Lucian Viderian escaped to his room, taking a breather for a few brief moments. The Party was winding down, and a broad grin covered his face. He'd been lavished by gifts, and the women had thrown themselves at him. If he was lucky, that one beauty would consent to visit him later on that evening. He was just about to turn about when he heard a knock at his door and his fathers voice calling through it. "Enter!" he called regally, and his adoptive father stepped through the door...
A broad grin crossed his father's face as he entered closing the door behind him "Happy Birthday Son...I saw you leave the party and thought it was time to give you your present from your mother and I." He gave a sort of half hug to his adoptive son leading him towards the sitting room attached to the bedroom they now resided in. Behind those closed doors sat a very nervous looking Snow-leopard female chained to the floor by a heavy steel chain attached to a leather collar about her neck the tag already reading out Lucian's name upon it. Her hands and feet were chained as well to insure she would be unable to escape. Her eyes blindfolded...though luckily she had been allowed to keep her clothing this time around.
Lucian blinked, startled. "Father! You shouldn't have!" he said, the joy in his voice unmistakable. He wasn't entirely keen on the slaving trade, but he had come to realize it's importance, place, and role in society. To be given a slave, his first, was a high statement and compliment. "You Honor me Father." he said, and moved over to examine the female. "She healthy? No diseases? What talents does she hold?" his mind already working on how to use this to his advantage in the world.
Anna Valarious flinched as she heard a male move forward, could feel his breath upon her as he leaned closer to examine her. His father chuckled as his son moved towards his gift. "She is in perfect healthy tested by the family physician personally while I overlooked. No diseases of any kind, she is a rarity amongst the slave pens it seems. Paid a hefty price for her hide. As to her talents...her papers spoke of massage, dance, some maid work and cooking. Though she is yours Son.. You are welcome to train her to do as you please. She is quiet though.. seems well and truly broken. Been in the pens off and on, the papers said, for the last six years or so." He moved patting his son on the back "Enjoy your present Son I will go look over your party it is beginning to wind down as is. Your Mother and I shall take care of the guests." He took his leave then leaving his only Son to enjoy his present.
Lucian nodded and bid his father a good night. He crossed his arms, looking over the timid creature before him. "What is your name?" he asked, his voice firm, but not cruel. It held authority and expectance in it. He stood before her, looking her over. She was quite beautiful, and a snow leopard as well, incredibly alluring. Something about her though was strange.
Her voice, barely a whisper as she answered his question, echoed still thru the room as though it had a life of its own. "Anna, Master, Anna Valarious" She shuddered slightly as she pulled her legs in closer to herself wincing though it went unseen before she once more straightened her legs back out to the side as she sat on her hip.
Luc shook his head, it wouldn't do to have her locked up. "Very well Anna." he said, her last name struck him as odd as well, so close to his own yet at the same time so far away. "If I release you, will you attempt to run or harm me in any way?" he asked, still firm and authoritative, but gentlemanly somehow. He picked the key up off the table nearby and then pulled a rope, ringing for some tea.
Anna shook her head "Never Master...I would never harm anyone I do not believe in violence it only brings pain and sorrow." She lowered her blinded gaze to the floor lowering her head some once she had answered flinching once more as she heard him moving about the room. The un-surety of where he was around her making her more nervous than she was already.
Lucian nodded though she couldn't see and then moved towards her. "Very well, I shall release you." he bent and released the locks on all of her chains, removing the one from her collar as well. He reached down then, taking one of her hands and placing his other beneath her elbow to help her up. "Relax now, I don't bite." he said, reaching up to untie the blindfold and remove it. "Would you like some tea?"
Slowly she shook her head "No thank you Master." She blushed as her eyes adjusted to the return of light. "You have a beautiful home Master." She bowed gracefully keeping her head to the floor as she returned to her standing position.
Lucian nodded and smiled. "Thank you. I am glad you like it." he sighed and shook his head. "Now then, My name is Lucian Viderian, and I would prefer you call me Lord rather than Master. I will expect certain things of you. You may call me Lucian when we are in private. In public, as I stated, I shall prefer Lord to Master. You are to help me with every task I require, and in fact I shall be training you in some tasks you may not already know. Now, Can you read or write?" he asked. "Tell me of yourself, what skills and talents do you have?" he said, taking a seat.
He watched her, gauging her reactions and expressions. He would groom her for what he needed her to be. She is very beautiful. He thought. Strange that you do not wish something more intimate of this one. She is perfect, a snow leopardess, beautiful body, quiet, bred to please- his thoughts broke off as if another part of him, a different voice, though still belonging to his mind whispered. She is a slave, she has been used, soiled, she is unclean. Before switching back to his normal thought waves. It doesn't matter, should I choose, I could do as I pleased, bed her till that uncleanliness is nothing, till it feels as if nothing and no one but me has had her. Breaking off that thought process he gave a slight shiver, there was just something about her that made those thoughts almost uncomfortable, he just couldn't put his finger on it.
Anna stood perfectly still as she began to answer his questions. "Yes Lord anything you wish. I shall do my best to learn and obey to the best of my abilities. " She knelt back down to her knees folding her hands in her lap before him as he sat. "I can read a small amount Lord, but am unable to write as none ever taught me such skills...I was taught the skills of massage, dance, cooking, and...the...the skills of..."She paused sobbing lightly quietly to herself as the thoughts crossed her mind.. ""She is a slave, she has been used, soiled, she is unclean."" Taking a deep breath she continued. "The skills all slaves are taught Lord...bed companion."
Lucian frowned some, and nodded. "Very well then." there was something about her, it was driving him crazy. His heart called out to her but...he wanted to coddle her, not lie with her. "You are a strange one Kitten, but though I cannot release you, I can...offer you a good life. If you will serve me well, you shall have the best of everything, and as much freedom as I can muster. Do not be fooled, I shall not hesitate to punish you if you disobey." he told her. "Now then. I shall begin teaching you to write tomorrow, and to test your reading skills. You will learn all I know. During your training, you will answer only to me. I shall let my father know and it shall be done. Do not let the other servants or house slaves bully you. If they do, speak to me. You shall be given a room adjoining mine. It shall be furnished lavishly. You are going to be groomed to be a trusted advisor for when I take my head as this household. I will force nothing from you that you do not wish to give. I promise to do my best to see to your needs. You will work hard, and learn much, if you do well, you will have authority in less than two months time. Do you have any questions?" he asked. I want to help her. he thought. Why do you want to help her? You are groomed to be a lord, to be cold, to be cruel. You are weak. A slight shudder passed over him and he ran his fingers nervously through his hair
Anna bowed her head low sobbing lightly hiding her face as once more that dark voice seemed to echo thru her mind speaking of cruelty and weakness..." I will always serve you as best as my abilities allow. I shall always learn and take to heart all you have to teach me my Lord. " She lifted her head higher gaze always to the floor but showing her face all the same to him. "I thank you for the kindness you have already shown me Lord, and shall listen only to your commands, no others shall I obey but you." She looked to his face for but a moment her eyes sparkling before her sights dropped once more. "I have no questions my Lord. You speak and I shall obey promptly and with quick action."
Lucian nodded "Then tonight you shall dine well, and for the time being, sleep here, in my rooms, There is a cot by the dressing area. We shall get you more clothing and I shall have your rooms furnished on the morrow." he stood, and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I am not the cruelest of men. I can be harsh, but certainly not cruel. I am sorry you have suffered my dear. I cannot change the past, but I can offer you a future." he poured her a glass of tea and handed it to her. "Drink, I shall have supper brought."
Anna looked up to him as he placed a hand on her shoulder taking the cup from him sipping it lightly. "T..thank you my Lord I will do all in my power to prove that your kindness has not been in vain." She shuddered as she turned to her own thoughts.. "Why is he so kind to me? I am only flesh.. Useless meat...all others use me than leave me to the buzzards.. Why is he different?" She shook her head whipping the thought from her mind as she gave him a soft blushed smile.
Lucian blinked, unsettled as his mind whispered to him of flesh and useless meat. He shivered once more and banished the thought. "Now then. Once we have eaten we shall talk a bit eh? Get to know one another. I've still your papers to arrange. So you may wait here and warm yourself by the fire while I see to that and supper hmm?" he smiled. "I shall return soon, I’ll see no one bothers you." he said, and turned to leave.
Anna curled by the fire staring into the flames sobbing as he left sipping at her tea as she shook her head "Who is he fooling...he will be like all the rest..get his fill of me, become bored, and throw me out like the morning trash....Though something is strange about him I just can’t put my finger on it." She sighed staring once more into the flames in silence as she waited patiently.
Lucian stumbled as he headed down the hall. A hand struck out and caught the wall, catching himself. He was suddenly in his room, by the fire, holding a warm cup in his hands and trying not to sob, a feeling of such utter despair and a hopeless sense of betrayal overcame him. The fire mesmerized him as he sat on the floor. The floor? The thought caused him to blink, he never sat on the floor. He blinked several times and looked around. He was in the hall, near the kitchens. He felt dampness on his face and put a hand up to his cheeks. To his utter shock he'd shed tears. He cleaned himself up and straightened, fetching the nights supper, cold, and went back upstairs. "Sorry to keep you waiting, here, supper." he served her the same meal as he ate, on the same plates and drank the same as she did. "oh, dear me it's gone cold. Let me heat it for you." he reached forward, twiddled his fingers, and the food was suddenly steaming.
Anna blinked eyes going wide as she watched the cold food suddenly turn steaming "Oh my your amazing my Lord. I have never seen such magical skills before." She blushed taking the steaming plate from his hands. "I must thank you this food is ever so delicious..I am unused to such finery. I have only been allowed bread, water, and the leftovers from other's meals before." She blushed brighter still her cheeks a dark crimson even thru her fur, as she moved to a more silent demeanor while eating feeling embarrassed she had been so outspoken before him when she had not been spoken to.
Lucian chuckled softly, seeming pleased. "Well, the way I see it. If you are to stand next to me at dinner parties and sup with other nobility, then you must be used to it. You will eat as well as I, if not better. An unhappy servant makes for half finished chores and an unhappy Master. That’s what Mother taught me." he said. "She was right. No matter how much you pay someone, if you treat them with contempt, they will show you the same. I think the same of everyone. If you treat those closest to you differently than you would have yourself treated, then you shall amount to nothing." he said. "Please my dear, when we're alone don't be afraid to speak up. I realize it will take a great deal of time, but I hope that someday you will come to trust me Kitten."
Anna smiled softly nodding "I will do my best to remember this my Lord..Lucian" She bowed her head as she finished her food, her tea long ago finished. She curled then in a small ball at his feet. "No matter how you treat me..I will always serve you well..I was taught by my father that the better I serve, the more pleasing I am, the more honor I bring to my family." She blushed softly looking up to him though gaze never moved past his chest.
Luc shook his head. "Oddly enough Kitten I was taught the very same thing." he sighed remembering some lessons from his father. Well, he was grown now and things would change. "Tell me, do you know where you are?" he asked.
Anna frowned some as she tried to think "I know only that I was transported to the head District my Lord. nothing more than this..I was blindfolded and bound till you released me." She bowed her head in shame "I am sorry I do not know more my Lord."
Lucian shook his head. "Nonsense, you've no need to apologize for matters outside your control." he said. "You are correct, you are in 1st district. You are in the Mountain Region. Father returned from a trip last eve, and the physician was by this morning I know I saw his transport. I am assuming you come from the Forest Region? Or did he purchase you this morning?" he asked. He wasn't quite sure. Anna nodded to him as she smiled "Yes the markets are located in the forest region. I was purchased in the early evening last evening." A knock sounded on the door and he looked up. "Enter!" he called. A woman opened the door, a noble girl, seeming about his age, dressed rather provocatively in her party dress. "My lord, I am Lady Kaldair, I came to wish you a happy birthday, and to offer my company for the night." she said, her voice sultry. She was elegant, beautiful, and she knew it. Her tone was one of expectance, not offering. She looked up then as the knock sounded glaring at the girl that had entered acting as pretentious as the women that had taken her for short times for their husbands in the past. She looked about, saw the girl at his feet and spoke. "You there, girl!" she ordered. "Bring us wine, red, and sweet cakes, then you may go, your services will not be needed here." she said, haughtily.
Ears folded back as she was ordered about by the woman. She stood promptly poking the woman in the chest. "What my Lord chooses to do is his own business but I will not be talked to like that from a girl throwing her flesh about before a man when he is not wed to her. I will not take orders from the likes of you! I only obey the commands of my Lord."
His eyebrows perked slightly at Lady Keldair's "offer" then he began to scowl as she ordered Anna about. However, his eyebrows shot clean to his hairline as Anna stood up poked her and scolded her as if she where a child. Lady Keldair gasped and glared at her. "Why you insubordinate bitch!" she snarled, her hand rose as if to strike her. As it came down though another hand caught her wrist. "My Lady. Your presence here is not required. You are no longer welcome in my house. You are not to return unless my Father or Mother specifically invite you." he steered her out the door. "Good day." He then shut and locked it in her face.
Anna blushed brightly sinking to her knees shaking as she waited to be scolded or worse.. “I am sorry my Lord.. I did not mean to speak above my place..." She shuddered as her mind raced.. "Surely he will beat me for what I have done...I have suffered far worse for doing something far less" She looked to the floor hands wringing in her lap.
Lucian turned around and shook his head. "No no dear, you did nothing wrong. I found your reaction quite refreshing." he grinned. "Don't change a bit." he said, then helped her up. "Here, have some more tea and come finish our talk."
She nodded as her cup was refilled sitting once more at his feet looking up to his lap as she sipped it lightly. "What more do you wish to discuss my Lord?"
He smiled "How much can you read?" he asked. "I can help with what you don't know. And is there anything you wish to learn in particular?" he leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs in an elegant fashion and held his teacup casually. The fire cast a warm glow over the room and settled into them as a warmth that drove away the slightest bit of chill.
She moved a tad closer laying her head on his knee "I can read the most simple of things my Lord...nothing a noble child could not handle beyond that I am quite lost." She nuzzled his knee lightly as she closed her eyes. "I would very much like to learn to write my Lord...I have never been taught and it would please me so to be able to do something most of my status are forbidden to achieve in bettering myself."
Lucian nodded "very well then, I shall teach you both." he said, dropping his hand to pet her hair. "We shall discuss what’s next after that." he replied. After a moment he looked to her and frowned. "Would you like some different clothing?" he asked. "Your beautiful in your current garments of course but I’m sure they would make you uncomfortable"
Anna looked up a tad surprised.. “Actually my Lord... this is the most clothing I have ever been allowed." She blushed.. “I feel more comfortable in these than I have ever growing up.. Father forbade me clothing in youth.. To ready me for my moving to the pens."
Lucian blinked astounded by her words. "Goodness. Well then we shall go to the seamstress first thing. You may pick out what you feel comfortable in. Do not make yourself uncomfortable. Things are changing, and you must take them slowly." he said petting her head some more. "I'm sorry my dear, but...there is something familiar about you."
Anna looked up tilting her head "I must be honest with you my Lord for I feel it too.. Yet..." She paused scrunching her nose. "It could not be true I was raised by my father in the 9th district then sent on my fifteenth birthday to the slave markets. I have never been in the 1st District."
Lucian shook his head. "I suppose not. Father adopted me and brought me here when I was a kit, but he refuses to tell me where from." he shrugged. "Still, it's probably just coincidence." he shook his head. "Perhaps it simply means we were destined to meet, hm?"
She nodded "You must be right my Lord Lucian. I can think of no other reason we would feel connected as it were." She smiled softly a soft purr trickling from her throat as her thoughts wandered " You are fooling yourself whore.. He does not like you.. He only wishes to use your flesh like all the rest. He will beat you and destroy you not help you grow." Sighing softly she slid down to the floor curling till her head lay on the warmed stones of the hearth.
Lucian allowed her to slide to the floor, she needed time to adjust. He shook his head trying to clear it of the thoughts running through them suddenly. “Why am I thinking like this?” he wondered and frowned. "Anyway, you must be tired Anna, my Kitten. Let us get some rest, and tomorrow we begin your training."
She nodded then paused.. “I promise I will not run away my Lord...May I stay and sleep hear near the fire on the hearth? It is warm and comfortable." She looked to him eyes pleading in their sorrow for some form of comfort or home.
Lucian nodded "Yes of course you may. There’s a small bed up the stairs near mine, by the dressing area, it's warm up there as well if you wish to bed down there for the night instead of the floor. If not, take the mat, blanket, and pillow, and sleep where you like dear." he stroked her head and smiled. "Sleep well."
She smiled softly, curling up tightly in a ball "Thank you Lord Lucian..." Soon she drifted to sleep dreaming soft dreams of rich silken covers lush fluffy pillows warm soft sheets. She woke with a start shaking "I am on the floor what am I thinking.. why am I seeing such things in my mind? I have never touched such fineries"
Lucian woke himself, shivering, he'd dreamt he slept on the hard stone of the hearth before the fire. "what on earth.." he found himself sweating, and somehow chilled. He stood, put on his robe and walked to the lower sitting area. He blinked, seeing her awake. "Anna, is something wrong? Trouble sleeping?" he asked, pausing a small ways away.
Anna blinked looking around and flinching as she saw him enter. "Oh forgive me I did not mean to wake you my Lord." She lowered her head "Is there anything I can get you Lord Lucian? to help you sleep?"
Lucian shook his head to both questions. "no, no my dear, that’s quite alright, and you didn't wake me." he said. "Dreams woke me. Please pay me no mind, go back to your rest. I'm simply going to have a cup of tea before heading back up."
Anna bowed low as she stood moving with a smile to pour him a cup of tea snapping her fingers as he had done earlier warming it instantly. She blinked shaking her head before handing it to him mumbling to herself "Strange I have never done that before." She shrugged leading him to his seat before sitting on the floor below him taking his bared feet in her lap massaging them lightly. "Feel better Lord Lucian?"
Lucian blinked a bit surprised. "you have magic my dear?" he asked. Then blushed faintly as he had his feet rubbed. "Thank you dear, that does feel better. I am sorry to disturb you."
Anna shook her head at his question "It is all rather new my Lord I have never done anything like it before." Her smile brightened considerably as he enjoyed the foot massage. "You did not disturb me Lord Lucian it is my honor to help you relax." She kissed his foot settling it on the floor moving to the other with a grin. "This should help you sleep better...May I be so bold as to inquire why you woke my Lord?"
Lucian smiled sipping the tea and petted her head. "The honor is mine dear. And it was dreams, just dreams, odd ones, I’ve been having them more frequently lately." he sighed. "They'd disappeared for a while but they're back."
Tilting her head she wrinkled her nose.. "Maybe I could help Lord Lucian.. I used to help interpret dreams, when I was in the pens, of some of the other slaves...I was only wrong about twenty percent of the time." She smiled nuzzling his knee as she was pet kissing his second foot before curling on the floor so her tail lay across them to keep his feet warm.
Lucian stroked her hair and smiled. "Thank you dear, if you feel you can help you may." he yawned and finished his tea. "But you are to rest, don't interrupt your own nights rest for my sake hear?" he kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for the attention Kitten. Get yourself some sleep."
Anna nodded with a smile before taking his empty cup putting it near the tea pot on the table before leading him back to bed tucking him in. Deep confusion danced across her face for a moment as paws recognized the feel of the silk upon her flesh. She shrugged it off making sure he was comfortable before slipping to the floor with her own blanket and pillow on the floor beside his bed.
He leaned over the bed. "Anna, forgive me but, you had the oddest expression on your face. Is all well?" he asked. Though her own sleeping arrangements were not silks, they were fine cottons and wools. "Your sure your alright?"
Nodding she blushed "Yes my Lord just an odd feeling...like I had felt your coverings before.. but it is quite impossible.. I am sorry to have disturbed your rest. " She laid still for a long moment upon her back staring at the ceiling curled in her blanket contentedly pawing at it as she rested though not yet sleeping.
Lucian nodded and let her alone. He lay there though, till she had well and truly fallen asleep, then removed her simple blanket and replaced it with a heavier thicker silk one. He smiled then settled down and fell back to sleep eventually. His dreams then were restless.
Anna whimpered in her sleep once she had drifted off waking in the morning light blinking as she came to find that she had to scramble out from under a heavy silk comforter.. She slapped a hand to her mouth and squeaked "Oh no what have I done!" She replaced the silk upon her owner across the bed tucking him in neatly glad he had not woken to see her insubordination of taking the silk from his bed. She went to a mirror in the room combing her hair with her fingers doing her best to make herself look more presentable as she smoothed her clothes free of wrinkles.
Lucian slept restlessly and woke about an hour after she had, in a sweat. He'd had an odd dream that he'd stolen someone’s silk comforter. It felt very strange to him. He yawned and stretched, then went behind the screen to wash and dress. It was only when he'd done so that he blinked, remembering Anna and looking about for her. "Anna?" he called. She was awake he knew, fore she was not abed. "Are you well, how was your sleep?"
Anna stepped about the screen with a soft cloth for washing in her hand. She smiled kneeling beside him as he rested in the warm bath the other servants of the house had brought up for him. "I slept fine my Lord. I hope your rest was peaceful." She leaned close scrubbing his back lightly as she began to clean him hands gentle as they wiped his brow..."Are you falling ill Lord Lucian? You are clammy."
Lucian shook his head. "No Kitten, merely another odd dream. Not a nightmare, but odd." he smiled. "Go and manage breakfast for us. Your to have the same as I. I can managed here dear." he pat her hand gently and relieved her of the wash cloth. "Though I thank you once more."
Anna stood bowing as she took her leave taking her time to find the kitchen before looking about for what she needed. In no time she had returned to his bedchamber tray in hand with two matching settings. Each held the exact copy of its twin. Fresh squeezed orange juice, an omelet with peppers, chives, and onions, buttered toast, and a small slice of orange. "Breakfast is served Lord Lucian...Do you need help with anything else before you eat?"
Lucian shook his head. "No, my thanks." he said, having dressed while she had been gone. "After breakfast though I think we may rest a bit and visit the tailors before your lessons and my duties." he replied. "Did cook or any of the others give you trouble?" he straightened his jacket and then fixed his hair back in its horsetail.
Anna shook her head as she set up his breakfast on the small serving table in the sitting room "No Lord Lucian the cook was most gracious and even allowed me use of the kitchen to cook breakfast for you myself. The others gave me no trouble either." She listened to the day’s plans and smiled "That sounds most lovely my Lord. I look forward to the day’s events."
Lucian looked up. "Yes, it did say you could cook didn't it?" he murmured, smiling. "I look forward to sampling your wares then." he said grinning, taking a bite he found himself quite pleased. "Wonderful, much better than I could ever hope to accomplish myself. My compliments to the chef." he grinned and winked. He ate his meal in silence, enjoying himself.
Anna sat upon the floor eating her own breakfast in silence blushing brightly hiding her face in her movements. When both had finished she took the dirty dishes as well as those from the night before down to the kitchen cleaning and scrubbing them deep in thought.. When one of the other servants glared at her informing her that she had better dry them she shrugged as she had planned to, to begin with.. but as she turned to do so clapping her hands free of suds she found them dry as though the water had evaporated instantly.. "How odd.." She shrugged it off shaking her head "So many strange things happen here" She returned to his room with a smile bowing. "Dishes are cleaned and replaced in the cupboards my Lord."
Lucian smiled. "good. Then we can be off." he grinned. "Ever ridden a horse?" he asked. He grabbed a longer over coat and donned it, preparing to go to the tailor.
Anna blushed brightly shaking her head "N.. no my Lord.....I have only run along beside the horses chained to their saddles.." she lowered her head at her incapability.