Faline

Turns out the door I thought had led outside is a deep freezer. Oh well. Much of it I don't know how to work with, so I grab the pork chops. It seems really silly to have all this available and yet no one knows what to do with it.

Nibbling at my lip, I grab them all, which is actually quite a bit. Packaged just as they would be at a store, there's a couple of dozen stacked up, some close to being freezer burnt.

Calling for Maii to help take some, we move them to my counter. Wish I could use the bigger one, but I don't want to get in the way of the others' work. So instead, Maii and I push one of the other floating counters up next to mine.

Pointing the boy back to his stool and showing him how to sheer the corn ears, I pull another submissive over and start to show them how to peel potatoes, but they know how to, so I leave 'em to it. I slowly take over the bigger counter against the wall, since I need the space, besides, that's where the ovens and stovetops are.

Several big, deep pots are brought out and filled with water set to boil. Me and the other kitchen 'staff' get into a kind of rhythm as I direct them to do different tasks. They still keep dropping to their knees, especially at first when I'd call out to them to do something. They don't stop, but I'm able to talk them into not doing it every time I ask them to do something involving food prep.

My nerves once more go to that peaceful easiness as my mind gets absorbed in something comforting and familiar. I ignore every Vampire, Were-animal, and Shifter that walks in and isn't a submissive, even the big lion when he pops in and through.

Boiling potatoes for mashed taters, corn gets drenched in butter then wrapped in aluminum foil, and packaged pork chops put in hot water to thaw. The girl sent after paper comes back with a thick notebook and a couple of pencils, a note on them as she hands them to me. Surprise widens my eyes as I read it.

The Mistress, having seen what the girl was after had called for her to get something different, and telling me to make good use of it. The scrawling handwriting is really pretty, so I peel it off and stick it on the inside cover. Thanking the girl, who as per usual custom looks shocked, then drops.

If I do nothing she'll stay there, so I tell her she can go do whatever. She stays for a moment before she actually does so. Going to my counter, I clear off space and start writing. One pencil between my teeth as the other flies over the paper, Maii looks on curiously, so I slow down a little so he can see what I'm doing. While waiting for the meat to thaw, I write down as many recipes as I can.

Kerry and Avina had come in while I was speed scribbling, sitting at one of the benches, Avina's still talking to the girl who keeps an eye on me. Whatever. Ignoring them, I check on my chops.

By the way, the pencil tastes like butt. I try to keep my tongue from touching it and to just have it clenched between my teeth, but it ends up being one of those things that because you don't want to do it, it ends up being done anyway.

From being left in water that was kept hot, they're about ready to be used. Three dozen packages with two chops a piece, this is gonna be a big order, but that's the point. Enough for if the animals are wanting more, since the way I figure it, they need more to keep up with both blood 'donating' and energy used from changing shape. Makes sense to me anyway.

The fun part now is cooking it all, since there's not enough oven space. Can only do so many at once. That's fine, less stress on me. One of the times I look up I see Nicolaus leaning against the far wall, arms and legs crossed.

His eyes warm as mine connect to his, but I look away soon after. I'm too busy right now to mess with clingy Vamps. From experience, I can sense his agitation from here. Nothing like moody Vampire temper tantrums.

I set up gathering ingredients for a sauce. Most items are found in a pantry that I send someone else for since my Vamp is in that area. He totally ignores them, I knew he would. I'd feel flattered that I'm the total focus of a good looking male's attentions, but this is Nicolaus. He don't count.

Feeling like causing trouble, a grin crosses my features. I start really engaging the others around me, having most of them laughing in no time. Maii makes no sound when he laughs, but you can tell that that's what he's doing.

I pull both Avina and Kerry over and show them what I'm doing with the sauce. Kerry catches a look at the notebook, and I can see her reading it. The page it's turned to is the recipe for the sauce I'm now making. She catches me looking at her and down the head goes, but I walk over and hand the book to her.

"I was told you can read, yeah? Can you read these?"

I flip through a couple of the pages while she looks on, looking more and more interested, so I figure she can understand everything. The thought is cemented when she gives me a shy smile and nod, so I smile broadly at her.

"Good, 'cause if I have to make food for everyone, I'm gonna need help. Since you can read, you'll be a big help. Remembering everything and getting it written down is my goal. Can you write to?"

She nods, still reading through some of the pages with wide eyes.

"Even better, that means you'll be able to write stuff down for me if I need to change measurements."

Smiling, I pull the extra pencil from atop my ear and put it on hers. Her gaze jumps to mine as she touches it in shock. I chuckle lightly, but turn as the mood subtly shifts from everyone.

Looking up, I see the Vampire who'd taken her earlier come in, his eyes flicking around. Turning quickly and telling her to drop, I motion her closer behind my counter. She's handed the book and positioned in a way as if I were using her as a pedestal-table.

Going about everything normally, I ignore him and go back to my sauce. Nicolaus has disappeared. Of course, he's the one in hiding after all. I snort to myself.

I almost slip up again and bring the spoon to my mouth since my mind is wandering. Avina stops it just in time, sticking her hand in front of my mouth. A worried look on her face as she looks at me.

"Oh, yeah. Bad idea. I've already ruined peppers for me, don't need to ruin this."

I smirk as she gives a smile.

"Don't think the Lady would like to find me in the middle of another mess and laughing uncontrollably either."

She smiles wider as I lower the spoon. Getting a wicked idea, I get into the fridge and pull out a small cucumber, it takes me a minute since most of them are so long. I cut off one end and grab one of the nifty coring tools I'd found. Granted it's meant for fruit, but I make it work.

Everyone is giving me a confused look as I snicker. Seeing the man come closer when he catches wind of Kerry, I knew I couldn't keep her hidden long. Fear has a scent, and she's covered in it.

I step into his path. He's taller than me by almost a foot, but that doesn't worry me none. This would look so much better if I could actually eat food.

"Can I help you?"

His eyes rise to mine, so focused is he on the girl behind me that he doesn't see who steps in his way. Her bruised neck flashes in my head, it'd looked like he'd pulled it tight from behind her, most of the bruising at the front of her neck and in the same shape as the leather.

I see Avina taking Maii aside and whispering to him. My gaze is drawn back to the man in front of me who's trying to hover. I can feel my eyes harden, the flashes of memory, as well as the lingering scents on his person, fill my mind and body with anger.

More trouble here, I shall cause.

"You're in my way wench, move before I move you. No slave shall stand between me and what I want."

I laugh in his face, which causes him to take a step back, eyes widening in shock, then narrowing in anger. He growls at me, but I just growl right back, pulling my lips back far enough for my fangs to be seen. With all the mixing scents, he isn't bothering to distinguish who is who.

Once he sees them, he stops growling and really looks at me. Blinking angry light-blue eyes slip into dark lust. What is it with Vamps that make most of them serious pervs? Will I become one? I hope not.

Strands of short brown hair fall in front of his eyes, a smirk crossing his face as he looks over my wardrobe. I don't even care, I'm covered, that's all that matters. The hands at his sides start roaming over his chest and on down.

The point is to draw the eyes, but I've fallen into that enough already, I won't again. Besides, what I can see isn't all that amazing compared to some of the others I've seen walking around. Hands keep going lower, but I just raise an eyebrow as I keep my eyes on his.

A glitter of irritation flicks through his face as I don't do what he wants and mock him for it. Taking another step back, his scowl darkens. A new look filling his face has me tensing.

"Maybe I should send my request to the Lady, I'm sure she won't mind sending me a piece of Vampire ass."

His voice is low, and I snort. My arms cross, veggie still in my hand, I dare him with my eyes. A surge of adrenaline goes through me, the rise of enjoyment I get now when about to start a fight. His face catches on the cucumber in my hand, a smirk crosses his face.

Perfect.

"If you're wanting to find a good time, I can show you one a lot better than a vegetable can."

I feel the nasty grin crossing my face, and his eyes narrow as he picks up on something not quite right.

"Oh no, I think you have things confused. You see, I made this just for you. It might be a little on the, 'too big' side, but I'm sure you'll eventually grow to fit it. And look at that, it's still fresh, so plenty moist for you."

His light eyes darken tremendously, his hands balling into fists. I think I'm surrounded by young Vamps, they're just too easy to rile up. There are a few light snickers from around us, at first I thought they were from the submissives, but when he turns his head, my quick look reveals other patrons had come in and heard what I said.

Oh crap, this is not gonna end well. I think it, but my body is ready, my blood singing. In a rage at his seen humiliation, he turns and lunges at me. At the last second I duck down and to the side, thankfully Kerry had moved further away at some point, so she isn't landed on.

Before he can collect himself, I grab one of the very sharp kitchen knives I'd been using and pounce. Landing on his back just as he's trying to rise unsuspecting, it knocks him forward, and I ride him down.

Legs clench to either side of his body as I grip his hair in my free hand, knife hand going under his Adam's apple, which is very prominent when his head is yanked back. Thanks to horseback riding at a friend's place, my thighs and legs are plenty strong to keep me clamped to him. The knife digs even deeper as he tries to throw me off as if he were a bucking bull.

I cling like the damn monkey I was called when a child as blood flows from his erratic movements. If I'm not careful with the trouble I cause, I'm going to be locked in a cage soon. Since he refuses to stop moving, I dig the blade deep before I steady my legs, using him as a springboard to leap back.

As my luck would have it, my leap takes me right into Nicolaus's arms.

Dammit, this is not better.

One arm goes around my waist, the other grabs my wrist with the bloody knife and yanks me up off the floor to be held against his body, legs dangling.

"Not my fault. Seriously. He came looking for trouble, he found me instead. I claim no responsibility."

I can't help but start giggling, as here I am trying to explain why I again have another's blood on me and they're writhing on the floor. I don't fight Nicolaus, but he still holds me tight, his head buried in my hair and neck while watching the flailing dirtbag.

"You are no end of trouble. Every time I leave you alone, you always manage to find something to stir things up."

I can't tell if that's a growl in his voice or laughter. I'm pulled back to a bench, but he won't put me down. I start squirming till he sets my feet back on the floor. Giggles still escape me as I try to respond.

"I think he may have ruined my sauce. That asshole."

Everyone just looks at me, which causes me to laugh more. I think I'm indeed going crazy.

"Someone may want to help him before he bleeds out, but I'm totally fine if he does. I think my knife got caught in his Adam's apple. Good thing yours and Anthony's doesn't stick out that far, huh?"

Had to throw his name in there since he'd walked up, watching the Vamp who's clutching at his throat, trying to stop the bleeding.

"He's totally ruining my food with all the blood he's throwing around. So rude."

Nicolaus groans into my hair. A man does eventually come over and grab him up, telling him that the Mistress would like a word with him. I just snicker. Good luck with any words for a while. The taller Vampire nods to us and drags the bleeding one out after stuffing a rag to his wound.

"Kerry, please tell me you saved the book. I do not want to have to write all that all over again."

She steps out of hiding from behind Avina with it clutched in her arms, so I give her a big smile, still clutched to Nicolaus's hard body.

"Perfect! Now, Nicolaus, if you don't mind, I have to get back to work."

"What happened this time?"

I chuckle again, his arms tightening before slowly letting go.

"Well, there I was minding my own business, cookin' some grub when he has to come in and start shit. Oh!"

I hurry over to the counter, grabbing something off the floor and holding it up.

"He forgot his pocket pickle! And all the trouble I went through to make it..."

Quite a few people, even some of the 'slaves', burst out laughing. Several more in here than normal since many had come in to see the commotion. All species. Even the giant lion is just outside the doorway. Can tell it's him by the pitch of his roaring laugh.

Anthony is even laughing, arm around his Vampire who just looks at me as if he doesn't know what to do with me. His orange slit eyes glitter at me in mirth, so I just give him a lopsided grin as I toss the veggie into the trash.