[ There's something a touch sad about that isolation, even if it prevents further complication. The man had been so dramatically unpleasant it doesn't come as a surprise, but - still. ]
Yes. You seem like you have experience in service.
[ Paul had never seen one of these chocolates' effects up close before, but the jittering edge of tension in Dito's compliance somehow doesn't seem entirely the product of magical interference. Paul offers up another reassuring smile, but this time he allows some of his concerns to shine through in a careful construct of sympathy. ]
It seems like you had a strict instructor.
[ He doesn't want to hover, but he also doesn't want to lose track of Dito out of sight. Getting him to keep talking will solve the problem neatly. ]
[Luckily for Paul, the living room isn't out of earshot of the kitchen, so Dito's voice carries through quite nicely. He feels guilty that he won't be able to give Paul his undivided attention, but hopefully his cooking skills will make up for it.
There's a brief silence, broken up only by the sound of chopping vegetables, and when he speaks again a trace of the old Dito comes back a little.]
"Strict" isn't really the right word. More like... "overbearing". I was tasked with doing everything for her-- picking out her outfits, ordering supplies, going along with her on quests to collect rare commodities...
If I did well, I was "rewarded". If I didn't, then I was punished. Didn't really matter-- they both amounted to the same thing in my opinion.
[ Paul is trained to read nuance, but he wouldn't have to be in order to catch the inflection on Dito's "rewards". It gives him no precise insight into what that means, no flash of knowledge, but it has an oily sheen that makes his stomach twist as he braces his elbows against his knees and hangs his head. He has to take three careful breaths before he trusts his own voice again. ]
I won't be like that.
[ A faint edge of urgency through his affable lightness. He doesn't know how much of Dito might still be resisting this, if any at all, but it's necessary to Paul to make sure that this is understood even if the answer is 'none'. Clear expectations, defined boundaries - ]
That's not how I treat anyone in my service, is what I mean. You care for my well-being, I care for yours.
[There is the sound of vegetables being dropped into a pot; the sound of simmering liquid. Dito crosses the threshold into the living room where Paul sits, lowering himself hesitantly onto the couch as if worried that Paul will disapprove.
That grateful, sycophantic look is back in his eyes again, and when he speaks it's with the shyly affectionate tone of someone in love.]
Oh, I know you'd take care of me, sir. You seem very kind. I know you wouldn't make me do anything I wouldn't want to do. And maybe I would want it. Eventually, I mean. I get the feeling it'd be better with you than with my last mistress.
[His smile warps to goofy embarrassment and he turns away, flushing slightly.]
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Yes. You seem like you have experience in service.
[ Paul had never seen one of these chocolates' effects up close before, but the jittering edge of tension in Dito's compliance somehow doesn't seem entirely the product of magical interference. Paul offers up another reassuring smile, but this time he allows some of his concerns to shine through in a careful construct of sympathy. ]
It seems like you had a strict instructor.
[ He doesn't want to hover, but he also doesn't want to lose track of Dito out of sight. Getting him to keep talking will solve the problem neatly. ]
Am I right?
(cw: vague mentions of sexual abuse)
There's a brief silence, broken up only by the sound of chopping vegetables, and when he speaks again a trace of the old Dito comes back a little.]
"Strict" isn't really the right word. More like... "overbearing". I was tasked with doing everything for her-- picking out her outfits, ordering supplies, going along with her on quests to collect rare commodities...
If I did well, I was "rewarded". If I didn't, then I was punished. Didn't really matter-- they both amounted to the same thing in my opinion.
(cw: vague mentions of sexual abuse)
I won't be like that.
[ A faint edge of urgency through his affable lightness. He doesn't know how much of Dito might still be resisting this, if any at all, but it's necessary to Paul to make sure that this is understood even if the answer is 'none'. Clear expectations, defined boundaries - ]
That's not how I treat anyone in my service, is what I mean. You care for my well-being, I care for yours.
[ He can feel the debts piling up already. ]
(cw: vague mentions of sexual abuse)
That grateful, sycophantic look is back in his eyes again, and when he speaks it's with the shyly affectionate tone of someone in love.]
Oh, I know you'd take care of me, sir. You seem very kind. I know you wouldn't make me do anything I wouldn't want to do. And maybe I would want it. Eventually, I mean. I get the feeling it'd be better with you than with my last mistress.
[His smile warps to goofy embarrassment and he turns away, flushing slightly.]
I-If I'm not overstepping. Sir.