Countryside Mannor

[Kumouri-kun]

Eventually Toshi would fill his plate and soon enough was eating quite vigorously. However he was still looking about as he did so. It was like watching a tiger sitting to eat it's dinner while still watching for potential thieves.  

[Selana_FireStorm]

Tatalia didn't pay him much mind as there was no poison or contaminants or anything bad, as if there was it was without a doubt that Toshi would have caught the scent.
She was preoccupied with getting her baked items ready to ship or be delivered or taken to her shop. When she did give her attention it was to the table in general.
"Two options, get back to work or get ready to come with me."
Most opted to stay behind, only the veteran servants who knew the routine stood up to clear their plates and get ready to go. It was then that Tatalia looked to Toshiro for an answer.  

[Kumouri-kun]

Toshio had finished his food when the question was asked. He thought on it a moment. If it ment a chance at possible escape, then he was going to take it. He nods to her and moves to join those going with her.  

[Selana_FireStorm]

Smirks as she hands the first crate off to the nearest person ready before turning to Toshi. In an instant he has shackles on his wrists.
"All newbies to the route have to prove their worth. Wouldn't want you attempting to run on me." The chains were enchanted, stretching only to allow him to grab and pick up a crate to move to the delivery van waiting outside. She was wise to his tricks, as others before him had tried. But if he really wanted free, then why did he agree to stay here? But then she hadn't even gotten to the contract agreement as everyone here remained of their own free will in a sense, as most of them liked this lifestyle.  

[Kumouri-kun]

Toshi had been in a better mood with the food in him and indeed his expression had been one of simple observation. The sudden appearence of the shackles took that ok mood and returned him right back to the frowning near snarling hate filled person she met at the shop. He glared at her for a long moment before joining in the loading. And minute progress Tatalia had made with Toshi in trust, was set back.  

[Selana_FireStorm]

The whole process of loading, trekking to the bakery and home to bring back the empty crates took about two hours tops.
Once everyone else had finished Tatalia came up behind Toshi pressing her body against his back to slide an arm around him and place a key into the cuffs that dropped immediately. Preferring to move her arms around his waist while keeping her body pressed against his back. He would be able to quite distinctly feel her cleavage against his backside yet her hands were deft in the slightest finger movements yet slow to make their move. Her hand slid under his shirt - or unbuttoned a few buttons if need be - to pin the key to the inside of his shirt to prove her word. That if he ever was cuffed again she had just given him his freedom. Before letting go she whispered in his ear, thank you for being patient with me. The words were soft and sweet, and honest as her hand slid out from under his shirt the other hand coming up to gently caress his face.

If he rebuked her attentions Tatalia kept her feelings to herself as she did push it with him. Hopefully he wouldn't just throw her off as she did want to show him her true feelings beyond the mistress in command exterior.  

[Kumouri-kun]

When Tatalia would look Toshrio in the face she would find a confused expression. He could hardly understand how she could jump from kind, to seemingly cruel again, to affectionate. However his body reacted honestly, from the goosebumps raised by her gentle caress, to his racing heart at the feel of her ample bosom against his body. These things together literally raised something else with him besides his eyebrows. wink But this confusion would last only a moment as the combination of her caresses, holding of him and whispering words resulted in him closing his eyes and seemingly savoring these sensations. He even barely gets out the words "you're welcome" as he takes in what she's doing to him.  

[Selana_FireStorm]

The sensation of her specially made patent leather gloves against his skin was almost like real skin. She dared not remove them for fear of hurting him as her touch was still dangerous to others.
Tatalia was not oblivious to his change in temperament when being shackled. She did it more for herself than to keep him from running as Tatalia really did wish to keep him...and that if he did run...as much as it would disappoint her, he would not be chased after.
As she walked away it was a slow meander, her tail hanging down swaying with the motion of her hips instead of revealing her feelings. It was probably better to keep her smugness at riling Toshi up to herself at this point as anything could change his good mood. If he opened his eyes to watch her, Toshiro would see the rare moment of her ears back in submission to her own feelings, something Tatalia rarely did as she taught herself emotional discipline to keep her expressions minimal or a blank face, to control her body's natural involuntary reactions through her tail and fox ears and keep them steady or at least minimal in reaction.
However he wouldn't see her look back as it was to hide her blushing cheeks.  

[Kumouri-kun]

Toshiro would turn and glance back to Tatalia and did notice her ears in that submissive manner. He knew enough of a few animal's behavior to know what that ment. He did see an opening to run though and part of him screamed for him to make a break for it. But something about Tatalia was aluring to him and he found himself following her back inside. He fell into an old habit of following behind and to her right as he was not yet completely drawn into her but respectful enough of her keeping her word.  

[Selana_FireStorm]

Tatalia was remotely aware of Toshiro following behind her off to the right side and did her best to draw out her walk so that it was clear of her feelings. This was important to her as the moment she opened the door her ears perked up. It wasn't a matter of pride alone, it was that if the others saw her in submission beyond the front door or beyond her bedroom it would cost her. She could lose a great deal and it wasn't about those under her leaving, it was more emotionally tied.
Tatalia stopped to check in the kitchen before preceding to her room to unwind and rest for a while. If Toshi was still following her she left the door open, asking once they were both past the threshold, "Could you please close the door behind you."  

[Kumouri-kun]

He would indeed follow her to her room, looking about as well as she seemed to be cautious about being seen with him following her. With her last remark being to close the door, he took it t mean she was allowing him in her room and so enters and closes the door quickly but casually so that if any had seen, it would seem as if he was still being ordered around. He then looks to Tatalia and asks "why did you embrace me like you did earlier. is there something you wish of me you don't wish others to know?"  

[Selana_FireStorm]

It wasn't so much that he followed her, more so that Tatalia often seemed on guard about something, or very observant to even the most minuet of details. Such as how Toshiro might think her a hypocrite for not being herself in front of her slaves; or worse that she was playing quicksilver with him being cruel one moment then kind the next.
Tatalia paused, tilting her head to the side to run one hand through her hair from the roots out for it was a calming gesture for her. To everyone else it seemed as if she was being vain at times, it gave her a moment to clear her mind and properly chose her words. Inhaling deeply she replied.
"Because from when I chose you from the market you acted as if you had been done a great disservice as though someone had betrayed you. For me it drove me to want to tame you yet the longer you were here it seemed the more I would have to walk on eggshells to keep from pissing you off. Not something a mistress should have to do. If I was to earn your trust then yes it is something that needs to be established that, you really are free to leave here any time and you would be the first to be told this instead of figuring it out on your own. Most here enjoy being bound to some degree and like working for me as they are adept at what they do. I have yet to have to punish a disobedient slave, only clumsy ones who rush. For the most part those who chose to remain signed a contract and each one has an escape clause in which they must come before me in abject humiliation and beg for their freedom if they truly want it. Or remove their shackles and leave."
Each contract honestly said that but it never said how the shackles could be removed as no one really noticed or cared to know that the keys were in plain sight yet not. (there was a kitchen cabinet full of labeled keys to each shackle, cuff or binding that required a key. In plain sight yet not unless you knew where to look. Or that there was an easy trick to getting them to release if you knew where the tiny hole was. (the kind that require a paperclip to stick in)
Most that did want freedom seemed to want the little thrill that begging her gained them for freedom.
"You would be the first and last that I have had to lay out the obvious before any agreement was signed upon. The question is now, why would I divulge this information to you now?"
Indeed, why would Tatalia tell all so soon? Was it because she honestly cared? For if she only wanted something physical, why go to all this effort to tell him unless she wanted more than that...perhaps someone that trusted her and respected her enough to willingly want to protect her in return for his own protection and concern of well being...and possibly love.  

[Kumouri-kun]

Toshiro listened to what was said and after thinking it over he says "given the fact you've not even had me for a full day and seem ready to release me so soon. And all that you've told me just now. Not much of the situation make sence to me considering what I know of the typical slave/master relationship. But there is an emotional state that does match such irrational behavior, and even that I find hard to believe after only one day, unless it's something planned ahead of time, and I matched those pre-desired qualities. So I must ask...you're not seeking another slave, but rather...a companion. One to give your heart to and whom will share their's with you....am I right?"
He knew his remarks sounded a bit cold, but he was not yet about to allow his guard to be down unless what he suspected was true. If so, then he would have to rethink how he regarded Tatalia.  

[Selana_FireStorm]

Corrected him, "I said you were free to go at any time...it didn't mean you had to leave, only that..." Tatalia couldn't finish her sentence before her ears lowered again and she looked away, angry. Mostly at herself because she couldn't expect him to understand that even though everyone had their freedom they chose to stay because they liked being "kept" and being shackled as it was their fetish or one of the many. Tatalia took good care of those living with her. Still not looking at him yet listening she replied.
"The only exception to all those here are the actual hired staff who work for me at my bakery. The rest that are here stay due to written agreement and because they like the fetish of being kept or bound in some form or other. I take very good care of those in my house." Pausing long enough to huff.
"And yes, you pretty much hit the mark on your guess." Mostly angry at his ease of being able to get straight to it and that she expected more emotion than he was going to show. Why the hell did she reveal all this? Maybe because she really did like-but was it worth the emotional risk and sadly the public risk. Let the town say what they would, no one was dumb enough to cross her.
That still didn't explain the flush over her cheeks.  

[Kumouri-kun]

Toshiro nods when she confirms his suspicion. He heard her remarks about the willing fetish enthralled slaves, but that hardly mattered to him at this moment. He walks over to Tatalia and then leans in close and says in a low, surprizingly sensual voice "if you really want me as a companion, then I'm your's." He then walks around to behind her and says in that say almost teasing whisper "if you want me as a personal slave, that you'll have to work for." He then walks back to stand before her, his expression neutral, but his eye show an eagerness for her to say just the right thing to make him want to be there.