Fitting Punishments, Part 3

Morning had come once again, and Vanessa rose from the hay-covered floor as she had each morning for the past...well, she wasn't sure, but it had to have been a month or more. After that first night chained to the floor, when she had broken down at the inability to pleasure herself, she had been something of a model slave. The morning after, she had been numb all over, mindlessly going along with whatever Tianzi had made her do, whether it was kissing her boots or trying to pleasure herself in front of the guards. Which, much to Vanessa's frustration, never came to fruition, not once in the past month. She had been close countless times, but had never been allowed to reach that release she so desired.

This morning was cooler than usual, with a heavy mist outside the barn. As Vanessa came to her knees, she picked hay from her hair and straightened it as best she could, sighing as she shifted into a slave's sitting position, which Tianzi had made her practice so many times. She eased back and spread her knees, with her arms folded behind her back, hands clasping at her elbows, while her chest was thrust forward. She had become accustomed to sitting in such a way after being bound with ropes for nearly a full day in just that manner, and no longer felt shame at displaying herself. She was truly becoming a cat-slave in more than just body.

As she had every morning, Tianzi appeared shortly after Vanessa had awoke, and this morning she wore another of her leather outfits, this one a red-colored version of the one she had wore on the first day of training, though with knee-length, heeled boots and leather straps on either side of her breasts and between her legs. Unlike the other mornings, however, she seemed to have trouble keeping a smile from her face as she opened the stall and dropped her stool in front of Vanessa. By this time, however, Vanessa's eyes had dropped to the floor, not daring to meet the gaze of her mistress without her permission.

Obediently, Vanessa bent over and kissed each of Tianzi's boots, and spoke in the submissive tone she had perfected. “Good morning, Mistress Tianzi; your humble slave asks how she may please you today.” She held her lips close to Tianzi's boots for another breath before returning to her sitting position, eyes downcast.

Tianzi's riding crop lifted Vanessa's chin, allowing her to see Tianzi's face, which was much less stern than usual. “Very good, very good...tell me, slave, what is your purpose?”

“To serve the will of my owner, and to pleasure my owner and whoever they wish me to pleasure. I am the property of my owner, and will do only what I am allowed by my owner, in the pursuit of making my owner both proud and pleased to own me. Should I ever displease my owner, they will punish me in whatever manner they desire, for I am their property, and exist only because they allow me to. Is this answer to your satisfaction, mistress?” Vanessa had been made to learn the mantra word for word, and to recite it with no mistakes, less she receive a lash for each mistake made. That had been a very bad day, coming off of a sleepless night spent dangling from the ceiling of the barn again.

“Yes, that is very good. You've learned your lessons well, haven't you? Now tell me what rights you have.”

“Mistress, I have no rights. I am a slave. My owners may do whatever they wish to me, and I should not protest, no matter their wish. If I do, I am aware that I shall be punished for my insolent and foolish behavior. I am not a citizen of this or any country, and will always display my owner's mark upon my body, though I should never be anywhere without my owner's permission. If I am caught somewhere I am not supposed to be, my punishment may be severe.” The mark Vanessa spoke of was actually two marks, tattoos on the underside of her forearms. On her right, was the emblem of the High Warlord, no, the Lord Master, to the cat-slaves. On the left, since her fourth day as Lord Argram's property, was his crest, placed upon her body by a mage. This one was simply a heron in flight, in ink the color of her hair and fur.

Tianzi nodded. “Tell me of the history of your people, the cat-slaves.”

Vanessa had heard the stories before, but never had she felt more sorry for the cat-slaves, or for herself. Reciting the history was depressing, but something she had to know. “We are only allowed to exist by the will of our Lord Master; it is his will that we are to be punished for our crimes against humanity, and the world itself. Many years ago, when we were allowed freedom, we used it to bring ruin upon the world. Our magics were foul and evil, our very existence served only to conquer others with the help of our demon allies. When our dark god, whose name shall never be remembered, fell to the justice of the 'gods of light', to be imprisoned for an eternity, we too were submitted to the same fate. Once we were used to rebuild the nations we destroyed, our foul magics sealed away and forbidden to us, we continued to serve. Now, we exist only by the Lord Master's will, the women to serve as pleasure slaves, the men to perform heavy labors in the mines and quarries for the benefit of the world. We shall never again know freedom, for if it were allowed, we would once again try to ruin the world, for we are not worthy of such powers and rights.”

Vanessa took a breath, steadying herself. From what she had always heard, the cat-slave race had nearly destroyed the world some two-thousand years ago, and the scars of their war on the other races were still visible today. Elves were now extinct from the land, the demonic corruption causing them to die out, no longer able to sustain themselves in the world. The dwarves and gnomes that had once lived alongside humanity had disappeared across the seas, never to be heard from again, taking with them the few elves that had remained after the cataclysm. And far to the north, where it is rumored a once great kingdom stood, now stands only a mist-shrouded wasteland, where vengeful spirits and dark beings roamed, fueled by lingering foul magics that threatened to corrupt anything and anyone who ventured near. Of those who returned from the wall of mist, none survived long, all of them driven mad by forces unknown. Now only humans and orcs were still living in the world, in a rather peaceful relationship, though disputes were always cropping up.

“Good.” Tianzi slid the riding crop from beneath Vanessa's chin, and Vanessa quickly dropped her gaze to the floor. Tianzi shifted on the stool before speaking again. “Master and I both agree that you have made sufficient progress, slave, and have decided that you may finally join us inside and serve a useful purpose. You still have many things you will be learning, but those require that you be allowed indoors.”

Vanessa couldn't keep her eyes on the floor, and looked up, feeling the first strings of hope in some time. “Really? Thank you so much, mistress!”

Tianzi actually grinned, and patted Vanessa's head. “Thank our master when you see him.” With that, Tianzi removed the lock holding Vanessa's collar chain to the floor and had her rise. “I think we can trust you without these now, don't you?” She proceeded to removed Vanessa's shackles, and finally the collar, which hadn't been removed since it had been put on her neck.

Vanessa sighed, rubbing her neck with her hands. It was a huge weight gone, but she was sure she would have a new collar soon; all cat-slaves were usually made to wear them. Still, they were almost always smaller and lighter than the heavy slaving collar. Vanessa clasped her hands in front of her and bowed to Tianzi. “Thank you, mistress, for trusting me. I swear that I will not make you regret it.”

“You better not,” Tianzi replied, playfully, but with an undertone of threat. “Come on, you're going to have a real bath and a trim before you're presented to our master.” Vanessa followed Tianzi from the barn, breathing in the cool morning air, shivering a little as the cool mist settled on her skin, but to finally be allowed inside...she couldn't have been happier. She was led to a side entrance, which, as she found once she had wiped her feet and stepped inside, was actually an exit for the kitchen. Already, she saw two other cat-slaves preparing breakfast. They wore typical servant clothing, with collars of course, and smiled as they looked to Vanessa.

“Tianzi! So, this is the new girl, hmm? Vanessa, right? And is her memory all better now?” one of them asked as she kneaded dough. She had sandy blond hair, and hazel eyes, and was actually taller than Tianzi, with yellowish fur.

“She still has a long way to go, Mika, but she's doing much better after some stern discipline.”

The other cat-slave, with pale green hair held back in a ponytail, who was preparing fruits and vegetables, grinned, her slightly lighter-colored ears twitching. “It's a wonder the poor girl is looking so good. Living off scraps like she has been, she's looking remarkably well. Well, dear, don't be shy, speak up now. My name's Hanna.”

Vanessa nearly bowed to them, but like Tianzi had told her, cat-slaves didn't have to do that with each other; the only cat-slave they ever had to bow to was the Lord Master's pet. “Ummm...a pleasure to meet you both, Mika, Hanna. Everything I've eaten since I came here was delicious, even if it was all leftovers.”

The cooks grinned and nodded, but before they could reply, Tianzi put a hand on Vanessa's shoulder. “Sorry, but we've got to get you cleaned up before master awakens. There's going to be plenty of time for you to get to know each other later. Come on now.”

Vanessa raised a hand to the cooks as Tianzi led her out, glad to see that there were other cat-slaves there, though she had been nervous upon seeing them. She had actually been worried that they would have shunned her. Perhaps sensing her thoughts, as she passed through a door at the rear of the grand dinning room that led to a set of stairs, Tianzi turned to Vanessa.

“They're the only other cat-slaves here, and they're really nice girls. Honestly, though, you shouldn't be worried about meeting other cat-slaves. True, some may get jealous if their masters take an interest in you, but generally, we're all friends.”

“That's good to know. Thank you, mistress.” Vanessa hadn't been told that she couldn't stop calling Tianzi that, and she made no indication otherwise. Reaching the bottom of the steps, Vanessa saw mage-lit lanterns hanging along the windowless hall, and several doors down either side of the hall. Tianzi led her to the last room on the right, which held three beds, two of which looked slept in, the third untouched, a small, round table, and a large cabinet, with one door hanging open. Inside, Vanessa could see servant’s clothes.

“You'll be staying here with Hanna and Mika for a time, though perhaps master will allow you to stay with us in his chambers if you please him well enough. The chest at the foot of the bed is yours, but it's empty right now; and we've still not decided on what you'll be allowed to wear, so all of the clothes in there are Hanna's and Mika's. After you're introduced to master this morning, I'm allowing you a day to follow them and get to know the manor.”

“I understand, mistress.” Vanessa took a final look around the room, then followed Tianzi back to the hall, directly across from the servants quarters to the servant's bath. Here, Vanessa saw two copper tubs, a pair of wooden stools, and a pair of silvery pipes leading in from the ceiling to the tubs. These carried water in using magic instead of the pumps like she had used in the barn, and, using the small, red gems on the nozzles, heated the water until it was steaming. She had had the same setup in her manor in her previous life, but was surprised to see it in the servant quarters.

Tianzi nodded to one of the stools in front of a small dresser, and, once Vanessa had sat down, began brushing her hair with one of the brushes that had been sitting on top of it. “Surprised to see slaves allowed to bath like the nobility?”

“A little...” Vanessa stared at herself in the mirror, and aside from some dark rings under her eyes from lack of any good rest, she looked quite well for what she had been put through. She winced as Tianzi pulled a knot from her hair. “It was a luxury we enjoyed quite often, and Lila was very fond of it once she first tried it.”

Switching the brush to her left hand, Tianzi picked up a pair of scissors. “Master isn't cruel, unless you really make him angry. He wants his girls to be happy, so he gives them small pleasures. You might not believe it for a time, given your past...you are here as a punishment after all, but I think it will be a mostly positive experience. As much as I love your hair, dear, master wants it shorter.”

“I understand, mistress. Please, don't trouble yourself with my feelings if it is master's will.” Vanessa took one last look at her hair in the mirror, at how it flowed down her back, all the way to her bottom. She had not had her hair short since she was a young girl, and loved the feel of running her fingers through it...Tianzi snipped with the scissors, and the first mass of hair fell to the floor.

Within a few minutes, Vanessa's hair was cut neatly to her shoulders, and even her bangs were trimmed, leaving her feeling somewhat disoriented. So much weight was off of her head for the first time in years...she breathed deeply, turning her head back and forth. “It feels much better than I thought it would...and it's not really so bad looking, I guess...um...Thank you so much, mistress, for making me presentable.” She hoped that her momentary lapse in discipline while she had been thinking of her childhood wouldn't make Tianzi mad.

Standing behind her, Tianzi's hands went to Vanessa's shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Thankfully, it seemed that she had lessened the severity of her 'cruel teacher' persona for now. “You look lovely, dear. Now go ahead and fill up a tub and enjoy a hot, soapy bath for a little while. I think you've earned a small rest after all the progress you've made.”

Vanessa smiled, and actually felt another surge of happiness well up inside of her. She was actually being allowed to do something that would make her feel better that didn't involve reaching the edge of a climax, only to have it come to a sudden, soul-crushing halt. “Thank you so much, Mistress Tianzi.” Vanessa very nearly jumped from the stool, hurrying to the nearest tub and running her fingers in a circular motion on the gem as she plugged the drain hole. Water began pouring from the opening, growing warmer as it filled the tub. Tianzi poured something from a small glass jar into the water, and bubbles started forming. Vanessa smelled flowers, and could have jumped in right then. But she waited just a little longer, for the water to fill up the tub just over halfway, before stopping the flow. Then, with a giggle she had thought she was no longer capable of, she slipped into the water.

It was hotter than she would have liked, but as her body slid deeper, up to her shoulders, then her chin, Vanessa sighed; she was in heaven. All of the aches and pains in her muscles and joints disappeared. She let herself slip completely under the water, holding her breath, letting the heat relax her. When she resurfaced, wiping water from her eyes and pulling her hair from the sides of her face, she saw Tianzi standing before her with a bar of soap and a washcloth. She took both with a smile, and hurried to wash up so that she could enjoy a longer soak.

Tianzi went about sweeping up her hair, gathering it into a worn basket that had been sitting in the corner, along with a broom . “You'll dispose of this with the others later.” Tianzi took a seat on the stool beside the tub, crossing her legs and resting an elbow on the dresser, letting her chin rest in her hand as she watched Vanessa. “I'm glad to see you looking so happy now, Vanessa. There were a few days I had my doubts.” Her voice was back to normal, not stern at all.

“I had thoughts of trying to end my life, Tianzi...I didn't want to suffer your lessons anymore.” She looked to Tianzi after rinsing soap from her hair, for signs that she would scold her, but instead found a look of almost motherly concern on her face. “You really have that persona of yours down pat. I was honestly terrified of you at times, but I can't deny that the teaching methods do work...and no, I don't hold any of it against you...I know it was our master's decision.”

Tianzi sighed, looking very relieved. “I'm glad...I really am, Vanessa. But...” Her face lost its momentary softness, concern creeping back in. “But, there's much more I have to show you, and I'm afraid you won't like it.”

Vanessa scrubbed at her body, nodding slowly, and felt her cheeks warm, despite having lost most of her shame in the last weeks. “I know what you're talking about...master will want me to know about how to pleasure him, right?”

Tianzi nodded gravely. “Yes...and not just him, but myself, Mika and Hanna, and anyone else he desires you to please. I'm sure...Vanessa...I know for a fact that the Lord Master will come to see you someday, and you will have to show him that you're one of us now.”

Blowing out a long sigh, Vanessa paused for only a moment before continuing to scrub her body. She should have known that the Lord Master would do such a thing. The thought of having to pleasure him was more revolting than anything else she could imagine, and more shameful than her fantasies of being used by groups of the estate guard ever were. Actually...those were still strangely attractive to her...which she couldn't really explain. “Well, I suppose I should learn to do everything the right way. If he's convinced that I'm no longer the person I used to be, then maybe he'll put me out of mind.”

Though Vanessa saw the saddened look pass over Tianzi's face, the woman nodded grimly. “Those were my thoughts as well. I do not think that it would be good if he were to take possession of you afterward; he always has the right to change his mind, and we wouldn't want him to think we weren't doing a proper job of training you.”

“But, we don't want him to think you've done too good a job and have him take me back with intent to sell me or keep me, either.” Vanessa knew well how political games worked, and though he was called a Warlord by humans, the Lord Master still possessed a very keen intellect, a powerful negotiator in addition to being a strong military leader. And she was certain her situation would be of great interest to him very soon. “Tianzi...I hope I'm right in thinking that I can call you a friend. I mean, despite what you have to do to me, of course.”

“I'm touched, Vanessa. Of course we can be friends! Why, you remember what I told you that first morning, right?” Tianzi moved to the edge of the tub, crouching so that she could meet Vanessa at eye level. “Nothing has changed since then, not a single thing.”

A real smile crossed her face, and Vanessa felt her heart surge; somehow, she just knew that she could trust Tianzi with anything. Like she had learned that first morning, she eased up in the tub, and touched her forehead to Tianzi's. A moment later, she gently kissed her teacher on the lips, just for a few seconds. As she sunk back into the warm bath, she saw that Tianzi's smile matched her own, and she was certain she would cry. “Thanks so much, my friend.”

“It is an honor to be certain. Hanna and Mika don’t know about your past, though, and I don’t think you should say anything to them. The fewer who know, the better it will probably be on you. I wouldn’t want to see you hurt because a rumor starts spreading.” Tianzi stood and gave Vanessa a quick pat to her head. “Enjoy some time for yourself right now, Vanessa. I’ll be back when it’s time to see our master, okay?”

Vanessa nodded, sitting back in the water, her head resting on the edge of the tub. She closed her eyes, hearing Tianzi leave the room, and let her mind relax as well as her body. Though her thoughts kept trying to go back to what she would be forced to do with her body, she kept pushing them away, content to float in the warm sea that had eased her body’s pain. She had a friend now, so her life was not so much of a hell as it had been the past month, despite what her friend may have to do to her in the near future. She could understand now, after all she was taught, what it was for a cat-slave to be loyal to their master, though she still had a long way to go before she felt what Tianzi felt for Lord Argram.

By the time the water had begun to cool, Tianzi had returned with a towel, and soon enough Vanessa was wiping the last bit of dampness from her body, and was glad that she no longer felt awkward when she dried off her tail and ears. She sat down at the mirror and brushed her hair, taking a moment to stare at its shortness again. Tianzi was behind her, and placed her hands at her shoulders. “You look lovely, dear, and it does my heart good to see you smiling. I’m going to fix your hair to master’s liking, and then we’ll serve him breakfast.”

Taking the brush from Vanessa’s hand, Tianzi brushed one side a little more as she gathered the damp strands in her fingers, pulling them rather roughly. Then, she rested the brush on Vanessa’s shoulder as she produced a red ribbon from the top of the corset, between her breasts, and wound it around the gathered hair, tying it off in a bow. She repeated the process on the other side, leaving Vanessa’s hair in a pair of short tails. Vanessa frowned at what she saw in the mirror. “I look like a little girl!”

Giggling, Tianzi dropped the brush in front of the mirror, and gave Vanessa a quick kiss on her cheek. “In many ways you still are, but I think it looks cute all the same. Okay, then, let’s go and present you to our master. You’re going to be carrying his breakfast tray and serve it to him, and I’m going to be watching for any mistakes.”

Vanessa sighed, and with a final look at her hair, she followed Tianzi from the room and back to the kitchen, where the other girls had the large tray already prepared, and promised that they’d have breakfast for everyone else ready and waiting. While Vanessa took the tray in her hands, careful to keep it balanced, Tianzi led the way, out of the dinning hall and through the main foyer. Like her manor had been, this one was well-maintained, and filled with expensive carpets, tapestries, and ornamentation. The stairs made not a sound as they ascended, first one floor, then a second, and finally to a third.

Tianzi led her from the stairwell to a single double-door at the top of the stairs. She knocked on the door twice, and announced them. “My master, I have brought your breakfast, and your new pet. May we enter?”

Vanessa's heart pounded in her chest now. She was suddenly very worried about what was about to happen. Tianzi gave her a reassuring look, but it did little to settle her nerves. When Lord Argram finally told them to come inside, Vanessa nearly jumped, but thankfully only shook the breakfast tray a little, not enough to cause anything to fall. Tianzi opened the door and entered first, and Vanessa obediently trailed behind, eyes downcast, but not so much that she couldn't see where she was going. The carpet in the room was plush, and a dark blue in color. She smelled the remnants of burned incense, and caught Lord Argram's scent emanating from the side of the room, toward the balcony.

Tianzi walked calmly toward him, and with a quick glance, Vanessa saw that he was sitting at a small table on the balcony already, back to them, wearing only his light blue robe. His hair was loose now, still mussed from the night before, and waving in the light breeze. Vanessa took a long, slow breath, and followed Tianzi across the floor. She paused just inside the doorway as Tianzi slipped to her knees before Lord Argram, and despite her attire, spoke in a purely submissive voice. “Master, if it pleases you, may your new pet present your morning meal today? I believe she is ready to begin the next step in her reeducation, master, if you too agree.”

Taking her queue from Tianzi's subtle hand movement as she stood, Vanessa moved forward, praying that her nerves would not cause her to mess up as she performed a 'ceremony' Tianzi had taught her. She somehow caught her breath as she went to her knees, and offered the food tray, raised above her lowered head. “My master, your humble servant offers this small token to you, to show her loyalty and desire to serve. If this displeases you in any way, please allow this servant to be punished in any way you desire to make her understand the error of her ways.” Vanessa stood then, and placed the tray on the table before him, careful to avoid the small wooden box that rested there, like a jewelery box. She went to her knees again, placing her hands on the floor in front of her and lowered her head to them, awaiting his judgment.

Her nerves were getting worse as time passed, seemingly an eternity. She heard her breathing, felt herself shaking, but could only hear Tianzi's soft breathing and Lord Argram eating his breakfast. He seemed to pay her no mind, but she knew that he was making her wait, making her worry. Even though Vanessa knew what he was doing, she couldn't make herself stop fretting. When he finally spoke, having finished his meal, she jumped, but surprisingly, not as high as she had thought she would.

“So, Vanessa, Tianzi seems to think you're ready to join us inside as a trained beast, and not a common animal. Do you feel the same way?” He still sounded emotionless, completely calm.

Keeping her head on the floor, Vanessa found her voice again, and though it was unsteady, she knew it was the practiced voice of her submission. “Yes, master. Mistress Tianzi is a very good teacher; her hand has guided me beyond my ignorant and selfish fantasies. Please, master, allow me the pleasure of serving you in your home, so that I may learn more from you, Master Raynard, and Mistress Tianzi, so that I may know how to properly pleasure you.”

“What of the Lady Vanessa Res’Taringal?” he asked immediately.

Vanessa knew the answer, but still she hesitated, still struggling to say what she knew was now the truth, though she still could not believe it. “Master, the betrayer is no more; she has been executed for her crimes against the Lord Master. Though this slave once thought herself to be the betrayer, she has been educated to the truth, and now accepts it. She will not cause such problems again, for you or any other she may call master. If she does, she will gladly accept any punishment for her transgression.”

Lord Argram seemed to think over her response for a very long time, or at least, it seemed that way to Vanessa. “Tianzi has spoken well of you, and seems to think you're ready to be given a chance. You still sound somewhat uncertain of your beliefs, though I am not without some compassion for your situation.” Vanessa heard him open the jewelry box, and the jingle of a bell. “Look at me, Vanessa.”

She did as she was told, lifting herself so that she could look up on him. She saw what must have come from the box in his hands, and guessed that it was to be her collar. It looked almost identical to Tianzi's collar, silver in color, and much smaller than the slaving collar she had been wearing, perhaps only an inch tall and less than half that in thickness. It too had a golden bell at the front, though, even with the collar open, she still saw no mechanical hinges; it looked like a single piece of metal. The girls downstairs had wore collars that were much more plain-looking, and in brass.

“Now, if you're not familiar with these collars, they are for more than simply looks. Once this is placed on your neck, it cannot be removed except by a mage. The collar is enchanted so that it will not tarnish, and so that you will know when I require your presence. It's keyed to a gemstone set into one of my rings, and when I summon you, you will hear the bell jingle; I expect you to promptly show yourself. Do you understand?”

“Yes, master.”

He held the collar out to her. “Then place this collar on your neck as a sign of your loyalty and dedication to me. You will wear it until the day you are sold, or the day you die, whichever comes first.”

Vanessa raised her hands gingerly, taking the collar, looking at it for several long seconds. It was lighter than some necklaces she had owned, but she knew that if it held any kind of enchantment against tarnishing, it would be extremely durable as well; she was not likely to get it off, as he said, without a mage. Taking another deep breath, she placed the metal at her neck, and pressed the ends toward one another. The metal seemed to jump of its own accord, the ends merging together with a soft metallic click. It was snug to her neck, but not uncomfortably so, and when she felt it with her fingers, she could find no seams. She dropped her head to the floor again. “Thank you, master, for allowing me to serve you. Everything I am belongs to you, and exists only for your pleasure.”

“Remove these trays to the kitchen, Vanessa, and help Mika and Hanna while you're at it. Tianzi and I have some things to discuss before your training is resumed.” He seemed to have lost any interest he may have had in her, or was hiding it well.

Vanessa rose to her feet, bowing her head low, the bell jingling softly as she did. “As you wish, master.” She gathered his plates and utensils, and bowed once more as she backed away, through the door. She saw Tianzi give her a smile and an approving nod before she turned toward the doors. The bedroom itself was very neat, and very clean, with none of the decorations out of place. Vanessa heard Tianzi speak to him as she closed the door, but heard nothing else once it was closed, though she couldn't exactly linger to eavesdrop.

Though she began worrying about how she had spoken, afraid that she might not have sounded sincere, Vanessa soon found herself too busy to really think about it. Once she had finished her first real meal in the home, which was a small sliver of paradise, she decided, and spoke with Mika and Hanna briefly, she joined them i the daily chores. Vanessa had never actually cleaned dishes before, nor had she swept floors or dusted the shelves, or most of the other things the girls guided her through that day. She felt embarrassed for the most part, not that she couldn’t keep up with the others, but that she was slowing them down and causing them extra work, especially when it came time to prepare the meals. Thankfully, when she delivered the lunch and dinner to both Lord Argram and Tianzi, they said not a bad word to her; they had said nothing at all, actually, though Tianzi again nodded her encouragement, and had strangely looked rather tired. By the time Hanna and Mika said that the chores were finished, Vanessa was dead on her feet, and hardly remembered falling into her bed, let alone going to sleep.

The next morning, when Hanna and Mika shook her awake, Vanessa felt sore, but refreshed, wishing that she could have stayed in bed. She pushed that thought away quickly, though, and joined the girls for a quick bird bath and to fix her hair before fixing breakfast. Vanessa ate with Hanna and Mika while they finished preparing two meals on a larger carrying tray, and not five minutes after, the bell on Vanessa’s collar sounded several times. Once more, she gathered up the tray and ascended the stairs, stopping at the door. “Master, I have come as you wished; may I enter?”

“You may,” Tianzi answered a moment later. Vanessa opened the door and immediately went to the balcony where both of them sat at the table, taking in the morning sun and cloudless sky. Today, Tianzi was wearing a robe not unlike Lord Argram’s, only in a darker blue, and her hair was hanging loose. Once again, Vanessa went to her knees and offered the tray over her head before placing it on the table. “Vanessa, you’re going to start your training immediately this morning. Typically, half of your day will be spent learning pleasure techniques, while the other will be spent helping Mika and Hanna. Do you understand?”

“I do, mistress,” Vanessa answered with a bow of her head. “How do you wish I begin?” The fact that her voice wasn’t stuttering with her growing nervousness amazed her.

“Since you’re not nearly ready for our master, you will begin with me. While I’m eating, you will practice using your tongue to pleasure me. Start small, with my feet and toes; you may not think so, but a big toe can seem much like a man’s penis, once you’ve got your mind in the right place. Once you learn how to move your tongue in a satisfactory way, then we can move beyond my feet.” Tianzi crossed her legs, so that her right foot was at a proper height, but then picked up her riding crop from the table, looking it over, then looking back toward Vanessa. “You’ll know if you’re doing something wrong.”

Heart pounding in her chest, Vanesssa bowed. “It will be as you wish, mistress.” Having some idea of what was expected of her, she went to her knees. She had smelled it before, but with Tianzi’s foot in her face, the sweaty, leather-masked scent seemed so much stronger. Apparently she had not taken her boots off for some time yesterday after Vanessa had left…Putting it out of her mind, Vanessa gently kissed the top of Tianzi’s foot, then the tops of her toes. As her tongue softly licked the tip of her big toe, Vanessa got a very strong taste of Tianzi's sweat, though it was already a rather familiar flavor. She quickly licked each toe in turn before returning to the big one, which she began lapping at slowly.

The crop slapped against Vanessa's shoulder after a few moments. “You've done that enough. Take it in your mouth, suck on it; imagine you are trying to please a man.”

“Yes, mistress, thank you.” Ignoring the sting on her shoulder, Vanessa took Tianzi's toe into her mouth, moving up and down while her tongue moved on all around it. She had no idea what she was doing, and apparently Tianzi thought so too, slapping her with the crop again after only a minute or so.

“You're thinking too hard on this, Vanessa. Let your thoughts go and follow your instincts. You're not sucking on my toe; you're trying to pleasure our master. You are taking him into your mouth, not me. Keep that in mind.”

Vanessa pulled her mouth back. “Of course, mistress, thank you.” She kissed Tianzi's foot again before she forced her mind to clear and took her toe back into her mouth. This time she let her tongue move slower as she suck at her toe...no...like she had suggested, it wasn't her toe, it was Lord Argram, lying on his bed, nude, with her on her knees between his legs. The pleasure-haze slowly seeped inside her once again, causing her to moan softly. She felt the change in her technique already, and changed how her tongue moved. Vanessa soon used the tip of her tongue at the joint of Tianzi's toe, just like she would on the head of her master's penis.

When Tianzi suddenly shifted, Vanessa jerked back with a start, breathing hard, but was thankful that she only crossed her legs so that her other foot was now in a position to be pleased. She didn't hesitate, kissing over her foot for a few moments before licking her toes and returning to the big one, taking it her mouth again, eagerly massaging it with her tongue.

Several minutes passed, Vanessa eagerly accepting Tianzi's feet when offered, taking no further hits from the crop as she let her fantasies run wild. Finally, her master spoke. “Continue with her lessons, Tianzi; I must prepare for the meetings I have scheduled for the day. Come to me once you have finished with her.” Lord Argram stood and went back into the house.

“As you wish, master,” Tianzi said. A few moments later, she dropped a cloth atop Vanessa's head. “Wipe my feet, then we'll continue.”

Doing as she was told, Vanessa wiped her saliva from Tianzi's feet, kissing them each as she finished, before folding the cloth and placing it on the floor beside her. “What is your desire, mistress?”

Tianzi lifted Vanessa's chin with the crop, using her free hand to open the front of her robe, exposing her breasts, a smile growing on her face. “You're far from ready to please master, but perhaps you can please me. Focus on my breasts now, Vanessa; feel them in your hands, let me feel your desire to please through your fingers. Then you can use your mouth, and your tongue, of course.”

Feeling her cheeks burning, Vanessa swallowed and nodded as she came to her feet. “As you wish, mistress.” Her hands were actually shaking; it was the first time she had ever done more than worship Tianzi's feet. But as she glanced to Tianzi's gentle face, she felt a reassured, as if she she could do no wrong. Vanessa eased herself closer, straddling herself over Tianzi's legs. Just the feel of Tianzi's skin against her own made Vanessa's heart race.

Nervously, Vanessa's hands approached Tianzi's chest, her well-rounded breasts, which seemed to be waiting for her. “Go on, now, don't be so timid, Vanessa. There's nothing to be worried about. Just take them in your hands, squeeze them a little, play with my nipples; I know you remember how I play with yours, right?” If it were possible, Vanessa may indeed have just blushed more as her thoughts drifted back to the past month, but she quickly pushed the thoughts away, smiling sheepishly as her hands came to rest on Tianzi's breasts. She found them to be warm, firm, not unlike her own, but they weren't; they were on another woman, and Vanessa was holding them. She swallowed hard, feeling sweat form on her brow as she fought to make her hands do something other than lay there.

“What's wrong, Vanessa?”

It took her a moment, but she finally managed to speak up. “I...I uh...it's just, this makes me a little nervous...I've never done something like this before...” Part of her still felt flashes of embarrassment, but it was enough to cause her to give the other part, the part that felt excited, pause.

Tianzi's hands touched her shoulders, and slid down her arms to come to a rest over Vanessa's. “I can understand how you must be feeling...so let me help you along, okay? Just relax, and let me guide you...” Purring expectantly, Tianzi gave Vanessa a warm, reassuring smile.

Tianzi's fingers aligned with Vanessa's, and despite her nervousness, she wasn't so stiff that Tianzi couldn't move her. She squeezed softly at first, then started moving their hands in a circular motion, pressing harder against Tianzi's breasts. Vanessa licked her lips nervously, her tail twitching; she could feel Tianzi's nipples against her hands, gold rings and all, and the way her breasts filled her grasp...she was starting to enjoy it. With her breath quickening, Vanessa let Tianzi guide her fingers to her nipples, running them over, letting her feel that they were standing erect.

Vanessa's fingers started moving by themselves, her thoughts clouded by the pleasure-haze as she saw Tianzi's pink nipples poking from between her fingers, her piercings glittering in the early morning sun. It hadn't occurred to her before, but Tianzi's skin was only a little tanner than her own, but that thought was quickly gone as she suddenly got the urge to roll those lovely nipples between her fingers. With her index finger and thumb, Vanessa pressed against Tianzi's nipples, causing her mistress to moan and shift beneath her.

“A little softer to start, pet, then you can build up; but you're doing great so far,” Tianzi purred.

“Thank you, mistress,” Vanessa said, breathlessly, lightening her touch. She tugged the nipples gently, pulling on the rings, getting another soft moan in response. Tianzi arched back, and Vanessa immediately cupped her breasts and leaned in to kiss them. Tianzi purred deeply, her taste and scent filling Vanessa's senses. She used her hands to press Tianzi's breasts together, so that her nipples were touching. Smiling, she kissed them both at the same time, and let her tongue taste them too. Vanessa heard herself moan from the pleasure she felt at having Tianzi's nipples in her mouth, her hands squeezing Tianzi's breasts. Vanessa's tongue lapped at her nipples wildly, and she sucked on them, thoughts going through her head that she was the one being pleasured.

Long before Vanessa could have said she was finished, Tianzi's hands went to her shoulders and pushed her away. Vanessa looked up in fear, afraid she might have done something to anger Tianzi, but found only a sly grin, and lust in her eyes. “It's time to move lower, Vanessa; I'm already wet down there, and I'm craving your tongue.”

Knowing what she had in mind, Vanessa felt herself blush, but knew that she was desperate to offer Tianzi the pleasure she needed. “As you wish, my mistress,” she breathed, sliding from Tianzi's lap. She hadn't realized it until the cooler air hit her that she too was wet between her legs. Getting to her knees, Vanessa's hands pressed at Tianzi's knees and spread them, revealing Tianzi's glistening pussy. To Vanessa, at that moment, it was the most beautiful thing in her world, and she was desperate to taste of those perfect, pink lips.

With her hands on Tianzi's inner thighs, Vanessa eased forward, finally pressing her lips to the soft mound above Tianzi's pussy, her sex-scent filling her nostrils. Unable to hold back a second longer, Vanessa thrust her tongue against the moist flesh, and a delighted moan escaped her lips. The taste…it was heavenly! She couldn’t resist the urges within her, not now, when she was feeling so good. Her tongue licked up and down Tianzi’s lips, stopping only when her fingers spread the lips further.

Keeping one hand on Tianzi’s lips, Vanessa let her other drift between her own legs, finding herself to be just as wet as her friend. As she plunged her tongue between Tianzi’s walls, her fingers slid into herself, her lusty moans a match for Tianzi’s. With her tongue moving in and out, up and down, flicking at Tianzi’s clit, Vanessa mirrored the movements with her hand, desperately seeking release. Tianzi’s juices flowed over her tongue and into her mouth, making her hungrier by the moment.

Tianzi's fingers brushed Vanessa's face, then latched onto her pigtails, pulling Vanessa harder against her pussy, crying out with joy. Vanessa couldn't stop, her fingers moving quicker inside herself, her nipples hard in the warm morning air, her tongue lapping at Tianzi's lips. Gods, just a little more! She was almost there! Tianzi was panting hard, sweating, ready to burst, and Vanessa was right there with her! She would make them come together!

Within moments Tianzi's body tensed, her hands jerking at Vanessa's hair. Her thighs closed in around Vanessa's head and she screamed as the orgasm wracked her. Her juices covered Vanessa's face, the scent overwhelming and wonderful, but Vanessa could only whimper, sliding from Tianzi's grasp. She sank back, resting on her heels, pulling her hand from between her legs. Her hand was just as wet as her face was, but it had happened again. She had been right there, ready to go over the edge with Tianzi, but the moment she had been dreaming of, that she had hoped and hoped would finally arrive, had disappeared in an instant, just like all those times in the barn. Tears welled in her eyes, her shoulders shook, and Vanessa broke into pitiful sobs, clutching her hands to her face.

“I'm so sorry...” she heard Tianzi say a few seconds later, as she wrapped her arms around Vanessa, her strict, domineering voice replaced by her real, caring voice. “I hate doing that to you, Vanessa, I really do. If it were only up to me, you'd have came dozens of times already.”

Vanessa sniffed, still shaking, still crying. “I hate this! I can't stand it anymore! Just kill me already and end it! I've already suffered more than any other noble from the rebellion; isn't that enough? I've tried so hard...just kill me...please, just let my suffering end.” She crumpled against Tianzi, tears flowing, her cries loud and sorrowful.

Tianzi's arms tightened around her, the woman's fingers running through her hair. “I'm sorry. I can't say it enough, Vanessa, and I know you probably think it's a hollow sentiment. I don't want to do this to you, but it's what Master told me to do. Surely you understand by now that I can't disobey him. It's not much of an excuse but it's the only one I can give...” Tianzi rocked gently with her, resting her head against Vanessa's. “I'll have another talk with our master and see if I can convince him to change his mind.”

“He won't. He wants me to suffer like this,” Vanessa cried.

“No, Vanessa, he'll listen this time; I'm sure he will. I had been telling him how good you've been doing, but I really didn't think it was affecting you this much. I promise he'll let you climax next time!”

Sniffing, Vanessa nodded weakly. As much as she trusted Tianzi, she knew that Master Argram didn't care for her, and probably enjoyed her suffering. She didn't have much hope, no hope, really. “Okay.”

Tianzi continued to hold Vanessa for a while longer, until her sobs had died away and she was no longer shaking. Finally, Tianzi eased her grip, and took Vanessa's face in her hands. “Hey, look at me, Vanessa.” When she finally looked at Tianzi, her friend used her thumbs to wipe her cheeks and under her eyes. “I'll go speak with Master right now, alright? Why don't you go on downstairs and have a bath, clear your head, and I'll come and get you when I've got him convinced.”

Nodding weakly, Vanessa let Tianzi help her to her feet, feeling mostly numb, and very, very lost. “Yes...I'll go do that, then. Thank you, Tianzi...I'm sorry I've been so much trouble.”

“Hey, don't think like that. I really enjoy being around you, Vanessa.” Tianzi planted a quick kiss to Vanessa's cheek. “Go on, try to enjoy your bath, and I'll see you soon.”

Vanessa nodded again, feeling as though she was moving awkwardly as she walked from the room and down the stairs. She heard Hanna and Mika cleaning one of the sitting rooms on the second floor, ignoring them. She felt as though she were floating, not really inside her body; she saw the manor pass by her, the grand hall, the kitchen, then she was in the bathing room outside the slave quarters. It was surreal...something had happened to her during that last failed orgasm...

As she bent to turn on the water, she was surprised to find that she held a kitchen knife in her hand, the wooden handle still moist from where it had been washed after breakfast. She hadn't remembered picking it up, but as the water started flowing into the tub, the knife seemed awfully bright and vivid in her hands, the blade razor-sharp. A few minutes later, she was submerged in the water, barely feeling the heat at all. She sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, dangling the knife in her fingers.

Vanessa knew that she still had one freedom left...perhaps that's how she came to have the knife in her hands now. Tianzi was the only one who seemed to really have any feelings for her, though she didn't know Mika or Hanna that well. Master Argram, her owner...he had barely looked at her at all. He was letting Tianzi do everything to her; he might even be disgusted by her. Since she had accepted her fate, since she had tried so hard to adjust, all she wanted was a just a small bit of pleasure; just once, to feel what it was that Tianzi had enjoyed. She was to be a slave for the rest of her life, her punishment; was she to be denied what was granted to other slaves? She couldn't accept it; she simply couldn't take another buildup to nothing but disappointment.

She became aware that the water had grown cold; how long that had taken she wasn't sure, but it had been steaming when she had first entered the water. She blinked away tears in her eyes, not sure when she had started crying. She was a cat-slave now, and she had tried to believe that, tried to do everything she had been told. She had honestly been starting to enjoy herself, but now...now there was only a massive void inside her. There was no reason for her to be here anymore; if all of the effort she had put forth in her training, if all of her desire to make something of her life meant nothing. Almost daily, for just over a month, she had been teased into reaching a climax that never came. Argram was a monster, and, despite how much she liked Tianzi, she was his with every fiber of her being, and would do nothing he didn't tell her to. She couldn't hold that against Tianzi; that's what a cat-slave was supposed to do. So, there was just one last thing she could do to make things right.

She lifted the knife, looking at the curve of the blade, at the tiny nicks worn into the edge from a lot of use. With her vision blurring, she closed her eyes, and took the knife firmly in one hand, then the other a few moments later. It fell from her fingers, and she heard it hit the bottom of the tub. When she opened her eyes again, she was sitting in a deep red pool, her strength draining, a wonderful darkness consuming her. It was...peaceful...