As a reminder to any new readers, please be sure to read the other chapters first. Sorry this one took so long, but I realized that by trying to rush out the chapters, my feelings weren't really being put into the story. Hopefully this one is better than the last, and I will continue to try to improve upon my mistakes.
Disclaimer: There is still no sex in this story, nor do I intend for there to be (thought you can use your imagination).
***
Tali stirred as she started waking up. She instantly felt discomfort from being in bed, and habit shocked her into full alertness as she tried to figure out what her situation was. She sat up and tossed the covers that were laid over her off to the side. The pain in her chest reminded her of her unfortunate encounter earlier in the morning.
She recalled her master telling her that he and Kien would be out in the other room. She sighed to herself as she got up. She wished that they would just let her do her duty and serve. Sleeping the day away was a waste! She needed to feel useful. She needed to feel that warmth she knew so well from pleasing her master.
Before leaving the room, Tali made the bed and looked around to see if anything else needed to be straightened up. Satisfied that she had done all that she could, she made her way out, where she saw the two men chatting.
They were in the living room. Kien's house was a little more luxurious, as he entertained more guests than her master. Two large sofas were placed perpendicular to each other, with a table in front. Miro and Kien were each in one, lounging comfortably with their legs up.
In the corner formed between the two sofas, Tali noticed that the pillow her master had gifted her was there. She felt elated. That meant she could kneel as she was meant to! She almost rushed in her haste and forgot to do her due diligence at assessing the situation for any needs, but caught herself in time.
She noticed two cups on the table, each at different stages of emptiness. She made a detour to the kitchen to retrieve more of their respective drinks and reappeared at the living room. She noticed that the men did not stop their conversation when she moved to the table and knelt, being careful to not make any jarring motions to her chest.
Always aware of order of importance, she filled her master's cup first, then Kien's.
"Thank you, Tali," Kien stated.
Tali's arms jerked in surprise and her head whipped over to look at him. She wasn't expecting either of them to address her. She was normally ignored as she performed her duties. She saw in that split second that he had a curious expression, as if to see how everything would play out, before returning her attention to the table. She had spilled liquid all over.
"I... I'm sorry master, sorry.. sorry Sir!" It had been so long since she had made such a novice mistake. And in front of other company! She didn't know who to direct her apology more towards, so she bowed at her waist towards her master. What he said caught her off guard.
"Tali, where are your manners? Kien just thanked you. What should you say?"
"M..master?" She had no idea that she was supposed to say anything! "I.. I'm sorry master," the next she shifted on her knees to face Kien, "you're welcome, sir."
"Kien, Tali, please try to remember to use my name."
The thought still made her feel sick. "Y-yes K..K.." she stuttered. She looked down at her hands in shame. She prided herself in being a quick learner, but it seemed like all she was having was trouble lately. Dread washed over her, "I'm.. I'm sorry, sir," she felt like a failure, "please forgive me... please teach me..." she thought of what would really drive the lesson home for her, "please punish me."
Kien refused to be baited by her behavior. "Girl, all I ask is that you try."
"But... but sir!" He referred to her by girl instead of Tali. He was rewarding her for her failures... that's not what was supposed to happen. If he didn't punish her, she would never learn... If she never learned, she could never be forgiven. If she was never forgiven... she shook her head. She couldn't move on without forgiveness. She needed it. Why couldn't he understand that?
Tali put her hands down on the floor, assuming a more submissive posture. "Sir.. please, help me learn... I want to please you, sir, K... Ki..." she choked again, "please help me," she begged in despair.
Kien glared at Miro, "This. This is what you made her. Are you proud of that?" He made a noise of disgust.
Tali cringed at Kien's anger. Not only was she failing him, she was causing trouble for her master. Why couldn't she just say it? Get past this stupid mental block in her head. She had a fear that could not be described at the thought of it.
Miro knew exactly why she had trouble. He conditioned it out of her so long ago, she couldn't even fathom the possibility. She likely couldn't overcome it without a direct order or reconditioning.
"That's all I know," he said quietly, "that's why she's here, isn't it?" In his mind, he thought he had trained the girl perfectly. In his heart, he felt some tug at something else. The invisible string Kien had been yanking at for so long now. If she chose her way of life now instead of doing only what she was conditioned to, it would mean she was truly willing, and not just doing what she thought would keep her away from punishment.
Miro stood up and knelt in front of Tali. He lifted her chin, "look at me, girl, let me see your eyes."
Tali lifted her eyes, but didn't make eye contact.
"Is Kien more to you than me now? You will do as he says but not me?"
Tali's eyes instantly met his. They were impossibly wide with fear. She put all her effort behind keeping her eyes open and keeping them still.
"Please, master, I'm sorry," she pleaded, "you mean the world to me, master, please believe me!"
Miro looked in her eyes and could see she was begging for something... anything. He decided he would try to help her a little.
"Here, girl, this should make it easier. From now on, you are to call Kien by his-"
"No!" Kien injected, becoming enraged at Miro, "I will not let you taint my lessons. She will learn by choice, not by command."
Miro flinched at the tone, and looked away in embarrassment. He was just trying to help her... give her something, but he had to try to think differently now.
"Girl, remember that when you are here, you follow Kien's rules. I am but a guest," he suppressed a sigh and removed his hand from her chin. He stood up and moved towards the kitchen. Someone had to clean up the mess, though it sure would have been more convenient at home... Tali would have had it done by now. Before he disappeared from view, he called over his shoulder, "just try to learn what Kien has to teach you, girl."
Tali was left there, kneeling in shock at the exchange between her master and Kien. She didn't know what to do, or even what to feel. Her master seemed to be off balance, which was rare. She hoped everything would be alright with him.
Kien crouched down and took Tali's hands gently. She was surprised at how quickly he was able to shift his emotions... how much control he seemed to have over where his feelings were directed.
"Come on, Tali, stand up and come this way," he said softly, soothingly. He lead her over to the corner created by the sofas, "let's give this a try. I know your master gave you your first real personal item, this pillow. I want you to be comfortable enough to learn this lesson."
Tali was so confused, she had no idea where this was going.
Kien continued patiently, "here, you can kneel down on your pillow."
She eyed him warily. Was this yet another trick? She didn't understand him. What game was he trying to play? She did want to so desperately use her pillow though...
She slowly, but still gracefully, knelt down on the pillow, careful to be well centered to keep her balance. She started to lean forward to place her hands on the floor and lower her head, but he stopped her.
"No no, remember, we want to see your pretty face. Is there anything you have to say?"
Tali sat back up, straight. She DID have something she wanted to say. She felt such gratitude from this gift, but ... but she knew what Kien expected from her. Eye contact, mention by name... but it was so hard! She knew he deserved everything she had to give. She should be able to do this more easily. She started to raise her eyes again but continued to struggle.
Kien knew she would struggle... one thing at a time though, "just the name will do," he encouraged her, quietly. Baby steps. He would break through those blasted mental barriers.
Tali almost breathed a sigh of relief, but then cringed. Just his name? No eye contact? He was making it easier... because he didn't think she could do it? Because she was too slow to learn, too weak to handle the lessons? She wanted to please! She wanted to do well... no, she wanted to do the best that she could. She battled down that impenetrable wall in her mind, turning a blind eye to it for as long as she dared.
She raised her eyes and locked onto his eyes. She very deliberately kept her speech even, and said with clarity, "thank you, Kien." When she finished, she held the gaze for several seconds before slowly lowering it, not letting her frightful instincts kick in.
Kien was surprised at first, then smiled and laughed in pleasure. She in turn smiled at his pleasure. Tali was always full of surprises. She always pushed herself beyond what was expected of her, eager to please. She was the perfect slave.
He nearly gasped as the thought crept into his mind. A flash of horror appeared in his expression before he wrestled it away. He got a grip on his thoughts before remembering to give an answer.
"You're welcome, Tali."
Tali sighed as she felt her mind slowly becoming more used to being on the receiving end of polite speech. It didn't feel that terrible after a while.. but was that what she wanted anyway? She didn't need it... but would she be happier? She couldn't know.
Just then, Miro walked back in, a wet rag and dry paper towels to clean up the mess.
"Master! Please, let me take care of that," Tali jumped up immediately, only to groan and hug her chest.
Miro chastised her, "be careful, girl. Don't forget that taking care of yourself as your master's property is just as important as anything else."
"Yes, master, thank you for reminding me," and providing me some familiarity to anchor myself to, she added silently to herself. "Please master, please let me take care of the mess! I am sorry for being so clumsy." Tali didn't think she could stand seeing her master clean up her mess... Everything about that just screamed out at her as being wrong.
Kien cleared his throat, "actually, it was my fault that I startled you. I should be the one to clean it up." He reached his hands out and Miro handed him the items.
Tali's eyes followed the exchange and reached her arms halfway up, "but... but sir, please! I.. I was the one..." she didn't know how to argue. She didn't know how to finish her thought. She lowered her arm and knelt back down. Her sadness at seeing another have to clean up for her mistake caused tears to well up, and she began sniffling a little.
