Easy does it... I just finished cooking these bloody things and I am not doing another batch; I've seasoned these perfectly! Diego thought to himself as he carried a breakfast tray of lightly seasoned eggs, full-fat buttered toast and freshly squeezed juice through the main lobby of Karen's mansion, and up the stairs.
It was just sunrise, and the staircase was brilliantly lit by dazzling white-golden rays, pouring in through the thick, soundproof glass panels that made up a good portion of the mansion's architecture. Diego's bare feet sunk into the rich, steel-coloured carpet beneath him with every soft step. He was currently dressed in a sharply cut turquoise shirt and plain black trousers; uniform.
Admittedly, this was some super comfy carpet. Thick enough to sleep on, in fact. It was a better quality than most nomad beds.
The breakfast tray rattled gently as plates and cutlery clinked against one another, the juice slipping and sliding around inside its glass precariously and threatening to spill as Diego carefully climbed the stairs, and reached the gently-warmed landing. He paused for a moment and looked over at the view before him, through the glass walls to the surrounding estate.
This place was gorgeous. This area had only recently been terra-formed and grass only recently sown, and as such, acres upon acres of brilliant green, sweeping fields surrounded the mansion. The grass sparkled in the morning sun, thanks to a passing seeder barge (a low-hovering DA vehicle designed to spread seeds and water over large areas automatically) spraying fresh water from its sides in large, life-bringing arcs.
Hell, the grass was more comfy than a lot of nomad beds.
Watching the planet's sun rising over the distant mountains and lighting up those fields was a joy. And Diego got to witness it pretty much every day, seeing as part of his new life involved preparing his early-rising keeper's breakfast every morning. It was a picturesque and brilliant scene, with naught a single soul in the area besides himself. It was just... peaceful, in every sense of the word. No wonder she'd chosen to have her estate built here...
He arrived at the master bedroom, and tapped his knuckles against the door gently to signal his arrival.
"Come in, Diego." A feminine, well-spoken voice called out.
He pushed the door open slowly with the tray, and went inside. Somehow, the carpet was even thicker in here.
Karen was sitting upright in her massive bed, looking out over her balcony and enjoying the morning sunrise as well.
She was a pleasant dragoness to look at; brilliant golden skin that faded to a lighter, almost white, ghostly hue towards the end of her limbs and her snout. A pair of dazzling teal eyes sat just above her smoothly scaled muzzle, which was a little short for her species. She had sharp ears of a medium length, and a sleek set of horns that rested parallel above them. Her silvery-white hair was currently messy and curling around her face and neck, but usually she ensured to keep it straight and sharp. She had three teal marks on her face, one centred under her lips, and the other two, just under the outer corners of her eyes.
On her back sat a large and impressive set of wings, currently stretching out from either side of her as she relaxed in bed, as though reaching out for an embrace. They were coloured just like the rest of her, but covered with a splattering of teal pellets, as though someone had flicked a paint brush at her.
She met Diego with a sleepy, comfortable smile.
"Oh, those smell wonderful, Diego! Uh, just lay it on the bed for me here, please."
"Of course." He smiled back, half forced but also half not, and lay the tray down as she'd asked. Her bed was gigantic; even with her wings stretched out, she couldn't reach from one side to the other.
"I've changed my mind about the pool this morning. Don't worry about it. Instead, I'd like you to pop down to the village and pick up some shopping for me. Feel free to take your time, enjoy the morning, I know you like to go out and splash your feet around a little in the fresh dew!" She giggled softly and leaned over the tray, taking in the scent of the food. "Oh, look at those! Seasoned to perfection!"
"Thank you, Karen." His smile didn't falter, but he could feel his face reddening. She'd obviously been paying even more attention to him than he'd realised, and now he just felt embarrassed.
"Clean yourself up and head out straight after, if you'd like. I have nothing else for you to do this morning, and I'll send you the shopping list later on - oh! Before I forget, I'm hosting a party at the end of the month, so we'll need to get you a brand new suit, tidy up that hair of yours as well, have you looking less like you've spent the last six months just running through my hedges!"
"O-of course, Karen. Is that it then, for this morning?" He grit his teeth together slightly; the hair was a sensitive subject.
"Oh, don't pout. We'll keep your hair long, it just needs to be tidied up!" She giggled again and reached a hand out towards her breakfast, causing the blanket to roll down her body slightly and show off her silky dressing gown, with just the slightest hint of soft, golden cleavage.
Diego immediately averted his eyes and took a step back.
"W-will that be all, Karen?"
"Hmm, for now. Ugh, I've got a meeting later tonight with a nomad anomaly hunter and he is such a spineless hog! UGH! I will want a hot bath when I get back, so please have it ready for me... Right, that's it for now. On your way!" Her face had creased in frustration for a moment, but it swiftly smoothed into a satisfied smile as she hummed and chewed on a mouthful of toast.
Diego retreated from the room sharply and made his way straight back to his living quarters on the basement floor.
He walked quickly through his bedroom and into his small ensuite. Splashing his face with cool water, he rested his arms heavily against the sink, sighing loudly.
I do not need a reminder of what I'm missing. Or what I'm not doing. Or what I am doing! This is difficult enough as it is. He tugged at the thick metal collar, sat snugly around his neck.
I can't even jack off with this bloody thing on, not without Karen 'checking in,' asking me if I'm having a freakin' heart attack! I have no privacy in this place, she's made sure of that!
He stared at himself in the mirror, watching the water drip down his face and muzzle. His eyes narrowed, the briefest hint of a snarl curling at his lips.
I would have torn this place apart.
He jolted, shaking his head vigorously.
No! No. He grabbed a towel from the rack nearby and dried himself off.
The basement was less cushy than the rest of the house, but by no means was it a terrible place. The grey, stone walls were thick, heavy and pleasantly warmed, and he had several nice pieces of dark wood furniture, a generously sized single bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers for storing clothes, plus the ensuite. It was spacious, nicely heated and it felt rather homely, in a weird sort of way...
His eyes flickered briefly to the printed note that had been securely stuck to the wall above his bed.
"Any further escape attempts by the labourer will result in him being removed from the premises and re-auctioned after behavioural calibrations."
