The Vassal Academy Ch. 32

Carlos followed Jeannette into Devon's office, and then was surprised again to see her take a guest seat and slouch into it. He turned to see Devon's reaction, and saw that Devon was looking not at Jeannette, but at him. Turning more, he saw Mistress Ann on the couch also watching not Jeannette, but himself. "Hello."

"Hello." Ann said.

Jeannette turned so she was sitting sideways on the guest chair, with her legs thrown over the arm of the chair, while her upper back and neck were on the other arm. She looked rather bored with the whole thing. Carlos understood, they were watching him for a reaction, Jeannette was doing what they wanted. "So I'm being tested?"

Devon nodded. "When did her behavior change?"

Carlos shrugged and said. "She started to call me sir, instead of Master on the training floor. I was Dude by the time we reached the stairs to the sleeping level."

Devon nodded. Jeannette said. "Give the man a cigar. Hell, I thought I was going to have to spell it out to him for a while."

"What do you think should be done about that?" Ann asked next.

"I'm not sure. I assume that you'll tell her to stop now?" Carlos suggested.

"Strike one. Bet he doesn't get it with strike two either." Jeannette said from the chair.

Devon watched Carlos for another moment. "She's being disobedient, not to me, or Mistress Ann, but to you."

"So I'm the one that has to tell her to stop?"

"Just tell her?" Ann asked looking at her fingernail as though it fascinated her.

"Jeannette behave." Carlos instructed.

Jeannette actually laughed. "Strike two." She made no move to change her position, nor to show him any deference what so ever.

Carlos finally understood. "I'm to punish her?"

"You are the Master, and she is the slave. Is this behavior appropriate for that relationship?" Devon asked.

"What punishment would you suggest?"

"Jeannette, level one punishment, for a novice please." Ann said from the couch.

"Yes Mistress." Jeannette said suddenly standing tall. "Master, if you'll come with me, I'll show you how to punish a level one, or novice slave."

He followed her to the area outside Devon's office. She took her slave dress off and presented a riding crop to him. "Master, this is a small riding crop. You can't really injure someone unless you swing it like a baseball bat. Level one is always given below the waist, and avoid the genitals. As you strike me, ten should be sufficient for this demonstration, I'll advise you on how to spread your blows, and how to adjust the power."

Jeannette's tone, manner, and even her eyes were totally deferential now, as Carlos swung the crop to "punish" her. After his lesson there was finished, he returned to Devon's office.

"Carlos, have a seat, would you like some coffee?" Devon invited.

"Thank you, that would be nice." Carlos agreed. "So I passed the test?"

Devon nodded and said. "Coffee Jeannette."

"Yes Master." Jeannette called back and promptly appeared in a few moments with a tray and a small coffee pot and all the fixing to place before Carlos. She knelt between Master Devon and Mistress Ann and kept her head down.

"Carlos, you noticed when she became subtly less obedient, and accurately noticed when she became outright disobedient." Ann said. "That shows an attention to detail that is required to be a good dominant."

Devon picked up the thread. "In short, it means we think you can be trained, and that means I call Dominique later and tell her she can deposit that retainer for your training."

"If I had failed the test?" Carlos asked.

"You wouldn't have stayed past lunch." Devon said. "We would have returned your check to you this afternoon, in the city."

Carlos nodded. "I was right about you all. You don't play games, and you are very good."

"We're the best." Ann said as she rose. "I've got to type a report, and Jeannette will show you your room."

"Please come with me Master, and I'll show you to your room." Jeannette said as she glided up from the floor.

"Take some time to get settled Carlos, things here move pretty fast at times." Devon said as he picked up the phone to make a call.

Carlos found his clothing hung up in the closet, and folded into drawers. "What would have happened if I'd failed the test? Was there a code to tell the others to stop unpacking my clothes?"

"No master. Only a fool would have failed that test. You are no fool, so passage wasn't unexpected." Jeannette said. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

Carlos turned from the closet towards the washroom. He wondered how Jeannette could appear submissive, deferential, and superior all at the same time.

The Academy was certainly going to be an experience.