[Author's Note: For those of you who commented about these chapters being too short, this one is for you! Enjoy!! And don't forget to vote! LadyV]
*
michael awakened to the sounds of giggling and hushed whispers. He slowly opened his eyes to a scene he had often fantasized about but never expected to see in this lifetime. Beautiful men and women were prancing about, getting ready for the day's duties. None displayed the slightest hesitation about being totally naked in front of others. The men were either semi- or fully-erect, a state made even more evident by the lack of pubic hair, and a state which michael noticed he, too, proudly exhibited.
pet was the first to notice that he was awake and she didn't hesitate to grab his blankets and toss them to the floor, which only served to send even more blood to michael's groin. He grinned unabashedly at pet's perky attitude and said, "Good morning!"
Everyone then turned to michael and echoed his greeting. As he rose from his bed, he felt the aches and pains from yesterday. He noticed that jacob had left the ointment for him to apply after his bath. He followed the others to the bathing room and soon felt the hot water soothe some of the aches.
jacob entered and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. All eyes on him, jacob quickly and efficiently assigned the day's duties. michael was to meet Lady Victoria in the library after breakfast, and was to take his journal with him. Everyone started chattering after jacob left, and michael sat there enjoying the camaraderie, and daydreaming about finally being alone with his Mistress. All too soon, however, everyone started leaving, quickly drying off and hurrying back to their quarters, where the women put on their makeup and the men helped with their hair.
Soon, the slaves were entering the kitchen, where Cook was waiting with a not-so-patient attitude. She said nothing, however, but pointed to what she needed done and then to whom she wanted to do it. pet grinned and winked at michael as she went out to gather the eggs from the henhouse. michael was soon peeling potatoes, as the others were set to busily chopping fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs. pet soon returned with a dozen fresh eggs and expertly broke them into a large bowl to be whipped into omelets. Cook wasted no time in preparing a breakfast feast for Lady Victoria, with a fresh herb omelet, hash browns, bacon, sausage, fruit, toast and homemade jam. And, of course, the fragrant rich smell of freshly ground and brewed coffee made everything else smell even better.
jacob entered the kitchen and seeing everything was in readiness, nodded once, and sent the "living statues" to their niches. michael glanced at jacob, who nodded. So michael once again found himself on display for his Mistress' pleasure. As soon as everyone was in position, Lady Victoria glided in. She glanced around and was apparently satisfied with the decorations, for She nodded and smiled. jacob brought Lady Victoria's plate, filled Her coffee cup, and added just the right amount of sweetener and cream.
She knew that jacob had already given the slaves their assigned tasks, so She took the time to look around at Her "family." She chuckled as She eyed pet, in a rather melodramatic pose that Lady Victoria knew was meant to bring a smile to Her face. The others, too, seemed to be having some fun in their poses this morning. adam was in a "The Thinker" pose and michael was a marvelous "Atlas." Even shy little alice was joining in, posing as a praying Madonna, actually managing to look saintly in spite of her nakedness.
She spoke softly to jacob, so that none of the others could hear. "I have decided to have a play party for the slaves, jacob, tomorrow night. They have all worked extra hard to ready the House for michael's arrival. They deserve to have some fun."
jacob answered, just as softly, "Just the House, Mistress?"
Lady Victoria's eyes twinkled as She answered, "Well, I believe We can manage by Ourselves, don't you?"
jacob's wide smile was really answer enough, but he said, "Yes, Mistress, of course." He knew the others would be thrilled at the thought of a House play party, for the rules were relaxed a bit and everyone was able to let off some steam without fear of retribution or punishment. Except, of course, for the one inviolate rule: all cocks and pussies belonged to Mistress, and unless She gave expressed permission, play excluded using those particular "toys."
She seemed to be thinking along the same lines, as usual. Or was it that jacob was reading Her mind, for a change? Whichever it was, She added, "We'll talk more about it later, jacob."
jacob answered, "Of course, Mistress, as You wish." He had a feeling that the rules were about to be changed, and wondered how far She would allow Her slaves to go at this party. He didn't dare ask, of course, for it was Her decision alone, and he knew that Her slaves' well-being was always a very large part of Her decision-making process.
She ate lightly this morning, as usual, and breakfast was soon finished. "Send michael to Me as soon as he is finished in the kitchen," She instructed jacob, who bowed in response. Then She glided from the room, smiling again at Her decorations.
As soon as She was gone, those decorations left their niches and cleared the table. In the kitchen, they all sat, joined by troy, and ate a hasty breakfast, then washed, dried and put away the dishes. The leftover food, of which there was a large amount, was packaged into containers, which troy started taking out to the van. pet had run out and come back carrying another dozen fresh eggs, which she packaged carefully and took to troy in the waiting van.
michael asked jacob, "Why is he taking the food? And where?"
jacob asked, "Have you not noticed that there is always more left than is consumed?"
michael thought about it and realized that jacob was right. In the short time he had been there, he had seen huge amounts of food prepared, but his Mistress always ate lightly. He remembered wondering at the waste. But jacob soon set him straight.