I've got the perfect thing for breaking silence. (Item required)

I asked Shannon if she'd be able to at least try if we gave her some music. Maybe, if she knew what we were going to play, it might help her answer the question of whether or not she could dance to it. I withdrew my pink portable cassette player and its two earphones.

As Shannon went "hmm" and "um" over and over, Eva surprised me by stepping forward and snatching the left one from me, putting it in her ear. "I've been waiting to hear what this will be too... Ah, right. This kind of sleazy, sexy saxophone is exactly what I was picturing. Now, Shannon, I would think any young woman could figure out the basics just from this, right? Come, hurry up and listen!"

Probably figuring there was no harm in at least indulging her that far, Shannon sheepishly stepped forward and put the right earphone in. The scene of these two, the sadistic guest and beleaguered servant, sharing a single set of earphones like two friends on a bus, was incredible and surreal.

Eva seemed to enjoy the way Shannon's face went even more red as she heard the track. "How about it, Shannon? Is that song about your speed?"

"I... still don't know what I could teach anyone about, um, dancing to this..." Shannon continued to beg Eva to simply release her.

"Nonsense! A girl like you is definitely looking for a husband, right?" Eva's smile grew a bit less friendly. "I've seen the way you eye every boy your age like a piece of meat. Haven't you practiced even a little bit? Preparation is important, Shannon!"

I saw Shannon take a bit of offense to this, registering a small, impatient tilt in her eyebrows, but, wisely, she didn't challenge Eva. She did, however, continue to demur. "Miss Eva, do you really think women my age know how to do that sort of thing?"

"Sure, of course they do! At least when, like you, they're... How should I put this? When you're lacking the cards to win a hand, wouldn't you normally cheat? Unless you're only playing around, that is." Again, Eva shot Shannon a pitying smirk. "I had thought you would be giving me a lesson, but it seems I'm teaching you. Now, any woman should be able to do at least this much..."

... Unexpectedly, I suddenly became a prop in Eva's demonstration. With her eyes still on Shannon, as though I was only a part of the furniture of the room, Eva turned and began grinding her soft hips against my lap... It was pretty rough, so combined with how it had caught me off guard, I nearly felt over. But, after I got use to it... It was still pretty rough! It was like she was beating my junk with that big ass of hers... This was exciting in its own way, but, safe to say, she needed some lessons...

Ah! Shannon seemed to notice my discomfort. I saw her look into my eyes, deciding if she should say something... Finally, she interrupted. "Um! Ma'am, if I may interrupt... Mr. Player is, um... He appears to be..."

"He's being driven crazy, right?" Eva asked, talking to Shannon as though I wasn't there. "Making a man fall for you like this is like playing with a stacked deck! It really is that simple."

"He appears to be... in discomfort," Shannon declared, shifting uncomfortably. "I think there some ways to change it to make it, um, more comfortable for him."

"Oh? Ohoho!" Eva stopped immediately, popping out her earphone and passing it to Shannon. "Oh, my! Well, Shannon, since you're suddenly the expert, how would you make Mr. Player more comfortable? Do share!"

"F-first of all, um... There is a perfectly good bed, right over there... It's just my opinion, but it seems as though it makes sense for him to stand if he is, mm, doing some work himself... However, if the intention is for him to enjoy himself as a passive recipient, he'd appreciate the opportunity to rest as he enjoys himself..."

"You're just too sweet, Shannon," Eva complimented the servant with a mocking smile, rolling her eyes. "All right. Mr. Player's nice and comfy. What other change would you make for him?"

"Well... Some men might like a wild energy, but, um... Some men might appreciate a sensual dance that m-matches the rhythm... That is, seeing the woman move to the music emphasizes that it is a performance for his sake, and they will appreciate the consideration... Also, the amount of pressure applied would be better as a caress more than a shove-"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I can't picture what you're saying." Eva interrupted the thoughtful advice with the same expression, shaking her head. "Can you show me?"

"Mmm..." Shannon fidgeted in place, regarding me with her big blue eyes and clutching her apron with her free hand. "I suppose... Mr. Player, are you fine with that?"

Before she could finish, I was already nodding my head so hard my mask nearly fell off. Yes, Shannon. I am definitely fine with that.

"Then, please allow me..." Shannon timidly backed up in front of me, still holding the cassette player. I could see one nervous eye as she glanced behind herself to watch my reaction as she placed one hand behind her head, then began to rhythmically move her ass in alternating sways and swiveling motions. That strange, slit skirt that was part of her uniform ran to about her knees, ordinarily... now, it was all pooled around my lap as she stopped just short of giving me a lap dance, shifting her butt and always remaining just shy of giving me contact. Those skillful movements and that attention to my body, when she couldn't even see it... This was definitely not the work of an amateur! I hated to say it, and definitely wouldn't out loud, but this dancing put Eva's earlier clumsy ass-pushing to shame.

That woman obviously realized it as well, hiding her face behind her fan but peering over it with spiteful eyes. "Oh! So you did know, Shannon! Why didn't you save us time and admit it in the first place?"

"... This... simply isn't something a woman wants to do for a stranger... My apologies, ma'am..." Shannon bowed her head to the honored guest she served even as she continued to move her body for me. I couldn't see beneath that skirt, but... Ah, I can feel the ghost of her soft bottom swinging just over me, just centimeters! I thought to myself that this was like a witch's ****...! To think furniture possessed this sort of skill-

Oops. I got a little worked up, and I felt "the illusion made real," so to speak. That is to say, my human power had been growing and challenged the illusion of ass-to-groin contact Shannon had presented me with, so to speak.

Shannon jumped up with a squeak, pressing down her skirt chastely and clumsily letting the cassette player drop onto the floor with a noisy clatter. "U-um! S-so yes, that is what I know of it. Is that sufficient, ma'am?"

"Oh, that's good for now, but it's a long way from sufficient." Eva walked into Shannon's face, placing her finger below the other woman's chin and tilting her head up so they'd be looking eye to eye. She was probably trying to establish their power relationship once more and make it clear that she wouldn't be refused, now that she saw the servant did, indeed, have the skill she was looking for. "I'm going to share an exciting opportunity with you, Shannon... I know we're running long, but don't worry about Natsuhi or the other servants. I'll deal with them. You just follow me, and I'll explain how your life can change tonight..."

"I... can't imagine what you mean. My life will change tonight?" Shannon tried to keep her voice calm, but she had a frightened look in her eyes. I was sure she was wondering if Eva was thinking of the same thing she was thinking of... Of course, that wasn't it at all. I watched the two of them head out, working to calm myself down again... After all, I still had plenty of work to do before the night arrived.