Reserved.

An uneasy silence was my dining guest when I broke my fast, although my house staff were quite light footed and were of a cheery disposition. "How was your sleep last night, Sir?" Howard asked, as Gloria carried in a pot of Coffee. "You look... unrested."

"My sleep was... questionable," I replied, not wishing to reveal too much as to the reason why. "I had heard Nature's summon last night, and could not find the chamber pot. Would you happen to know where it was last night?"

"Oh! I am so sorry, Sir," Gloria said, bowing her head slightly. "I'm afraid I had forgotten to replace it when I cleaned your rooms yesterday. It will not happen again." I gave her a curt nod and waved my hand, to relay that I understood, and Howard took to chastising her for her forgetfulness. But, there was a look in her eye and mayhaps the smallest of smiles.

Once my meal was finished, I bade Gloria to linger a moment before letting Howard to his duties. With her head still bowed and a quiver in her voice, she asked what service was required of her. "Gloria," I began, leaning on the table and affixing my face as stern. "For some reason, I do not think that you had forgotten at all. I think, that you had not replaced it, with the intent of me needing to leave my rooms in the middle of the night. Am I correct?" She had the good courtesy to swallow before nodding. "And was the intent, that I be your audience, when you were in bed with Howard?" Again, she nodded. "Why?"

She was silent for a moment before taking a breath. "I have two Answers, Sir," she replied, tilting her head up slightly and pinching her Apron between her fingers. "The first, is that... my particular desires... are such that... I enjoy being watched. It excites me, to a great deal, that others would become aroused and equally excited, from watching me, make Love." Her cheeks began to glow pink, and her fidgeting became stronger. "Did I excite you, Sir?"

I cleared my throat and neglected to answer. A disciplined House-head I must be. "I see. And the other?"

Her face sank. She straightened up and took another breath. "The other, was that I had hoped to help you become more accustomed to how and what happens in Madsin, Sir. It had been days since you had left the house, and Mr. Gottlieb had been growing concerned about your well-being." Pulling out a piece of paper from her Apron's Pocket, she handed it to me. "He wrote to me, knowing my desires, asking that I arrange something for you, so that you might be more open to our way of Life."

I read through the Letter quickly, and returned it to her. "So he did," I sighed, tapping my thumb upon the table. Taking my own breath, I stood and put my hand upon her shoulder. She shivered. "Thank you, Gloria. For answering my Questions. I have much to think upon, and must pay a call to someone to help me," I said, giving her a soft smile. "You may go." Swallowing again, she curtsied and left.