Week 2: Monday, 10th Dec 2029, Late Afternoon

The walk to the dungeons provided an interesting study in contrasts. Lisa followed at the prescribed distance, her movements professional and crisp. Yoko, meanwhile, had earned herself a more colorful journey. The leash attached to her collar meant she was making the trip on hands and knees, led by Lisa's steady hand. If she was going to make jokes about fetching, she could experience the full implications of her humor.

"This is actually kind of fun~" Yoko commented from her position, completely unrepentant despite the stone floor. "Very immersive roleplay experience. Though my knees are going to file a formal complaint later."

"Noted," I replied dryly.

We found Mikhail still ****, curled on the concrete floor in a position that spoke to both exhaustion and the lingering effects of yesterday's conditioning session.

"Lisa," I gestured toward the bucket near his cell.

Without hesitation, she lifted the container and delivered a precise splash of cold water across Mikhail's prone form. The effect was immediate and telling. Mikhail jerked upright, water streaming from his hair, and automatically began singing in a shaky voice: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star..."

"Wow, voice of an angel~" Yoko commented from her position on the floor, clearly delighted by the pavlovian response. "Did you train him to do requests? Can he do show tunes?"

"Morning, ****," I said, allowing some amusement into my tone. "Hope you slept poorly."

Mikhail's eyes focused gradually, the disorientation clearing as awareness returned. He immediately tried to cover himself, a gesture that stirred conflicted feelings. His modesty was irritating, slaves shouldn't hide from their owners, but his current masculine form wasn't particularly appealing either. That would change soon enough once his body underwent proper modification.

"I have questions for you," I continued, stepping closer to the bars. "Answer truthfully, and you can return to rest. Refuse to cooperate, and yesterday's introduction to cold will seem pleasant compared to what heat can."

Something in his posture shifted, still defiant, but tempered by fresh memory of consequences. "Just... just get it over with."

"Tell me everything you know about Lorelei Falkenrath."

Mikhail's reaction was immediate, a flinch that spoke to painful history. "We... we had some encounters. She challenged me once, trying to use me as a stepping stone for her own advancement. I won." His voice carried a ghost of old pride. "Got her for a week as was traditions."

"And she negotiated an extension to a month in exchange for preserving her virginity," I interrupted impatiently. "I already know this part. Tell me what I don't know."

His confusion was genuine. "But I don't know what you don't know."

"Then tell me more about her. I don't particularly care about your sick games."

Mikhail gathered himself, searching for relevant information. "After our... arrangement ended, she splintered off to another raiding cell. Don't know how she managed it politically, but she rose through their ranks fast. Started targeting my cell's operations, eating into our business systematically."

Now we were getting somewhere. "Continue."

"She told my former leader that if he handed me over, she'd stop the targeted attacks. He didn't want to appear weak by giving in to demands, so instead he exiled me here. Made it look like strategic placement,like I was selling his products in the Free Cities. That way he couldn't turn me over even if he wanted to change his mind later. She stopped targeting the clan after that."

"So fucking useless," I said with deliberate harshness. "Is there anything actually valuable you can tell me about her capabilities? Start being useful, or you'll discover what it feels like to burn from the inside."

The threat hit home. After a longer pause, he continued with more urgency: "Last I heard, she'd claimed leadership of her entire raid cell. But she's not popular among other Silver Fang groups. Her rise wasn't... peaceful. She made enemies consolidating power, stepped on people who remember. But she's formidable enough that no one moves against her directly. They just use her history with me as ammunition, humiliate her during gatherings, remind everyone she was once someone's prize. Maybe that's why she wants to hunt me down and erase that part of her story."

"Acceptable," I decided. "You've earned yourself some recovery time. Don't get comfortable, I have extensive plans for your continued development."

Before Mikhail could respond, I turned and left the dungeon, Lisa and Yoko following in their respective manners.

"Lisa," I said once we were out of earshot, "Was Mikhail being truthful?"

"I believe so, Master," she replied with characteristic precision. "His physiological responses suggested genuine recall rather than fabrication. However, I should note that I had minimal interaction with him during my tenure managing the arcology."

"None at all?"

"He considered me beneath his notice, Master, and I saw no value in attempting communication with someone who would simply dismiss my contributions." Her tone remained professionally neutral, but I detected the faintest edge of satisfaction.

"Understood. Well then, let's leave Mikhail to Jennifer's tender care. Tonight, you take center stage."

The change in her posture was subtle but noticeable, shoulders straightening with **** attention. "Master?"

"It's time I introduced you to the sexual responsibilities of your position. Jennifer is going to question my competence if I continued allowing a trained **** like yourself to remain a virgin."

Lisa's pale complexion flushed pink, but her response was immediate and properly deferential: "Of course, Master. I am ready to learn whatever you wish to teach me."

From the floor, Yoko's voice carried clearly: "Ooh, can I help with the lesson plan? I have so many educational suggestions~"

The day was becoming more interesting by the hour.