M'asservir -x- I'll be your s.l.a.v.e. (Locket)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin raised his eyebrows when he caught sight of the room. He'd definitely stayed in worse places... much worse. He'd slept on straw beds in little rooms that could hardly be called a bedroom. More like a cupboard. "Thank you for your generosity," he said.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"This is standard," She blinked, shrugging one slender shoulder, "But you're welcome."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin dipped his head to her. "Do you require anything of me tonight, mistress?" he asked.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Nicolette's gaze, cat-like and sharp, flicked up and down Saerin's body as she contemplated, "No, not tonight. You will get to know some of the staff for tonight."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Very well. I shall see you in the morning," Saerin said. "Good night."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Nicolette turned and brushed down the hall, "Good night, Saerin."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin watched her go, admiring her grace and presence. Oh, yes, this would be a very interesting job. He walked over to his bed and pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside onto the floor. Unless she told him to be otherwise, he tended to be rather messy in his own quarters.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

There was a tentative knock on the doorframe, so quiet it was barely loud enough for human ears to pick up.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saern frowned and turned toward the door. Had she forgotten to say something? "Who's there?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Sir?" The voice was female, but not Nicolette's, "Mistress asked me to introduce myself to you as soon as I could.."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin opened the door and took a moment to study the person on the other side.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

It was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, with bright green eyes and hair the color of coffee. She clasped her hands in front of her and curtsied, "My name is Ellen. I work for Mistress Nicolette. She ordered me to introduce myself in case you have any questions."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin gave her a charming smile, the kind he gave to people who weren't his master or mistress. The kind that said, 'Hello, mind if I eat you alive?' "Nice to meet you Ellen," he said.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ellen met his gaze for a moment, blushing, and looked down at her feet, "The pleasure is mine, sir. I sleep just a few doors down. If you ever need me, feel free to knock."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin's eyes flashed... not with lust, but something close to it. "Oh, I'll be sure to," he said. "Thank you."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ellen nodded and turned, scurrying back to her bedroom. She'd been about to get ready for bed when Nicolette talked to her. Now that the initial awkwardness was out of the way, she could- hopefully- sleep peacefully.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin chuckled to himself and closed the door. Maybe he could convince Nicolette to renew their contract when it was up. He had a feeling this was going to be a very good one. He scratched his bare chest as he walked over to the bed and threw back the covers.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

The next morning, at eight o'clock on the dot, there was that same, soft knocking on Saerin's door. They woke up early in this mansion, so he did too.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Saerin was already awake, sitting on his bed and playing with a ball of green fire. He passed it back and forth between his hands, but it vanished when the knock sounded. He got up and walked over to open it. He smiled when he saw Ellen. "Now there's a face to wake up to," he said.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Ellen's hair was pulled back in a neat plait, a few wispy tendrils brushing her cheekbones, "Cook will be done with breakfast soon. You have to get there early if you want anything good."