[IC] Remember Me [Dumbapple/LalaKitty]

[Lala Kitty]

Synopsis:
Andreios has been enslaved again by the man he once called master, James Wenham. But this time, he is more helpless than ever. The man who has expertly covered his cruelty from public eye secretly dangles his own daughter's life in front of Andreios, knowing that she, Ava, is his one weakness. Andreios had unwittingly fallen for the clumsy girl while he was still free, & would do anything to keep her safe.

However, Ava doesn't remember him at all. Her father has effectively wiped her mind clean of the past two years where she was escaped as well. She has moments of deja vu when they are together, but Andreios cannot tell her of their past together for the fear that Ava's father will step in & end her life, or worse, she will scorn him & completely ignore his warnings. As James becomes increasingly violent towards Ava & tries to push her into a terrible marriage to cover his tracks, Andreios must decide if he will watch the woman he misses suffer, or if he will risk everything to save them both.

---

Ava wasn't so sure that she was having a good morning. Although she was able to sleep in a little, eat her favorite breakfast, & her father was spending more time at the table than usual, she couldn't help but feel off, a bit more restless than usual. As she quietly ate her food & stared off into space, Doctor James Wenham closed his medical notes for a moment, looking at his daughter with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Ava, would you like to go visit your mother today?" the man asked, Ava perking up considerably. With a smile, James gestured to a maid before he went to Ava's chair, pulling her out into the corridor.

"I have a present for you, Dear," the father said quietly, "Seeing as you are becoming old enough to travel without my assistance, I hired an old friend to become your personal bodyguard. He will accompany you on your trips outside of our home, & stay close whenever I have to leave on business. Does that sound fair to you?" Still awestruck that she was being allowed to go visit her mother's healing cabin without her father hovering about, Ava nodded.

James took his daughter down to the main foyer where a man in daunting armor & remarkably familiar face stood near the exit. He didn't look very happy at all, but Ava supposed he was just a man with a sour attitude. She didn't mind as long as she was able to escape this huge prison for a few hours.

"Aranhil," Jason called, his voice a bit more stern, "This is my daughter, Ava. I trust that she will be in good care with your hands. See to it that she doesn't even suffer a scratch while she is away." Not seeing the wicked gleam in her father's eyes, Ava walked straight up to Aranhil & gave him a bit of a wobbly curtsy, wondering why she was so unsteady on her feet. It was like she hadn't bowed before someone in forever & her muscles couldn't remember how to do it at all; odd.

"Good morning, Lord Aranhil," Ava told her new bodyguard, "It is a pleasure to meet you. Please treat me kindly."

[Dumbapple]

Andreios, or rather Aranhil now, stood blankly showing little to no emotion. He felt like a hallowed shell of a man. As the girl called him 'lord' he could not help but to feel the sting of the irony that laid within those words.... and his master was loving it. He loved to see his run away pet suffer. He reveled in the thought of Andreios dying inside, trapped, on a leash so tight and short it was a wonder that he had not hung himself with it yet. But he was trapped, his leash should not him, never him. He allowed a weak point to be revealed to his enemy and now it was exploited. He was stuck between a hard place and a painful place. It was just as well however, this was the life fate had laid out for him. Even when he escaped, the magic in his veins burned, and he was a slave still. To his anger, to his hatred. There was a chance of true freedom. It was there. He saw it, but he rejected it for the temptation revenge. This was his fault, he was not meant for freedom.

He did not make eye contact with Ava, he would not risk her thinking that they could be friends. He was to protect her, it wasn't all bad. There were worst fates, he could have been sent back to the arena in the desert and forced to fight like an animal. But he knew why his master did this. This was a punishment. Andreios would be by the woman he loved, stand by her side so close he could smell the floral perfume she used for that day. He would be so close to the person who was the symbol of his freedom, but further than he ever was. Her memories of him wiped, to her, he was naught but a dirty mercenary her father hired. And if she attempted affection toward him, he would be standoffish and distant. She would never get the chance to know him again, less he risk her life. Yet... he could be content with this. Just being with her, even like this, even if he watches her fall in love with another, and get married, even if she freely uses magic with out a care in the world, he could find happiness with this. However, he could not let anyone know. His master could easily take this last comfort away.

Andreios listened to her polite sweet little greeting, he couldn't help to feel pained by it. At this point all he wanted to take her into his arms and express his affection and happiness for her current safety. But such an action would jeopardize said safety so he held his cold glare and looked to his master with frown. So he would be escorting her around to meet her mother. What kind of woman would marry that monster he wondered. Ava had talked of her mother so fondly... but then again she thought the same with her father and that was so far from the truth.

[Lala Kitty]

Ava was a bit shocked when her new bodyguard continued with his attitude, even when they went to the barn & climbed onto their horses. Andreios didn't seem to be interested in socializing with her at all, even when she asked him where he was from. Pouting a little, Ava paid more attention to their trek, feeling at ease on top of her horse now. It was so calm & quite outside, & the snow covering the ground made her feel like she was being swallowed by the color white.

For the most part, the pair stayed on the main trail, Ava becoming more adventurous when she realized her bodyguard didn't know the trail to her mother himself. With a bit of a smile, she stopped her horse when they passed a less-traveled trail, one that was shorter, but not as well groomed as the usual path.

"Let's go this way, Mister," Ava told Andreios with mischief in her eyes, "Papa always makes me go the safe way." Before Andreios could stop her, Ava was on the shortcut trail, entranced by how much more plant-life there was. For the most part, she dodged the low-hanging branches fairly well, tiny twigs sticking into her hair as she ducked down.

However, the young woman's luck ran out when she reached a branch with sturdier pieces than she anticipated. Her hair caught on the wooden vice & refused to let up when she tugged. With a squeak, Ava tried to pull her horse to a stop & he began to get a little nervous, still walking forward slowly.

"M-mister!" Ava called out, still trying to tug her hair free as she hooked her ankles into her horse's sides, "Mister, I'm s-stuck!"

[Dumbapple]

Andreios raised an brow at her. "No wonder your father wishes for the safer route. You're as graceful as a new born deer." He shook his head and examined the problem. Her hair was definitely entangled with the branch, with little hope of return. Served her right trying to go off ahead in that reckless manner. However, she was always that way wasn't she. She was the mage who wanted and insisted in traveling with a mercenary who had an obvious issue with mages. It was common sense was foreign language to her.

He took to her side, stopping her horse, the pulling only made things worse. "Well, I see two solutions. I cut your hair, or I cut the branch and it can be an accessory in which you will have to deal with for the rest of your days." Of course, he could spend the time untangling it, as he was now, but telling her that would take all joy from his empty life. And what was the point of anything if he couldn't enjoy the little things still.

[Dumbapple]

-Deleted-

[Lala Kitty]

Unaware of Andreios untangling her hair, Ava's eyes widened in horror, finally comprehending we situation. Oh no, her father was going to be so angry at her for not obeying his rules. Ava squeezed her eyes shut & clung to the front of Andrieos's armor. But just as she was about to tell Andreios to cut her hair, she suddenly lurched forward a little, her face lightly smacking into his breastplate.

"O-oww!" Ava grumbled. She lightly rubbed her forehead as she felt Andreios reaching over her & still pulling her hair free. How did a man with such strong hands do work that was so delicate? Ava stayed close to Andreios as his hands gently pulled the rest of her free, his body blocking hers from the cold wind.

What was she supposed to say in a situation like this? Andreios was showing her a gentleness that she'd been certain that he couldn't possess. Certainly this man had a rare personality; none of the other bodyguards her father had in the past were so playful or thoughtful.

[Dumbapple]

He found himself chuckling at her reaction, rubbing her forehead in her little cute manner. Andreios sighed, leading his horse away from the girl and hers. "Come along Lady Ava, your mother awaits you eagerly, this is no time for dilly dally." He turned himself back toward the main road returning to his stoic self. Now that he had his little fun, he needed to get back to work. And in all honestly, he wanted her to take the safer route himself. He was here to protect her, he hadn't run because he had a need to protect her. But in order for him to do a proper job of that, he had to protect her from her own reckless behavior. Had they not horses, he would consider this other route, but not with. She demonstrated the outcome that was to be expected.

He stopped for a moment to look back to make sure she was following him. "Hurry up."

[Lala Kitty]

Pouting as Andreios led her back to the trail, Ava followed her bodyguard back on track, feeling a bit like a scolded child. Though, she did feel that it was a bit worth it. It was a small moment, but her harsh man of a bodyguard had smiled, & he laughed. & he called her by her name. Maybe he wouldn't hate her forever; she didn't dare think it yet, but they could possibly become friends.

Thankfully, the rest of the trip was rather uneventful, the two arriving with good time. As usual, the little cottage Ava's mother stayed in was well kept & fenced off for the woman's comfort. Ava herself always wondered by her mother wasn't in the house, but both of her parents insisted that it was only to keep her stress down.

Ingrid Wenham sat in front of her fireplace as Ava & Andreios came in, the old woman looking tired, but happy. Ava wondered if the woman was getting enough sleep, but kept it to herself for the moment & went to take Ingrid's hands in her own.

"Ava, it's been so long," Ingrid said quietly, "Nearly three years, yes? How busy have you been to not come visit your mother?"

Ava gave Ingrid a confused look & tilted her head before laughing lightly. She had no idea what Ingrid meant by that. To her, it was still some time prior to her running away, minus the rebellious streak she'd been forming.

"Mama, I came to visit just last week," Ava said with a small laugh, "Maybe you need a little more sleep, Mama. It really hasn't been that long." Ingrid looked a bit disgruntled, but smiled at Ava all the same, keeping that smile as she requested that Ava make some tea. The young woman left the room before Ingrid turned her attention to Andreios, her expression more cold now.

"Tell me what that man did to my little girl," Ingrid commanded, "I didn't fight him when he shoved me into a home in the middle of nowhere, but I won't tolerate him sinking his claws into Ava."

[Dumbapple]

Andreios sighed and leaned against the wall looking at the woman with a rather harsh look. "You didn't fight when he put you away. You didn't fight when he essentially took your daughter away?" The tall man bared his teeth a little like a mad dog of a sort. "You have some nerve telling me what to do ma'am. I may be a slave, but I am not yours." Andreios, seeing Ingrid's cold expression caused him to get somewhat anxious and defensive. He may have not been full aware of the whole situation, but he didn't care in all honesty. If she cared for Ave, this woman should have taken the child and ran the moment when her husband showed his true, cruel self. But instead, she sat here. In this house awaiting for the girl to come to her. Did Ingrid do anything for the two years Ava was gone? As far as Andreios was concerned she was no different from her husband, all of these nobles were it seemed. And maybe even Ava would grow up to be like this too...

"You're husband merely tampered with her memories with magic if you have to know. He erased everything that happened to her from since she ran away to just recently. He did that all just to ensure that his precious investment doesn't think itself as an individual." As he spoke he took off one of his leather gloves to reveal his hand marred by something that looked like black ink tattooed along his veins. He quickly slipped it back on, "It was very expensive you see, and the fact I'm still living is a miracle in itself." In a lower and more acidic voice, "Master will have me protect Ava to ensure I do not run away. However, I suspect I will be returning to the arenas to continue to profit for him just as I did before." The thought of that made him very uneasy, but he was sure it would be his fate. And once again, he felt a bitterness to magic itself.

[Lala Kitty]

"I am just as much as a slave as you are, boy," Ingrid sighed bitterly, "If I didn't know for certain that Ava & I would have been killed, I would have taken my baby away long ago." She kept her gaze toward the fireplace as she contemplated whether she should tell Ava's bodyguard about her situation. He did care enough to stay in a hellhole to protect Ava.

"Ava isn't Jason's child," Ingrid admitted softly, "He's completely sterile. The fact that I had a child at all is thanks to his trickery; some time after our wedding night, Jason allowed one of his brother's to... have his way with me. Jason used the same spell to wipe my memories away as he probably used on Ava. Until I remembered how our child conceived, he was almost the perfect husband. But after I remembered... I had a choice to disappear, or come out here to live the rest of my days alone. & as you can imagine, I wasn't going to go the rest of my life without my child."

Ingrid kept her eyes averted from Andreios, her eyes far-off, as though she were remembering something that took her concentration. Moment later she sighed, standing from her chair & looking back at Andreios.

"Jason keeps me locked to this cottage with blood magic," Ingrid sighed, "But you can help Ava. She need to remember everything that happened & leave with you, If she doesn't remember soon-"

"Remember what, Mama?" Ava asked curiously as she came into the room. Ingrid's expression immediately brightened at the sight of Ava, shaking her head at the young woman.

"I was just telling your friend here that my memory isn't the same as it was," Ingrid lied, "I need to get my memory in order, or I'll always be worried you aren't coming to visit me anymore."

[Dumbapple]

Andreios stared at the woman with his icy blue eyes narrowed. He was frowning and was clearly discomforted by this whole ordeal. It wasnt her place to order him around... nor was it her place to tell him to save Ava. Did she not know or understand his position? If he attepmted to remind Ava, she would be likely killed or worse. And he... would not be killed. He was an investment beyond what most slaves were. It would be easier to simply accept the world as is. If he had the ability to save Ava, he was sure they wouldnt be in this situation. His master long dead and he a free man. But no. He was reduced back to his birth status, held on to by an invisible chain. He wasn't any sort of hero that was required to aid Ave. He was a slave, with dirty hands and stained with blood.

The tall man looked away and made his way to the front door. He would wait and guard from the outside as many guards do from what he gathered. He walked out briskly with a scowl and stopped at the door, "I will be just outside. Call if there is trouble " his hoarsed voice was low barely over a whisper. Then he exited.

[Lala Kitty]

Ingrid frowned & stared after Andreios as he left, feeling guilty that she'd just put so much on his shoulders. She didn't fully understand his situation, but she could tell her cared a great deal for Ava. It looked like he was almost in pain to see her daughter act so nonchalantly around him, like he was in love. & perhaps he was. With a small smile, Ingrid watched Ava brew the tea before them & tried to think of a way to help Andreios out a little; Ava didn't remember him, but Ingrid knew when her daughter had a crush.

"Ava," Ingrid said softly, "That young man who was just in here... was he your boyfriend?"

Just as Ingrid expected, her daughter, flinched, almost spilling their steeping tea all over the carpet. Her mother's smile widened a little & she sat up in her chair. Ava was all too transparent, even two years later.

..._..._...

Walking out of her mother's cabin about half an hour later, Ava went to Andreios with a thermos of warm tea & her cheeks red & warm. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling that she would like this particular brew, & her meddlesome mother encouraged her to give him the present. But Ava was actually a bit happy that her mother was so amused; usually, the woman was so absent, like her mind wasn't all there. But today, her teasing & encouragement for Ava to flirt with the man was just the thing she needed to be reassured that she was going to be okay, even if she was alone in her cabin all the time.

"Mister Andreios, I brought you some tea," Ava said, thrusting the thermos to him almost violently, "I'm sorry made you wait for me so long. But I'm ready to head home now."

[Dumbapple]

Andreios had been dozing off the past few hours and then was suddenly assaulted with a thermos of some sort of drink. He flinched and almost dropped the thing. He grumbled something to himself as he examined the contents. Tea. "Thank you Lady Ava. I appreciate the gesture, but next time try not to attack me with gift." He drank the contents rather quickly, enjoying the warm hot substance. While he had been standing out here he was contemplating what he should do. The mother wanted her child safe, but she wanted him to ensure it and he was sure it wasn't possible. Yes, it occurred to him that he could take her and run but that brought up a few problems. One, Ava wouldn't want to leave her father. She made it very clear on multiple occasions, that she loved him. Two, even if Ava wanted to leave, the two of them would be hunted for the rest of their lives. He was used to life as the hunted, he spent four years as a run away slave. He simply didn't want that life for Ava. She needed a calm life, a place where she could settle and be happy. Such a reality was hard to come by when one is hunted.

"Alright. Lets go then before it gets dark. I wouldn't want your father to worry." When speaking of his master, his words took a slight bitter tone, even disguested as he uttered the word 'father' for he was no father of hers or anyone. He was a beast, a monster, that he still dreamed of killing.

[Lala Kitty]

Greatly relieved that Andreios enjoyed the tea she brought to him, Ava happily climbed onto her horse & followed him back to her father's home. She was a little sad to leave her mother alone in her cottage, but there was no helping it. She just wished that Ingrid didn't look so helpless & forlorn every time she stepped out. & her father didn't even come visit this time.

"Mister Andreios, do you think that all couples fall out of love?" Ava asked softly as the two neared her father's estate, "Mama & Papa pretend nothing is wrong, but I can tell they don't love each other anymore. If they couldn't keep their love alive, what hope do I have?"

Sighing lightly, Ava tried to visualize what her future husband would be like. If her father got his way, the man he chose wouldn't love her at all, & her only value would be to have children for him. She just couldn't see herself doing that.

"My governess, Lady Victoria, used to tell me that a lady can only do as well as her parents do," Ava grumbled, "I don't want a loveless marriage, even if my husband is rich."

Suddenly realizing that she was saying entirely too much, Ava felt her face warm up & turn red, her gaze dropping to her horse's mane. What was she doing, asking almost a complete stranger for relationship advice?

"I-i'm sorry," Ava mumbled a bit more quietly, "I know this sounds silly, but you make me feel at ease. The way you speak & act- even your attitude towards me feels so... familiar. I feel like I can tell you things & you won't go tattle on me to Papa."

[Dumbapple]

Andreios looked down at the girl with a small smirk, "No, I won't 'tattle' on you Ava. I don't like doing anything if I don't benefit from it. Feel free to unload your thoughts on me." He looked ahead again, pausing for a moment, thinking carefully about what to say about this business of love. What advice could he give that would matter in the end? Should he simple go ahead and tell her his opinion, or say something simply to comfort her.

"I don't believe people fall out of love, because if it was love that two people felt for another something like that wouldn't happen. However, I do believe, even if two people love each other, they could learn to love another, and let go of the said first one. For example, a widower may remarry and love his new wife as fiercely as the last one, or one can leave a loved one because it is best for themselves or their partner. Love is a broad term and can be defined many ways. When I was younger I worked under a rather pessimistic woman who claimed love was the most selfish emotion, and in her own right she is completely correct. It can be, two people in love are more than willing to destroy all stability around them and others so they can be with another. However, I think that is what selfish people do with love. But whatever love is, I don't believe anyone marries for love. When two people join together its for alliances, status change, and wealth. If they are lucky, they will love afterwards. And if they don't, well they either learn to live with it, or don't. Perhaps your parents couldn't learn to live comfortably with one another, but that doesn't mean you'll end up like them. I don't think your governess meant happiness in marriage, but rather status. In that regard, it is true that it is difficult for a child to do better than their parents these days, especially for males. I can't marry into higher status as easily as a woman could. And given my current position I couldn't, even given the opportunity. I wholly believe that who ever you marry will treat you as a precious treasure, I can't possibly see it ending up any other way."

[Lala Kitty]

Ava watched Andreios in awe as he explained to her his take on her situation. She hadn't thought of it like that; no, she'd been blindly accepting whatever it was her father said. But the fact of the matter was, if she just did whatever he wanted now, she would never become happy. For now, she would remain optimistic & see to it that she didn't end up just like her mother & father.

"Then I've decided," Ava said aloud, full of determination, "I won't be letting Papa marry be off to the richest man he can find. When I marry, it's going to be with a man I love, or not at all. If I really insist on this, he'll do it. Don't you think so too, Mr. Andreios?"

Satisfied with her decision, Ava thought back to her mother's teasing over how Ava apparently found Andreios attractive. It wasn't common, but women of her status could marry below their class. If she showed interest in Andreios, would he eventually consider her as bride material? Probably not.

He probably thought she was very little better than a child. All the same, Ava's nervousness around him persisted, & she constantly felt like they had already known each other for a long time. Maybe she was already in love with someone.

[Dumbapple]

"Sure, who am I to judge your father." he said this in almost a defeated voice. "I would suggest not to push your father too much though, compromise with him." Saying these things pained the man. But he couldn't have her walk straight into the fire... The moment she proves to her father that she couldn't be his pawn he had no doubt that he would rid himself of her. Even replace her... However, he was her father... there had to be some amount of parental love right? He could be persuaded to compromise. Ave could find a reasonable mage... that her father would approve of... this thought caused his to cringe. So much so he looked away so Ava wouldn't take notice. He began to miss the closeness they once shared... But he could recall her betrayal as well. She was a mage. His masters daughter. He was naught but some valuable piece of property and guard dog.

He quickly moved forward. Back to the estate. Back to his master... back to his cage. As much as he was scared of that place, as much as he hated it... he felt that running was risky... to risky. He could lose more than just his life now. He could lose Ava. "Hurry up Miss. We can't be late, it could sour your father's mood."

[Lala Kitty]

Much to Ava's embarrassment, Andreios quickened the pace of the trip back home after her speech about marrying for love. She had hoped, in some way, Andreios would have considered her statements as uplifting or a very loose invitation for some sort of romantic relationship, but he just seemed to be bothered by the subject, so much so that he didn't want to be alone with her anymore. Defeated, Ava nodded at Andreios' brisk command to hurry, supposing he was right after all. It wouldn't do to anger her father when she wanted him to be more malleable in the subject of marriage.

Once inside the walls of the Wenham Castle, Ava followed after Andreios to the stables, relieved to feel the warmth inside. She trembled a little as the feeling came back to her fingers & toes, the stable hands already preparing to secure the horses. When it came time for Ava to climb from her horse, Ava pretended to be a little wobbly, a harmless baiting trick her mother suggested back at the cabin. Successfully, Ava was able to acquire help from Andreios to get off of her horse, her fingers lightly clutching to his shoulders.

When Ava's feet touched the ground, she came face to face with a lovely gem that hung from Andreios' neck, the same color of his eyes. Ava knew she'd never laid her eyes on it before, but for some reason, the trinket looked so... familiar. She could almost imagine the way it felt under her skin, like she held it once. Entranced, Ava slowly reached up to touch the pendant lightly. She could feel an odd power from it, a power similar to what she felt when she would cast magic spells.

"Master Andreios, where did you get-"

"Ava!" Jason Wenham called from the stable entrance, knocking the woman back into reality. Immediately, Ava released Andreios' pendant & turned beet red. What was she doing, putting her hands on him like some common trollop? Her curiosity was going to make this man think she had loose morals! Diverting her gaze, Ava turned back to the exit of the horse stall.

"P-please excuse me," she told Andreios before heading off in the direction of her father's voice. After inviting the young woman to dinner, her led her from the stables & back to the castle, giving Andreios the motion to follow after them.

[Dumbapple]

Andreios felt his heart stop when Ava had examined and commented on his necklace.... Which for some reason he kept.... even though, it was a symbol of a lie. It was originally made to be weaponized against him had he found out she was a Mage... but it never came to that did it. When Ava retreated back to her father his hand came over the stone, touching the cool smooth surface and was greeted with memories of better times. Times when he was 'free'. He began to wish he had simply ran off with Ave when he had the chance, instead, he allowed vengeance to cloud his reason. Raine had told him of this. The bandit, or what ever the freelancer was, had, many of times, told him he was much to spirited with revenge. She traveled with him for a year, but had him down in a week. The woman would bother him with seemingly pointless things, like Ava. He only told her about her once, and from then Raine was determined to get him back to her. However, it was Kain that brought him back to her... Because Raine was in dire need of a good healer... The slave shook his head and looked forward. Ava's mother wanted him to save her little girl, from the man she knew to be her father. If Raine, hell, if Kain were there, they would tell him to do the same. And the sad part was... he knew it had to be him. Only he could save her at this time. No one else...

Andreios stayed a good distance from his master and Ava, but following still. His dark blue eyes narrowed on his master. It was pure hatred he felt for the man. A man he had once loved... Andreios could recall his childhood filled with the want to make his master happy, like one's dog would feel. It sickened him, and still did to think he was just like that, and many slaves feel that way. It made him want to rip the heart right out of the man... But his priority was to save Ava... not kill his master. Not anymore.

Sighing, the man shut the stables behind him and followed back to the main house with out a word.

[Lala Kitty]

Ava swayed in her chair a little at the dinner table, feeling a bit dizzy for some reason. Ever since she'd touched Andreios' strange pendant in the stables, She felt a little... off. She wasn't sick or in pain, it just felt like something wasn't quite right. But what could possibly be wrong? This day was just like any other, except for the arrival of Ava's new bodyguard.

Was there any chance Ava had met Andreios before today? That thought stopped her in her tracks, & to herself, She tried to recall Andreios' face. She just knew it, she had to know him from somewhere. If only she could figure out from where.

"The boy from the south!" Ava suddenly said aloud, gathering the attention of Andreios, her father, & the servants. James almost dropped his soup spoon as he started at Ava in open shock, but quickly recovered & straightened himself out.

"There was a boy that visited when I was little," Ava explained with a rush, "He only stayed with us for a short while, but-"

"Yes Ava, Master Andreios is that boy," James interjected, keeping his voice low, almost dangerously so. Ava naively missed her father's tone & smiled happily, glad she had figured out what was nagging her. Deciding to grind a bit of salt into Andreios' wounds, James smiled & straightened himself out, preparing himself for Andreios' reaction; would he be able to contain his anger?

"Do you remember what you told me when he visited?" James asked aloud, "I think I remember you telling me that you wanted to marry 'that nice boy'. Your excitement was so cute." & it was the truth. In less than a week, Ava had taken a shine to James' new pet project, disgusting him to no end. His daughter wasn't going to be involve with a lowly servant, he would be damned sure of that.

"F-father!"

James continued to smile & watched Ava try to hide her face in embarrassment, horrified that he would out her to Andreios like that. But he wasn't finished, not just yet. Turning, James extended his smile to Andreios, the superior glint in his eyes hard to miss.

"It looks like you're my little girl's first love," he announced, hoping Andreios felt the stab in his chest. This would be yet another thing that would follow the slave around for as long as he lived. Ava hadn't been taken away once, but twice.