[center][h3]~Week 2, Day four~[/h3] Fia & Livia[/center] After the adventuring parties returned from their various missions, Livia was quick to pack up anything she needed to bring home for the day and bring the pair of them home. Soon after they returned, the heamistress' servants had brought well made meals into the woman's living room. The crimson haired girl had several questions she wanted to ask the older woman. It was normal for them to share a few words after they ate, with Livia doing most of the talking. The girl kept her small bag of possessions throughout the meal, but eventually she pulled out the book she had been flipping through at Lyssa's place, [i]The Succubus's Tale[/i]. [color=salmon]"... Lyssa said ... ask Livia ..."[/color] The fourteen year old seemed a little confused as she spoke of the hellions final comment on the novel. [color=salmon]"... Adulty ...?"[/color] Seeing the book, Livia started laughing. Really, now? This was what Lyssa did in her free time? Myrilla would have a fit if she knew her daughter read smutty books sometimes in her off time. Not that the Demon Lord was any better about such things, but Lyssa already skipped classes enough, and spent most of her free time during the afternoons studying and reading from what she knew. Or at least, she was supposed too. But more importantly... [color=a187be]"Well, miss Lyssa certainly has some explaining to do..."[/color] Livia chuckled, taking the book and flipping through it. It was quite the...steamy tale. Adulty, huh? Certainly was, though Fia already had experiences in such matters. How to explain it, hmm? [color=a187be]"Just a book people a bit older than you read for fun sometimes."[/color] Livia replied. [color=a187be]"It's quite...shall we say, Erotic."[/color] Livia replied. The Crimson haired girl simply tilted her head slightly, curious. Apparently the headmistress was avoiding the subject as well, which only made the fire haired girl a bit more curious. [color=salmon]"... erotic ...?"[/color] She asked softly, a little concerned that she was prying into the matter too much and the older woman would be upset. Livia paused for a moment, trying to think of the best way to explain it. Might as well start with the basics...though she didn't want to cause the girl any more stress than she needed too. [color=a187be]"Fia, dear...your old master, you remember some of the things he did to you?"[/color] She asked in a soft voice. Livia paused for a moment, trying to think of the best way to explain it. Might as well start with the basics...though she didn't want to cause the girl any more stress than she needed too. The fourteen year old girl paused for a few moments as her thoughts went back to her time in the tower, the pain over and over and over again, getting tied to the chair, getting beaten, bruised, and abused daily. The only thing worse was when the man had left for days on end. For a few moments the crimson haired girl shook as her mind was elsewhere, but eventually the girl's breathing slowed and she nodded towards Livia as she managed to regain control of herself this time. [color=a187be]"Well, Fia dear...normally such things are done between two consenting people...for fun or leisure."[/color] Livia replied. There wasn't really much else to say about it, really. Fia looked up towards Livia, and after a few moments nodded. The crimosn haired girl wasn't exactly sure why someone would want to be beaten and used afterwards, but apparently it was normal for girls to request such things in the outside world. The Phoenix had a look of something between confusion and disbelief at Livia, but didn't comment on the matter further. Livia was fairly certain the girl didn't understand completely. But that was fine, how could she? Hopefully in time, she would understand. She would have too, at least to some degree if she wanted to ever live a somewhat normal life. Livia simply chuckled softly, shaking her head. [color=a187be]"Like everything else, Fia dear, you must find your own answers to your questions. You'll understand more clearly in time, I hope. It isn't a bad thing, really. Men and Women both enjoy such acts, I won't lie - even I do."[/color] Quite so, in fact. It was one of the few luxuries she allowed herself to have any more. [color=a187be]"Anyways...that is enough of that."[/color] Livia eyed the book, placing it on the table. She doubted Lyssa had intended to give it to Fia...so it was a good idea to return it. [color=a187be]"Now, Fia. I assume you didn't mean to take the book from Lyssa. It is hers, you know...I would like you to return it at some point."[/color] The girl nodded, more confused than when she had started asking about the subject. The crimson haired girl didn't really want to meet pink hair again, but now that she had thought about it was only right to return it - the demon didn't really have a connection with her anymore. However ... The young teenager reached into her small bag, pulling out the other dress the hellion had helped her aquire. Livia hadn't seen her in it yet, but she would have seen the Phoenix wandering around in the more conserative piece that day. [color=salmon]"... this ... too ...?"[/color] Fia didn't like being indebted to the girl, but she did like the dresses ... at least a little bit. [color=a187be]"Fia, dear, I'm fairly certain Lyssa bought you those because she wanted you to have something that you could wear if you wanted."[/color] Livia replied. [color=a187be]"You should thank her, really. She probably spent a lot of money on those."[/color] Really, she was impressed that Lyssa had decided to do such a thing. It was a step in the right direction...honestly, she felt a bit bad about what happened. It wasn't Lyssa's fault as much as she probably blamed herself for it. If she could get Fia to just...be accepting of the girl, it would be good for the both of them, she was certain. [color=a187be]"So, tomorrow you will return that book and thank her properly for those clothes."[/color] The crimson haired girl looked a little upset at the idea, but after a few second she nodded in agreement. Fia would do as Livia said - the woman had a better sense of how the outside world looked and the young teenager had to constantly convince herself to trust that sense. After the red haired girl thought about when her and Livia would go do that. However, she had other questions, something that was likely a little more important, on her mind. Earlier that week, Livia had mentioned that she'd need to get a new master, and she didn't have a lot of options. It had taken her a while to toughen herself to ask the question but ... [color=salmon]"... Livia ... what is ... familiar ...?"[/color] The girl had been wondering about that for some time, but based on the way other creatures acted around their masters in the office the young teenager had seen quite the variety among how each master-familiar pair behaved. She wondered what Livia would be expecting. [color=a187be]"Hmm...it is basically a contract formed between a non-human and a human mage. Typically, the mage takes care of the familiar, and the familiar serves the mage in the way the contract is formed."[/color] She wouldn't elaborate any more than that for now. Mentioning that much might already give a bit away to the girl, but she wouldn't say anything more about it even if she asked...well, not if she directly asked, at least. The crimson haired girl waited a few moments, thinking. Well ... Livia was already taking care of her, that much was certain. And Fia ... Fia saw the woman's eyes when she woke up. The older woman had managed to play it off the first night, but a week's worth of evidence was making it clear: whatever method the older woman used to relieve those dreams made her suffer instead. It made the girl feel useless towards this woman who showed her endless generosity, and she mouthed the word unconciously as she thought about it. But the girl shook her head for a few seconds, dispelling that thought. [color=salmon]"... and what ... would you ... expect ...?"[/color] At this point, the young teenager had decided that based on her options that Livia was probably the best fit for a master if she needed to get one, but she wanted to make sure. [color=a187be]"Expect?...of you?"[/color] Was Fia considering [i]her[/i] to be her master? That was...not unexpected but an outcome Livia did not want. She furrowed her eyebrows, thinking of a response. Realistically, if she took Fia as her familiar...that would only be a short term arrangement, and only end in...well, tragedy. Not to mention, something that might possibly hinder her plans somewhat. In all, it was just a bad idea. She should just say she refused...but...she couldn't leave Fia alone, could she? With Luna accepted Sorcha as her familiar, and with Lyssa not wanting too after this...there wasn't exactly anyone else. She supposed she could ask Katherine about it...but...Livia shook her head. [color=a187be]"I wouldn't expect anything at all of you, Fia dear."[/color] Livia replied after a few moments. [color=a187be]"Nothing more than you are already doing. Perhaps help me with some paper work once your studies are sufficiently along...but other than that, you wouldn't have to do much."[/color] Fia blinked a few times, a little suspicion going across her face. It wasn't that the Phoenix minded the trade, but rather that feeling that Livia wasn't getting her fair cut of this situation itched at the crimson haired girl again, like it had since she arrived here. [color=salmon]"... That's ... it ...?"[/color] It was rather obvious that the young teenager was trying to scrutanize Livia's expression, trying to discern her motives. The woman said she didn't want the tears initially ... so what DID she want. [color=a187be]"That's it."[/color] Livia replied with a shrug. It was clear Fia wasn't trusting her, which was natural. She of course, had no real reason to distrust her. She had no ulterior motives...at least, none that would harm Fia in any manner. [color=a187be]"Nothing from you, at least. I am an old woman, and there is only one thing I want but it is nothing you or your tears can give me."[/color] She wouldn't elaborate more than that for the moment. For a few moments, the girl nodded, deep in thought. The amber beads drifted across various points in the room, then back towards Livia, then around the room. One of her hands reached idly upwards towards her hair, twirling it around only to release it. Eventually however, she took a deep breath and her eyes glowed slightly as she spoke with surprising confidence. [color=salmon]"... I, Fia, Phoenix ... Swear fealty ... to ... Livia Fiore ... and to ... help her ... with paperwork ...?"[/color] The last part seemed like a question almost, but it would be rather obvious to the other woman that the magic of the oath came across. Obviously she would be expected to obey Livia's orders generally, but the paperwork specifically seemed like a strange request. For one of the few times in her life, Livia was surprised. She hadn't expected Fia to take initiative like that. Honestly speaking, she wasn't ready for it, and she would have liked to refuse...in the end though, Livia merely chuckled. Well, she might as well. Now what would be a good oath, then? Something that she wouldn't hinder her plans...but something that Fia would also be comfortable with. [color=a187be]"I, Livia Fiore, swear to keep Fia safe as I can on this campus...and give her a sufficient amount of paper work."[/color] That was good. As much as she could promise for now, at any rate. Nothing more than she had already been doing, after all. The last bit was just something to tease the girl with. For a moment, the room seemed to envelop itself with a harmless fire, but the fire disappeared a few seconds after it was summoned. Fia looked around in surprise, but upon looking at Livia ... she felt a strange sense of security and attachment that she hadn't felt previously. The phoenix had some connection to her former master, but her new master's felt ... stable. Though not quite as ... alive. The crimson haired girl blinked a few times as if confused, scooting closer to the older woman. Well, that was relatively painless. A sudden feeling of...warmth, was there, but other than that nothing particularly interesting occurred. It didn't seem Fia minded too much, either considering she just moved closer. Progress! Good. For now though, Livia simply smiled warmly at Fia, betraying no emotions of her own uncertainty. [color=a187be]"Well, I suppose I shall inform Luna of this next time I see her."[/color] Livia mused to herself. [color=a187be]"Now, you'll help me with my work starting tomorrow...at least, a little to start out with."[/color] The crimson haired girl nodded, moving to the couch Livia was sitting on and sitting down. Fia wasn't exactly sure how this would change their relationship, but being close to the older woman didn't seem so unpleasant anymore. [color=salmon]"... yes ... mistress ...?"[/color] The phoenix wasn't exactly sure about how to go about things now, but a yawn made her physical state clear. That oath exhausted her somehow. Livia laughed at being called mistress. [color=a187be]"There are only two people on this planet who call me mistress. One of those only calls me that in bed, and the other is Cynthia, my head of servants. You, my dear little Fia will call me Livia."[/color] Despite the casual nature of the words, that definitely seemed like a bit of an order somehow. Livia stood, walking away from the couch. [color=a187be]"Come now, lets get you to bed. I'm certain you're tired."[/color] The Phoenix's eyes widened, and something inside her caused a blush, although she wasn't exactly sure what that was ... the crimson haired girl nodded, following the older woman up the staircase into the master bedroom where she had slept for the past week and some more, rubbing her eyes and hopping onto the large matress. She wasn't exactly sure what exhausted her so, but ... her amber eyes turned towards Livia expectantly, waiting for the older woman to get in. Was that...a blush? Livia suppressed a small laugh. She couldn't help but to wonder what exactly she was blushing for. After what she had been through, she didn't think Fia would end up blushing like that from a slight mention of her...extra activities. She walked up the stairs without a word though, and after changing into something more appropriate to sleep into, she started getting into bed. Thankfully, since she was now her familiar...she could probably get some decent sleep herself. She could use it, really. [color=a187be]"Eagerly waiting for me to get to bed, I see."[/color] Livia laughed as she pulled the covers over her. With little else to be said though, the two quickly fell asleep.