The Vassal Academy Ch. 24

Devon smiled. "We're about to head to dinner, and I think you'll find the food quite acceptable." He shrugged helplessly. "If there are special restrictions or diet requirements, then I'd certainly discuss them with Chef and see what we could do to accommodate reasonable request. I have only one Chef at this time though, and he can't possibly crank out a dozen different meals three times a day. By different, I mean individual menus."

Nine sat at the table, Devon taking his place at the head, and the two vice presidents on either side of him. Dominique was at the foot, across from Adam Thompson.

Devon didn't ring a bell. He spoke into his wrist. "We're ready Jeannette."

The door opened, Jeannette stood there holding a tray with two bowls of soup. "Master, dinner is served."

The six slaves came in dressed identically, all wearing the short toga style dresses, and each saw to the assigned position with grace and aplomb. The slaves stepped back after serving the soup, and stood waiting, hands folded before them.

As the fish course was quickly and efficiently served, Christina admitted the food was excellent. "You have a quite capable chef."

"He's exceptional." Devon agreed. "We're very happy with his work."

Three entrées were brought in next, and Chef made a brief appearance. "This is one of my best dishes, Chicken Montrachet."

The diners sipped wine and then sampled the meal. It was excellent, and all said so. Devon continued to make small talk, pointing out the grace that the service was done with.

As the salad course was finished, the diners sat and looked at each other in awe. The desert was served next, and again Chef had gone all out. Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake tempted the tastes of everyone at the table. Christina spoke first. "Devon, I don't think we could get the actors to that level of grace in a week. I'd love to film something like this, it would be exceptional."

Devon shrugged. "We can try to train the actors up, and we should be able to maintain a fair representation of the dinner service."

Christina glanced at Michael and shrugged. He stepped in. "Perhaps we could use some of your staff for the movie, for things like this."

Devon shook his head. "No, we don't do movies here. We train."

While no one had said so, it was obvious that the slaves were to be spoken to sparingly during the dinner. No one had questioned them at all. Only Devon had signaled that the next course was needed, and Jeannette communicated with subtle gestures and looks to the others.

Michael broke this understood rule. "Jeannette, you're a very beautiful woman, wouldn't you like to be in a movie?"

"No Sir. I seek only to serve Master." Jeannette answered.

Devon gave Michael a cold look. "Don't stop there, perhaps Geneva or Diane." He turned his head slightly and increased his volume just enough for everyone to hear him. "Geneva, Diane, would you like to be in a movie? There is no wrong answer, as long as it's the truth."

"No Master." Both answered nearly in unison.

"How about you Crystal, would you like to leave us for a life in the film industry?" Devon asked next.

"No Master. I don't want to leave." Crystal said seriously. Leaving was a nightmare of hers. Anywhere outside of the Academy, and her Mother could again get control of her.

Devon turned back to Christina and gave Michael a withering glance. He understood she'd signaled for him to take the lead, which told him that she was more senior. "I know my staff, their desires, and their wishes. I would not have spoken to those without some knowledge of the people involved."

"It's just that this place, the people here, are not what we'd expected." Christina admitted.

Devon leaned back and waved a hand. Jeannette gave her own signal, and in a minute the desert plates were gone and coffee was served. Devon leaned forward and sipped his coffee. "I understand the difficulty you're expecting with the actors. I'm willing to go one step further. I presume you'll be holding some sort of casting call?"

"Yes. That's normal." Michael admitted. "It's somewhat informal, but yes, we'll be meeting and talking to the actors."

Devon nodded. "I'll ask Mistress Ann, and Slave Diane to attend, to demonstrate the techniques and the abilities that we wish to help them simulate."

Diane broke training. She goggled at Devon, her mouth ajar and her eyes open wide. A significant look from Jeannette put her back in training. She forced her face to return to carefully neutral. Ann blinked rapidly at Devon as she tried to catch up with what was just said.

"Your apprentice trainer?" Michael asked with a bit of scorn.

Dominique flared a bit. "Mistress Ann is much more advanced than her title, apprentice trainer, would indicate. She's already more advanced than any Dominant outside of this academy that I'm aware of. She's fully qualified on all phase one and two training, and nearly qualified on all the phase three training. She can do an exceptional job representing us."

Devon didn't wait for another objection. "Diane is the most senior student I have here. She is as a rough estimate, six weeks, or perhaps as little as a month away from full qualification. Only three tests remain for her, and we're working her hard, training her up for it." Devon looked defiantly at Michael. "I suggested the very best for the task at hand, people I can ill afford to do without for a week of lounging around in California."

"I'm sorry, I guess I assumed that you would be doing it personally, if we agreed." Michael said trying to cover up his mistake.

Devon took a deep breath and visibly calmed himself. "I'm needed here, that's the problem with this. I need to be the one designing the training for these actors, and I need to have good input on what their strengths and weaknesses will be. That is Mistress Ann, as she is exceptional at judging such things." Devon shifted in his chair, obviously trying to return to full calm and control from the challenge to his authority that he'd just confronted. "Despite the fact that we won't be filming here, any problems that do arise, will only be able to be handed, or decided, here. I would need to be available to talk to the County Elders, I would need to be the one to talk to the Sheriff, our agreement with them was not easy to come by, and is far too delicate to take for granted this early in our tenure."

Dominique nodded slightly. "I agree Devon, the understanding we have with the County, and the State, is far too immature to take for granted. I would agree that you'd need to remain at hand to reassure them should something stir their curiosity."

Michael glanced at Christina, and received some subtle signal from her. "I apologize, and I'm certain that Mistress Ann will do admirably."

Ann spoke up at last. "I presume that I'll be running Diane through her paces, as a demonstration for the actors?"

"Yes, and treating them with a certain amount of disdain. Not too much though, they're prima donnas." Devon agreed.

Diane glanced at Jeannette and got a small shake of the head in reply. She returned to looking straight ahead. Diane had questions, what made anyone think she was the best-qualified slave?

Adam was watching Diane, and remembering the short time he'd spent with her. He'd like to spend some more, the entire evening, a whole night would be quite pleasant. Christina on the other hand, was unlikely to be willing to stay, and that would make it uncomfortable to even suggest it.

After dinner, when the final details were agreed upon, and notes were made for the contract, the three Pleasure Products people retired to their car to return to the city. Devon feeling Christina's unwillingness to even consider staying, did not suggest it in the slightest. Instead he went with Dominique back to his office, and they sat sipping Brandy and discussing the meeting.

Ann knocked on the door. Devon invited her in, and after exchanging pleasantries with Dominique asked the question burning in her chest. "Devon, why me?"

"Don't you feel up to the task Ann?" Devon countered.

"Devon, why me? I'm not stupid, and I've noticed a bunch of stuff. Every time you leave, you put me in charge. You delegate details to Rebecca, your number two, but you always put me in charge in your absence. Why?"

Devon frowned slightly. "I find you do a good job, and so I leave it with you." Devon offered in an effort to minimize the situation.

"Devon, forgive me, but that's bullshit." Ann said. "I need the truth here, why me?"

Devon glanced at Dominique, and got no indication of her opinion. He leaned back slightly, and finally spoke. "Because when or if I leave this facility, you will be the lead trainer here."

Ann gaped at him. "What?"

"You are going to take over command of this facility Ann." Dominique agreed. "That's why he puts you in charge, and that's why he's sending you to California."

Ann sat heavily in the chair before the desk and tried to compose her mind. "Devon, I've been doing this for what, not even five months? You can't seriously think I'm the one to put in charge. I can't do your job for Christ's sakes."

"Not yet, but you will, before I leave." Devon said. "Now about California, I'm thinking a basic demonstration of the subtleties of Ballet and basic obedience demonstrations. Let them see the interaction between a true Dominant, and a true submissive."

"No sweat, Ballet one and two and have Diane demonstrate how she can prepare on command." Ann waved it away. "I can't believe you think I'm going to take over for you."

"There is also the notional Dominants, they'll need to be shown the subtleties of true Domination Ann." Dominique offered.

"Show them how to stride, how to sneer properly. No sweat." Ann insisted. "Devon, I'm not command material. I'm not even a fully qualified Dominatrix yet."

"No, you're not. You're not far from it, but you aren't qualified yet. However, four months ago, if I had said you would be doing a demonstration for actors on the basics of what we do here, you would have objected that it was impossible. Now, you indicate it is no problem, you dismiss potential hurdles as irrelevant. Do you think I would dump this upon you before you were truly ready Ann?" Devon asked.

Ann hesitated. "How long has this been your plan Machiavelli?"

Devon considered for a moment. "I told the Sheriff the night of the first dinner."

Dominique spoke next. "Ann, I wholly approve of his choice, and while it's still some way out in the future, say two years, you are the natural choice to take over here."

Ann looked at Dominique, and then at Devon again. "Why not Rebecca, or Andre." After a moment, she'd realized the she'd shown her hand. By not including Thomas in the list, she'd shown Devon that she agreed with his assessment in a way. Thomas wasn't leadership material.

Devon looked uncomfortable. "They agree with my decision. They know why I've chosen you."

"You discussed it with them?"

"Yes." Devon said. "To help them train you, so you'll be ready when it's time."

"Ann, they aren't suitable lead material. They're excellent trainers, but they need a firm, and wise hand to guide them." Dominique offered. "Devon was spotted as suitable Lead material when he was still learning to be a trainer. So was I."

Ann glanced back and forth and then asked her question again. "Why not Rebecca, she's second here."

Devon leaned back. "Rebecca wouldn't take the job if I offered it to her. She has a flaw, one that you probably suspect, and one that would interfere with her leadership eventually."

Ann considered for a minute. "She likes to hear the slaves squeal."

Devon nodded. "As long as someone is here who is over her, she's guaranteed not to exceed required punishments, to keep her desire under control. When it gets to be a distraction, she seeks the assistance of Andre, Thomas, or even myself at times."

"Andre normally." Ann said softly. She was thinking about all she'd seen, all she knew, and all she'd noticed, but not considered. "Andre let's Rebecca hurt him?"

Dominique laughed. "No, he punishes her, she likes the pain too." Dominique shrugged. "I've had him treat me roughly too, and he's very good at it."

"Why not Andre then?" Ann asked, already suspecting the answer.

"He's too wrapped up in himself, too egotistical for a really good lead. Too naturally good looking. Also, as you know all too well, he tends to take some risky chances at times, a flaw I would not want to see behind this desk." Devon summarized. "It's mannerism more than appearance. He doesn't have it." Devon held up his hand. "Thomas you already know, he's too soft, too kindly in his mannerism. It's partly his appearance, partly his mannerism mostly it's just who he is, his character. He's gentle, and has to be tightened up from time to time to remind him that he's a trainer. He'll never be a good lead, he is a good trainer, and a dedicated one."

Ann looked between them again. "I still think you're crazy."

Dominique cleared her throat. "I'll forgive that, this time." She said semi seriously. "Ann, you have the talent, and the right personality. All you need to do is finish your training, and get fully qualified. Then we'll set about teaching you how to be a lead."

"Why are you leaving?" Ann asked Devon next.

"The long term plan I submitted, was after the flagship was opened, to open additional facilities around the world, the number dependant upon too many factors to even consider right now." Devon explained. "I would do the same thing there, train up a couple trainers, and start recruiting more staff."

Ann was lost in thought for a short while. Finally she looked up. "You never have a single plan, what is the backup if, or when, I fail?"

Devon leaned forward. "Recruit a trainer from inside the old Society, preferably a lead, and spin him or her up to take over." Devon admitted.

"You seem reluctant to even mention that Devon, is something wrong with the society?" Ann asked next.

Devon shook his head. "No, but as a former slave, I'm perhaps too accustomed to taking orders. I feel a very strong desire to please the clients as well. You are unique, because your studies have all been as a Dominant. Also, you understand the delicate nature of the agreements we've made, not just with the Sheriff, but with our own staff. You wouldn't violate them no matter what the prize offered may be." Devon shrugged. "A Lead from the society might not understand how offended the Sheriff might be if we were to film here, and may have given in, or worse, presented a less than unified front with Dominique here."

"As lead Ann, you answer only to me." Dominique said slowly. "I don't see any problems with that, and I'm normally very supportive of my trainers, so long as they're right."

Ann nodded. "I know, I've seen that." She tried to absorb the enormity of what was revealed. "Devon, I don't know, it's scary."

"Before you are given the task Ann, it won't be." Devon assured her. "Put together a list of demonstrations you think would be best in California, and let me see it in a day or two."

Ann nodded absently. "Jeannette, she'll go with you won't she?" Her mind was filling in the blanks, seeing his plan in its entirety. She was not quite up to speed with him, but she was gaining on him.

Devon nodded. "I haven't asked, but yes, she will follow me."

"Diane." Ann said in understanding. "She's to be my lead slave?"

"Unless you have an objection. She's the best overall service oriented slave." Dominique said. "Not because she was first, but because she has had the fewest obstacles to overcome. She fell into this lifestyle with little real trouble. She instinctively wants to obey Master."

Ann shook her head. "No, she's fine. Still a little self conscious, but that's improving."

Devon nodded. "You see, you have the feel for the job Ann, you just don't know you do."

Ann rose and walked to the decanter, and poured a good double into a snifter. She took a healthy swallow of the Brandy and obviously strained as she tryed not to embarrass herself coughing.

Dominique smiled. "Take smaller sips, let the vapors embrace you."

Ann nodded and took a smaller sip. Then she drained the glass. "Sorry, I needed the jolt to my system."

"Understandable." Devon acknowledged.

"OK, I'm going to go upstairs and try not to freak the hell out now." Ann said. "I still think you're crazy Devon, but we'll wait and see."

Devon and Dominique both wished her a good night. She returned the offering and headed upstairs. She saw Rebecca's door open slightly and knocked. Rebecca was wearing a robe and watching her TV. She turned it off and invited Ann in.

"Becca, I just got done talking to Dominique and Devon. They said you agreed with the decision." Ann began.

Rebecca looked confused. "To send you to California? Sure. No problem. You can handle that."

"No, to take over for Devon." Ann said watching her friends face carefully.

Rebecca blinked in surprise and then nodded. "Yeah I do."

"You don't want it?"

"I can't." Rebecca said softly. "I don't trust myself that much."

"Becca, I don't know if I can do it." Ann admitted her fear, with more emotion than she'd intended.

"I know you can." Rebecca said softly. "You have the heart for it. I don't."

"Why?" Ann asked.

"If you saw a student after my class striped from back of shoulders to her heels what would you do?" Rebecca asked.

"I'd talk to you, to find out what she did to deserve that extreme of a punishment, to see if we needed to adjust her training." Ann said understanding.

"You'd keep me honest, and I need that." Rebecca admitted softly. "I'm good Ann, I'm probably the best Ballet instructor we've ever had at the Society. I've also got a kink, one that could and would consume me if it was not controlled tightly."

"So you can be number two, a second, but you're afraid of being the lead." Ann said in summary.

"Yeah. Right now, I'm honest. I know I can't get anything over on Devon. I know I can't get anything by you, you're pretty good at Ballet already. You'd know if I was being too strict, and would call me on it. You know my demon, and you'll watch me to make sure I'm not giving in." Rebecca looked seriously at Ann. "Don't ever think you can let it off the leash, you can't."

"How do you control it?" Ann asked.

"I have Andre hurt me, or Thomas." Rebecca said. "Andre is very good at that. Giving me the brutality I desire, with me as the target. I was a very good slave once too, and like everyone else, I enjoy letting go now and then."

Ann nodded. She understood more, and less all the time. "Thanks Becca." She stood to go and stopped at the door before opening it. "If I am the lead, can I count on you to be my second?"

"Of course Ann, I'm good at backing someone up, of carrying out the plans and details that the Lead needs to have accomplished."

Ann nodded. "Thanks again Becca."

"Good night Ann." Rebecca said softly. "One more thing?"

"Yeah?" Ann asked.

"Don't fall in love with Devon, he will leave us in another couple years, when it's time." Rebecca said seriously. "Jeannette will follow him, and as much as he can love Ann, he loves her."

"I know." Ann said. "I'm not falling for him." Ann assured her friend.

Rebecca stood and walked to Ann, and held her in a comforting hug for a few moments. Then breaking the embrace, let Ann out of the room, and closed her own door.

Diane was in Jeannette's room arguing with the lead slave. "I can't do that. I can't possibly demonstrate to some movie stars how to be a slave."

"Sure you can, they're not really movie stars anyway, they're phonies, don't sweat it." Jeannette told her.

Diane rolled her eyes and looked at Geneva. "Please tell me you see this my way."