Levan cooks Skara some food, and something urgent comes up

After a about 10 minutes of meandering around the hallway Levan hears a knock on the door. The door then creeks open, and a nervous Skara slowly reveals herself.

“I hope you find this to your liking master...” Skara says as she fidgets with her fingers.

She turns her eyes to the floor, to nervous to look at Levan.

The count DOES find what he’s seeing to his liking. No longer is the orc girl cover with dirt, and filth. Now her green skin stands clean, and proud, the exotic color of her skin looking quite exquisite to the count. Her hair no longer is dirty, and untamed now it is it’s groomed, and neatly brushed. Still having her black hair parted in the front, the back is now pulled into a pretty, yet short pony tail. No long in rags Skara wears a fine blue dress made of good quality cloth. The dark blue dress reaches almost down to the floor, and has a V cut showing off just a tiny bit of cleavage. There’s a hole on each of the shoulders, and a space that shows off the orcs back as well giving the dress a slightly scandalous look, though not enough for even the most uptight priests to dare gossip about. The sleeves of the dress stop at Skara’s forearms, no doubt so that it can allow for more functionality. Then on her abdomen there is a yellow corset as part of the dress. It isn’t very tight though, as it’s more or for adjusting how puffy the skirt of the dress rather then constricting a lady’s waist. Not that Skara needs her waist tucked in anyway’s, she has a very shapely body that any girl would envy.

Though the count does admit She looks much more attractive now, and more importantly like a respectable young lady instead of a ****. He even spots a subtle bit of make on the girl that accentuate her natural beauty. A bit of dark green lipstick on her lips empathize her natural color, and making her lips seem even smoother, and fuller. A smidgen of dull blush on her cheeks make her seem even more maiden like. Then finally some slight eyeshadow makes, the area around her eyes seem just a little more refined.

“You look magnificent Skara, It’s amazing how much beauty was hidden in you those hunters were really fools to keep you in such poor conditions.” Levan says as he looks over Skara from head to toe again.

“Eep, thank you master I’m glad to hear that.” Skara squeaks seeming relieved, and just for a second perhaps a bit flattered.

Being from a brothel Skara isn’t a stranger to compliments. More then a few of the clients she has ‘serviced’ at the brothel called her things like pretty, beautiful, or sexy. Thinking back to when she what first became mature enough to work as sex **** in the brothel, those words at first flattered her. Remembering how she would blush, and feel a brief sense of something resembling pride when she heard them. Though the mistress of the brothel noticing her smiling a bit more then usual, and walking with a bit more spring in her step, quickly reminded Skara of her place with a beating. Telling Skara that she better not let those compliments go to her head, least she for get she is only a ****. From then on compliments from her customers make Skara feel nothing. Every fair word that speak to her, they whisper to her, coo gently to her, it’s all hollow. As Skara is feels the haunting of the mistress’s scolding. That she is only a ****, and slaves shouldn’t let praise go to their head.

However now for a brief moment Skara seems to forget that. With the count being so kind, and encouraging she for the briefest moment, forgets the words of the mistress that have plagued her mind for so long. For second she feels herself go soft, and enjoy the praise. Though her training then snaps her back on track, and the feeling fades as quickly as it came. Yet a crack is made, and this is something that the count pick up on. He is making more progress, it’s slow going yet it is progress none the less.

“I too am glad that your pleased count.” Vealip says as she stands in the door way behind Skara.

“Ah yes I nearly forgot.” Levan says looking to his servant, then back to Skara.

“I assume she treated you well yes?” Levan asks a brief of threatening shadow over him as he asks the question.

Levan then eyes focus in on Vealip’s face looking for any hint that she may have committed a wrong doing.

“S-she was very kind master please don’t worry.” Skara insists a bit frightened, even if the count was only being protective of her.

“Good have done very well then, Vealip truly you have my gratitude.” Levan says giving his servant well deserved praise, as any bit of suspicion fades.

Vealip bows, grateful to hear she has a done a good job from the count himself.

“Thank you count may I return to my regular duties now?” Vealip says eager to finish the rest of her chores for the day.

“Aren’t you diligent, please take the next day off from work, take it as a thank you from me.”

“Truly my count, are you sure?”

“I’m positive if anyone give you trouble for it tell me and I will deal with them.

“Then thank you count I very much appreciate this.”

Vealip then puts back on her hood, and bows to the count before turning to get back to few duties for today. Though not before giving Skara a small wave goodbye, an action which Skara hesitantly returns to the servant girl. Levan then smiles as he watches the brief interaction, thinking Skara may have just started up friendship.

Levan then turns to Skara, end of his mouth curving as he gives her a cheerful smile.

“Do you like the dress?” He asks.

“O-oh yes master it’s lovely!” Skara bows up, and down a few times just to make sure he knows how grateful she is.

The count just chuckles, finding the girls eagerness to to show gratitude cute, if not a bit bittersweet as he knows the reason for her consent attempts to seem humble. Still though he continues to smile at her, not wanting to put on a gloomy face bed or the girl.

“Well I’m glad you like it is yours to keep after all.” The count says casually.

Skara’s eyes seem to almost sparkle for a moment as she hears this. It’s.... her’s....? Cans she really be hearing this right? No she suppresses that thought. She doesn’t one this dress her master simple meant she is to wear it, she should know slaves don’t own they are owned.

Just then Skara’s stomach rumbles loudly like growling lion. The girl then shrinks away in embarrassment as Levan chuckles at the rumbling of her stomach.

“Hungry?” The count asks with an amused smile.

Skara nods, shifting her stance a little as her stomach growls again.

“Then let’s sate that stomach of yours then, I’m sure the kitchens have some extra food.” Levan motions for Skara to follow him.

A quick walk through the longs halls of the castle, and eventually they come a large kitchen.

“It’s a bit to late in the night for me to summon the chief’s, so I’ll have to manage on my own.” Levan says as he grabs a pan from a rack, and spins it on his pointer finger.

“There’s no need for that master I don’t want you to trouble yourself, I can just have some bread or-.”

“Nonsense it’ll be no trouble or do you doubt my abilities as a chief?” Levan smirks as he tosses a few ingredients from a shelf on to a near by counter top.

“No-no of course not master not at!” Skara looks flustered, as she waves her hands around denying any lack of faith she has in Levan’s cooking skills

The count smiles, then sighs as he shakes his head.

“I jest, Skara I jest, you shouldn’t panic over such small things.”

“Oh I see sorry master I... won’t be so uptight.” Skara says bowing apologetically.

“You better not or I’ll punish you for sure.” Narrowing his eyes Levan’s glares at Skara with a dark glint.

“Eek!” Skara yelps.

Levan chuckles.

“That was another joke Skara.” Levan says bending down to light the fire under the oven

“Hhmp, I didn’t find it very funny master- AH I mean!” Skara grumbles a complaint, before gasping, and putting a hand over her mouth.

A **** having a negative opinion of her masters actions! Then having the gall to speak such a opinion out loud Skara thinks she must have lost mind to do such a thing! As well she spoke so casually to him like she is his friend instead of his ****!

“Heh, don’t look so much like cat, that ate the canary you don’t have to find my jokes humorous.” Levan says throwing a piece of meat on the pan.

“J-just didn’t want to come off as disrespectful master.” Skara looks away as she fidgets with her fingers again, a seemingly nervous habit.

“You weren’t, have no fear.” Levan winks at Skara which makes her blush, and turn around to avoid looking at him.

This role she found herself in it is so strange. Her new master treats her so casually, and so friendly. It isn’t at all what she’s come to expect a master, to be like. How is she supposed to respond to this, should she be casually to? No, no way that would be completely unacceptable, unthinkable even! Skara shakes her head scolding herself for having such a stupid thought. She is her master’s property, she needs to show him proper respect no matter how he wishes to treat her.

“Now then do you prefer your meat done?” Levan asks Skara, who quickly turns back around to face him.

“Ummm I like it well done master, but shouldn’t you surely feed yourself something before me?” Skara asks feeling a bit guilty her master has to feed her so late at night, and not himself.

The count gives Skara a warm smile, and shakes his head.

“That would be quite impossible, I am a vampire after all we can’t consume anything but blood.” Levan explains.

Skara looks at Levan with a shocked expression.

“R-really you can’t eat anything except blood?” Skara gasps, not able to fathom being unable to eat any of her favorite foods any more.

Sure Skara knows that vampires need blood to survive but, she didn’t know that they lost their abilities to eat food.

“Well actually that’s, not entirely true vampires can eat food, though we end up having to vomit up what ever we eat, so most of us don’t even bother with it, except you do find some hedonists who will eat food regardless of the vomiting just for the few seconds of taste.” Levan says, as the pan over the oven starts to cook the beef.

“I-I see...” Skara looks a bit visible disgusted at the mentioning of the vomit.

“Although while we can’t keep down food, vampires can actually drink a lot of stuff besides blood just fine, of course it doesn’t actually give us any sustenance, but admittedly it is nice to be able to enjoy some thing besides blood every once in a while.” Levan adds some spices, and chops up some potatoes, before turning the beef in the pan over.

“Truthfully I am partial to grape juice or grape wine, it’s one of my favorite drinks really.” Levan says putting the chopped potatoes in the pan with the beef.

A bit of an awkward silence then falls over the room. The only sound to be heard is simmering of the meat on the heated metal pan. After a few minutes though the meat and, potatoes seem to finally be ready. Grabbing a plate from from one of the kitchen cupboards, Levan slides the stake, and potatoes onto the plate. He then grabs some utensils, and almost as an after thought places a piece of a bread on the plate along with the rest of the food, before presenting it to Skara.

“Thank you very much master.” Skara speaks worh overwhelming gratitude in her voice as she grabs the fork, and knife.

The plate is on a counter top with Skara using a battle as chair. She starts to dig into the food slowly, trying to keep manners as she makes small clean cuts into the meat. However as the meal goes on she can’t help but, end up gobbling down the food with little edict as it just tastes that good. All her life she never has had anything this delicious. Levan smiles as he gladly watches Skara eat her fill, and enjoy her food. He then turns to go through some of the cabinets as watching Skara wolf down her food stirs with in him a desire to taste something as well. Eventually he finds a half drank bottle of sweet apple cider. Uncorking the cork Levan takes a sip of sugary yet, sharping tasting concoction.

Eventually Skara finishes her meal, the plate almost looking like it had just been cleaned, as Skara didn’t leave a speck of food leftover.

“Was it good?” Levan asks, grinning at Skara’s empty plate.

Skara simply nods, a little bit of embarrassed blush on her checks as she may have gotten a little out of control, her consumption of the meal ending up being anything but civilized.

“Good I’m glad that-“

“COUNT LEVAN!!!”

Levan is suddenly interrupted the kitchen door slamming open, and a sudden shout. Standing up from the countertop he had been leaning against, he sees that a scrawny looking young man has just entered the room. The young man looks distraught, and disheveled with the fancy vest he wore only half tucked into his trouser, and his bow tie done up half hazardously.

The initial yell by the elf has caused Skara to quickly move behind the the barrel she had been sitting on. She’s almost hiding behind it, squatting down she just barley peaks out like she is expects a hail of arrows to suddenly fly straight at her. The count on the other hand just rolls his eyesight once he sees who the young land is.

“What is it James, what catastrophe has befallen us now.” The count asks almost sarcastically as he lazily takes another sip of cider.

James the messenger, or runner was one of the lads in charge of delivering urgent messages in the castle. His job is to run from one end of the castle to another to delver messages between people. While one might think this is a reason for the count to take James appearance a bit more seriously, what counted as urgent, is a bit dubious at time. Some people like to use the runners deliver to the count issues that really don’t require some one as high ranking as him to deal with. Like their being a run away horse, or drunken bar between shoulders, or even an infestation of mice in one or the barracks. James though treats ever message like the heavens themselves have just been ripped asunder, not matter how small, or insignificant the matter may be. So natural Levan is skeptical at best that anything really troublesome has happened if James is the one delivering the message.

“Lady Charlotte wishes to speak with you!” James gasps out, still short of breath from his run here.

Levan nearly spits out out the cider he is drinking. It seems this time James isn’t being over dramatic.

“Lady Charlotte damn...” Levan mutters under his breath.

“Who is lady Charlotte?” Skara asks, looking perplexed at the worried expression Levan has.