Faline

Moving closer to the girl, she's tall enough that I don't have to duck down much to peer up at her. Hazel eyes go from the fox in my hands to me, eyes curious, but guarded. Ever since she had disappeared for days when I was a captive here, she's been different.

When I first met her in the solarium, she didn't wear a collar and was called the Mistress's favorite. She'd been with a patron, an older man that was supposedly 'nice', but after that, she had a collar and acted differently. Haven't asked, but now, I probably should. Just not here.

"Have you eaten?"

She blinks and nods, but when I keep looking at her, she grins and changes her answer. Her frame reminds me of a bird; fragile. Not weak per se, just appears so with her small bones.

Not only had she been the Mistress's favorite, but she herself loves Lady. She'd been saved from the streets not once, but twice by the lord of the castle. Having been real young when another slave decided to run off with her.

The woman who had taken Avina had ditched her, then she'd ended up in an alleyway being used by others. A Vampire had recognized her as Lady's, but used her before returning the small girl back here to the bordello. Lady hadn't been fooled to his claims of not having touched her, so he was tortured and later killed.

Hero Worship.

Much like what Danica has with me, just more. Where I had gotten to the fifteen-year-old in time, Avina hadn't been so lucky. She'd told me her tale when I'd mentioned wanting to escape, thinking that the outside and 'escaping' was all foolish talk.

Since she seems happy in her little oblivious world, I don't try correcting her.

"When we head down to the kitchen after your Mistress's speeches, you're to come with and eat, alright?"

The girl nods, eyes sliding into the office at Lady who's watching us. She inclines her head as well upon seeing the girl stiffen in uncertainty. Avina relaxes, so I smile and go into the room with everyone else.

Doors are closed behind me, hadn't even realized Leidolf had stayed next to me. I make my way through everyone and sit on the windowsill. Wolf sits on the floor next to me and looks over to Lady. The windows aren't shaded, so I can see outside. Either late at night or really early morning. My inner clock has become so confused that I can't tell anymore.

We spend at least a couple of hours in there as she talks to them, impressing her will. She looks over each one both in animal form and human. Saving the wolf at my side for last.

He clearly isn't happy to get groped by her while beastly, even less so when I have to coax him into human form. My eyes are apologetic as he stares at me, Lady doing her thing in admiring form, size, and colors. Not immune to his draw either, she takes her time in touching. He looks so uncomfortable that I scramble for a reason for her to stop before he does something foolish.

"I wish Diego to leave with Skeet and Alastor. Orion is claiming the lion, Skeet has a place to return to, and Diego will go to my sister."

Green and blue eyes rest on my gold, eyebrow raised. The amusement in her gaze clearly stating she knows what I'm doing. She cocks her head, curiosity showing as she looks at the wolf then to me. Walking around to the front of her desk, she finally answers me.

"They are yours to do with as you wish. Keep the Changeling near you since I have Seth busy elsewhere. He seems to be quite taken with you, so should provide adequate protection. If you think your sister will take the child, then by all means."

During her speech, said Changeling had turned back into an animal and is standing stiff-legged next to me, clearly unhappy. The only one she hasn't made turn human is the kid, so he's still in my arms.

"A grace period will be given to those who need to heal, then they are to be given tasks. The same goes for the humans if they survive."

Her hand waves as she tells them to go, all but Diego and Leidolf are on two legs. Covered in a towel or nude as they file out.

"You, Pet, will stay."

Dammit. So much for thinking I'd be able to get away without a tongue lashing. Wincing, I hand Diego to Trisha.

"Get them all to the kitchen, I'll be there when able."

She nods, taking the kid carefully and leaving. Leidolf tries to stay but is told to leave as well. I give him a nod, saying it's okay. Not happy, but he does leave the room. Somehow, I doubt he'll go far.

Avina pulls the doors closed and that's when it gets real quiet. Moving away from the door, I go back to the window and put my back to it, facing her with arms crossed. Coming towards me, I stiffen.

"What do you want?"

I manage to pull off annoyance, but there's still a thread of fear running through it. She’s still topless under the suit, a different one from what she'd had on earlier since that one had been bloodied.

"I gave you an order, you did not follow it."

Can't take any more steps backward, but I try. Damn near climbing the wall as she presses close.

"Yeah, well, I was tired and didn't feel like walking all the way up here. Besides, am I supposed to just barge right in and claim I'm taking the bed? What if you're in a meeting?"

Her nose scrunches before taking a step back.

"There is such a thing as knocking, or is that too hard for you?"

She's baiting me, so I bite my tongue. Should know it's no use though, I can never keep my mouth shut.

"Yes. It is. Can I go now?"

A wicked grin crosses her face, so I know I'm in for it.

"No, you may not. A foul stench is coming from you. Go bathe. I will have something for you to wear when you come out."

I'm tempted to try and go out for some other bathroom, but I'm not that stupid. I know I smell, I can smell myself. When that happens, you know it's bad. Granted I'm not sure that still applies when you have a super nose.

Grumbling under my breath, I get past her with no trouble. Must really smell for her not to try anything, yet here I am, going to wash off my defense. How'd I get into this again? I'd shut the door if there was one. There's a door between her office and bedroom as well as one other, but this one is empty.

Much like the shower that had been in one of the rooms I was in while a captive, this one also has one of those fancy overhead showerheads that's supposed to mimic rain. Or I'm guessing it does. Peeling my clothes off proves to be a contrast in responses. Glad to get the wet material off, yet loath to part with it. Not much of a defense to someone with superior strength, but it doesn't have to make sense to feel that way.

My skin feels like ice, so I make sure the water is hot. Kind of funny when you think about it, before I became a Vampire; I was anemic. Heh, look at me now. Just to feel warm and alive, I have to take it from another.

I spend more time under the water than needed, a combination of procrastinating and it feeling really good. Do need to get out though, before she takes it upon herself to 'retrieve' me... Again.

Stepping out, I almost jump out of my skin when she just seems to appear in front of me.

"Dammit, don't you make any noise? Shuffle your feet or something. Undead or not, you're bound determined you're going to give me a heart attack."

Lady smirks, but looks preoccupied, like her mind isn't totally here. She's holding out a fluffy red robe. Taking it absently, the crimson of it makes me look even paler then what I already am.

"Is something wrong?"

Probably shouldn't ask, but I can't help myself. Part cat, you know. Blinking, she watches me enwrap myself in the thick cotton. Turning, she walks out without saying anything. Following after her, I start to get a little worried. Granted it could have nothing to do with me, but it's usually better to assume the worst. That way you can be happy when it's bad, and not the worst thing.

A pale hand motions out towards what she’s put out for me. I'm not thrilled. It reminds me much of the items I had been pointing out to her as new uniforms for her slaves.

Black silk, spaghetti straps, and lots of openness. It gives the appearance of having a sheer top, but there's a layer of silk under the filmy gauze. A dress like affair that has slits that go all the way up to the upper hip.

"You know, something like this would look better on someone who has the legs for it, I do not."

No response is given. Not very shocking. The breasts have that solid layer over them, but the rest is all sheer. Since it's black it still hides more than it shows, that's it's only saving grace.

Lady comes forward with a silver belly-chain. Pretty plain considering some of the stuff she has, so I don't fuss too much. Putting it on, it drapes kind of low on my hips. I'm a bit confused now.

Slipping the dress on after I thoroughly dry myself, the top hugs my shape nicely. Just under my breasts though it flares out and hangs freely. The gauzy panel that hangs between the slits on the sides is light but heavy enough not to billow on its own, flashing all your unmentionables.

The silver chain now makes sense on why it's so low; the small links adding a little glitter effect on the hips when walking. Long in the back, the front just reaches the ground so I'm not stepping on it. It's pretty, but again, it’d look better on someone with much longer legs.

Vampire Mistress comes forward and fiddles with the material, I'm about to complain when I notice that she isn't focused at all. Not on this anyway. Grabbing her hands, I make her look at me.

"What's wrong?"