Pillar Ch. 06

"Tonight, after dinner, we'll be doing something a little bit different. I want you to be my pet cat for the evening. There's no need to ask permission for anything, just go with it."

He paused for effect and watched the surprise fade away and set the gears inside her mind turning.

"You will be naked but you're free to add some details that make you look like a cat. Your basket will be next to my seat. Be creative and surprise me, no matter what or who you happen to be you're always my servant first."

He grinned in answer to the crooked little smile that slowly lighted up her eyes.

"I can do anything?"

"Planning something already?"

"Maybe."

"Yes, you can do anything. Come back to the living room in half an hour, I'll have dinner ready by then. We're eating fish tonight."

"Yum."

Half an hour later, Ruth showed up and she noticed some differences in the kitchen. There was a pile of cushions on the floor next to the couch, the room also felt warmer. She had drawn whiskers on her cheeks and hadn't bothered with anything else. Tom came up to her and scratched her under her chin.

"What are you doing standing on two legs, Isis? You silly cat. Your food is waiting for you."

He casually pointed to the floor next to the fridge. There was a plate with neatly cut fish, potatoes and vegetables next to two saucers, one with water and one with white wine. Ruth looked back at Tom and lifted an eyebrow at him, before gracefully kneeling down and prancing towards her food on hands and knees.

If she'd had a tail, it would have pointed proudly upwards. Tom had to hold back a laugh when she suspiciously snuffled at the saucer of wine before lapping up a little bit of it. Dinner was a success, with Ruth literally cleaning her plate. She hadn't been as successful with lapping up the wine though.

As he stood doing dishes, Ruth came up to him and rubbed her head against his leg before shirking her entire body against him. He leaned down and scratched her behind her ear before shooing her away. She gave him an angry look and hissed, showing her teeth before languidly prancing away and settling down in her basket.

She lazed around a little while he watched some TV. He absentmindedly dangled a mouse on a string over the side of the couch and she amused herself by swatting it from side to side. He pulled it back over the edge and she surprised him by going after it. She crawled over him, without any regard for his comfort and confiscated the toy. She turned around, balled up and laid her head on his lap while she played with the toy until she got bored.

Crawling further up his lap, she turned on her back and he scratched her belly. The absurdity of the role play made it fun to go along with and he was happy to indulge her if she wanted to take it a step further. He circled her nipple and felt it immediately crinkle, he flicked it a couple of times before doing the same to her other nipple. Ruth made cute mewling sounds as he lavished her breasts with attention. Whenever he twisted one of her nipples or did something unexpected she would give a surprised meow. This was too much fun.

Eventually, Isis the cat tired of this particular kind of petting and she turned around on her stomach. She stretched on the couch, pushing her ass high up in the air. She started scratching his zipper and with an amused and curious look on his face Tom lowered his pants and underwear. His cock had hardened as he played with her so she had an interesting new toy to discover.

First she swatted his shaft with her curled up hand, each time waiting for it to bounce back before hitting it again. This was apparently highly amusing and went on for quite some time. After a while she gave his shaft tiny licks with the tip of her tongue and gently nipped at it with her teeth.

Keeping her body as catlike as possible she slid the tip of his cock in her mouth and flicked her tongue over it. She took more of it in her mouth and slowly pulled back, her teeth dragging the tiniest bit across the sensitive skin. She repeated this while he stroked her back and slipped his hand between her thighs. Finding her pussy wet, he finger fucked her at the same slow tempo.

Going for the kill, she took his cock into her throat. She tried to twist her head a little and swirl her tongue around his shaft. She teased his head before sinking his cock down her throat again. She felt he was close and quickly bobbed her head, her tongue flicking and twirling.

When he came she popped his cock out of her mouth and closed her eyes. Tom's come shot out of his cock and covered her cheek and nose, some of it dripping down on his leg. She did her best impression of purring as she lapped up his milk and then sat back on her haunches to clean her face with her paw, lapping up all of the remains. She had no idea how erotic her seemingly innocent gesture was.

She was happy to ball up again on the couch, facing away from Tom. Her pussy lips were glistening with moisture and he slipped his hand between her thighs again, teasing her clit. She meowed in approval as she pushed her ass closer to him. Whenever he pulled back she hissed at him. Tom grinned and played this new game until her patience ran out. Too horny to indulge him any longer, she righted herself in the couch and pushed her ass up in the air, wiggling it enticingly.

Tom decided to give in and grabbed her hip, rubbing the tip of his cock against her needy pussy. She mewled and tried to push backwards onto his cock, but he held off. She tried harder and he aligned his cock just right. The next push she gave he slammed his hips forward and forced his cock in her pussy.

She closed her eyes as she was finally filled up with his cock. She hissed and spat as he fucked her, matching the rhythm of his thrusts. When he reached his hand around her hip to tease her clit, she came with a jowl. Tom was laughing as he fucked her down into the couch until she was flat on her stomach and didn't stop fucking her until he shot her pussy full of his come. He fell forward on top of her, taking his time to recover.

"That was amazing, Ruth."

Her voice was muffled with her face still mushed in the couch but she managed to answer

"It was a lot of fun."

"Want me to get off of you?"

"Not yet, I like this."

He nuzzled her neck, putting his arms around her as best he could manage. She grabbed his hands and sighed happily, feeling warm and satisfied.

***

"This was very close, Ruth. But you've improved, you solved all four of them in time without making mistakes."

He stroked her hair as she was panting on the table, still reeling from the intensity of her last orgasm.

"Will you have to do this again?"

"I don't know, Sir. Maybe if you would let me try on you once I would know more."

"I'll think about it, for now I want you to go clean up. When you're finished there will be a blue booklet waiting for you on the kitchen table. You will read this booklet attentively, it will tell you how to host a formal dinner. I have guests coming over on Thursday evening, you will be representing me so I expect the best of you. They're all part of the local scene, one couple in particular taught me most of what I know."

His announcement visibly startled her and he stroked her hair again before pulling her up and along to his chair. He gave her the choice of climbing into his lap or making herself comfortable next to his seat and she quickly balled up against his chest.

"When you finish reading we'll have a session on it, so there's no need to worry. There is another thing I want you to read carefully. Next to the booklet I've put a small book called 'The book of tea', it explains the aestheticism that is the core of tea service. I want you to understand what it says. It's not just about making tea, it's about how you do it and how you arrange the things surrounding. It's a way for you to serve me personally and express yourself to me at the same time."

He remained silent for a time, hoping that she would pick up on how important this was to him.

"Any questions?"

"I'd love to meet your friends, but why a formal dinner? Do you even own any china?"

"I do, it's true that I prefer to eat without all the fuss but that doesn't mean I don't know how to do it. See it as an opportunity for you to serve me, many submissives like it."

"It sounds like you're doing it more for me than for your own pleasure."

"Of course I'm doing this for you. Everything this week is planned to teach you how to be a better servant to me. I'm going to be watching your every move. And don't think for a second you can mess up behind my back. My guests are more experienced than I am and they will call you out on your mistakes. If you screw up badly, you won't get off with a slap on the wrist, you'll be disciplined in front of my guests. When you're not performing any particular duty, you will be joining us at the table and will take part in the conversation. Do you understand?"

She bowed her head and nodded.

"Yes, Sir."

"Good, any more questions?"

"Not yet, Sir."

"Good, go and take a shower. I'll leave some chocolates on the kitchen table for you, you've earned a treat."

***

Tom walked around the table, going over every detail in the setting of the table. When he got to where Ruth stood waiting he said

"I like it, you've done well. Later I will have you redo this until you can reproduce it exactly from memory. Come with me."

She followed him into the bedroom and he took a large, cardboard folder from the chest next to his bed. She'd never seen him open it before. He gestured for her to take a seat next to his chair and settled down, the folder in his lap.

"Have you ever wondered what I keep in this chest?"

"Yes, Sir."

"It's not a secret, you can have a look whenever you want."

He opened the folder and showed her what was inside, it contained old and new posters, blown up pictures, renditions of paintings, aquarelle drawings and the like. As he flipped through them one by one, she recognized some of them, but most of them she was seeing for the first time. There was no real theme connecting them, but a lot of them caught her attention. Each one was vibrant and colorful.

"Do you think my house feels empty, Ruth?"

His question surprised her, but she answered, patient enough to wait and see where he was going with this.

"No, Sir."

"But it's not full is it? Take the bedroom for example, do you like the furniture I put in here?

"I do, Sir. I like it a lot, it's a beautiful room."

He got up and stepped up to the bed, sliding his hand along one of its posts.

"This bed in particular, it's a fine piece of craftsmanship. When I saw it, I knew I wanted it for my place. Everything in here fits together to give off a relaxing feeling when you enter. Do you feel the same?"

"Yes, Sir. I often come in here on my own to sit down and read in your chair."

He laughed at that.

"I know you do, I've been forced to move to another room more than once. No, don't worry about it. You can sit wherever you like, I have enough seats so that I don't have to kick you out of one in particular."

He resumed his walk through the room, letting his fingers run across the different materials.

"Everything in here has been wonderfully made by a real craftsman, the materials and colors blend together into one whole. And still, what always grabs my attention as I come in here is not this massive bed but the simple piece of paper in the ordinary frame above the chest. And if I put one out, the object that's on the coffee table. Those are the only two things that deviate from the rest of the room. The same counts for the living room and the bathroom. I'm sure you've noticed this, have you ever thought about it?"

"Not really, Sir. But now that I think about it, it's true."

Her interest had been stirred now, she wanted to know what he was trying to tell her.

"What you just did, setting up a table following very strict rules, that has its own beauty. But the rules that are the foundation of aestheticism are not set in stone, they change as needed. Every piece in that folder is something that I find beautiful, I haven't chosen them following any other criterion than that.

A tea master would do just that. He would invite some friends and brew tea for them following the rules of the art. They would come to him to relax and each time they were on their way they would wonder what he would put on display. They would try to find the beauty in it and talk about it as they enjoyed their tea. It has a profound simplicity to it."

He stopped his monologue and looked her dead in the eyes, the intensity of his look drew her in.

"Aestheticism teaches you to be an individual. It teaches you to be perceptive and appreciate that perceptiveness. It teaches you to share your appreciations. It's very different from following fixed rules. I enjoy collecting and trading bits and pieces but that's just a hobby of sorts. You, Ruth, you are the most precious thing I've ever managed to get in my possession. You are unique in that I can change you, but I want to be careful. Whatever changes I make to you must never erase what makes me appreciate you."

She went over to him and they kissed, bathing in the strong rays of the midday sun. Her head was spinning trying to completely take in his words. She clamped her arms around him and squeezed her frail body against him.

"Oh, Sir. I love you so much."

He petted her hair and returned her embrace.

"I know you do, little girl. I feel the same way about you."

Ruth pushed her face into his shoulder, she felt small, tiny under his regard. It humbled and exhilarated her that he had such profound thoughts about her. This man she had given herself to, seemed to know what he had been given even more than she did. She had no eloquent answer, her words had left her. So she kept it simple, poignant in its honesty.

"Thank you, Sir."

"You're welcome. I want you to find something to decorate the living area before my friends come over. You can pick one of my things, but you can also go out and get something on your own. When you find a piece, come show it to me. You will be cooking as well, ask for my help if you need it. I want you to show yourself. If you make me proud, there's a reward in it for you."

"Yes, Sir. I'll do my best."

***

Wednesday was one extended practice session. She was able to escape for a bit to find a piece that she liked. She tried to choose something just for herself, but couldn't help thinking about whether or not Tom would like it. She finally settled for a beautiful pencil drawing of a blue nightingale.

She also bought an elegantly shaped glass dish. She would fill it with water and drop in blue glass marbles and other bluish pebbles. When she showed Tom what she had bought he complemented her and chose a midnight blue dress for her to wear during the dinner. The continuity wasn't lost on her and she clutched the dress to her chest.

More practice followed until Tom finally tired of drilling her.

They went grocery shopping on Thursday morning and if it hadn't been for Tom's experienced hand guiding her, the preparation of the dinner would have been chaos. Still, she enjoyed being able to freely interact with Tom and tease him as they were working side by side. Her laughter filled the air in the room with joyous expectation.

This place of calm in her stressful life would always be Tom's place in her mind, but she felt welcome and accepted. Her love for him bubbled up again and again, forcing him to suffer through a barrage of sudden hugs and kisses that turned more and more amorous until he dragged her over to the couch and fucked her there.

Tom was smiling as well. He could see the woman he had fallen for blooming open. All she had ever needed was someone she could make happy and that would push her worries aside, forcefully. And he was glad to be just that person. A master serves just as much as his servant.

***

Ruth looked magnificent in her midnight blue dress, it was tastefully cut and flowed along her body. She pirouetted for Tom and it billowed out a little, showing off her slender legs. Her black pumps and the dark hue of the dress highlighted her creamy skin. An elegant teardrop necklace drew the eye to the subtle swell of her cleavage. She had put up her hair, revealing the vulnerable skin of her neck. Her make-up was minimal, merely highlighting the natural beauty of her face.

"You look beautiful, Ruth. I just know everybody in the room is going to be jealous."

He grinned at her and ran his finger across her clavicle, making her shiver. She pushed his hand away, too nervous for any teasing. He noticed her tension and stepped around her, taking her in his arms.

"Relax, little girl. Just lean back a second, everything's going to be fine. The hard part is over, just remember what we practiced yesterday."

She stood taking in his calm as she heard the clock ticking, creeping closer and closer to the moment the first guests would arrive. Tom had told her the older couple would be punctual so it didn't surprise her when the doorbell rang at one to six.

They introduced themselves as Cristina and Philip. Cristina was about her height and Ruth was surprised to hear that she was the Mistress in their relationship. She cast a glance at Philip, a huge man with coal shovels for hands. Tom's hand nearly disappeared when they shook hands and embraced. She could hear him thumping Tom's back and cringed. He turned to her and took her hand in one of his, elegantly bending over to kiss it.

"Always the gentleman aren't you, Philip?"

"Only way I know how, Tom."

Philip's laugh thundered from his chest as he put his arm around Tom's shoulder and they made their way inside. Cristina followed the two of them with her eyes before turning to Ruth.

"Those two misfits will take care of themselves. Now, girl, would you be so kind as to make me a gin and tonic? One eighth of a lime, three ice cubes, one part Hendricks and one part Fever tree Elderflower tonic. Make yourself something as well and then come join me in the living area, I have questions for you."

She turned away from Ruth and called out

"Tom, you could have told me that she was gorgeous. How am I supposed to calm down Philip tonight? I'll have to cane him to keep his hands off of me."

"Are you sure you're not just feeling a little randy? You know he loves the cane."

"Oh shut up, you little pup."

Their banter continued as Ruth made Cristina her drink, each winning comment punctuated by Philip's deep laughter. She had just put down the gin and tonic in front of Cristina when she heard the doorbell ring again. She opened the door and saw a tall chocolate colored beauty, with her shiny black hair cut short. She introduced herself as Nicky.

Next to her was a fairly nondescript man who took her in with curious eyes. His name was Thobias or Toby for friends. Ruth had assumed they were a couple, but she was wrong. Thobias was gay and had taken Nicky on as a playmate because he had been charmed by the little boy character she liked to act out during playtime.

They made their way into the living area and soon Philip was cruising through the room with Nicky riding his back, making vrooming noises. His laughter boomed through the room.

"Nick! I think that's enough, we're not here to play tonight."

Nicky sulked as she jumped down off of Philip's back. Philip got a slap on his enormous biceps from Cristina and shrugged his shoulders in apology. Tom cleared his throat and stood up.

"Well, let me make some introductions now that everyone's here. Everybody, this is Ruth. She's a wonderful young lady who I have graciously taken under my wing. Ruth, the tiny woman sipping at her gin and tonic over there is Cristina or Mistress in other circumstances. I spent six months in her home to learn what it means to be in service to someone, I picked up a few things from her."