Snippet #2768467

Following the knocking at the door, a brief wait began. Approximately eight seconds later the door was unlocked and opened by a young female servant, likely sixteen years or younger, wearing a maid outfit who bowed and welcomed them to Lady Nelrin's home.

Lady Nelrin. So that was her 'name' in this city when not going by Mariah. Linde thought.

Once inside, Mariah approached and gave them a curtsy.

"Welcome to my home, my darlings." She began, pausing as she saw Linde.

"Oh my... Your young lady is positively stunning, darling. Might I ask where you acquired her?"

After they were let in, Aetrius made certain that Linde stayed close enough and in sight if anything were to happen, again. They followed the young girl that led them into a main room where a woman stood, who she immediately understood to be Mariah, Aetrius gave a nod of her head and a bow in return to Mariah's curtsy. But upon her question of where she acquired Linde, her mind immediately started calculating different answers and how they could possibly end, good and badly. Finally she thought of her answer very quickly and casually as she could engaged in conversation with Mariah, "It is a pleasure to be here, darling. As for where I acquired my most prized servant? Well, she was, as you could say gifted to me by an old friend years ago. One of a kind, to be rather honest." she gave her a slight smirk and then remembered why they were there in the first place, "Please, let me introduce myself. I am Lady Casandra, my servant Viktor Griffith told me about his visit yesterday with you and I decided to personally make it an important goal of mine to meet you first hand before the auction, in a more, personal level, my dear. It is but a pleasure to properly meet you in person." she said as she gave her a nod once more, hoping and praying to Heresta that her acting was believable and as good as it used to be.

Mariah appraised Aetrius from head to toe before glancing once again to Linde, standing with her eyes averted, a calm and empty expression on her face, and her hands clasped in front of her groin.

She then looked back to Aetrius.

"The pleasure is mine, I assure you. Please, come. Have a seat." She offered, gesturing to her twelve seated table.

"You may sit wherever you please, darling. Now then. Let's talk, shall we?"

When Aetrius took her seat, Linde stole a quick glance at her to check her physical condition.

... No signs yet. She thought, not that she wanted any signs to appear as it was. But still, for Aetrius' sake she hoped they kicked in sooner rather than later.

"I remember Viktor. An odd one, to be sure. But likable." She said casually, sipping at a cup of wine as Aetrius was brought several bottles to choose her drink from.

"I am told you seek the ultimate prize of the auction. The finest servant this land has ever seen. Am I wrong, darling?"

Aetrius followed Mariah to the dining room, which was one of the biggest dining halls she had ever seen, besides the one's she had seen in her time of being a thief, but now wasn't the time for that. She took a seat close enough to Mariah's seat and sat down, and was offered multiple bottles to choose from, after she picked one she listened as Mariah spoke of Lolan, or in this case [Viktor[/i], and nodded at her comments of him being odd, and then her inquiry of her real business.

She nodded, and took a sip of her drink and spoke as casually as she could, but also just as calmly as she could, "Yes, my dear. Viktor is...As some would say, odd. But that is what makes him one of my favorite servants." she gave a bit of a chuckle, but remained calm as she spoke of her real business being there, "But yes. I am here for business, and business alone. I acquire some of the rarest and most sought after slaves and servants that money or bargaining can buy. Usually I get what I want as money isn't an issue for me. But before I truly commit, dear. Please, tell me more of this prized slave that I've heard so much about. I want to make sure what I'm possibly investing is in...good enough. You see, I desire nothing but the best for my....collection." she said as she reclined back in her chair, but kept her posture well enough, even though she started to feel slightly off, not sick, but different and she wasn't exactly sure why, but managed to keep a straight face all the while.

Aetri could hide many things, but she couldn't hide how her body was reacting from Linde's experienced eye. The first symptom, discomfort, had arrived. She hid it well, but not well enough. The second symptom would be arriving any time now. And that symptom would be thirst.

For now, she continued looking at the table.

"Ah, a fine taste indeed darling. I too desire only the best for my collection. And I must say, your servant there is... The most beautiful I've ever seen. I don't suppose she would be on the market for the right price? I can name any you ask." She said with a tilt of her head.

Aetrius cleared her throat at the notion of Linde being up for sale, and took another sip of her drink before speaking, but this time the sip was a bit longer than just the last. Aetrius cleared her throat again and looked at Mariah as she spoke, "Sorry, my dear. But no. This one...This one is not up for sale at all. No price could compare to her...usefulness." she said calmly, and took another sip of her drink as she continued to stay calm and collected, allbeit she was rather annoyed with what idea Mariah was proposing.

Mariah sighed.

"I understand, darling. Such a shame. I wish I'd found her sooner. I can only imagine how she's served her previous masters before you."

Mariah noticed Aetrius drinking more and arched an eyebrow.

"Would you care for some water, dear? You seem to be in great thirst." She asked.

Aetrius nodded as Mariah suggested water, and once it was brought over she thanked the servant and then turned back to Mariah after taking a sip of water. "Sorry, my dear. I suppose that having been indoors for so long, and then now coming out from my own place of temporary residence has uh, how you say, taken a bit of a toll on me? But I am otherwise perfectly fine, I assure you. But as for my servant here, again my dear. I am sorry, but she isn't up for sale." she cleared her throat and got into a more comfortable position and put the cup down, "But now, my dear. About the servant or rather, slave in question. What can you tell me about her? Is she all that I've heard of? Or are the rumors just false?" she questioned innocently enough.

Mariah sat up a bit straighter and smiled.

"She is all the rumors say and more, darling." She said proudly.

"She's obedient, yet feisty and combative. A near perfect blend, actually. She'll do as you ask, but not unless it's done her own way. Even fetching a cup of water is done her own way instead of how you might otherwise request it. If you don't like it, she'll simply tell you that it's done and there's nothing left for you to complain about."

She gave a wave of her hand.

"Her beauty is quite staggering, though not as much as present company." She said, eyeing Linde again.

"Still, she is beautiful. She has a fine figure, a pretty face, and beautiful red hair not unlike your own. Indeed she's currently my prized possession, and I'm almost sad to give her up. But when you love something, sometimes you have to set it free. I'm afraid her feistiness is just a little too much for me." She chuckled like only a noblewoman could.

"Still, I suppose the one thing I loved the most about having her is the dazzling displays she'd put on for me. If I asked for a "fun time," she'd perform a wonderful strip tease for me showing me everything my heart could desire. If I may let out a secret, darling, I enjoy the sight of women as much as men. And having her in bed was... Oohh." Mariah shuddered at the final line.

Linde was starting to get nervous, but the third and final sign she was looking for was arriving at last... Drowziness. Aetri would be getting tired before she could cause too much trouble. If she could hold back, all the better. But still it would be easier to prevent a catastrophe if she was too tired to rise and try to kill the woman.

Aetrius listened patiently and was calm all the while, until Mariah got to a certain part of her talk of Kieran. That, that was indeed the final straw. But, why...why was she suddenly feeling so heavy and even, tired. Why? She slept enough, and even ate and drank back at the...house...That was it, that tipped it off to Aetrius, or at least that's what she thought. Did...Did Linde...? No...she couldn't have...Could she? she thought to herself, but shook her head and looked back up at Mariah the best she could without wanting to shoot up, jump onto the table, pick up Mariah and strangle her slowly, but only after she found out where Kieran was. But, whatever over came her over time, was winning and she had to remain calm and casual about this, not letting her emotions get the best of her. "I see...Obedient, but resilient...And beautiful as well....Hmm...A prize I'm sure of. Must indeed be a great loss for you, but I do have my eyes on such a thing as that, and now my interest is even more peaked, my dear. Thank you for your time and hospitality, and now that my interest is in the works, I can assure you, I will indeed be at the auction. And may the highest bidder win, my dear. But now, we must go. We've spent long enough here. We will be seeing you soon enough, Lady Nelrin. Till then." she slowly rose to her feet, and motioned for Linde to follow suit.

Linde inwardly sighed in relief as Aetrius held herself together and bid Mariah farewell. Linde followed her out of the estate and to the outside before gently pulling Aetri into the alleyway near the house and helping her sit down.

”I'm so sorry, Aetrius. I had to do something to make sure you didn't kill that woman.” She said, cupping her face with both hands.

”This drowziness will last for about an hour. So here. Lean on me and I'll take you back to the Pony.” She said, trying to help hoist Aetri to her feet so she could lean on Linde's shoulder.

Aetrius walked with Linde as they left, and was almost thrown off balance literally when Linde pulled her into an alleyway and sat her down. What came next to say the least surprised her, but not as much as it would have if she was any dumber. She looked at Linde as she spoke and apologized for drugging her, and as much as she wanted to be angry and get upset with Linde, she couldn't. She understood Linde's reasoning for drugging her, and nodded and walked with her as Linde brought her back to the Pony, "I understand, Linde....But still...There was no reason for it...I caught on as soon as I started to get tired...Next time, just...let me know ahead of time? And also, I'll get you back for this ,love...but only after this wears off...you better..." Aetrius said as she yawned, and whatever else her threat was melded into slurred words and mumbles, all the way back to the Pony did Aetrius mumble things and slur her words, to anyone she looked like a noblewoman that had too much to drink and her slave had to bring her back, and that may have been closer to the truth than some may have thought.

Linde brought Aetri back and, as she’d done for Linde, laid her on the bed and lay down with her to cuddle with her as she shook off the effects of the drug. All the while she gave Aetri gentle kisses on her temple, cheeks, and once or twice on the lips to help keep her calm and relaxed as her body flushed the drugs from her system.

She just hoped Kyero was doing well with his job and that Lonan was finding things to do with himself.