Mind Games

CHAPTER 34: NEW PLACES

       Animal fidgeted through breakfast.  He drummed his fingers on the table, periodically stared intently at Rose, and ignored Gabriel's attempts at conversation. Mariah rolled her eyes, but Rose blushed and could not look at him.         

       Suddenly Animal started, squinted, and gave a shout.  He jumped out of his chair.  While the others stared at him, he crossed the living room, shoved open the sliding glass door to the courtyard and grabbed a pot off a plant stand there.  He strode back in and slammed the pot on the table in front of Rose, ignoring the stain he made.  "Where did you get this?" he demanded.

       Before Rose could answer, Gabriel said, "I planted it, and I'll thank you to take care.  The seeds reduce intestinal inflammation.  I'm almost out and can't find more anywhere." 

       Animal opened and shut his mouth.  "Very well," he said.  He threw himself down disconsolately on the sofa, and resumed drumming his fingers, leaving the plant on the table.

       Rose stole a glance at him, then put the pot on his empty plate and wiped the table where it had been.  That done, she looked at the plant.  It was stubby with small yellow flowers.  "This is upland cress," she said, shyly. "For salads."  

       "Yes, that's right," said Gabriel. "It's leaves are spicy."          

       "I don't want to eat it," Animal growled.  "Or use it to stop the runs.  The flower makes yellow ochre, and nobody can come by it by hook or crook, and I can't paint without it."  He sighed heavily.

       Mariah looked intently at the plant.  "I know where you can get some," she said, very quietly. 

       Animal turned to her so quickly he had to grab his overstretched shoulder.  When she did not continue, Gabriel said, encouragingly, "It would take a weight off my mind to replenish my supply of the seeds."

       Mariah took a deep breath.  Then another one.  She looked at Rose when she said, still quietly, "Outside the walls."

       Animal started to say something into the silence that followed, but Gabriel held up his hand, stopping him.  At last Mariah said, almost as if in a trance, "Just before the dogs found me, I was hiding on a hillock, looking at a whole field filled with them.  I recognized the leaves, but I had never seen the flowers.  I remember thinking . . ."  She broke off, then added, uncharacteristically, "They were pretty."

       Gabriel and Animal looked at each other.  They jumped up at the same time.  Then they both realized that it was already too late to ride out that day.  "First light tomorrow, then," Gabriel said.  "I'll arrange with Stefan for a buggy and team."

* * *

       Mariah supposed it was a good placement, as Mistress Dominique had said.  Her master and mistress, while quick with the lash, were not especially cruel.  There was an older slave to show her the ropes.  She needed that, Mariah quickly realized, sometimes wondering what the point had been of the training center when she had to learn everything afresh.

       Pepper was scornful. But it wasn't Mariah's fault that the stoves were different from those she had learned on, and that she was in a wing of the mansion where did not know her way around, and that the cleaning supplies her owners favored were not what she had been taught to use. 

       Pepper was strikingly beautiful -- not so much in her features as in the grace with which she carried herself.  Tall, powerful, dark skin, hair cut short.  When she knelt in obeisance before her owners, it struck Mariah as odd, disjunctive.  She should not be prostrating herself.

       She wasn't outright nasty to Mariah so much as disdainful.  She showed Mariah what to do,  more than once if necessary, but never spared her an extra glance, never gave her a friendly look.  When their owners ordered them to fuck each other, for relief, Pepper got Mariah off, efficiently, but would not allow Mariah to do the same for her.  She would just back off with a sniff. 

       Mariah didn't notice Pepper's attitude at first.  She was too busy trying to figure out how to survive, again.  Once she did notice, to the extent that she thought about it, she felt relief.  She had no interest in friends.

       One morning Mariah came back early from the exercise yard.  Pepper was on her knees in the living room. Mistress Suzette and Master Griffin sat together on a loveseat. They didn't hear Mariah come in.

       Pepper was pleading, which made Mariah wince.  "She's no good for you," Pepper was saying.  "I know how you like things.  She can't even crack eggs without help." 

       Mariah froze, anger making her face burn.  She had dropped one egg, and had been duly punished for it. That was weeks ago.  Why would Pepper bring it up again?  For a  moment she visualized herself with a whip in her hand, punishing Pepper.  She shoved the thought away quickly. 

       Master Griffin patted Pepper on the head.  "Don't take it like this, Pepper," he said coaxingly.

       Mistress Suzette added, "You'll like the fields.  You're young enough, you've got time for lots of babies.  And that means you get to fuck anyone you want until you get pregnant.  Won't that be nice?" 

       Pepper made an odd, strangled sound.  She bent down until her forehead was on the floor.  "I don't want to have babies," she said.  "I want to serve you."  She kneeled up again, clasping her hands in front of her.

       "Pepper, be reasonable," Master Griffin said, and  now he sounded irritated.  He glanced up and saw Mariah standing there.  "You've served us well.  You should be proud of that."  And he stood and walked past Pepper, indicating to Mariah to follow him to the bedroom.   

* * *

       Rose couldn't understand it.  It was an ordinary day in which she did ordinary things.  And yet . . . 

       As she washed the morning dishes she found herself smiling, sort of foolishly. She looked out the window over the sink.  The intensity of the blue of the sky caught her off guard.  And the way the sun sparkled through the leaves of the maple tree!  She did not try to name the colors; they were simply dazzling. 

       Later, in the exercise room, everything was easy. On a whim she added extra weights to the barbells and still had no trouble lifting.  Her stretches were deeper, too.  And other slaves who usually did not notice her included her in their conversations.  Or had she joined in, unbidden?  She smiled again and they smiled back at her. 

       After her shower, the groom sought her out for special attention even though it was not her turn in the rotation.  The waxing merely stung.  He clucked when he saw her paint-splattered fingernails.  Rose tried to tell him he was being silly with his fussing -- her master wouldn't care.  But he just patted her and reached for his emory board.  Rose relaxed and let herself enjoy the attention.   

       Back in the apartment, it was time-consuming to get ready for the next day's outing, finding the supplies Master Animal had ordered and preparing a picnic lunch that would not spoil or become soggy. Even though she enlisted Raul, the hall monitor, for his help and advice, she was later than usual to meet Master Animal in the revel hall. 

       He was squinting and frowning at an easel.  He saw her and smiled, and although she was across the large room from him she felt as though she was standing next to him.

       As she walked towards him he was distracted by the door opening again.  Two new students.  When he went over to greet them, Rose stole a look at the picture on the easel that was frustrating him.  His sketch book was open on it, and she saw the sketch he had been shielding from view, for quite a while now she thought of it.  In the stable yard -- it was her on a horse that was turning.  But it was not Rose as she thought of herself.  The girl on the horse was proud, excited, strong, beautiful.

       Rose was lost in picture.  Animal frowned when he saw her looking at it, and turned over the sketch pad before the students could see.  "Can't get the damn horse right," he muttered.

       He gestured to Rose to join him as he circled the room with the students.  She did not dwell on how odd it was that he gave her no task.  Then, as he pointed to the third panel -- the picture of the courtyard revel--with his right hand, he put his left hand on the curve where Rose's lower back met her rump.  It was not unusual for humans to touch their slaves in front of others, to arouse them, but Master Animal rarely touched Rose outside of his bedroom.  And he glanced at her, just for a second, as he continued to talk about the panel, and his look was warm, and his hand was fire, and she burned, and at the same time she felt, a little, like the girl in the sketchbook picture.

       He kept her with him for the rest of the day.  Once he touched her fingertips with his, and he looked at her and it seemed to Rose that he saw her, and she blushed and burned some more, until her pussy ached and she was sure the slightest breeze would make her come.

       When Rose suggested, shyly, that she needed to return to the apartment to make dinner, Animal shrugged and sent a message to the Kitchen closest to his apartment to have their meal delivered, not to his quarters but to Gabriel's. 

       Later, when they sat at Gabriel's table, and even Mariah wrinkled her nose at the soggy meatloaf and limp broccoli, Rose focused on keeping her knees wide so that she would not explode.  But then, there was Animal's hand, on her knee, above her knee, burning her.

       Animal and Gabriel set the time for the next morning's departure, and then Animal stood up.  "Good night," he said brusquely to Gabriel.  "Let's go, Rose."  And he took her hand.

       Rose protested, "Master, the dishes . . ."

       Animal shrugged.  "Mariah can do them.  Or Gabriel can, if he prefers."  Mariah scowled, and Gabriel looked mildly surprised before he smiled placidly.  Animal did not let go of Rose's hand, and led her to the courtyard. 

       Before they entered his apartment, Animal stopped.  Without letting go of Rose's hand, he turned to her. "You know I'd . . . "  he began.  And then he stopped, and stared at her.  "You're so beautiful," he said, and he leaned in and kissed her, tasting her.  Rose froze, not knowing what to do.  A human would sometimes use his tongue to rape her mouth, gagging her, but this . . .  Inadvertently she pulled back, then froze again, realizing her error.

       Master Animal did not seem angry with her.  He stepped back, giving her space, but still holding her hand, caressing her fingers with his thumb.  He took a deep breath, steadying himself.  He began again, his voice huskier this time, "You know I've never hurt you for the fun of it, right?"

       Was this day a mindgame, then?  Rose's voice trembled when she said, after a moment, "You've always been very kind, Master."

       Animal looked at her steadily, in the intense way he had been doing all day.  "I want to do something tonight that you won't like," he said, "but I'm not going to hurt you."

       Rose nodded.  She knew she shouldn't be scared, but . . . the way he looked at her, it was as if he was reading her soul. 

       "Trust me?" Animal wheedled.  When Rose didn't answer he said, "Trust that I'm a lazy pansy?"  His voice cracked when he said that.

       Rose looked up.  In that moment he was so vulnerable, so open.  "You're not lazy, Master," Rose whispered.  ‘You're . . ." She couldn't continue. 

       But Master Animal seemed satisfied.  He led her inside, and into his bedroom.  "Lay down," he ordered.  As Rose reclined on the bed, he took off  his clothes, dropping them on the floor. In part of her mind Rose wished she could disobey her master and hang them up to save the ironing of them.  But then Animal was in bed with her, his length against hers.  He started to kiss her again, but when Rose unconsciously turned her face away just a fraction, he nuzzled her ear instead, while he put his hand on her abdomen. His breath in her ear, his hand on her, so low but not low enough. 

       Rose wriggled, but Master Animal would not be rushed.  His hand drifted no lower.  She reached for him, but Master Animal pulled back. "I want you to relax tonight," he said.  "I want you to enjoy this."

       "I always enjoy it when you fuck me, master," Rose said, and her voice was pleading.  .

       "No," Animal said a little sourly.  "You always come, because you have been trained to, and it's in your diet, and I let you."  He leaned in close to her again, and murmured, "Tonight, I'm doing the work."  His mouth found her neck where her pulse beat in her throat.  He sucked on her there.  Rose was electrified. Without realizing it she groaned softly.  Master Animal circled the spot with his tongue like a feather. 

       At last he moved his mouth lower, but only to her breast.  He sucked on her nipple, circling with his tongue, while his hand drifted up and cupped her other breast. He lingered there, and Rose struggled to keep her legs spread, knowing the slightest touch in the wrong place would push her over the edge.  When he switched sides, sucking the other breast, she groaned, "Master, please," forgetting that she should not beg. 

       Animal raised his head, just for a moment.  "No coming," he said tersely.  "Not yet."  And Rose sank back, dizzy, confused.  Master Animal had always told her she could come whenever he touched her. Why this torture? She could not concentrate on that question.

       Master Animal continued to suck on her nipple and fondle her breasts.  Rose heard a low, ragged growl, and was not sure whether she made it or her master did. 

       Master Animal pulled back a little so he could move lower.  She was sure he would eat her, and she would not be able to hold back. But he put his hands under her and brought his mouth to her belly button, circling it and then going inside.  Rose could not stop groaning.  It was as if he were tonguing her clit, except it could bring her no relief.  And then his warm hand was on her pubic mound, and if he pressed there even a little she would come.  She was still groaning.  He stopped licking her, but he held his hand where it was, motionless, until the sensations subsided ever so slightly and she stopped groaning.  

       He lifted his hand and was looking at her again, a look Rose could not understand.  "I want you to turn over onto your hands and knees," he said softly.

       Rose couldn't understand at first.  Language -- everything but touch -- seemed strange.  But then it sank in.  Her master had given her an order.  She gathered herself and with a huge effort turned over, making sure to not let her legs close when she did so.

       When she was in position Master Animal told her to spread her legs.  She heard him reach into a drawer in his bedside table, and then felt him touch her asshole with something cold and gooey. 

       Rose cried out, betrayed.

       Animal stroked her ass cheeks.  "Remember, you trust me," he said.

       "Master, please, I..."

       "Shsh," Animal said.  He lay down next to her so that she could see his face.  That look again. His brown eyes seared her.  "I know you don't like buttfucking, but I don't want you to be afraid of it any more.  I don't want other humans to have that power over you."  He paused.  "If you want me to stop, I will.  But . . . "  He sounded almost pleading.  "Could you trust me for this?"   

       Rose didn't say anything for a long pause, and Animal didn't move.  "I trust you, Master," Rose whispered at last.

       "I..."  Animal started to say, and stopped himself. "I'm glad," he said.  He maneuvered himself behind Rose and gently rubbed the gel into her ass, moving his finger more and more deeply in and out.  Rose remained stock still as he did this.  When he was satisfied that she was well-lubricated, he rubbed gel into his own penis.  Rose didn't see that doing so brought it from half-mast to hard.  He kneeled behind her and moved his penis so that its tip was at the entrance to her asshole.  Rose whimpered very quietly. "This shouldn't hurt," Animal said.  "You're well-prepared, and I'm far from the biggest man you've had in there."  He stroked her buttocks.  "I'm going to start now, okay?"

       "Okay," Rose said in a small voice.  Slowly Animal eased his penis in, at the same time reaching around Rose and stroking her inner thighs just below her vaginal lips.  As he pressed deeper into her, he moved his hands up higher.  "You with me, Rose?" he asked.

       "Yes, master," Rose said, her voice small and miserable.

       Animal pulled back slightly, but not all the way.  "Are you trying to trust me?" he asked gently.  He felt Rose's abdomen expand as she took a deep breath.

       "Yes, master," she said, and he could feel her relax slightly.  He pushed forward again and leaned his upper body forward so he was pressed against her back.

       "You're a great girl, Rose," he whispered.  "I hope you'll belong to me forever." He felt Rose relax under him even more.  He pushed further inside her. and ever so slowly moved his forefinger into her slit and up to her clitoris, pressing against it with his fingerpad.  Rose gasped and bucked against him, and he began to pump, smoothly and slowly, as he rubbed her nub with his finger. 

       Sparks flew behind Rose's eyelids.  "Master, I..." she began, and suddenly she fell apart against him, groaning and writhing.  It was too much for Animal, and he pumped hard, never taking his finger off her clitoris, and with a yell he exploded into her even while she came.