My RA Ch. 01

"Joy do you think you can copy everything on the wedding whiteboard into a notebook leaving room for notes? I do not want Mei to deal with this so we can do it in my room, bring the girls. I need to talk to Rose tonight to get status updates and an overall sense of where we are and where we need to go."

"Yes Mistress, I can do that and I will call the girls to come over tonight."

All the girls were all abuzz, ready to hear the updates, they so wanted to give Gail a first-rate, Day that she can remember for the rest of her life, wedding. When all were assembled and Rose was on the screen Dawn explained that "Mei was getting burned out with the project and it was affecting other areas in her life. I will not allow her to work on this project, I hope you all will back me up with this decision."

"Rose, I talked to Gail about the clergy situation. She thinks Father Abbot is too old and thinks someone closer to her age would be better. She suggested that it did not have to be the main pastor, but one from singles ministries or young couples. Someone younger that is qualified to marry them. "

"That is a good idea Dawn. I will check on that."

"Joy what is your report?"

"I went to the gallery and talked to the manager about the problem. She suggested someone then showed me several pieces he did, they were awesome. You felt like you were in the room. I had to go to a professional printer, he had a good selection, and we get the invites and the like in a week. I am trying to make it a cheap first-class wedding but some expenses will be accrued."

"Food report please, baker, caterers, reception dinner. We hired a young baker, she will give us a cheap price if she can get some advertising. All the cupcakes she made me we superb. We just need to work on the design The Dean was going to work on the dinner. Caterers are an outstanding issue, maybe we can combine the dinner with the caterer and get a price break."

"Scarlet, can you call the Dean for me so I can get an update?"

"Florist?"

"White roses were decided by the children. He came out to see the house and make suggestions. He suggested we rent out different planters with silk flowers, he can add real flowers to fill them out. I thought that was a good idea to lower cost."

"Here is the Dean Mistress."

"Thank you, Scarlet."

"Hi Alkaia, sorry for calling you so late. I have removed Mei from the project for her own sake. I am trying to get up to speed. How are the dinner plans going? We thought we might get a price break if we combined the dinner with the catering."

"Dawn I thought if we just had the close family there plus other guests such as the bridesmaids and best man, say eight to twelve people and have everyone at the reception. It would be far more doable. Have a cash bar and dessert table. We just pay for appetizer and entrée and water/soda. If we do it in a hotel we could make sure those who want to drink to get a room so you are not drunk behind the wheel. A hotel should already be set up for this kind of thing."

"Sounds good Alkaia, check in on it."

"Scarlet, what did your Dad say about the time-share?"

"He is going to take a look, it may be too late but give it a try." "It seems there are many in Europe we might get. We better tell them to get passports."

"Scarlet can you give Rose the password for the time-shares, so we can narrow the choices down? I think France might good if we can get it, can't be more romantic than the 'City of Lights.' You should find out from your Dad how much you can dicker with these people or if they know of a good place near Paris they could stay at."

"Now onto our next item. Dance floor, tables, chairs, and decorations. Cheryl, you are musical, do you think you can take the band responsibility on? We need a good mix of slow and fast dances and pop and oldies. See if you can get some tracks online to save time."

"Yes, mum."

"Joy, you wanted a party here after the wedding? Ask Alkaia and see if the children can help, she loves them so. That is enough for tonight, let me know if you can think of something we need to hop on. Remember, Mei needs to keep up with her studies and relax, visit her some time to just hang out. I am going to suggest some early nights for the time being. Thanks, Rose. Let's come back Saturday night."

All the subs were happy to be helping in Gail's wedding, but even more so Dawn. Dawn was considered the Head Mistress at the school and Joy was the de facto head sub. She would reject the title. Joy did not want flashy. She was all about inner beauty, and she thought it was the best way to serve her Mistress. Most subs stylized their own rules from Joy's.

The days just seemed to fly by. Rose emailed Joy all the contact information for the invites. While fifty invites are not much, it was decided to invite two children, one boy, and one girl. They would be in charge of putting the stamps on the envelopes. The students thought it was important to include the children whenever possible; they are always overlooked in this kind of project.

Tonight was the big meeting. A lot of things would be coming together tonight, and then the students can shift to other tasks. "Joy report please."

"The invites are out, Eric, the photographer, is aware the baker will be taking advertising shots. He will be in charge of the wedding and all the sales that are generated. The baker will make her money through advertising."

"Scarlet how are the honeymoon plans coming?"

"We got a massive break. The time-share person could not trade down but told us of a bed and breakfast type of place just outside Paris. They are giving us off-season prices. Everything should be in place by the next meeting."

"Rose, report please."

"The young couples' group has a young pastor that can marry and bury them. I felt very relaxed at our interview, he is easy to talk to. I talked to some of his group, they all raved about him. He is very much grounded in his faith it seems. It does not hurt that he is cute."

"Rose, did we make any more decisions with the florist?"

"Not fully Dawn, he is on board so we just have to figure out what we can do within our budget. Anyone else?"

"Mistress."

"Yes, Michelle?"

"I am working on the decorations and party favors. I need to coordinate with Rose as to color schemes and centerpieces. I thought we could do some of that cheaper than the florist. We can buy the non-alcoholic stuff there along with champagne shaped plastic glasses, and tablecloths at the location. The bigger stuff like tables and the like we will need to rent. Would you like it if I enquired about that as well? For the reception here, we thought soap bubbles would be a big hit."

"Cheryl, report please."

"You would not believe how many crappy groups there are out there. I have heard better karaoke singers that were drunk. On the bright side, that helps narrow things down. I am still working on it Mistress will know more by the next meeting."

"I am sorry Mistress, I should not have phrased my comment as I did."

"Quite right Cheryl. I will let it pass this time as you recognized your error. Do not make a habit of it or you will find you will not be able to sit for a week. Mei gave me a leather flogger for Christmas. Sleeping is hard to do standing up."

"Yes Mistress, you have my word."

The next night Mistress, Alkaia and Mei went to the club again. It was Mistress's turn tonight. She did not have all the props as Alkaia had but the subs have been helping her settle into her role as they interacted with her. Mistress Ellen asked, "Dawn how things were going?"

"Well, I had to discipline Joy, twenty hard swats got my message through. Mei gave me this flogger so I need your advice on the care for it and how to handle it best. I can't just shove a remote-controlled egg in them and watch them dance for my amusement. I made promises to Joy and set guidelines for her. I should at least have rules for myself, and perhaps share them with Joy so she knows I am following standards also. I am also conflicted, I graduate in a few months and I am not sure what will happen afterward."

"Bravo Dawn, you can't have a double standard. Joy needs to know exactly where she stands. She also needs to know where you are going to stand under any situation. You are learning fast. I can't help you with your commitment problem. After the meeting, I will talk to you about the flogger."

After the meeting, Mistress Ellen showed Dawn how to make the flogger supple and how to use the flogger on a sub. She then went onto explain the Master/ sub contracts. "You can spell out in great detail what each one wants of the other and what kind of limits are considered offensive. You can't use it as an escape clause. That would be very unfair to Joy, she would consider it a betrayal. You would lose the respect of 35,000 people that will rush to protect her just as they are sworn to uphold their promise. Protect her from you, her Mistress."

"To say the least, you are in a unique situation that I hope you can work out. Those contracts are usually a long time contract unless you have a trial period, but she has been your sub since September. You have passed that stage. That collar you gave her is equivalent to a boy and girlfriend going steady. The next step up, the training collar, is equivalent to engagement and finally, the formal collar is equivalent to marriage. You also have that commitment from three people which may give you some latitude."

Dawn had a lot to think about. "Hello, Alkaia, Dawn here. I have to start thinking of Joy and myself after I graduate. Were you planning on continuing the program in the years to come? If you do continue it, don't you need to both state the qualifications for teaching in some fashion and also the criteria for the courses themselves? We had a situation fall into our lap. I did not intend for it to happen, but I made a commitment to Joy and I need to find out how to proceed."

"Yes Dawn, I need to also get it approved. The board can see the need of the students. The great grades the subs are getting, outpacing the Masters, will not hurt. Do you know someone who might be interested in a position, or develop criteria for applicants? If you do, you may want to tell them it starts with a student petition. Since South Hill is a sister college it may also qualify for all registered students. The endorsement of the Mayor for the class as to how the test project affected the town could be crucial. Then after it is approved it has to get funded and staffed. Tell them to get a move on it so seniors count. I have the forms."

The next day Dawn walked into the Dean's office only to see two large stacks of petition forms. The Secretary said "Let me know if you need more. I would go to the Mayor's office first to get the endorsement. Citing no underaged drinking or drug calls happened since the promise was given would hold credence to positive effects for the town. Perhaps the two colleges can split your paycheck. You have a table outside each cafeteria. Good luck."

"Michelle, can you do me a huge favor? Can you make me two large signs one saying 'Petition to create master/sub classes for SHU and another for NFU?" Michelle's squeal was so loud Dawn had to hold the phone away from her ear.

"Right away Mistress."

Dawn walked into the Mayor's office to make an appointment. "I think this is what you came here for Dawn. There are no secrets around here when it involves Joy." Dawn was handed more than ten pages with endorsements from the Mayor, Fire Chief, and Police Chief. It gave stats about underage drinking and drug use. It mentioned how Joy affected the entire town, from the flood to inspired clean-up and other ways the town is better because of the subs. When Dawn made it to SHU, Michelle had already had recruited three SHU students to man the table. As soon as Dawn put the forms down three long lines formed.

Michelle skipped the whole way back to NFU. Again three long lines appeared as soon as Dawn put the forms down. When night came, the students just picked up the blank forms and went door to door in every dorm. When the Dean looked at the endorsement, she smiled, "I guess I need to do my job now. I happen to know the petition is going door to door in every dorm."

Dawn was shell shocked. "Dawn, you really have no idea of what an impact you and Joy have made on all of us. You two have literally changed how we live our lives, for the better, not because of any event like the flood or clean up, it goes much deeper than that. It is like you two have changed our entire moral code and we are better for it. We see and treat other people in a whole different light. Personally, I will never be able to thank you two enough for how you changed me. The board is probably already looking for ways to fund the class and to pay you. It has been a long day however, we needed to get a wedding planned.

"Rose, report please," Dawn commanded as she started the meeting.

"The Clergy is lined up. Today I got final plans from the florist and baker, and the florist will work with Michelle when we get there."

"Michelle, report please."

"It occurred to me I might be able to get tables and chairs from the church. They will loan us everything but will expect to get paid for major damage to anything. They have round and short and long rectangular tables as well as chairs. I have not gotten to the dance floor yet. If we need to we can get a do-it-yourself kit at one of those lumber places."

"Scarlet, report please."

"We got the contract for Paris and Dad paid for it. He said, 'They will be totally shocked. How can you beat Paris?' We will need to drive them to the airport to keep them guessing. We got first-class tickets."

"Cheryl, how is the hunt for the band going?"

"I got it narrowed down to three. I brought my box with one track each. I thought I can play them and just give our opinion after we heard them all."

"Which one is your favorite Cheryl?"

"Oh, no you don't, that would be telling." All of them closed their eyes as the music enveloped them. They were all swaying back and forth as they listened. All voted for number 2.

"I knew you would pick him. He is better in many ways. I bought his latest CD to play in the background."

"Joy do you have anything to report?"

"Invites are starting to roll in. So far everyone said, See you there."

"Anyone else?"

No one had any more reports.

"Joy, can you lead the next meeting for me, please? I am going to be with the Dean creating a class out of thin air."

"If you wish, Mistress."

After the meeting, Mistress had a long talk with Joy. She wanted to let Joy know she was living under a similar code of conduct as Dawn expected of her. That code was always changing, just as Joy's was. Dawn told Joy point by point what was on her primary list. She also told Joy about the contract that Mistress Ellen was talking about. Dawn said, "I need to get a host of things clarified before I could create one with you Joy." I will not use it as an escape clause once I graduate. Go to sleep child, you look tired."

The next day Dawn borrowed a little red wagon from one of the children to deliver the petitions to Alkaia. The children were playing more with each other than before the flood. The bigger toys were divided up between the families.

The Dean's Secretary laughed as Dawn wheeled in the petitions. Dawn said, "I do not know who you get to verify, but I suggest to make a whole committee to do this lot. What is the next step in the process?"

"It is getting the board's approval. Dawn, this project has been fast-tracked. Please go into the Dean's office, you are expected." When Dawn entered the Dean's office she saw the entire board and a few others in the room. This would be the first of many interviews she would be having. The signatures would have to be verified to get an official tally but it was assumed there were enough valid signatures. The meeting lasted over an hour.

Dawn made sure to mention "All the subs are held to a very high academic standard; we had to prohibit the freshmen from being masters because of GPA issues. The subs face the same rules, but they have the motivation to stay a sub. We had a situation where the subs were under stress because their masters were not getting the grades and had to be reassigned to a different Master. I do not want to let that happen again."

"I don't, of course, know what the average subs GPA is, but I am sure that it is above what this institution has had in the past."

One of the board members shuffled through some papers. "It is 3.5 Dawn."

"That is not good enough for me. It will be raised by the end of next year; the subs will help the other subs. I want them to graduate with first-class brains. If they want to remain a sub after college then it will only help so they can help their master or mistress. I want better than a 3.0 for freshmen and raise it for sophomores and up."

"Subs and Master's will need to know upfront there will be no underage drinking or drug use. Physical sex will not be permitted before junior year, of course, they can date before then. I told Joy if she found someone she is attracted to, to let me meet him. I feel as Mistress, I need to know what is going on in her life and to see she stays safe. The subs can be manipulated to have sex beforehand, we do not want to have a campus of rape victims. Junior year will give some time for maturity and give the sub more time to find out who they are. I do not want to stifle who they are Sirs, I want them to be safe and live a great and full life. This will mean some controlling supervision from their master or mistress."

"Sirs, in my situation, it is not just me who is watching over Joy. I am her Mistress but the Dean has an overseer role and Mei, her roommate is her confidant. It seems to be working out well but just like any relationship, there are unexpected glitches. I told Joy, I will not betray any confidence. Her 35,000 friends who have sworn to protect her will do just that if I do something stupid like that. Even though I am her Mistress they will protect her from me. That does not even count the fact that everyone in the surrounding area will lose respect for me. It is for that reason, I am conflicted about what happens after I graduate."

"Thank you, Dawn. Could you please wait in the outer office while we do what we need to do before we vote?"

"I guess this would be a good time for public comment. Mayor, do you have anything else you wanted to add to your endorsement?"

"Yes Sir, the subs seem to have a need to incorporate those who often get overlooked. At the moment, they are working on putting a wedding together. They have asked the children for advice on several matters and some have helped with the preparations. They want the children to be a part of this wedding. They have the full support of the parents."

"What they have done to the town itself is nothing short of amazing. I grew up in this town and I know everyone knows everything about everyone else. This year the whole dynamic has changed, people who were jerks are now kind and caring people. It has happened on a massive scale."

"It is my belief, it started the day of the flood before classes started. People came together who did not even know Joy. After the wondrous rescue, that unity continued into the hospital. They made her one of theirs and then backed it up with petitions to adopt her as a friend they will protect. I was elected because the previous Mayor did not want his town to involve itself in such matters. I do not know the reasons for that, but whatever they were is immaterial to the actions that happened."

"The truth is, Dawn, Joy, and Mei all by themselves have changed all of us. I 'm sure you know that on a personal level. The Master/ sub class started as a test to just Dawn's floor. Now you have stacks of forms on a petition, so many that you know it will far exceed the number needed. "It has even expanded to South Hill. It is my hope that you will search your heart and pass this vote to continue its path to creation. "