The Vampire and his Servant (Jessicahouse and The Sauce)

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Alexander Vance awoke just after the sun disappeared beyond the distant horizon. Though the curtains shielded his bedroom from direct sunlight by the curtains, he still allowed some light to shine in so that he may know when the sun was gone. It was always a potential threat to him, for if someone were to come in and tear his curtains in the middle of the day he might burn. But anyone who would be so foolish would meet an untimely end before they could make it to the door.

This was the sort of life Lord Vance lived. After centuries of defending his land against invasions by Turks, Vikings, Russians, and more, he had become a loathsome beast of a man. A paranoid creature forced to live in the same sort of fear he struck in the hearts of his subjects.

He could only hope they feared him more than he feared them.

Rising from his bed, he pulled back the bed curtains and slipped on a bath robe. His shoulders were sore, so he decided he would call in one of the servant girls to help him bathe so she might work out the knots in his back and muscles.

Exiting his room, he turned to the nearest attendant and said, "Send a young lady to my bathing chamber."

"Yes, my lord," said the attendant.

Lord Vance continued on his way to the bathing chamber. The way his servants looked at him, he was sure that some of them had seen past his ruse. Over the centuries, he had made sure to spend some time abroad, then return having used alchemical means to restore a more youthful appearance and claiming to be the previous Lord Vance's son. To his servants, he was Lord Vance VII, but some were too smart to fall for such simple tricks.

In his bathing chamber, his servants, having anticipated his needs, had filled the tub with hot water and bubbles. Lord Vance thought the bubbles a silly addition, but he understood their necessity if he was to have one of his young servant women come in and attend to him there. Too many servants would flee if they thought he'd ordered them to come to him for untoward reasons.

Lord Vance stripped off his bath robe and climbed into the tub, relishing the warmth he felt as the water gathered around him.

[The Sauce]

A shiver went down Alice's spine when she was given the order.  I must have heard that wrong....  To her shame, she imagined her hands sliding down her master's back, caressing his body at his command...

Alice had always been loyal and always tried to maintain a proper servant's attitude, accepting demands as they came.  This nearly caused a lapse, almost, but not quite.  She quickly found a private spot to gather herself...
Orderly chambermaid outfit with no stains? Yes...
Cool and indifferent demeanor? Yes...
In pure thoughts? Suppressed for now...
With a resolved sigh, Alice made her way to the chamber.  On her way there she became conscious of her hands.  She had washed them, but she felt compelled to check if they were still clean several times on the way there.

Finally, she makes it to the door... her heels making enough noise, she suspected, of announcing her arrival for her.  Slowly, she enters the room and faces her master, desperately trying to keep her eyes locked to his, as to not let them wander.

With a bow she says, "I am pleased to serve you, master.  M-may I begin?

(I might have to leave for some time like I said to do some work soon.  I might have time for another post but regardless I should be back on in about 4 or 4 and a half hours)

[The Sauce]

(I'll add a bit more while I have this time)
Her mind raced, screaming at her and trying to calm her nerves.
This is your job.  He won'teven remember you after.  He's trying to humiliate you!  He'll do something awful if you don'tdo this!
She freezes awkwardly for a moment during her advance to his side.  She forces a smile to come across her face, awaiting command, like she always had.

[JessicaHouse]

((I'll await a few more details. So far so good, but I think I might actually prefer to start with her entering the room.))

[The Sauce]

(Ok, let's pretend this text here comes just before the paragraph that starts with finally)
Different scenes played incoherently in Alice's head.  She imagined what she would have to do to remain from showing how flustered she is when she greets her master.  Then, a thought struck her. Why are you so worked up about this?Indeed, this was simply another duty for her to perform, just as other servants had... just as her parents had...
She couldn't reconcile with herself.  This is just another service to perform... don't think of what he might do if you make a mistake, just go in there and do it.  In truth, Alice couldn't make sense of any of her feelings.  She tried to at least figure out the most prominent one, there was embarrassment, there was fear, there was...
What is that last feeling?  Something swirled in Alice's stomach as she approached the door.  She imagined the noise of her heels had forewarned her arrival.
She took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door lightly, and once more to make sure she was heard.  She prepared herself...

[The Sauce]

(I hope that was enough, if you would like me to restate and go further into Alice's backstory I think I can squeeze it into the coming scene as a way to keep her mind off her work.  By the way I just got approved and am looking for a suitable picture)

[JessicaHouse]

((That all sounds good to me. And congratulations!))

Lord Vance glanced up at the nervous servant standing at his side. Her hands shaking, her palms sweating, her lips quivering. Had no one prepared her? Developed in her the nerve she would need to serve him? Or was his reputation truly so horrible that this young lady thought he would force himself on her? Maybe he didn't need to worry so much about whether or not the people feared him after all.

He considered for a moment; did he dare be kind to her so that she would not be so afraid? He'd certainly enjoy the touch of a woman who wasn't so terrified of him. But what if she told others he hand been kind? Would this not make the people believe he'd become weak?

No. He could not be kind, but neither would he be particularly cruel to this frightened woman, barely more than a girl.

In a stern tone, he said, "You need only touch my shoulders and arms. I wish for you to help me to relax, nothing more. You should show your gratitude by doing your duty. Snap to it!"

[The Sauce]

(Ok I have a picture I like, I know I'm gonna sound dumb but how do I insert it here? Thank you for your help)

[JessicaHouse]

((When you type up a message, you will notice some buttons just above the place where you put your text. There are three buttons which let you bold text, put it in italics, or underline it. Beneath the "Bold" button you will see a button that looks like it has a little painting in it. Click on that. This should pop up in the text box: ))

((On the image you want to insert, right click and select "copy image address." Then, on Elliquiy, paste the image address between the first "img" in parentheses and the second.))

[The Sauce]

Alice gives a quick nod, not daring to disobey her master for even a moment's notice.  She quickly positioned herself behind the intimidating figure presented before her.  She felt an eerie cold wash over her body as she knelt behind him, and was given an unsettling reminder...

She had been told she had lost her mother to the cold.  A chill had brought with it an pneumonia for her mother to suffer through, and she had to watch helplessly as her mother's health deteriorated.  Alice tried to shove these thoughts out of her mind before they distracted her but they returned as fast as she forced them out...

Her father clung to her very closely after her mother's burial.  He did not want to leave her side for a moment,  Alice suspected even, that many of his hugs from that point on had been partly to soothe his own misery and partly to make sure Alice was still warm.

Just focus on the task at hand.

Alice had to watch her father suffer a slow death as well.  No major health problems as far as the eye could see.  Alice knew it was because of her mother, he loved her beyond what Alice could comprehend.  She was the only thing anchoring him to his life and now he was gone.

And I couldn't replace her.

Alice tried to squelch these thoughts harder and harder with each mental image.  A recollection that felt like hours to her only seemed to take a few moments in real time and she knew she had to perform her duties.  Alice knelt down behind the Lord, his instructions finally registering properly in her mind.  She let out a  barely audible sigh of relief.  She quickly rested her hands on his shoulders, hoping her suddenness had not come across as rude.  Perhaps it will appear to be willingness?

Alice began to very gingerly rub, her small fingers digging in lightly to his shoulders, applying pressure where she believed him to hold stress.  She was afraid to make another comment, she should only speak when spoken to. 

Wait, what was I even going to say?

[The Sauce]

(Since I'm not sure about the customs of the site yet I am going to let you know I am logging off for the night.  I should be able to reply to posts at around... 1pm- 4pm and I should be free again at some point that night.  Talk to you tomorrow and thank you for the help)

[JessicaHouse]

((She's adorable!))

Lord Vance moaned softly as Alice massaged his shoulders and the muscles between them and his neck. The tension there slowly released in her warm hands. But it was not enough.

"Dig deeper," he commanded. "Don't worry, you will not hurt me. Act as if you were trying to."

No doubt the girl had become distracted. Typical. But Lord Vance could hardly blame her if he stopped and thought about it. She was massaging the strong muscles of a nobleman who had slain hundreds of men in battle. Surely she had reason to be afraid, and reason to direct her thoughts elsewhere.

Though, by the rhythm of her breathing and the sound of her pulse, Lord Vance could tell she'd not managed to distract herself with happy memories. "Tell me what troubles you," he said. "Come on. Out with it!"

[The Sauce]

Alice is taken back by his abrupt order.  Was it that obvious?
She gave herself a few moments to prepare what she wanted to say, her thoughts punctuated by her fingers digging deeper and deeper, she tried to act like she wanted to hurt him, but refrained from going too hard.

"Four years ago I lost my mother to the cold." She was about to add the fact that she felt cold near him now but excluded it last second.  "I was devastated but my father was... he was much worse off.  He loved her long before I was ever born and no matter how I tried to fill the void in his heart, he just got worse and worse and worse".  Her voice cracked on the last "worse."

Alice tried soothing her emotions by distracting herself with what lay in front of her, the irony not lost on her.  She dug her fingers deeper, now not caring about how her master felt, he wanted this, he'll get this.  She finally let's her hands begin to explore his arms. 

She did not want to speak out of turn but wanted to change the subject even more, "Do you find this pleasurable, master?"

[The Sauce]

(Heads up, I need to go do some work now, I should be back when I said)

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Vance relaxed into the work of her fingers, relieving the tension which had built up for too long. Her story was sad, but at first he wasn't sure why such a thing was on her mind at this particular moment. Plenty of people have tragedies in their past but don't dwell on them constantly.

He realized, though, that it was likely something about him which had brought such painful memories to mind. Maybe he resembled her father in some way. Or maybe the mere nature of what he was made her think about death. His vampirism was a secret, but not a closely-guarded secret. It was one of those things that most people knew but no one talked about for fear that they would make the knowledge a reality, and it would force them to decide if they wanted to serve a creature most considered to be evil.

At her question, Lord Vance smiled. "Yes. Much better. You deserve some manner of reward when you are done. What manner of reward might please you, dear young lady?"

[The Sauce]

"Dear young lady?"  Does he mean that?  Alice had no idea what to think.  Had her master just... flirted with her? No.  How foolish of her, it was a compliment to reassure her.

Alice had never been in a position to make a request... she barely knew how to make a request.... what could she ask for?  Was this even a legitimate question?  Was this a test?  A trap?  She hesitated but made sure not to retract her soft touch.  She thought for a moment...
Money is off the table, that would be an insult.  A relief from duty for even a short time would show disloyalty...


"Master... m-may I please be given extra rations tonight?  I have been feeling hungry for some time and haven't gotten enough to eat..." Alice asked in a timid tone, knowing to demonstrate respect.  At the same time her hands had adventured down almost to the point where her Lord's arms submerge below water, not daring to go further.  She quickly hushed an impure thought and waited shakily for a response.

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Vance noticed her hands traveling and smirked to himself. Was this young woman lusting after him a bit? He wondered if he'd get an opportunity to play with that at all.

"Extra rations sounds fair," said Lord Vance. "Are you sure you wish to use this favor on that?" He turned his head, his dark eyes meeting hers. "Nothing else comes to mind, dear young lady?"

He licked his lips, giving just a hint of something suggestive to see where her mind might go. It was interesting, sometimes, to test the waters with his servants. See how they might respond if he did make advances.

[The Sauce]

He is flirting,  oh God what do I do?  I-i have to... no...  Alice blushed at the idea of indulging her master's apparent advance.  She was conflicted, was this a test or a true show of affection?  She had to make a choice...
"W-well if you insist sir-uh... master,  I have always wondered what it would be like to dine like royalty do..." Alice gave a moment's hesitation.  "If you are willing... could I share a meal with you...?"
What are you doing, Alice?  What will he think?  Why did you even say that?

Alice suddenly doubted her hastily contrived plan.  Visibly blushing, she once again found herself at the mercy of his respinse...

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Vance chuckled. "Dine like royalty? Well, even if you eat with me you won't quite be there. I'm not a king, my dear. But, to answer your question, yes, you may dine with me, but I have a condition."

He reached up and grasped her hand in his own, holding her firmly enough to impress upon her his strength without hurting her. "You will swear to me two things. First, that you will not deny me my meal when the time comes. Second, that you will not breathe a word to anyone what you see when you dine alone with me. Do you swear, dear lady?"

[The Sauce]

What have I done!?
Alice can't tell for certain if her master is serious or simply playing with her.  Her hand feels weak in his grasp and she refuses to even think about challenging it.  She nods her head, almost to a bow.
"Yes master, I would never stop you from eating a meal, I live to serve you... and I won't tell a soul." The last few words come out as a timid whisper.  Her other hand had stopped rubbing him and she had failed to notice, taken back by what had just happened.
Alice, you need to stay calm, he is just showing kindness.  Yes... that's it, kindness is all...

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Vance grinned victoriously. The young woman had taken the bait, and now she was all his. His eyes fixed on a spot on her neck, where he could hear her pulse beating. His mouth watered at the thought, and he licked his lips in anticipation.

"Good." He turned his back to her again and leaned back. "Wash my hair as well," he commanded. His locks were long, dark, and surprisingly soft for a man so rough and fierce.

[The Sauce]

"Yes master."  Alice replied with haste.  She did her best to honor his request, hoping that if she does well he might treat her even better than he has.
Don't kid yourself, Alice.  This man is terryfing.

She ran her fingers through his hair, somewhat impressed by their feeling, but mostly distracted by the fact that it was still dry which meant...
Oh just get it over, Alice!

She reached down into the tub, letting her hands go no further than am inch.  She hastily brought her hands behind his head and he felt her now wet touch again.  She had to dip her hands in several more time before her master's hair was sufficiently wet.

He felt her hands retract for a moment then felt them return, smelling of shampoo.  She lathered up his hair as fast as she could, at this point content to simply see her job done.

She had to command herself to dip her hands into the water a few more times to properly wash his hair clean.  She grabbed a towel and, as lightly as she could in order to refrain from annoying him, rubbed his head dry.

"H-have I pleased you, master?"

[JessicaHouse]

"Yes, you have," said Lord Vance, sighing in contentment. "I'm going to get out of the tub now."

He looked up at her, waiting to see if she'd take this as her cue to go or if she intended to stay. Either way, when he was done silently counting to thirty he was going to stand up. If she was still there, she'd see more than she likely expected. If not, he would dry himself off in privacy.

[The Sauce]

Alice stays kneeling for a few moments.  Finally she realizes what she has been signaled to do.  She stands up and turns around, frantically hiding her embarrassment.  She turns only once to leave a towel by his side and to bow.

"Thank you for your kindness, master."  She makes for the door, formulating what she should do next.  She pauses at the door after she opens, for some reason feeling an urge to stay.  Did he have more to say?

Just leave Alice!  You don'twant to... see that, do you?

Alice dates to turn one last time.  "Any last minute orders, master?" 

(Heads up I need to get ready to do something soon, i might not be able to finish the next scene.  I think we should wait, i will be available again tonight, sorry.)

[JessicaHouse]

((Whenever you are available. It's all good.))

The girl had chosen to turn her back rather than actually leave the room. Lord Vance smirked at the thought. She was comfortable enough to stay in the room with him, yet not comfortable enough to look at him. He was almost certain now that this young servant was attracted to him, and the idea thrilled him. She was an attractive woman herself. Pretty. Beautiful eyes. Slender figure. Lord Vance briefly fantasized about taking her to bed.

One step at a time, he told himself.

He stood from the tub, the hot water dripping off his body and steam rising as he took the towel and dried himself off. Once he was dry, he wrapped the towel around his waist.

"Alice, since you have chosen to stay, I am giving you a rare privilege. You are to enter my room, find clothes for me in my wardrobe, and return with them for me. You may choose for me what I will wear this evening."