[IC] Remember Me [Dumbapple/LalaKitty]

[Dumbapple]

Andreios paused, he was looking at his master, but his mind was reeling back. Had he met Ava before? His memories of a child were fuzzy and confusing. But there she was. His master's girl. He was a few years older than her, which seemed more of an difference then. She was kind to him. Too kind. All she wanted to do was to follow him around like a puppy. Back then he didn't seem to care. He simply accepted the girl's presence as he accepted many things. Had she liked him? Did she really? What was it about him that attracted her to him... He looked at James and narrowed his eyes. He would give no reaction. He would keep his calm and answer accordingly, like he would have... Like a good, mindless slave. "I see my lord." He looked away from his master and looked at Ava. The girl looked so... cute. He wanted to hold her, tease her about this. He wanted to look into her eyes and say nonsense. This, this pained him. The knowledge that he couldn't do it now. "Your daughter has poor tastes."

[Lala Kitty]

James' laughter, in response to Andreios' comment, was instantaneous. While he didn't have the satisfaction of beating the slave back into submission for lashing out angrily, the tone of his voice, the iciness in his eyes... it was even better than he hoped for. Ava felt terrible on her end, no longer squirming in embarrassment, but looking down at her plate in disgust with herself. She could hear the annoyance in Andreios' response & assumed her was bothered by the news of her childhood affections. So he really did think little of her; as much as she expected this, it was still saddening.

"I-i'm going to bed," Ava announced, standing from her seat at the dinner table. She had barely touched her food now, but she really wasn't that hungry anymore. Besides, she didn't know if she could take being around Andreios right now, just after she assumed he'd spurned her. She should leave the room to keep her head held high for another day.

"Ava be sure you are ready for a meeting with Lord Whitley tomorrow morning," James ordered his daughter, causing her to stop in her tracks. Whitley was one of those rich men that she didn't want to be tossed with, & unknown to her knowledge, had already been her fiance in the past. While James wanted to torture Andreios, he wasn't stupid. Ava was nearing the age of an old maid, & needed to be married as soon as he could, more or less, sell her off to the highest bidder.

"N-no," Ava replied simply. She tried to keep her voice firm & proud, but she was too devastated & nervous to speak up against her father, & with good reason. No sooner had the words been uttered from her mouth did James stand. He quickly closed in the space between him & his daughter, the young woman letting out a sharp yelp as his palm smacked hard enough to make her face recoil from his hand. He was a bit apprehensive that Andreios would step between them as Ava held her cheek in her hands & staggered backwards, but he wasn't going to tolerate this behavior from Ava. She was already back to the behavior she was exhibiting right before she ran away two years ago.

"You will be ready for Lord Whitley's arrival," James announced once more, leaving no room for discussion in his tone; his word was law, & Ava would follow it, or she would suffer. Ava didn't confirm or deny his comment, but instead left the room as she felt hot tears running down her cheeks. If she was embarrassed before, she was mortified. James paid no mind & went back to his seat. He was eerily calm now as he began to eat his supper again.

"See to it that Ava does not leave this estate tonight," James ordered Andreios, "If she makes it one step outside the threshold, she will not live until morning."

With this chilling statement, James went back to his quiet meal.

[Dumbapple]

Andreios wanted to ask how he would kill her... but there was likely some evil enchantment involved. He merely nodded, he would keep her safe. But he knew her... she was a runner. That was how he found her in the first place was it not. The more and more Andreios thought about it, it would be easiest to simply kill James.... But things were never that simple. He could pick Ava up and run away. They'd be tracked.... Maybe if he just told Ava the truth about the whole ordeal? She'd dismiss him or worse, believe him and do something reckless.

The man merely nodded, looking at James with hatred. He silently followed Ave back to her room. Knowing her... she'd use the window to escape so he took to the out side, underneath her balcony. Waiting for the girl to try to leave.

[Lala Kitty]

Andreios knew the young woman all too well. No sooner had she gotten back to her room than Ava decided that she was going to try to escape her fathers estate, even if just for a few hours. She had done this last time as well, only leaving for a couple of hours at a time, that time increasing with each escape into the outside world. The lure of freedom was just too much for her to ignore.

Putting on some boots & a riding outfit, Ava decided she would go for a short ride & then come right back, & no one would be the wiser. She put on her cloak before going outside. Being everywhere was currently covered in snow, she would be able to use her old specialty in water magic to escape. Leaning over the balcony edge, the mage felt an alarming amount of power in her body as she quickly built a set of stairs with the snow & hopped over the edge of the railing. She quickly & quietly made her way down after, her snow stairs crumbling after her feet no longer made contact with them.

Ava felt so proud of herself & her stealthy exit. & to think, just two days ago, making the snow stairs was so hard to do. Just where did this increase of power come from? Oh well, she'd worry on that later. Turning on her heel, Ava was shocked when she ran into something solid, stopping her dead in her tracks from continuing to the stables. What in the world?

"M-master Andreios?"

[Dumbapple]

"Ah, her ladyship. I was expecting you." He voice was low, with a twinge of annoyance. "You should be in your room. Your father will be displeased to see that you have gone. I do advise you to return." With out letting her to defend her stance, or say anything the man took her by the arm and was already dragging her back. "I don't have any wishes to listen to your complaints if you have any my lady. I only wish to serve and protect you. I mean this. Understand my hand are bound, and there is only so much I can do. Be patient and play along with your father's interests. Give me time." He knew he was spouting nonsense to the girl. Ava was probably far from understanding what he meat by all this. His hope was that she would blindly follow his advice. He needed her blind trust in him that she had shown before.

"And please Ave" He said, almost pained as he used 'Ave' instead of her title or her name, "Do not refer me to Master Andreios. I am no more than a pet to your father, and the furthest thing from Master of anything."

[Lala Kitty]

Ava was completely floored by Andreios' attitude, even moreso by the way his attitude seemed to have completely flipped. He seemed to be brash & much more passionate before, much different than the mild-tempered man he was earlier that day. What brought this change about him so suddenly? All Ava knew was that she felt like she could trust Andreios, or that she should. It was that intuition of hers again, & she was fairly wrong about her gut feelings.

"Ave?" the young woman asked breathlessly, as the two neared her bedroom, "Master Andreios, have you called me that before?"

Ava rooted her heels into the ground just inside the entrance of her room, blocking the doorway with her body. Once again, deja vu was knawing at her insistently, refusing to let up. There was no way that the last time she met Andreios was when they were children. But why didn't she remember it? Everything was starting to confuse her now, & make her nervous.

"I don't understand what is happening here," Ava said honestly, her voice quiet, "But... I'm so scared now. Papa isn't as kind as he usually is, Mama is even sicker than before, & you... we've met some time before now, more recently than when we were children. What has happened; what is everyone hiding from me?"

Ava realized she was clutching to the front of Andreios' armor now, her fingers gloved for outside cold, but still trembling a little. She, the laws of decency, should move away from Andreios & apologize, but right now, she was the most comfortable she had been all day. There was something familiar about Andreios' height, his scent, the specific, deep color of his eyes. Ava suddenly reached up & clutched her head as the pain washed over her. Her mind struggled to remember Andreios, but her body, filled with her father's evil spell, was fighting her, almost tearing apart.

"W-what is happening to me?" Ava asked Andreios helplessly.

[Dumbapple]

"Nothing." Andreios answered bluntly, "Nothing is happening to you, as long as you return back to your quarters where you'll be safe." Andreios dared to pat the girl on the head. It looked so painful, this magic, but he knew Ava was stronger that it. Eventually, in time, it would break. "Trust that I will fix everything." It was to much to hope that she would remember, but time would fix that. Apparently James didn't account for this, the possibility that Ava could beat this.... and if he did. Andreios didn't want to think about it. He couldn't let his thoughts waver any long as they did. He needed to be sure in his actions. He needed to be sure of Ava. "Try not to hurt yourself over a feeling my lady. The best way you can help me is if you do not anger your father. There will be a time when all makes sense, today is not that day. Now I repeat. Return to your room my lady."

[Lala Kitty]

Ava was still concerned, looking up at Andreios as she finally released the front of his armor. She wanted to just go along with what he said, but Pandora's box had been opened, & she couldn't calm her racing mind down now if she wanted to. Groaning, Ava rubbed her forehead with her hand & tried to stop the dizzy feeling washing over her. Looking up at Andreios again, she felt worse than before.

Her bodyguard looked so desperate & worried right now. It was a complete change from the calm, collected man she met earlier, & it made Ava more nervous. What was he hiding? & why did he seem to be so wary of her father? Yes, he'd slapped her earlier, but he was usually so mild-mannered, & gentle.

"But you look so lonely right now," Ava said before she could stop herself, "I don't want you to feel lonely... It hurts to see you like that. Is there nothing I can do to at least ease your mind, Master Andreios? Anything at all...."

[Dumbapple]

"You can go back to your room." He smiled gently at the girl, and for a moment he didn't looked like a kicked dog, he seemed like himself. "You can stay safe. And try to smile. It may hurt you to see me like this, but you have no idea how seeing you like this hurts me." Seeing him as if he was a distant stranger. Her not knowing him. Not recalling anything that the two of them went through together. He hated how she couldn't know how fiercely he loved her. His hand gently traced her cheek, and it took everything in him not to kiss her. If he wanted to be the one he loved, he needed to out smart James. Kill him. And to do that, he needed Ava safe.

"I'll take you back, Come on my lady."

[Lala Kitty]

As much as Ava wanted to fight Andreios more, she could tell just talking hurt him. Her suspicions were confirmed, though. She knew him before now, & if she was lucky, they were pretty close. She certainly felt like it when he ran his hand down her cheek & just stared at her for a few moments. But why couldn't she remember him? & why in the world was her father trying to marry her off if she had someone like Andreios?

"I'm not going to give up," Ava promised Andreios softly, following him into her room, "I'm going to figure out what's going on here, & why every one is acting so weird. Why can't you just tell me?"

[Dumbapple]

Andreios sighed, "Its simple Ava. I am a slave." He said this rather calmly. He figured if she thought that was the reason for everything, things would go more smoothly for him. She might even trust him a little. Also, if she knew her father kept him as a slave she would see him for what he really was, a monster. "I belong to your father, I am no more than your guard dog." He leaned against her door way, his dark blue eyes looking past her, through the window as if he was a caged bird, longing for freedom. "This is why everyone is acting the way they do Ava. It is evident that you have a crush on me. And your father wishes to keep my identity a secret from you because he doesn't want you to do anything rash. Thus, you must not let on you know. I could be killed as result." He hoped adding the last part would convince her to keep her mouth shut on knowing... for it would likely be her life lost, and not his own.

[Lala Kitty]

Ava was horrified when Andreios announced that he could be killed if she wasn't silent about their conversation. Her father would never do something that horrendous, would he? Well, she'd also thought that he would never lay a hand on her either, & earlier, he proved her wrong.

Frowning, Ava nodded to her bodyguard, accepting his words for the moment. She wasn't going to give up remember him, not now that she just knew he had to be from her past, but how was she going to go about that? She would research it on her own tomorrow at some time.

"I will keep silent," Ava promised Andreios, clutching her hand to her chest, still worried. "Whatever is happening, please be careful. I certainly don't want to see you die, okay??"

[Dumbapple]

Andreios nodded at her. "There is no need to worry Ave." He gave a soft smile, which felt completely off for he was never the kind of guy who smiled... Even when it was just him and Ava. "And most certainly do not worry of me. How can I be lonely when you exist in the same world as myself." This statement was so true he thought. Even when he was erased from her memory she still clung to him, was still drawn to him... She still cared for him when he was nothing but a slave. He wished he could have saved her... but as all humans were however, he was greatly flawed and saw to his own downfall. "Stay safe m'lady. And have sweet dreams." He turned away from the door, shutting it behind him softly. He would stay outside her room a bit longer, to make sure she didn't have any plans of escape.

[Lala Kitty]

Now that Andreios had warned her that he could die if she ran away, Ava abandoned her thoughts of escaping her bedroom. For now, she would stay put & obey her body guard. But tomorrow, she was going to her mother's cabin. Maybe she could shed some light on things with her wisdom. If anyone knew how to calm Ava & straighten things out, it was her mother.

For the moment, Ava dragged herself to change into her night clothes, & then into bed. She wasn't tired at all, she wanted to go out & explore some, but she couldn't risk Andreios being punished for what she did. With her mind still racing, Ava crawled into bed & curled up in her sheets. She watched the snow outside for a long while until she finally got tired & fell asleep, Still trying to figure out what could be going on around her.

[Dumbapple]

An hour past when he decided that Ava finally went to sleep and had no further wishes for freedom, at least for the night. He looked up at the dark cloudy sky as white specks were falling about him. He turned around and left back to his "cage." A few more hours passed when he was awaken from his light sleep. Standing over him wasn't the magistrate, but another. His dark blue eyes narrowed as he recoginized the face and used all the will power he had to hold back his attack.
"Sandra." He said bluntly. Before him was a mage who was his master's prized apprentice. A woman who personally tortured him as a child. Her dark eyes glared at him, but she had a cattish grin that unsettled him.

"I heard the dog came back to his master. What a good boy you are."

Andreios made a quick movement, standing now, but the woman stepped back, and readied a spell. Tilting her head and giving an innocent look she laughed. "I've heard everything. How funny it is to see you like this. It's like looking into the eyes of a mad dog. How does James think he's going to tame you again. I suppose time will do that won't it. I'm only here to tell you that little Ava's fiance is here. Came in the morn. Her father is very adimant that things go well. But," her grin became wider, "You need to stay put for a few days. You think you can out smart your master, dog? He knows what you are planning."

"That's great. Perhaps he'll be kind enough to tell me." Andreios growled, clenching his fists. "because I don't know what you're talking about."

"As much as she may want and try, she won't remember you. No matter what you tell that girl about her father, she won't side with you. You might as well give up, and be a good dog."

"You would like that." He calmed himself however. "Ava, isn't as easily manipulated as you think. You will see that."

"Yes, we shall." She took a seat by the door and crossed her legs. "Shall we play a game dog?"

[Lala Kitty]

Early the next morning, Ava dragged herself out of bed & went to her her wardrobe to change. She quickly moved into a dress before the chill seeped into her skin too much, pulling on her shoes by the time a maid came in to wake her. The woman was shocked, but led her to the dining room quietly. James wasn't inside yet, & Ava was saddened when she realized this relieved her. Why should she be nervous around her own father?

"Please go fetch Master Andreios," Ava told the maid softly, "I wish to go visit my mother this morning."

The servant gave Ava a polite curtsy before excusing herself & heading out to fetch Andreios from his room. Ava sat at the table in silence as breakfast was brought out to her, & she began to eat in silence.

[Dumbapple]

"Shall we play a game, dog?" Her voice was smooth and easy to listen too, but it didn't change the fact that Andreios utterly and truly hated that woman. His dark blue eyes were narrowed at her as she continued to smirk. "The game is called, 'What does the little dog know really?' It's simply, I will ask about you, and you answer me. Easy? Ha, you'll see the point soon enough pup. What did your mother look like?"

Andreios stared at the woman with a look of complete confusion. "What?"

"What did she look like? Better yet, what was her name."

The man knew this... he could recall her... couldn't he. She was there, wasn't she? She was a slave, like him... but he couldn't find one memory of her to confirm it. In fact... his childhood seemed all a blur. "I... I don't remember..." He was shock to say those words but they were completely true.

"Correct little dog. Now, tell me why James was so interested in you? Why he chose you above all his other little pets. You don't do you. Well think about that. Do you even remember anything before he made you what you are? No. Now think, really think, do you think Ava will remember either?" The woman chuckled as the door creeped opened and a servent peeked in shyly.

"Her lady ship wished to be escorted to her mother's today."

Sandra snarled at the woman, causing the poor maid to recoil back, "Her lady is to stay home. Orders of the master." Her voice was sharp, like a knife pointed at a throat. The maid's throat to be specific. "And Andreios is to stay here. He has misbehaved so he needs to be---" She was cut off.

"He is to protect Ava, is he not." It was the voice of James. Andreios felt the blood drained from his body. How silly... that. that man scared him so... "As long as Ava is back by lunch there is no problem." His master eyed him cooly, as to say, you will bring her back or she is dead.

Sandra seemed displeased, but he kept her thin lips tightly shut and only nodded.

James then looked to his slave. Andreios could barely stand the gaze, he fought his instinct to lung and kill the man where he stood. He knew he could do nothing... "I will go to her then." He said stiffly, his eyes never leaving his master's until he strode past him, following the maid to Ava's room.

[Lala Kitty]

Ava awaited James in her bedroom, completely unaware of his turmoil downstairs.She was a bit worried herself at the moment, continually trying to find solid reasons for why everything in her life just seemed wrong at the moment. All she could think of was that her mother would know & that Ava would beg the woman to tell her until she finally gave in & fessed up.

Going to her wardrobe, Ave pulled out her coat & scarf before she tucked herself for the cold, & the horse ride. She was a bit nervous her father would get cross for her heading out instead of meeting the man he wanted her to be closer to, but really, the woman had no such interest in a man her father picked for her. Oddly enough, she found herself craving the attention of Andreios & his quiet care for her.

Blushing lightly, the woman went back to dressing before she sat on the bed. She had the impulse to sneak out again, but remembered that Andreios announced that if she wasn't careful he would be killed. Ava didn't see her father doing that, even if he was acting strange, but Andrieos was important to her; she would never put his life in danger, just in case.

[Dumbapple]

"Well, here we are..." The maid said quietly. She was obviously intimidated by his shear size, and by his stoic demeanor. This Andreios didn't mind. He couldn't care less of what people thought of him, he was used to this.

"Thank you." He said flatly, as he watched the maid scurry away back to her chores. He gave a quick knock on the door before allowing himself in. "Lady Ava, I am to escort you to your mother's for breakfast, then back home." He looked at her, all dressed and prepared for the cold journey. "I see you couldn't wait for your father's permission."

[Lala Kitty]

"I knew that he would at least let me go see Mama," Ava told Abdreios as he made his way into her room. She was excited to see him well & there to escort her to her mother's cabin. A smile graced her lips & she went to Andreios, already ready to go.

"Shall we get go going?" Ava asked, tilting back & forth on her feet & heels, "If we hurry, mother may make breakfast for the both of us."