[q]Darling, please, let me take care of you. You’re under my care after all.[q] She gave Ella’s hand a small squeeze as they came into the kitchen. It was a large one, yes, but it had been part of the manor for so long, Kac didn’t know if it had been less in the past or not. All he knew was what she had grown up with, and that, had been this kitchen. [q]Didn’t you say something about liking to cook at some point?[q]
The day had been so long at that point, that she wasn’t sure if that was real, or imagined at that point. But as they entered, she gently took her hand back from Ella, and went to the pantry, knowing the hard cheeses and fresh fruits were kept in there, from the days when she had to sneak around the first few days back from her higher schooling. She’d decided that weekend that she was not made for certain activities, and hadn’t looked back since, sometimes, men just weren’t small enough, it would be a lesson Kac took with her going forward.
[q]You don;t have to cook, unless, you… wanted to of course, I’m not going to force you to cook. Unless you want too, that is. Sari normally cooks at home, with everything else she does around the house.[q] Hopefully, Benson wouldn’t mind working in the house with his mother there. Kaczor hadn’t thought of that.
Novella was too busy taking in the fact there were two pantries; walk-ins, at that. And the ice-box, though magic-made, was a more recent model than her own family had. In fact, theirs sometimes broke and her stepmother had to fix it. It was pretty embarrassing. She was pretty sure they'd hoped to buy a new one with her bride price.
[q]Mhm... I enjoy cooking.[q] She brushed her hands down the front of her dress, brushing wrinkles that would not actually go anywhere away as Kaczor disappeared into the pantry. [q]It's... how I made myself useful. Uhm, to my father, I mean.[q] She realized there hadn't been too much context.
[q]But I probably shouldn't tonight. I'd hate to mess with uhm, the cook's things.[q] She reminded herself that this was the family manor. And she wasn't family yet; no matter how Kaczor spoke about her. She'd breathe easier when a priest declared it so.
[q]Cheese and fruit is okay,[q] she wasn't expecting more than that, honestly. [q]I will apologize to the cook in the morning, for missing the meal that was prepared.[q] She nodded to herself, as if that'd help the servant forgive her for her misdeed (well, Kazcor's misdeed).
[q]I am afraid... I am not terribly familiar with how a housewife should, uhm, behave.[q] Between military service and then going home to become a pawn...
[q]In my family, when I came home from... uhm, school, I did cooking, the laundry and most of the cleaning.[q] She cleared her throat, [q]My father sold most of his slaves after his business took a hit during an uprising.[q] The slaves had been more trouble than her father had wanted. She'd been punished for that, too, even though she wasn't the person in charge of managing the slaves.
[q]Cheese and fruit, and I think we have some snack dried meats, oh and some more sparkling wine,[q] she loaded up items from the pantry and brought them over to the center block, watching Ella as she spoke, fingers going to pull grapes off the stem and drop them into a bowl, a knife appearing to chop some of the cheeses up into small squares. She ‘hmm’ed as she thought about it. [q]Don’t be worried with what a housewife should be. You’re not a normal ‘housewife’ so to speak. You’ll accompany me around when we have some events to be at together, I do like attending the art shows, local plays, and readings, and mummers and musicians that come and play in the city. That certainly won’t take all your time.[q]
Kaczor held a grape up to Ella as she spoke, taking the block of cheese back, once she had sliced them a large enough piece, she returned to the center island with a small bag of dried meats, and some nuts and dried fruits as well. She put all of them on a small serving platter in the middle of the block. She bristled a little at slaves, but she tried not to show it as she moved around, like she knew the kitchen way too well.
[q]Well Sari will be there to do a lot of the laundry and cleaning, but if you enjoy cooking, please do, remember I did promise to be your taste tester earlier today.[q]
Novella watched as Kac prepared their 'meal'. She'd eaten worse, certainly. She furrowed her brows, as Kaczor brushed off her concerns about what a 'normal' housewife would be like. [q]What... do I do, when I'm not attending events with you?[q] She accepted the grape from her fiancee's fingers, taking a moment to nibble at the tips of her fingers, before she released her to chew the grape thoroughly.
She watched Kac place the cheese back, and watched her quietly. [q]So... my life is to... follow you to events... and cook?[q] She furrowed her brows. It sounded kind of boring. And kind of nice. But it sounded like her days would be full of nothing.
[q]I just... get to stay home?[q] She tilted her head, and reached for a piece of cheese.
Her breath hitches as her wife nibbles on her fingers, her pupils expanding some in desire. It didn’t take much to flare her libido, and when it came to Ella, Kaczor hadn’t begun to sate her appetite for the other woman. And what she thought may not happen again for many many weeks… [q]I could have your legs up over my shoulders, most of the day, just a suggestion. It would make my days oh so much more enjoyable.[q] She grinned a little, before putting the knife aside and popping the cork on the wine, pouring a glass and then another, one handed to Ella.
[q]You can cook, or garden, read, learn art, I know of someone would could go both pose for, naked.. And clothed, if you prefer. Attend public lectures, and of course I will make sure that when there are opportunities for us to uphold the Archon that we are there, of course. We need to make sure that we continue with our responsibilities and duties after all.[q] She paused, setting her own glass aside to try and pull Ella forward to hold her close and perhaps, steal a little kiss. [q]I still think our days would pass more enjoyably with you as my banquet.[q]
Ella eyed her fiancee as she accepted the glass of wine, sipping from it deeply. And then, Kaczor was reassuring her that she had plenty of things to do... [q]I can do all of that?[q] She inquired, wide-eyed as she let the woman steal a kiss.
[q]Go to lectures... learn an art media? Could...[q] She chewed her lip, [q]...Could I attend a book club?[q] She tilted her head, furrowing her brow as Kac's thoughts once again turned towards sex.
[q]Nuh-uh.[q] She squirmed free of her grasp, and reached for another grape. Kaczor had said, she could always say no. And she was still upset, even if she wasn't crying at the moment. [q]You said we could be friends first.[q]
The moment she went to move away, she dropped the advance completely and nodded. [q]Of course, we can be friends first, forgive my forwardness.[q] She inclined her head gently, she had read the nibble of the grape wrong, and it wasn’t the first time she had read a citation wrong before. [q]And yes, yes you can, anything you want to do. If there’s a class you want to attend, how to make something, how to do something, anything you wish, then you are .. I will encourage you to find things that you adore and like that you truly like. No cooking, just because, that’s what you were meant to do at your fathers house. But if you truly like to cook, then I will be here, on a stool, and tasting anything you hold up to me to taste.[q]
She took a sip of her wine, making sure to wait until Ella had her grape and her fingers had vacated the bowl before taking her own. [q]A book club, an art club, anything you please. If you want to try one, I’ll make sure that it’s arranged, and then if you get home after and decide you didn’t like it, I’ll make sure you never have to go back. And if it’s something physical, horseback riding, dancing, archery though I assume that was part of your standard military training and not really done like.. As a form of exercise I did as a youth. We could go sailing..[q]
Something about the way Kaczor withdrew... was unnerving. And Ella's lower lip twitched. She'd been saying no to sex—had assumed she was being pulled closer for sex. A bit distrustful, given everything that's happened this day. [q]I really enjoy cooking.[q] She confirmed, with a slight nod. Almost shy. Part of her knew she enjoyed it, because she'd gotten good at it. Part of her knew she'd only gotten good at it because she'd been forced to be good at it. Pain was a great motivator...
[q]I can ride a horse, and dance...[q] She shook her head at archery, though. And doesn't address whether she'd ever been in the military. Some families, after all, bought their childrens' way out. Hers hadn't, but anything worth mentioning was under another name.
[q]I've only been on a boat once...[q] She mused, thoughtful. She'd been young, thirteen, fourteen... [q]Maybe that would be fun.[q] She continued to eat, swirling the wine around in her cup.
After a while: [q]...What kind of events do you attend?[q]
[q]I can arrange for a boat out on the inlet for sometime this week then,[q] while she kept a mind on where the hands were at any given time, she still left her own self open to be touched, holding her hand upright on the counter for Ella to take if wanted. She would try her best to make sure that any no she voiced, would be taken seriously, the full weight of a no, well. Kac wouldn’t argue a no, but would keep offering, over and over.
[q]The usual sort of events. Paintings being shown off at someone’s home, string quartets, singers, sculpting parties, readings of books. The arts are important, it’s.. Sometimes I think all my spare time is given in their pursuit. I’ll sometimes arrange one house hold being in touch with an artist, if they go to someone elses home and like a painting, or a statue, I track down the artist that did the work and get them in touch. Make introductions.[q]
[q]Are there ones you’d like to start attending? Outside of what I’ve said, if there are ones you’d like to go to, I can work on getting us invitations, I know people. And I’ve more than enough money to buy our way in if it’s something you really want.[q]
The more she spoke to Kazcor, the more the… 'I can buy you anything' sounded right. It made her feel better, despite the overwhelming factors of how this family treated their servants. Perhaps it was just a personal preference, to make themselves feel better… Perhaps it was the only right way to treat servants. She studied the other woman, the way she left her hand on the counter, palm-up.
And she leaned to slip her hand into her fiancee's, [q]Old Money goes much further than New.[q] She grinned, as she carefully intertwined their fingers. [q]And yet… Some aspects of your family are more New than Old.[q] She spoke carefully, popping a piece of cheese into her mouth. It did not escape her that they had yet to find a healer for Kazcor's nose; but it must be bearable, since she was able to eat fairly fine.
[q]I don't… know.[q] Uncertain, she chewed her lip. Her life had been school, military, and then servant. Her father was shrewd with his money, working and investing to ensure he didn't lose wealth. [q]I guess we'll find out soon.[q] She shrugged, as if it didn't matter that she had no idea what life was going to be like.
[q]Mmm, I need a bath,[q] she grumbled at this fact, as she took another sip from her glass. Her makeup was still ruined, even worse given that she'd slept in it too.
[q]Sometimes it does, sometimes it means finding value in things made well, instead of flashy.[q] Her breath caught when Ella's fingers found hers and then slotted with them. She very much wanted to risk trying to draw the other woman into another hug, but she was afraid of losing the touch once again. Kaczor liked touch, and thrived from being touched and able to touch. [q]And it means if it makes you happy, I will do everything I can to make it happen.[q]
The endorphins that had made her nose seem something that she could reasonably tolerate, were quickly wearing off, and she knew she'd have to find a healer soon, but she was waiting until she couldn't possibly bear it any longer. [q]A bath would be divine about now.[q] She let her thumb rub over Ella's thumb, barely, unable to help herself
[q]I'll warm up the tub for you, to make sure it's exactly the warmth you want it to be.[q] Fire magic was not her specialty, but she could manage it well enough to heat up a tub for Ella. And then for herself. Her silk trousers where a bit stiff from earlier. Being clean and in fresh clothes was, not just a luxury at the time, but a necessity before Kaczor would be able to sleep. [q]Eat some more please first though, I don't want you going to bed hungry.[q]
She picked up a piece of cheese and held it up for Ella. [q]No nibbling, if you're not going to allow me to kiss you after, or at least hug you close, please.[q]
Novella caught the way her fiancee's breath caught, when she twined their fingers together. She offered a shy smile, as the other woman promised if it'd make her happy, she'd gladly spend money on her.
She noted Kac's thumb rubbing along hers, nodding in agreement as the mage stated she'd prepare a hot bath for her. And then requested she eat more, before holding a piece of cheese to her mouth. With firm rules for accepting the cheese following.
[q]Do you want to hug me?[q] She inquired, as she claimed the bit of cheese, carefully with her teeth. She knew what hugs were... but hugs were not something she was familiar with. Every touch came with a price, a consequence.
[q]I… I want to know you are really agreeing to being touched, and not just what you think I want to hear.[q] Kaczor finally admitted, having thought about it a moment. [q]And of course I want to hug you, press a kiss to your forehead. Maybe kiss your hand, hold you in my lap to hold you. I suppose.. I'm a more physical affection sort of person.[q]
That was truth, as she gently pulled their clasped hands up to her lips, placing a small kiss on the back of her hand. [q]I'd volunteer to help you bathe too, but I have a feeling you're tired of my advanced for the evening.[q] She smiled, tightly, her face searching Ella's for something, maybe a denial that she was tired of being flirted with.
[q]I'm going to bring a bowl of the fruit and cheese with us, while we get your bath ready, so we can keep snacking.[q] Her face was really starting to throb now, but she would keep ignoring it until she was to tears if it meant stretching out the day just a little longer.
A pause. Considering what was being said, Ella tilted her head back to study the ceiling, And then her gaze swept back down, nodding, slowly. [q]I... see. You may hug me.[q]
She watched as Kazcor pressed a kiss to their clasped hands. [q]Oh... Uhm, n- I don't need help bathing. Thank you though,[q] she smiled nervously, and squeezed the other woman's hands.
[q]But maybe I could wear something of yours for a nightgown?[q] Her things hadn't been brought to the manor, after all. And Kac was tall enough that it'd be no issue, if she wanted to walk around in a night-shirt the next day.
[q]Are you sure you don't need a healer?[q] Ella questioned, as she claimed a few more pieces of fruit.
[q]Thank you,[q] she whispered to Ella, as she drew her close to her chest, laying her cheek down on the top of Ella's head before letting her go after a few seconds. [q]I'll make no denial, I very much want to touch you, but I want you to be touched as well.[q]
She thought about it and her wardrobe. [q]I have some things that would fit you, and some robes that we can belt in properly over your frame so you don't have to worry about wearing the same dress as today. And the offer to help you bathe is still open.[q]
She nodded, looking away a little, [q]It's manageable until I get you settled in with a bath, then I'll get the healer to fix it all up. After all, can't have it painful for if you actually want me to come eat you to sleep, can we? Not that, that's going to happen if you don't want it. Just, again. The offer is still there.[q]
