at the cafe. James ordered a good-sized meal, but Jana did not eat much. The wine more than made up for it though. Sadly, they had to return to the hotel as twilight fell. Jana made sure to thank both girls for their compassion for her in her time of need. They waved humbly, "It is no problem. We maids look out for each other."

The off duty maids went back to their quarters and James, now carrying all of the shopping bags, hurried to his room. He saw Martha’s lamp as he passed by and he remembered his conversation with Amelia about the papers he needed to live in Europe. He looked around to make sure no one was around, then he put down his bags so he could rub the lamp to summon Martha.

The genie came out in a bellow of green smoke, “Ah, James how are you?”

“I am fine. How is the talk with Sami?” James asked with a touch of optimism clasping his hands in front of him.

"I tried to talk to him, but he's difficult to convince at the moment. I'm afraid you will spend a few more days as a maid.” Martha replied frowning.

James fell into despair. He already saw himself spending the rest of his life as a woman. He wasn’t paying too much attention as Martha said, "Don't worry, I'm sure Sami will agree. Is there anything else I can do to help you?"

Jana took advantage of James mental absence: “I wish for permanent papers of residency for Europe so that I am perfectly legal and will not be deported.” Jana said, remembering how Amelia phrased it.

Martha was confused, but she complied and granted the wish, “There master, you now are a permanent resident. Is there anything else you require?”

Jana shook her head, “No, thank you Martha.”

Martha saluted then returned to her bottle. Jana then collected her bags and returned to her room too tired to do anything but take off her makeup. Well, she put her new clothes in her wardrobe. Next, when the feminine face without make-up looked back from the mirror, James sighed. He was finally back in control. He changed into his new purple pajamas then crashed into the bed actually throwing the covers onto himself this time. Lastly, he took off his Falcon's necklace then lay down in the bed. Jana saw a passport on the nightstand beside her bed. She picked it up to skim over it. Surely enough it had her name and picture. Thanks Martha!

The maid put it down and tried to settle in. James was bothered by the unfamiliar parts of his new feminine anatomy made going to sleep a little restless, but eventually he fell asleep. That night he dreamed. It was a long siege at his castle, but Sir James would hold out as long as he could. He looked up to the tower where Princess Jana was held. Sir James knew that he must keep her up in the tower so that no harm came to her. He had to keep her there.