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 Copyright (c) Robin Neal, all rights reserved, reposting without permission
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   PET

   5.  THE POOL

   I woke up at about nine, lifted my head and looked around my bedroom. 
Feeling the effects of most of a bottle of champagne, I didn't want to get
up.  I burrowed back into the covers and pulled a pillow over my head.  I
was grateful for my soft, deep bed and nice satin sheets at times like
this. Cissy had checked me over very carefully, given me a shot of
something, and put me to bed herself the night before, and she had really
seemed pleased with me.  I'd been extra good too after coming back to the
House, actually holding still without the usual whining argument while
Cissy had my night maid sponge-bathe and powder me and turn down the
covers. I'd asked to sleep naked, and had been allowed to.  I usually
wanted pajamas, but somehow last night it felt right to be nude.  The
sheets felt SO good against my skin.  I guess it was an after-effect of my
sexual experience.

   I was ready to get up by about ten.  It was a sunny day and the room was
warm.  I turned over on my tummy, shifting my boobs so my implants wouldn't
hurt, and stretched lazily.  I hiked my butt up and wiggled it, then
collapsed on my side with a big sigh and reached out to ring the bell. 
Lucy, the day maid, came in after a minute and brought me a cool washcloth
and the news of the day.  She was prim and capable as always, her slim,
slightly busty figure making the little uniform look great as she bustled
around straightening things.  Lucy had dark shoulder-length hair and
honest, even features.  She wasn't really pretty until you looked at her
eyes, pale blue and sparkling.  So different from my in-your-face, showgirl
sex appeal.

   "Good morning, Miss Pet," she said brightly.  "Mademoiselle says you are
to have free time until two, then you will attend Cosmetics Class.  I hope
you're feeling well." Lucy was sweet, and very good at her job.  I had been
impossibly mean to her at times, in my worst moods, and she had generally
handled it with calm and compassion.  I gave her back the washcloth.

   "I really don't feel too bad, Lucy," I said.  "Did you know I kind of
got drunk last night?"

   "Oh, yes, Miss.  I spoke with Vivian, and I'm afraid the other girls
were mentioning it.  Someone must have seen you come in.  But I wouldn't
worry, Mademoiselle is not upset at all.  In fact, she seems very pleased
with you.  You had a night out unescorted, a training experience, did you
not?"

   "Yes, my first time.  And I made it back all right, but it was scary,
Lucy.  I don't think I want to do that again right away."

   She nodded knowingly.  "I'm glad you came back safe, Miss Pet.  What
would you like to do this morning?"

   I lay back and stretched again.  "Lucy, I think I might go to the pool.
Do you think it's too hot down there?"

   She was surprised, but recovered quickly.  "I think it's probably quite
nice, Miss.  Several of the other girls were there the last time I looked
down.  Will you eat first?  Mademoiselle says you are to have a light
breakfast."

   "Could you send it down, Lucy?  I think I'll get ready and go now."

   "Of course, Miss Pet." Lucy took a ring of keys from her little apron
and held one out.  I extended my right ankle from under the covers, and she
unlocked my shackle and took it off.  It was bright stainless steel, lined
with velvet and attached to a slim, shiny steel chain.  That chain went
under my bed, and I had never looked to see how it was attached, but I knew
for a fact that I couldn't pull it loose.  If I even wanted to go to the
potty, I had to ring.

   I slipped out of the covers and tiptoed stiffly into the bathroom while
Lucy started to change the bed.  I felt less self-conscious being nude in
front of Lucy than I had in the past.  Given a chance, I usually hid my
body from everyone, but today felt different somehow.  My experience of the
previous night had made a lot of changes in me, and I was still trying to
figure out what they were.  I washed my face and used the toilet, put on
deodorant and powder, brushed my teeth and put my hair up.  I didn't have a
headache or nausea, but I felt kind of stiff and sore, a strange kind of
hangover I'd never experienced in my previous life.  I assumed it was just
a difference in body chemistry.

   I went back into the bedroom.  Lucy was just finishing up.  I went over
to the dresser and rummaged in the bottom drawer.

   "Do you need help dressing, Miss?" Lucy asked.

   "Um, I don't think so, Lucy.  But would you look at my makeup with me in
a minute?"

   "Of course, Miss." Lucy had a gratified expression.  The previous day, I
had tried to slip off to class without any makeup and she had had to
threaten to call Cissy before I let her do it, and I'd pouted and bitched
the whole time.  I could tell the change in my attitude was making her
morning a lot easier than usual.  Lucy was actually a very nice girl and I
was beginning to realize she cared about me.  I felt sort of guilty about
being such a little snot before.

   I found what I was looking for.  It was my present from Cissy, a racy
little thong bikini in a rich metallic shade of purple.

   I had no trouble with the thong, but as I wrestled with the top I
realized there was a knack to it that I didn't have.  I got the bottom part
tied around me alright, but it took two hands to get one of my
frustratingly huge boobs into the cup part properly, and I kept losing the
opposite string.  I realized Lucy was watching me and stopped, embarrassed.

   She smiled gently.  "Like this, Miss Pet," she stepped closer and
demonstrated.  "Just bend over and you can do both sides at once, then
adjust it after you get it tied." She bent sharply forward, showing me the
motion, and when I tried it, it really worked.  I let my breasts hang
straight down, then scooped them into the halter and held the strings
together behind my neck as I straightened up.  At that point, I could use
one hand to push them into place.  I took a minute in front of the mirror
to get it right, then pulled the strings tighter, lifting my boobs up nice
and high, and tied a bow behind my neck.  Lucy had put out a pair of mules
for me, and I stepped into them, one hand on the bureau for balance, then
took a turn in front of the mirror.

   Wow.

   "Look at this, Lucy!" I bubbled.  "It looks like it was made for me."

   "Of course it was, Miss.  Mademoiselle knows your measurements to the
quarter-inch.  There isn't much to it, but that is a very expensive
garment. Mademoiselle was disappointed when you didn't like it."

   I felt a pang of guilt.  "It wasn't that I didn't like it, Lucy.  I
just...  I don't know.  I guess I was being childish.  She makes me so mad
sometimes."

   "You look wonderful, Miss Pet.  I hope you realize how special you are.
Now, about your makeup?"

   "Oh, yeah.  Well, I want to put some on before I go to the pool, but..."
I sat at the vanity and looked critically in the mirror, unsure.  "I know
it's supposed to be lighter in the daytime, but my suit's a dark color. 
And what about lipstick?  I can't remember...  no gloss in the sun, is that
right?"

   Lucy helped me, but let me do most of the actual application myself. 
She gave hints and let me make some choices.  We really kind of had fun
with it, and it wound up looking pretty good.  I wrapped a pareo around my
hips and looked around for anything else I might need.  I wasn't planning
to swim; I had the feeling water would probably ruin my suit.  My bag from
the night before was on the bureau.  I took out the cigarettes and lighter,
and put them in a little straw clutch that Lucy had put out for me to take
to the pool, along with lipstick and suntan lotion, and a pair of big round
shades.  I wasn't sure why I was taking the cigarettes, after all I didn't
really smoke.  Oh well.

   I thanked Lucy, who curtsied gracefully, beaming, and headed out on my
adventure.  I had never been to the pool before, although it was right
under my window and I could have gone any day I'd had free time.  I'd
always kind of hidden in my room.  Thinking back as I clicked down the wide
marble-floored hall in my steep mules ( totally unsupervised!  ), I
realized I had probably missed out on quite a lot at the House by being so
angry and contrary all the time.  I'd always thought of nothing but the
unfairness of my captivity, wanting only to punish everyone around me.  At
the time it had seemed like a noble protest against the injustices done me,
now my behavior seemed bratty and stupid.  No wonder I'd been punished so
often.  It wasn't like I didn't know the rules, so why did I always insist
on breaking them?  They were mostly for my own good, and punishment was
swift and sure at the House as I had found out often enough.

   My troubled frown faded as I stepped out of the French doors and started
down the big white-marble staircase to the inner court and the pool.  It
was a really beautiful day and the pool was sparkling bright blue in the
broad sweep of rich green lawn.  Brilliant white chaises dotted the
poolside, some occupied by House girls in varying degrees of undress
including complete unashamed nudity.  Heads lifted as I came down the
stairs, and I was suddenly embarrassed.  Trying not to let it show, I
walked toward an unoccupied chaise a little away from the others with my
head up, but I could feel that I was blushing furiously.  I knew some of
the girls' names, but not all of them, and they looked at my body with
frank appraisal.  There were some very, very beautiful women at the House,
and I had never really considered how I might measure up.

   It was all I could do not to run back up the stairs.  I sat on my
chaise, put down my clutch, then picked it up again quickly and took out my
shades.  Maybe they would help.  I slipped them on and glanced around
self-consciously.  Some of the girls were still looking.  I wanted to take
off my pareo, but I was frozen with embarrassment.  What were they thinking
of me?  I didn't have much of a tan, and I suddenly felt hopelessly
unattractive.  It was the opposite of the wild intoxication I had felt the
previous night when I'd realized how I was turning heads on the street. 
Then, I had been dressed and made up and prepared, and the people watching
were just...  well, people.  These girls were world-class beauties.  They
must think I looked like a toad!  Why hadn't I thought about that before I
decided to come down here?  My breath caught in my throat and I almost
started to cry.  I couldn't think what to do.  Barely remembering my
training, I caught myself just as I started to cross my arms over my tits.
I sat there, unable to do anything, sure I would start crying any second.

   "Brunch is here, Miss!"

   Lucy!  Darling, perfect Lucy!!  She had come up from behind with a tray
and looked down at me, smiling kindly.  There was a little side table by my
chaise, and she set the covered tray down on it and knelt gracefully.  She
uncovered the tray and started busily arranging silverware and pouring
orange juice.

   "The downstairs maids are busy setting lunch, Miss.  I thought I would
just bring this along myself." She gave me a little wink.  "Are you
enjoying the sun?"

   "Lucy!  Oh, Lucy, what am I doing down here?" I whimpered.  "Look at
these girls!"

   She looked sideways at me as she continued her preparations.  "They're
very beautiful, aren't they?"

   "Lucy, help me, PLEASE!" I said in an anguished whisper.  "I'm so
embarrassed!  Why did you let me come down?"

   "As I was coming out through the foyer just a moment ago," she continued
as if she hadn't heard, "I saw Mademoiselle with two of the other Ladies
taking brunch on the east terrace.  Did you know they were watching?"

   Shit!  "Oh, Lucy, please don't be cruel.  I'm sorry for everything I
ever did to you.  Please, PLEASE help me!" I tried not to let my agitation
show, but I was desperate.  I couldn't stay here, not with these girls,
especially not with Cissy watching.  And her friends!  If I embarrassed
her...  Oh, God!

   Lucy was going on in a conspiratorial tone as she spread marmalade on a
biscuit of some kind.  "Just as I walked by them, do you know what one of
the Ladies said?  She said, 'I hate you, Cissy!  Is that one really yours?
When do I get a girl like that?' And do you know what Mademoiselle said?"

   I was shocked.  "Lucy, please don't tease me!  Is that true?"

   Her eyes turned serious.

   "She said, 'There aren't any other girls like that.' Those were her
exact words, Miss.  I don't think I've ever seen Mademoiselle so pleased.
All she needed was a bowl of cream."

   I stared, dumbfounded, trying to take it all in.

   "Lucy, really?  Did she really say that?  Oh, what should I do?" I shook
my head slowly, overcome.

   Lucy finished setting brunch and stood up.  "Miss Pet," she said in dead
earnest, "you COULD try to act as if you deserve it."

   I stared up at her, and she looked back at me with a very personal
directness that I had never seen in her before.  I stuttered, "B-b-but
Lucy, I'm so ashamed!"

   Her tone didn't change.  "Miss, there are four mirrors in your
apartment, and I believe that Vivian and I keep them clean enough.  Exactly
what have you seen that you should be ashamed of?"

   Something clicked between us as we stared at one another, and my
confusion and embarrassment seemed to evaporate.  So did her seriousness.

   She curtsied with her usual aplomb.  "Will there be anything else,
Miss?"

   I looked once more into Lucy's bright blue eyes.  "No, thank you, Lucy,"
I murmured thoughtfully.  "This is perfect.  YOU are perfect.  Thank you so
much.  I'll see you when I come up."

   "Very good, Miss." She turned and bustled back toward the foyer,
stopping to clear another side table.

   I sat for just another moment, gathering myself.  I took a sip of orange
juice.  Then I stood up next to my chaise, reached up and pulled the clip
out of my hair and shook it down.  It came to me, that feeling I'd had the
night before, that scary thrilling sexual energy flooding like an electric
current through my nerves.  I tipped my shades up on my head and lifted my
face toward the sun, closing my eyes.  I dropped one hand to my hip, pulled
the knot out of my pareo and let it fall.  Arching my back, I stretched
catlike on my very toes, arms over my head, and slowly reached behind my
neck.  I hesitated, hesitated longer until I felt every single eye on me,
and then I pulled the bow of my suit loose and let my top fall away from my
breasts and held them up to the warm sun.  I could feel that my nipples
were fully erect.  I reached behind my back with both hands and pulled out
the other bow and dropped my top on the tiles with my pareo.  Like there
was no one else on the planet but me, I ran my fingertips sensuously down
over the sides of my magnificent boobs and on down my ribs to my hips, gave
my thong a little pull up at the sides, and then folded myself down onto my
chaise and stretched out again full length, kicking off my mules and
arching back languidly, a smile of perfect contentment on my face.

   After giving my audience a moment or two, I reached for my clutch and
took out my suntan lotion.  "This is for you, Cissy," I promised silently.
Pouring little bits of lotion into my hand, I slowly, deliberately oiled
myself.  I oiled my shoulders, I oiled my navel, I oiled my nipples. 
Slipping a hand down inside my thong, I oiled myself in a
not-exactly-necessary place.  When I finished I was breathing a little
hard. Then I reached over to my tray, took another sip of orange juice, and
nibbled my biscuit.  There were some grapes too, and I ate a couple,
blessing Lucy again.

   I lay back on my chaise and finally relaxed, pulling my shades down. 
The sun was nice and warm and I was feeling so much more comfortable.  All
my nervousness was gone, and my hangover with it, and I thought I might
take a nap.  Just then, though, I realized someone was walking up.  I
squinted behind my shades until she was right next to me and I could see
her clearly.  It was a girl named Nicole, whom I had seen in class
sometimes.  I thought she was a bit further along than I, but I had never
really met her.  Actually, I had hardly ever gotten to know any of the
other girls very well at all.  I just hadn't been comfortable enough with
myself and with the House to talk to anyone except Cissy and the maids. 
The girls sometimes socialized, after a fashion.  There were rules, or
customs, about where they could talk together and what they could talk
about, and they never spent private time together unsupervised.  Sex
between the girls, even an opportunity for sex, was a distinct no-no.  But
right out here by the pool, there would be no problem if Nicole and I
wanted to chat.  She was about five feet three, dark and pretty by any
standard, with a cute bobbed hairstyle and a little snub nose, and a really
exceptional mahogany tan.  I didn't know who her Trainer was, but she had
the heavy stainless steel rings in her nipples that some of the stricter
Ladies favored.  She wore a little silky black thong and tall sandals that
tied with black ribbons.  She smiled and I returned her look, a little
uncertainly.

   "Looked like you were having fun with your lotion," she said impishly.
"You're Pet, aren't you?"

   "Yes," I said in what I hoped was a friendly way.  "Nicole, right?"

   "That's me.  We have Posture Class together.  Listen, I noticed you
couldn't reach your whole back.  Would you like a little help?" she asked.

   I considered for a moment.  I really didn't want to be unfriendly.  I
was tired of being snotty, and I knew that word had gotten around.  Here
was a chance to make a new start, and I kind of wanted to lie on my tummy
anyway.  "Okay," I said softly.  "Thanks."

   I turned over and Nicole sat on the edge of my chaise.  She did my back
and the backs of my legs, with a really nice smooth touch, friendly but not
friendly enough to get us in trouble.  She oiled my bottom, but stayed away
from my pussy.  I had a lazy smile on my face when she was finished, and I
stretched and sighed.

   "Thanks, Nicole," I said.  "Um...  you're nice." I wasn't sure if that
was the right thing to say, but it seemed to please her.  "Would you like
to bring your lounger over?"

   "Thanks, Pet.  I'd really like to, but I have to go in.  I'll see you
again down here, okay?  I come down all the time when Shannon lets me." She
held out her hand and I took it for a moment, then we said goodbye and she
went in.  I had lots of time left.  Nicole's touch had left me with a kind
of glow even though she had been carefully well-mannered, and I found
myself squirming just a little.  Why did I get SO hot, so easily, now?  On
a sudden impulse, I reached for my clutch and lit a cigarette.  It didn't
taste any better than it had the previous night, but I liked the soothing
effect and took my time finishing it, even experimenting with inhaling a
bit.  It just seemed like such a Hollywood starlet kind of thing to do.  It
made me feel sexy.  I fixed my lipstick when I was done, and after a little
while I had another.  I never did take a nap, but I got a start on a tan as
I kind of watched the other girls watching each other and me.  When it was
time to go in, I tried hard to be graceful as I got back into my top and
pareo, and I felt like I did okay.  I liked the pool, and promised myself
I'd be back.

   *****

   In episode 6, an incident in class leads Pet to discover new sexual
feelings about another girl, and about herself.