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"The Manor has ten rooms in all, three of which are bedrooms. There is a large kitchen, and the study, living room and library take up most of the space on the bottom floor." Jikeh explained as lead Cade from the garden into the house. Cade nodded slightly, encouraging Jikeh to continue. The tour went swiftly. Besides the bedrooms on the top floor, was a solarium, an well lit work room and one room that stood empty. "Master's daughters used this room as a dance hall," Jikeh explained, before shutting the door and leading Cade down a short hall to a flight of steps. "The servants have a common room in the attic," Cade nodded again. "You will move into one of the bedrooms on this floor," Cade said after a moment's thought. Jikeh looked as if he was about to argue, but he thought better of it, and nodded. "I'll show you the Master suite now," They went back the way they came and entered what was a dreary room. It was dominated by a rediculously large bed, which looked as if it would take three full-grown men to move it even an inch. The rest of furniture in the room was standard, a closet and a dressing table. The floor was covered in a thick blue carpet. "Show me the other bedrooms," Cade said and Jikeh moved to do so without commenting. Though he had tried to only focus on the task, Cade's silence made it easy for his mind to wander. Cade would have to be much older than he supposed; there was no way that a boy of seventeen could have such a serious character. Nor, could he imagine a boy that age having enough money to buy the manor.Despite himself he was steadily getting more and more curious about his new Master. The next bedroom was airy, bright and roomy in comparison to the one they had just left. It had no carpet and two large window seats. "I'll take this one," Cade announced slipping his bag off his shoulder and resting on the side table. "But this one does not have connected plumbing, only a claw foot tub which must be filled," Jikeh hurried to explain why this was not the bedroom that would be the first choice of a new owner. "That is more your concern than mine Jikeh," Jikeh found himself suddenly embarrassed. It was absurd of course, Cade was talking of him filling the bath not bathing him, so why had his mind flown there? He knew the answer of course but he preferred to not acknowledge it. "Yes, of course. Well I- I suppose -" "Hmm?" Cade murmured, sitting on the bed and pulling off his boots, all the while keeping an eye on Jikeh's suddenly semi-pink face. "I supposed that this is as good a place as any to discuss exactly what you expect of me," Jikeh said evenly, sitting down in the armchair that was closest to the door. Cade settled his boots neatly under the bed and put in some of the thought necessary to answer that question. He still had not changed his plans. He would be leaving within a few days, where indeed did Jikeh fit in? The boy was a servant and this was a house that he took care of daily. It was spotless, which was impressive; most boys in Jikeh's position would not have put in the amount of work that was needed to keep a place this size in order. On that, he could offer nothing. "You can carry on as normal, and in the even that I leave, I would expect you to take care of the manor. Futher - if you ever decide that you persue a different task - find someone suitable to replace you before you go," Cade finished speaking and wondered what in his words had caused Jikeh's face to show such an expression. "If you leave? Oh, of course. You couldn't have bought here to be a home - why you hardly have any luggage," Jikeh murmured this in a low tone to himself, but Cade heard all of it, due to his exceptional hearing. In a higher voice Jikeh decared, "When you leave, I shall no longer work for you," In his mind Jikeh thought: I shall not be left here again. "So, being a servant has lost its appeal?" Cade asked, his lips quirking upwards slightly. "It never had any appeal," Jikeh said honestly, "But it was what I was raised to do," "Raised to pluck grass and sweep floors? What a drab existence you must lead," Cade said quietly, his eyes lacking mocking or pity - which quelled any indignation that Jikeh would have normally had towards such a statement. "Not everyone can own a manor, Master Cade," Jikeh said with feeling, "and as long as someone owns a manor, it must be maintained," "That is a sensible way of looking at it," Cade said after a moment, "But still, surely you have had some longing to do something else," Jikeh smiled and Cade was baffled. His smile held a sadness that did not at all seem self-pitying despite his next words. "I have never had time to longings, there is always some work to be done," Before Cade could think of something to say in response to such a statement, Jikeh gave into his curiosity. "Who are you really Master Cade?" "Who am I? I am Cade," came the instant answer. Jikeh refrained from rolling his eyes. Just. "I mean, where do you hail from, what do you do, what is your family name?" Cade laughed heartily, curling his toes into the soft carpet beneath them. "Strange questions to ask, after I have already retained your service," he countered, watching with continuing amusement as Jikeh accepted that his word had some weight. "I wasn't curious then," Jikeh contended, "My fault, but please answer," Cade considered Jikeh silently for a long moment. "Cade Nihen. I'm a tailor by profession and I have a son - my only family." Jikeh's eyes widened and once again his jaw moved downward but he stopped it quickly. A son? Then this man was married? But then - the son was the only family? So no parent, no siblings and no wife..how strange.. and sad. "My condolences," Jikeh said sincerely and watched as Cade's features mimicked confusion. He hastened to explain. "I assumed that your wife is dead, and your parents are at least," Cade smirked slightly, but he replaced it with a solemn look in flash - but not fast enough that Jikeh had not seen it. "Ah, yes. Thankyou," Jikeh turned his thoughts away from where they were heading swiftly. If Cade was not sorry that his family was gone - it was none of his business. "A tailor? You hardly seem the type to sew but I suppose it takes all kinds," "I suppose," Cade said, once again amused, "So are you settled then?" "I-, why yes for he most part. I'm not a bad cook, but you might want to hire one none the less," Cade frowned. Cooking? Ah yes, the boy would think he needed to eat. "Whatever you prepare will be fine," Cade said truthfully; it would make no difference to him as he had no taste sense. "I predict you'll hire a cook, after dinner tonight," Jikeh said in a light tone, though he was serious. His family had a habit of paling whenever he stepped into a kitchen far less when he put the equipment inside of it to use. Cade did not answer, his continued to watch Jikeh. Unnerved, Jikeh made polite excuses and headed for the door. He hesitated there. "I expect you to dine with me," Cade said with a brief smile. "Oh - well then, dinner around six?" "Six is fine," Jikeh forced a smile and exited hastily, closing the door softly behind him. He leaned back against it, his thoughts racing. Just now, Cade had looked so - attractive sitting on the bed looking at him. His treacherous urges had surfaced like a demon smelling a fresh kill. What was wrong with him, that he could feel that way about a stranger but had never been able to warm up to the idea of marrying Marybelle - a girl who was kind and nice to look at? He heard movement inside of the room and he hastened down the corridor. The sooner Cade left - the better, he decided, and his energy would be best spent deciding how he would conduct his left away from the manor.
Azraella · Thu Jul 02, 2009 @ 12:51am · 0 Comments |
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