Butler Piero

On a chilly autumn night in a distant time, a renowned circus ringmaster on a search for extraordinary new talent discovered a lost child in a pumpkin patch. He was taken in to be raised on the road by the cast and crew of the circus, who decided to name him Piero. Mesmerised by the vibrant illusions and superhuman acts of the circus, Piero developed a philosophy over the years that a world without mystery, wonder and even fear would be a bland one. His number one goal became clear: to entertain and delight others. Desperate to find his unique circus talent, he took on an apprentice role, trying out all the trades surrounding him. But when he took to the tightrope, gravity pulled him down, and when he tried to teach the lions tricks, they showed more interest in biting him. Even working backstage, Piero pulled the curtains back too soon, spoiling the magician’s tricks for the whole audience. Piero grew discouraged, not seeming to fit any one role at the circus. He hated to disappoint the people who raised him, and having spent his whole life at the circus meant he had big shoes to fill. 

Though tragedy would strike in the shape of a slip from a carelessly thrown banana peel. Piero could not help but think one last thought: that he had failed his one mission in life. With a hazy memory of the past, Piero awoke in the 21st century as a ghost! But his usual love of magic and desire to delight people was accompanied by a very unfamiliar urge: to haunt them.

Unable to move on, he explored the world and met many individuals. Having materialised in a strange new time, Piero struggled to navigate all the technology which hadn’t existed during his first lifetime, unsure where he would end up next. Despite this, he found it alluring: what he did not understand held a similar appeal to the magic of the circus. 

On his travels, he eventually crossed into the grounds of a sprawling house populated by the strangest group of people. But what they all shared was a commitment to delighting their masters. He smiled, pleased to see that there were others like him, individuals that wanted to bring joy and smiles to those around them. Before he could move on to his destination, he felt a small tug. Actually, it was more of a forceful pull. It would not let him leave! He noticed a string of ethereal magic tied around his waist, and following it, he made eye contact with two figures, one seemingly holding some sort of charm keeping a firm grip on his restraints and one with a small glimmer of a halo above his head. The latter stepped out with a welcoming hand offered to the trapped ghost. 

‘Oh heavens… a lost soul unable to find home… This simply won’t do. Follow me; you are to remain here as my ward until we can ease your soul.’

Piero wavered. It wasn’t that he wanted to be a ghost forever, but he still hadn’t found that niche he would excel at. He couldn’t imagine leaving this world until it was discovered! But any concerns he brought up were swiftly shut down by the angel and his companion, who had now released the magical lasso from around the ghost. Atsushi stated that until he figured out the best course of action, it was vital that Piero would remain in the MOE mansion. 

Piero felt a renewed sense of excitement – this could be the perfect opportunity. And anyway, where better for a ghost to haunt than a mansion?