• Closed • My Keeper's Cousin

[Faith Augustin]

10th Saun, 716

Master had sent her here. To the home of his cousin, Andraska. Master had told her that she was to go here and that she was to stay here until either Andraska sent her away or until two nights had passed. Then, either way, she was to return home. So, Faith was standing at the doorway and she was wondering who this Andraska person was. Master had not really given her any information, just smiled and waved his hand, telling her that he was expecting her. She had never been dressed as finely as she had since Master bought her, and she adjusted her outfit carefully.

The young woman who knocked the door that trial was just 10 trials past her 19th birthday, though she did not know it. She had been the property of Tristan for a short while now and it showed in terms of her clothing being of better quality, her hair being neatly tied back and, all in all, she looked more kempt than she had before. When she had been the property of Jamal, her previous owner, he liked to keep her in rags and looking dishevelled; she knew that she should not have a preference, but she much preferred this as a way of being. Faith was discovering, of course, many things that were different between Jamal and Master; Jamal had been cruel for the sake of it, which Master was not. There were many and varied differences, a large number of which Faith was still learning.

But one thing that he was clear about was that his family was important. His cousins, his family name, they were all part of who he was and Faith got the sense that he wanted her to find out as much as she could and, in a way, to show herself as the best slave she could be so that his standing amongst his family was increased. Master was a much more complex person than she had considered upon first meeting him and Faith knew that what people thought of him, how he presented himself was very important. So, she wanted to make sure that she did the very best for him that she could and she promised herself that she would impress this cousin of her new master.

Assuming that the door was opened, Faith dropped a curtsy and spoke in her quiet, hushed tones "I am Faith. My master sent me here I believe I am expected by Lord Andraska Venora" she said and waited for instructions. She kept her silver grey eyes to the ground and waited.

[Andráska Venora]

"My two natures had memory in common."

• Saun, 716th Arc

• "...the fu-?" András rolled over in his bed, rubbing sleep from his green eyes. He moved again, and the sheets twisted themselves around his legs, trapping him. He squirmed, trying to free himself, and gravity yanked him from his cot, slamming him into the wooden floor. A loud thud vibrated through the small room, followed by a long groan. He shifted and the sound of empty bottles rolling across the floor sounded. When he opened his eyes, he stared at the ceiling, seeing the paint was beginning to chip and sat up begrudgingly.
  
  He had a guest.
  
  Stretching like a cat unwilling to quit its napping, Andráska rose to his full, towering height and meandered to the door, where he adjusted the sheet around his bare waist and turned the knob. The door swung open with little resistance and before him stood a pale woman. She curtsied and voiced her intentions, all the while, the young noble leaning against the frame. He raised an eyebrow, and then a slow smile started curling his lips as he realised who she was, "Oh! Tristan's new toy!" He side stepped, "I didn't think he'd actually lend you," If András was embarrassed by his current state of dress, or lack thereof, he didn't say anything, only waved to motion her inside and continued clutching the sheet to keep it from falling.
  
  The muscles of his back stretched as he leaned over to retrieve a dark piece of cloth, which he started slipping over his head with some difficulty. Bruises decorated his shoulder and sides, a gift from the morning training session. He was sore, and his slow movements said as much, "You got a name?" he asked casually, holding up a finger for her to see and spinning it in a circle. 'Turn around,' it said, but the young noble didn't wait to see if Faith was a fast learner.
  
  He snatched his pants from the ground and tossed the sheet to the ground, dressing himself and buttoning the waist with no hint of modesty. He was a Venora. He was gorgeous, so why shy away from the fact? He let out a long exhale and went to peek out the curtain of one of the windows, seeing how much time had passed since he had fallen asleep. "Got any plans tonight?" He looked to her, expectant, but grinned with a wink, "I'm kidding. You're coming with me. We have reservations."

[Faith Augustin]

"Yes, Lord Venora" she replied, quietly "I am my master's new toy. My name is Faith" she repeated and then she stepped in as he ushered her in. She did not seem to even notice that he was wearing nothing but a sheet (she really *did* notice, but she was used to making it seem like she wasn't able to see her master) as she walked in. The young woman who entered was wearing a long yellow dress, tightly held in at the waist with a black leather corset which emphasised both her tiny waist and her curves, pushing up her breasts and giving her hips a little sway as she walked. Her long black hair was brushed and well kept, falling down her back. At her neck was a delicate collar and from it hung a similarly delicate chain, which currently hung between her breasts and attached to the bottom of her corset.

As he raised his hand and spun his finger around, Faith took heed and turned her back. She suspected that it was as well that she did, as she heard the gentle sound of a sheet hitting the floor and the unmistakeable sound of someone dressing. She stood, where he had motioned for her to be, until told otherwise. She watched him as he looked out of the window and asked, quietly "Would you like me to tidy that away for you, Lord Venora?" Her voice was more suited to the library than to a conversation, it was quiet and low pitched. But the thought of leaving something on the floor was horrifying to her. But, of course, she would not do anything without him giving her permission but she felt her palms physically itch. A couple of breaks and this place could be clean as a whistle, after all.

"My master told me that i am on loan to you, Lord Venora, so my plans are to be on loan to you" she said, and then he winked at her and said that they had 'reservations'. She looked at him with concern in her silver-grey eyes and spoke, again "My sincere apologies Lord Venora, but many places which require you to make a reservation will not allow me in to them. I will wait outside if that is the case, but I feel it best to tell you" indeed, the sleeveless dress did nothing to hide the two slave brands that the girl had. One, on her shoulder, was old, faded and stretched, maybe as old as she was. But the one on her neck? That was much newer. Probably last season, certainly not before that.

But, once she had told him that, she turned and smiled, ready to go where he commanded her to. She looked at him and gave him what could only be described as a cheeky grin as she exited with him. He was someone that her master trusted and was his family, so Faith was completely comfortable in being totally obedient and going with him. Wherever that might be!

And as she followed him out, Faith realised that she was actually looking forward to finding out where they were headed.

[Andráska Venora]

"My two natures had memory in common."

• 9th of Saun, 716th Arc

• Andráska couldn't help but smile when Faith tried to explain her situation to him. "Oh, love," he whispered with a dramatic sigh. He bent over and yanked his boots on, the laces still untied when he walked over to her. On her pale arms, the brand stood out like a burning sign, and he reached out for her hand if she would allow him to take it, and leaned down to look in her eyes, "You're going to have to have some faith in me, Faith," he grinned at his little joke, "I'm a Venora, you'll go where I go. So, step one," he let go and took a step back, "You're gonna have to relaaaax," he dropped on his bed, the bed frame releasing a faint creak. He leaned forward to tie his own shoes, and reached out to search for something under the pillow. A bit of fussing and he retrieved a bed of matches and started patting his pockets. When he didn't find what he was looking for, he frowned and stood up.
  
  Nearly kicking another glass bottle that had been discarded to the floor, Andráska scooped it up, and threw back the curtain. In the window sill was a chamomile plant with little white buds that absorbed the fading sunlight. He placed the bottle next to it, with the remaining drifts of the sunset catching it and dusting the room with dots of light. He'd admired it like one might admire a piece of artwork before snapping free of his reverie and headed out the door, "Alright, let's go,"
  
  Faith followed obediently, her cheeky grin not lost on the noble. He gave a smirk of his own, but tucked his hands in his pockets and just whistled as the two meandered down the street. A turn right, a turn left, a number of blocks in peace. If Faith walked too slow, Andráska patiently readjusted his stride to match her own. She would walk beside him, not behind. He didn't give any orders, just demonstrated. As they took another turn, the little sailor's lullaby he had been whistling stopped and he pointed to an alleyway illuminated dimly by a single lantern post, "Remember, relax," He waved her over and the two stopped just under the street light before a wooden door. On it someone had carved a rather obscene word beneath a slider, where one could look out to examine visitors. It most definitely did not look like a place that took reservations.
  
  Faintly, the sound of music playing inside and the laughter of a woman resonated, and Andráska looked over at Faith, noticing the newer slave brand on her neck, "Pull your hair forward," he said, the words spoken softly, and giving two sharp raps of his knuckles against the door, "Come here," he smiled and held an arm out.
  
  The slider to the door opened and in perfect fluidity, Andráska's hand ran along Faith's lower back, snaking around to rest on her waist and pull her against him. To the dark eyes that watched them from the door, András grinned, "Little boy blue is 22."
  
  In response, the door flew open, revealing a barrel chested man with wild red hair and a full beard, "András!" The music they had heard amplified, drums so powerful, the vibrations pressed along their skin, "Oi!" He yelled over his shoulder, "Andráska's here!" A few cheers sounded behind him, and the sight of smoke and dancing played behind him, "Who's this?" The red head's eyes fell on Faith, eyeing her up and down and hesitating on her corseted chest.
  
  "She's with me. Faith, Bjorn. Bjorn, Faith." the introductions went quick and Bjorn nodded, and allowed them entrance. Inside, a party raged.

[Faith Augustin]

She most certainly let him take her hand and she couldn't help but smile at him as he told her she would have to relax. "Yes, Lord Venora" she replied, quietly "I will endeavour to relax. May I do that for you?" she asked, as he started to do up his shoes. She sounded almost desperate as she asked; it was not right that she stood here as a Lord of the house Venora (or any free person in fairness) did something as menial as tying his own shoes. If he allowed her to, she would move and tie them for him, kneeling to do so and then stand back as he first searched for something under his pillow and then put a bottle on the windowsill. The light caught every bit of dust and Faith promised herself there and then that, whilst he slept (unless he ordered her to do the same) she was going to clean this place. It was like an insult to the Lord who lived here and she understood that maybe this was why Master had sent her here.

As they walked, she asked, quietly "Lord Venora, do you wish to attach the chain to your belt?" she held the end of the chain out for him, should he wish to attach it to himself. The other end, of course, was attached to the collar she wore; it could be attached to one or both bracelets, or even all three. It appeared that Tristan's slave had all the accessories. As they walked, she made sure that she kept up with him, speeding up or slowing down to match his steps and, since he seemed ill inclined towards talking, she remained silent.

When they got to.... presumably where they were going (and it did not look like it took reservations), Faith looked at Lord Venora with a slightly raised eyebrow and a crooked smile. She had a sense of wickedness, there was no doubting it and this place was not what she had expected. "What time are our reservations for, Lord Venora?" she asked, quietly. He shared a sense of wickedness with Master, there was no doubting it. As soon as he told her to, she pulled her hair forward and looked at him to make sure that it was doing what he wanted it to do; she assumed he wanted the brand hidden, so she did that. She stepped closer to him at his command and his hand slipped around her waist, pulling her close to him. It had to be said that this surprised Faith more than a little, but she reciprocated, leaning into him and putting her arm around his back, playing into whatever it was that he was doing.

And then, introductions to a man with wild red hair called Bjorn. Faith felt a moment of panic and she smiled at Bjorn, her silver grey eyes watching him "A pleasure" she said, softly, smiling demurely at him. As he allowed them entrance, she pulled herself a little closer to Andraska and she stood on tip toe to whisper in his ear. As she did that, to make it look the part that she now understood he wanted her to play, she lifted her other arm to his cheek, as though whispering endearments into his ear. "I am instructed to call you Lord Venora, and all other free men and women Sir or Ma'am unless I am told differently. Just in case it needs saying, I have never been anywhere where there are this many people before.. I am sorry" she said and actually he could feel her trembling with nerves as they entered the raging party "I do not know how these gatherings work, I have only been allowed out of my owner's home for the last arc, and those have been under very specific circumstances, usually one or two people. If I am to not embarrass you, Lord Venora, I will need you to instruct me" she wasn't happy at that, she should be able to be who and what he wanted her to be, but she had never been anywhere so noisy or with so many people that was not the fighting pits of Athart.

And for all that it was a bit wild in here, it didn't seem like there.

[Andráska Venora]

"My two natures had memory in common."

• 9th of Saun, 716th Arc

• "Relax," Andráska quickly reminded his guest, leading them into the dim building and past a couple that groped at one another against the wall with desperation. The music sounded louder, the beautiful strum of strings and drums building in harmonic embrace. Andras could feel his excitement building and a grin split across his lips as he moved passed the other party goers. He looked over his shoulder at Faith saying she had not been at such a scene and noticed the way she shook. A leaf in autumn.
  
  "Come here," András ordered, pulling them against a wall where her shifted to block her view of the strangers that surrounded them. He took her hands, "You are going to have fun. Nothing will happen to you," The noble had a hard time understanding her feelings, but her distress was so... obvious, "Anyone does something you don't like, you tell me. And if I do something you don't like, you tell me to fuck off, understand? Wait here."
  
  Andras' dark eyes began scanning the room - a lusty lounge of sorts. The other room, the thrum of dancing and the clinking of glasses sounded. Here, men and women huddled to relax. From what he could tell, most everyone was dressed but by the way some of the bodies rubbed together, Andras didn't feel that would be the case for much longer. He jumped in eagerness when his eyes spotted what he was looking for. Perfect - Two people wrapped around each other, their mouths and tongues moving with the intensity of starving animals, both had drinks they weren't paying any attention to. While one of the participants made out, his hand gripped a glass with a mixed liquid bright in color. His other... was disappearing under a girl's skirts.
  
  Beside them was a table that held another drink, most likely forgotten by the woman. It was the same bright color, almost glowing in the dark room. With fluidity, András reached into his pocket and began dismantle a pen that had been in his pocket. Tossing away the ink holder and spring, with fluidity, he strolled beside the enraptured couple and bent over, dipping the hollow shell of his pen and lowering his lips to it like a straw. With a deep pull, he started to drink the alcohol, enjoying the sweetness. It tasted like strawberries, with a hint of burning gasoline.
  
  His favorite.
  
  With surprising speed, András downed the concoction, and as if he hadn't just been consuming a drink from someone's hand, walked past the table as his stomach burned. Casually, he scooped it up and looped around to stand back in front of the dark haired slave, "For you. Drink it and you'll feel better. And then we'll drink another," Andras crossed his arms as he waited on Faith, "Hmm... How much have you eaten today?"
  
  It would be hard to guess just at how strong the mixed drink was, but from his experience, the way it heated his throat and made him want to cough - it was good. 'No telling what was in it,' he mused silently, watching the glass in Faith's hands. Like an eager child, he waited impatiently, smiling. Oh well. Finding out was part of the fun.

[Faith Augustin]

Relax, he said, and she tried to do her very best to obey him. "Yes, Lord Venora" she repeated, determined to do her best. But then, as he looked at her she looked back at him with her silver grey eyes watching him honestly. "I.. I don't think I'm relaxing" she admitted, quietly. He took her hands, though, and stepped in front of her, blocking the view of the people. "I'm sorry, Lord Venora. I will try harder. Relax. I will." she breathed in and out, trying her best to relax. She lifted her eyes to look at him and explained "The women at the House of Roses taught me how to relax, I just need to... It takes time" she nodded when he said that she should tell him if there was a problem. But her gaze became wide eyed when he said that she should tell him to fuck off if he did something she didn't like "I can't do that, Lord Venora. Master would not like it"

But, wait here? She nodded obediently and waited for him, practicing the relaxation technique she had been taught at the House of Roses then when he returned she looked up at him and smiled "I feel much more relaxed, I am sorry. Drink... Yes, Lord Venora" she said and she looked at the drink and then drunk it down, in one gulping, coughing gulp. She breathed in deeply as the burning liquid poured down her throat and Faith coughed, then laughed and shook her head "I have had breakfast and lunch, Lord Venora. Toast and jam for breakfast and soup with bread for lunch. Master says that I look better now that I am less underweight" she explained and then she looked at him with an expression which told him just how perplexed she was. "Is my nose supposed to burn right now? It is burning on the inside" she explained, earnestly and most seriously as she scrunched up said nose

"Lord Venora?" she asked, thoughtfully, looking at the glass in her hand which was now empty "What on Idalos is this?" she wondered and then her face broke into a wicked grin. "It burns and it makes me cough but... It's good. It tastes good" she admitted and she looked at the glass suspiciously. "Is it alcohol? I have never drunk alcohol, I believe that it can impact your behaviour" she added seriously and she considered carefully.

She did not like the idea of her behaviour being impacted, but equally, she was very aware that it was what Lord Venora wanted her to do. She wondered briefly if she should think about that more, but instead she just experienced the feeling of the burning in her throat and nose and the taste of the drink. She looked at Lord Venora, and without really understanding how or why, she giggled.

[Andráska Venora]

"My two natures had memory in common."

• 9th of Saun, 716th Arc

• When Andráska went to steal the enamoured couple's drinks, he heard faintly what Faith had told him, but it wasn't until he returned that her words settled upon him, "House of Roses?" he repeated, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand. Images of scantily clad women flashed in his mind and a slight frown pulled down the corners of the noble's lips. He didn't say anything else on the matter, but wondered just what kind of training Tristan had enrolled her in.
  
  Faith apologized about something and he blinked, "Hey, no reason to be sorry," András corrected, "It takes a lot to offend me." Reassuring the pale slave with a smile, he patted her arm, mindful of the fresh brand that stood out on her skin like jagged charcoal on white paper. He didn't like that either. "..Just be careful," The tale male watched her take another drink and heard her explain what she had eaten and how the drink burned. Bread was a good start, but the soup wouldn't be nearly enough. "This stuff has a bit of a kick."
  
  "Master says I look better now that I am less underweight..."
  
  Another frown. This one Andráska attempted to mask by turning his body towards the crowd and feigning interest in their activities. The way Faith talked and behaved... It was so...
  
  He sighed softly. It was no secret that Tristan was a vain little shit. Most All Venora were. But to hear that he cared about Faith's appearance and that she had received some mysterious training from a brothel... What kind of slave was Faith exactly? He glanced at the the girl from the corner of his green eyes. It was obvious she had never been to something like this, and why would she? Andras knew nothing of her life or who she was before his family, but by first impressions, she was so... young. So... innocent. The girl was quick to apologize and even faster at following orders. If his cousins was using her for what he was guessing, it felt like exploitation to use her for such activities. Unless... Did Faith have feelings for Tristan? Could you fancy someone who treated you like a pet?
  
  Faith's admittance to having never consumed alcohol pulled Andráska from his moral reverie the moment it left her lips. Surprise floored him. What? He spun to look at the dark haired girl in shock, a devious smile pulling at his lips, "Never?"
  
  "Oh, Faith," he purred, "Look at me," He waited as she did so. "Master's not here, and I'm in charge now." When the cat's away, the mice will play. "And this little lovely," he enveloped her hand in his own, lifting the drink upwards so that he could inhale its scent, "Sabassaint Sunrise" he announced confidently, slowly letting go of her hand, "The more it burns, the better it is. And it will most definitely alter your charming behavior."
  
  He flashed a quick grin and a wink, cocking his head towards the door where all the music poured out from, "Now, first order of business," he started strolling towards the other room, motioning for her to follow. When they reached the doorway, the sights of people spinning and dancing filled the space with buzzing energy. They had left the lounge and now were arriving to the main course, "Find us another. Then," He took a step forward, wanting to disperse into the throng of bodies, "We dance."

[Faith Augustin]

Faith was learning to read people the longer that she was around them and she rather thought that Lord Venora knew but did not like the women in the House of Roses. Which was strange because they all seemed very friendly. But he assured her that he was hard to offend and then told her to be careful. Of offending him? That... seemed to be somewhat unlikely in truth, but Faith wasn't sure what she was supposed to be careful of if it wasn't of offending him. But there was no doubting it, he was friendly and careful with her and she smiled at him and nodded "I will do my best to be careful, Lord Venora, yes" she said, grateful to him for avoiding the brand. She noticed him look at it and wondered if he would have branded her himself, were he her Master. What a strange thing to wonder.

But she couldn't help but nod at his assessment of a 'bit of a kick' but her words about eating provoked another frown and Faith wondered. Did he think, like Jamal, that she should be fed once a trial? That might be it, must be it she supposed. But she did not argue and stood, watching him as he turned and looked out at the people here.

But when he turned to look at her following her admission, Faith's face broke into a mischievous grin "No, Lord Venora. I have never had alcohol...unless this is. I think it might be, you know" she said and, as he bade her to, she looked at him. He was in charge "Yes, Lord Venora. Master has told me that I am to obey you fully" she said, honestly. She watched him with fascination as he wrapped his hand around hers and directed the glass to his nose. "You can tell that by the smell?" she was incredulous as she asked that "I ... it just smells like burning to me" she admitted. And it would alter her behaviour? She held his gaze earnestly and explained clearly "If you wish me to behave in a particular way, you have but to tell me what it is, Lord Venora and I will do my best"

Not quite getting the whole alcohol thing, just yet.

But then, through to the next room and Faith's eyes widened in amazement. She couldn't quite help it, she clutched on to Lord Venora's arm and she looked at him with a wide eyed expression on her face. "I can't move like that, Lord Venora" she said, and she looked at him earnestly, then, and nodded her head.

"Find us another, Lord Venora? I will endeavour to do so" she said, and she turned to look at where there might be some drinks that she could take. Then, with a rather apologetic glance at him she asked "Lord Venora? W... where should I go to find them?" she asked, rather meekly.

[Andráska Venora]

"My two natures had memory in common."

• 9th of Saun, 716th Arc

• When he had first laid eyes on her, standing in the frame of his doorway so stiff and well behaved, Andráska wasn't sure if he had made the right decision to borrow the girl for the evening. But as she giggled and drank without judgment towards him, he smiled at her naivity and perked up when he realized that she had never been to these things before. And she wouldn't know how to find the bartender, "My apologies, love!" he laughed, speaking loud enough to be heard over the flurry of music, "Since you're my newest student, and an astute prodigy at that, I'll show you." Lifting up on the tip of his toes, András pointed noticed a bar area where drinks were being served but there were so many bodies lined up against it, that he didn't want to force Faith into that fray.
  
  His dark green eyes scanned the crowd and he lit up when he saw something else he was looking for. A woman, dressed in a tight corset and wild blonde curls was walking in their general direction, a tray of small drinks in her small hands. Andras brought his fingers to his lips and gave a loud whistle, and the two made eye contact. He waved her over and after a moment, she materialized before the duo. At closer inspection, Andras could see that the female was better looking from a distance, her eyes too far apart for his tastes and with a mouth that looked like she had just eaten something sour. Still, she smiled at him sweetly and Andras returned the gesture, more interested in what she carried. In her arms were lines of tiny glasses, each filled with a dark amber liquid.
  
  Andras reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins, and the girl shifted to show him her hip where a small pouch hung, "This is a shot girl," he told Faith, "In some parties, they carry around drinks for people to buy," Tucking the money into her pouch, he held up some fingers, "Four, please."
  
  Andras reached out and grabbed one of the tiny glasses between his fingers and downed the liquid with professional fluency, breathing fire when he looked at Faith, "These are called Dragon's Breath," he held one out for the slave to drink, and took the remaining two, "Tastes like cinnamon," The other two shots found their way into his stomach rather quickly and when the liquid settled and burned through his stomach, a familiar buzz of intoxication began to seep into his body. Three shots and a drink later, and it was time. to. dance.
  
  With a devilish grin, Andraska began to walk backwards into the crowd, the swarm of people consuming him and his hand reached out to take Faith's pale one, "Come here, little dove." The noble gently pulled Faith to him, taking her in his arms, and bending down to talk in her ear, "Just follow my lead," then, he lifted one of his arms and twirled her experimentally, seeing how she moved with the music.