Cinderella: The Adult Version

The morning rain woke Katherine; the drops hit lazily on the window of her second floor bedroom. She rolled to her side and pushed her thick black curls from her eyes. A sliver of sunlight tried to break through the clouds overhead and sneak into her room. She frowned and rolled back to face away from the invading force. The clock out in the hall chimed, reminding her the morning hour was upon them. Katherine stretched; she felt the muscles of her body cry out in pain. She hated rainy weather. Her joints hurt and her temperament turned foul.

Eventually, Katherine pushed the thick covers away and slipped her long legs from the warm cocoon she'd been buried in. A shiver assaulted her and she grabbed the thick robe that hung next to her bed while sliding her feet into equally fine slippers. Another frown, this one deeper than the last, showed on her face as she took in the now dying embers of her bedroom fireplace.

“Damn that lazy bitch,” Katherine muttered as she walked over and grabbed the poker and stirred the embers. She felt the heat try to return, but it was too late... unless she threw another log on herself. Katherine glanced at the bin where the logs were nestled and stacked. She lifted a brow and walked over to them. Several trips from the bin to the window left Katherine dirty but empty of any logs she could have placed on the embers herself.

She tightened the sash and opened the door to her room. The smell of breakfast wafted up to her and her stomach growled. Katherine's well kept fingers pressed against the small curve of her abdomen and she tried to quiet her unladylike eruption. “Cinderella!” she screamed as she stood overlooking the balcony that opened to the lower level. Once more she bellowed her youngest daughter's name. No one answered, thus making Katherine more angered.

She stomped her way down the stairs and headed toward the kitchen. She shouted again as she waited at the top of the stairs that would lead her down to the coolest part of the manor. With her hands on her hips, Katherine stared down into the darkness. “If you make me come down there, so help me God you'll not sit for a week!” she screamed and then turned back to head to her rooms.

“Useless slut,” she hissed, walking back into her room and slamming the door behind her. “Thinks she's better than all of us. Well. . . Warin will teach her who's in charge.” Katherine made her way to her desk and pulled out a binder filled with columns of numbers. Her brow furrowed as she took in the ever growing debt. Amara and Hanna were not performing up to par, she thought. The numbers had to come down. She knew Warin would be around shortly to collect his payment for the month, either today, tomorrow, or even sometime next week. Katherine never knew when he'd grace her door, but she knew he'd be expecting one of her girls there to greet him.

She thought of her virginal step-daughter. He'd deflowered both her other girls and paid her handsomely for it. What would he give to the pretty one who had the soul of an angel and a body to drive a demon mad?

Amara stretched her arms over head as the rain pattered on her second floor window, still nestling into her pillows she laid there, listening to the rain waiting for her day to start.

That's when she cringed, her room she could feel just with her toes was chilly even cold, that meant Cinderella had forgotten to stock her fire place, had she also forgotten mother's almost on quu she heard mother screaming
“Cinderella!”

Pulling the blankets over her head Amara tried to block out the screaming knowing Cinderella was in big trouble, mother would be mad that she had awoken cold again this week. Wondering what had gotten into Cinderella lately Amara through her blankets off hearing the clock down the hall by mother's room chime, it was time to start the day and it appeared that the weather was agreeing with mother's foul mood.

Slipping into her robe and slippers Amara walked over to the was stand and washed her face in the ice cold water. Walking back to her stool, Amara sat down and started brushing out her long alburn locks counting the strokes, til she reached one hundred, her hair gleaming she set down the brush.

Mother had always told her and Hanna that cleanliness was next to godliness and therefore they both groomed themselves every morning taking the time to look perfect because one never knew who would stop by or when Warin would come and demand one of them for payment, at that thought Amara shuddered hoping it would not be her again, she could still remember her not so soft deflowering at his hands.

Katherine waited for what seemed like several long minutes before Cinderella arrived with her breakfast. She said nothing to her step-daughter knowing that the young girl had immediately recognized the chill in the air and what it meant. When she made a move to the wood bin and paused with a look of confusion on her face, Katherine smirked but said nothing about the wood being gone. Cinderella was smart, she’d find the discarded wood outside under Katherine’s bedroom window.

She watched her step-daughter pour a hot cup of tea and arrange Katherine’s morning breakfast on a tray that she’d left at the door and then she grabbed up the various laundry that would be either washed or mended. When Cinderella left Katherine finished working the numbers and tallying the latest debt she’d inquired since her last visit to the market place.

There would be another trip soon, probably at the end of the week. If her memory served her right, and it often did, a merchant that peddled the finest silks and lace was to arrive and she was in desperate need of new material for not only herself to wear, but Hanna and Amara as well. Both girls would eventually need to be married off because even Warin would tire of them and want something new, or so Katherine thought. All men tired of their women, she mused. Her spouses would have, had they not met their untimely deaths.

She smirked at her wicked thoughts and began to eat her breakfast which had turned cold. Cinderella would hear about her displeasure later, for now though Katherine simply enjoyed her meal as best she could, while plotting and planning on what purchase to make come market day.

The morning came and rippled down through the meadow. Large trees like guardians were set on either side of the babbling brook, as free water laughed and giggled and chatted its way down moss covered stones and little pools where fish could swim and other goodly creatures could find drink.

The sun felt good. Its rays danced upon the ground, trying to shift their way through the leaves and branches around them. As if the sun itself wanted to touch the young adonnis now touching upon the water.

Some sunrays did caress his copper skin. He smiled when they did, they tickled. Droplets of sunshine played upon his skin, as he ducked underwater to hide, flirting and innocent.

When he emerged from the wading pool, water dripped down off of him. Good clean water. His hair, long, dark and thick fell down his back like an eternal waterfall, crashing down upon rocks below. His body was lean, hard, and yet not hard as well. It had a softness to it, as if the fingers wished to touch, and find out for themselves.

He looked young, the good age for a man. Innocence still stroked upon his face, but the emerging of a man deep underneath. It would be like the peeling away of skin, the emergence of something stronger, deeper, more powerful underneath.

The pool had been good, relaxing against the long arduous work of the night. He had not had a chance to rest or relax. Paperwork, that is what got most people about this job. They could grant wishes and perform tricks and lasso the moon and stars for anyone they wished, but no one could handle the damned paperwork.

His hand still ached from writing everything out in triplicate.

Wish Grant request forms. Cyclable Submission forms, Time Space Displacement catalogues, money aquisitions, transferrable goods from the old warehouse of inifnite possibilities.

The man rose from the water, dripping off of him. He stood naked, proud, lying down on the side bank against a soft blanket of grass. He found himself laying back, letting the day run out of him. He would go to sleep and just get up to do it tomorrow. There would be a lot to do tomorrow.

For now, he could simply lay beside this laughing and curious little brook, who sighed as she looked at this young handsome man, and tried to touch him with her lapping waves upon the shore.

"Cinderella" Her mother's scream woke Hanna from a deep sleep. Groaning she rolled over, trying to cover her head with her blankets, blocking the sound of the rain on her bedroom window. She shivered at the thought of the anger in her mother's voice, knowing that Cinderella had it coming to her. For a moment she contemplated what she had done and then thought better of it, she cared for Cinderella about as much as she cared for her mother and sister, which wasn't much to say in the least.

Not able to fall back to sleep she pulled back her blankets and put her feet on the floor, pulling them back at the chill. Running her hands over her arms, she noticed the bruises on her arms and shuddered at the memory of what she had been made to do the night before with one of Warin's men. She seethed inside at the thought of what her mother was forcing her to do and contemplated what she would love to do to her in return.

Bracing herself against the cold, Hanna slipped from her bed and walked across the room naked, looking at herself in the mirror. Her long brown hair was her best feature, hanging past her ass. Her body was well toned and her breasts were perky, having kept herself in great shape out of fear of what her mother would do to her if Warin decided she was not good enough for him anymore.

At the thought of Warin, Hanna smiled, brushing her hand along her breast, remembering the night he had come to her to take her virginity. She had been watching him for awhile, jealous of her mother's place in his bed. When he finally came to her, she was excited and though he was rough with her, she had enjoyed every minute of it. She had snuck into his bed many times since, right under her mother's nose.

Brushing out her long hair and twisting it into a braid, Hanna quickly got dressed and walked into her sister's room, finding Amara sitting at her vanity brushing her hair. Walking over to her, she twisted a handful of hair in her hand and pulled.

"How the hell did you get out of that one last night," she said coolly, referring to the man she had been forced to spend the night with. "It was your turn this time and yet mother sent me."

Sitting there mid stroke Amara was completely caught off guard when Hanna wrapped her long fingers into her hair pulling it sharply up wards, almost lifting Amara from her seat.

Keana said:

"How the hell did you get out of that one last night," she said coolly, referring to the man she had been forced to spend the night with. "It was your turn this time and yet mother sent me."

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Amara tried to turn her head to respond to Hanna but the pressure of Hanna's fingers in her hair was more then she could stand.

"If you would kindly let go, I might be kind enough to answer your inquiry." Amara snarled at her, her brush laid gently on the vanity, and her fingers drumming away on the polished surface, Amara waited patiently for Hanna to release her hair, when she finally did Amara stood up, being taller then Hanna she had to look down to make eye contact, in no mood for Hanna's antics today, Amara smiled at her.

"My dearest sister, mother relieved me of my duty because I may have to service" Amara visably suddered in disguest at what she am about to say.
"Warin tonight, that is if she has not already sold Cinderella to the beast."

Amara shrugged her well rounded and beautiful shoulders, in Hanna's direction.

"Unlike my dear sister I do not seek that which is not mine and therefore am sought after apparently the fact i am not so......shall we say willing makes me more....shall we say appealing to the leach."

Standing there Amara glared down at her sister, in disgust, how could one so beautiful be so truly ugly on the inside.

The rain beating on the glass pulled Warin Pevensey from his deep, undisturbed sleep. The warmth of the thick blankets, roaring fires ensured no discomfort when he slipped from the mountainous bed to the silk rugs on the marble floor.

“Damn weather, nasty day to go out in!” He cursed, thinking of all the twisted plots worming about in his brain; even at this hour. Sir Pevensey waisted not a moment, always scheming for more wealth, and thus more power over those around him. The few that had more power in the city then he were all of upper ends of the peerage, their authority a grant by blood. But even blood could be bought...

His chief accountant had returned, the evidence of the private carriage being parked in the courtyard, which his window overlooked. “I shall have to ask how he enjoyed the tart that thinks herself every bit as conniving as her mother.” Granted she was close, and so young, she might even out do her one day, for for the time, he wanted to share her with his good friend. Now her mother! She was a work of art; though a dark art.

Wrapping himself in his dressing gown, he went down stairs to find his hot breakfast waiting for him. Everything ran on time, and came perfectly prepared when you were rich. Except for that damnable rain. But fair weather or not, he'd have to go visit his 'friend' the magistrate today if he were to secure the deal he had in mind. After that he might warm himself between Katherine's legs.

Hanna could feel her anger rising at her sister's words. Letting out a scream she charged head first into her sister, grabbing her hair she pulled again, this time coming away with a handful of loose strands.

Hanna continued to scream in rage as she pummeled her sister with her fists, taking her anger at her mother out on her sister. "You won't be as appealing to him with a broken nose and black eye," she screamed, continuing to hit her.

"Uggh, your not worth the energy," she said, backing away from her sister. "Stay away from him Amara. I warn you. I don't care if mother tells you to go to him. He is mine and I will kill you before I let you warm his bed."

Amara felt Hanna pull on her hair once again only this time she was using her hands and fists to hit her sister. Feeling something like a punching bag, Amara was actually quite happy to have Hanna beat her, to a blood pulp, after all if she was all swollen and battered Warin would not want her, mother would be displessed but at least Amara would not have to warm the worms bed.

Keana said:

"You won't be as appealing to him with a broken nose and black eye,"

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Amara smiles, as Hanna's words echo her own thoughts, Hanna had no idea that she was doing just as Amara wanted her to do.

Keana said:

"Uggh, your not worth the energy," she said, backing away from her sister. "Stay away from him Amara. I warn you. I don't care if mother tells you to go to him. He is mine and I will kill you before I let you warm his bed."

Click to expand...

Amara step back just as quickly as Hanna did once released, glaring at her sister, blood dripping from her now swollen lip, Amara wiped the blood away and smiled.

"DO you think I willingly go the pigs bed, but then again perhaps you have done me a favour, at least i know he well not want me in this condition, be happy dear sister, you may have your bed mate more often."

Still smiling Amara wondered how mother was going to react to her swollen eyes and bleeding lip, Cinderella may be in trouble at the moment but Hanna would be next in line, Mother hated when they did not look their best.

Smirking more to herself then at Hanna Amara said "If you don't mind I beleive I shall bath my bruises and clean my cuts before breakfast, after all mother is probably waiting for us to join her."

Not waiting for a response, Amara walked behind the screen in her room and started pulling out her clothes for the day, assuming Hanna had left since the door had slam and was practicually torn of the hinges but Hanna's anger.

Prince Richard paced the room in frustration. What was that damn foolish Duke of Yawk thinking of, challenging the Duke of Lancas to a dual? As if we didn't have enough problems between the Red Rose of Lancas and the White Rose of Yawk*. If those idiiots didn't calm down there would be war between two of the biggest houses of the nation. No, it could't happen, he would have intervene.

"Richard, what is wrong NOW?" It was his father, the doltish King. Honestly, thought Richard, sometimes he felt like usurping the fool.

"Its the roses again, father. They're getting antsy. I understand there was a dual between the two Dukes. Apparently they suffered nothing but flesh wounds, the damn fools being so blind they came closer to killing their seconds than each other."

"Yes, well, nevermind that, my lad. That's just politics, I wish to talk to you about something important."

Not this again, thought Richard. "Important?"

"Yes, your marriage. I understand from Lady Betheldraminianadon that you tossed her out of your chamber before she made it through the door. Honestly, how are you ever going to give me an heir if you reject every eligible lady I send to you?"

"Eligible? The tramp was damn near undressed. And frankly, you could at least send me someone with a name I don't need to have repeated a hundred times to catch the second syllable."

"Yes, well, I need an heir and time is running out. I'm going to hold a grand ball and invite every lady of the land. You can make your choice then, my lad, or I'll adopt a son and say you were a bastard!"


"Father, go ahead. I really am getting tired of having to hang around your balls. Honestly, the women you invite leave me as cold as a sac full of wet pussies, all mewling and scratching for a chance at the royal Highness. I promise you, you will never get an heir from one of your balls!"

"Richard, listen to me. This really is your last chance. Be there and be the Charming Prince you are rumored to be."





*Historical reference thrown in as a welcome home to a gal from my homeland.

Hanna slammed the door behind her as she left Amara's room, her anger seething beneath the surface. Bustling down the hall, she stormed into the kitchen and flopped into a chair.

"Cinderella," she screamed, scaring the cat that slept at the hearth. "Where is my breakfast you lazy little bitch. Get in here and give me my breakfast, don't make me come find you."

Hanna looked around the room as she waited for Cinderella, the delay making her more angry, at having to wait and at her mother for daring to send Amara to Warin's bed. Her mind reeled with thoughts of what she would do to repay her mother for this last transgression against her. Her eyes fell on the pair of scissors sitting on the counter and she smiled. Her mother had just bought a new dress, what pity it would be for her to find it in pieces on her bed.

''Cinderella!"
Day, night, it mattered not. The call was always the same, regardless of the voice behind it. Shrieked and bordering on the desperate.
This particular morning the sound carried beyond the windows and walls of her home, through the courtyard to where Cinderella was.

"Lazy cows..." Cinderella muttered under her breath, wincing as she hauled the heavy water bucket up the well shaft. Almost immediately admonishing herself for thinking such things about her family. It wasn't their fault they had grown to depend on her so.

The pouring rain was working effectively to chill her to the bone as she worked to fill the various jugs standing on the ground beside her. Water to boil for bathing, water for cooking, water for cleaning. It was the same every morning come rain or come shine.

“If you make me come down there, so help me God you'll not sit for a week!” Came the screamed threat from inside the house. With icy water seeping through her modest dress to bite at the skin beneath, Cinderella picked up the now filled vessels and swayed her way back into the relative warmth of the kitchen.

Pausing only to put one lot of water on to boil above the roaring range fire, Cinderella wiped at her face with her apron to prevent her from dripping rainwater into her step-mother's breakfast and headed up to her bedroom.

Upon entering Cinderella curtseyed, bid her "Good Morning, ma'am..." and arranged the breakfast tray before pausing, brow creased with confusion at the empty log basket. The embers of the fire had all but died and Cinderella swallowed nervously. She would no doubt be made to atone for allowing the fires to die out but there was little she could do about such things now.

Without a word she gathered up her step-mother's dirty laundry and mending that was heaped close to the wall. Going on how much was there, it looked likely Cinderella would be kept busy with soap and needle for most of the day.

Cinderella, sensing there would be no 'family' breakfast upon this morning, took Amara's breakfast tray to her room, once again whispered a quiet, "Good morning Amara..." before leaving quickly. There was an air of something in the air as her step-sister dressed and after risking a brief glance at her face, the marks upon it confirmed her suspicions that her two older sisters had been quarrelling...again. Although what they could find to squabble about, Cinderella was at a loss to explain.

She headed back down to the kitchen, her mind already running through the legthening list of duties she would have to get through before she might find time for herself and for her one pleasure in life. Reading.

She would have to re-lay the fires throughout the house, probably chop more wood as well. Then the floors would need cleaning, there was washing and mending...and of course cooking luncheon and the evening meal. Not to mention all the other chores that would be found for her to complete as the day progressed.

"Cinderella...Where is my breakfast you lazy little bitch. Get in here and give me my breakfast, don't make me come find you."
The screeched words from the kitchen made Cinderella jump.
"Good morning, Hanna..." She said softly, bustling past where her eldest step-sister had draped herself in one of the chairs, taking her breakfast off of the warming plate on the range and bringing it carefully to the table.
"Would you like lemon or milk in your tea, miss?" She asked politely, pausing by the table after pouring the hot beverage into one of the delicate cups.

"Nothing," Hanna said quickly, waving Cinderella away. Looking down at her breakfast she cursed. The same old stuff again couldn't the girl be more imaginative. Sighing, she quickly ate her breakfast and then got up and stormed out of the kitchen.

Walking to her mother's room she pounded on the door. "Mother, open up I know you are in there. Not waiting for an answer she opened the door and stalked into the room her eyes scanning for her mother. Catching her sitting and eating her breakfast, she walked over and slammed her hand down on the table making the dishes jump.

"What is the meaning of sending Amara to Warin tonight," she said coldly, her eyes daring her mother to tell her the truth. "Tonight was my night and you know Amara cannot stand him."

He lounged against the soft grass, only stretching like a lazy cat every few minutes just to keep himself relaxed. This felt perfect. He wanted his own bed to be made of soft dewy grass. And a mushroom pillow. With butterfly wing sheets.

Wouldn't that be great? Extreme makeover, Fairy edition.

When he finally did get up, it was only out of poor habit. He had so much to do for the day, and one could not spend an entire morning just sitting around and enjoying ones self.

He walked over to his clothes. He had piled them neatly on the bankside of the creek. He picked up his pants, and saw a piece of folded paper fall elegantly back to earth.

His name!!

Oh, he had to be most careful with that. He reached down, trying to grab for it before it fell against the ground, but just as he did, quicker than a pinch, he saw a mouse leap out of the bushes and grab for it.

"No!" He watched in horror as this tiny mouse bit at the paper, crashed back to the ground, and then began sprinting out into the forest.

"Damnit! Come back here with my name!"

He didn't bother with his clothing. He simply ran naked through the forest chasing after this mouse. It must have been a clever mouse, to know what it had grabbed. He bobbed and weaved through trees and bushes, hid inside of hollow logs.

The Fairy had no choice but to follow this gray little furball. The folded up paper looked almost as big as it was, he could see that much easier than this walking rodent.

"I will singe your fur!" He cried, but he knew he could not. What if he burned the paper by accident? Then, where would his name go?

The mouse found a high brick wall, and ducked through a crack under it. He squeaked a happy little squeak as he ran inside, dodging and bobbing and weaving.

"You clever little mouse," He got down on his knees, thrusting his hand through the small crack, fingers trying to find the cute little mouse.

The mouse bit his finger.

"Damnit!" He cried, snapping his hand back, bringing his poor finger up to his mouth. There was blood, he sucked on it pitifully, looking up at the wall.

On the otherside was a courtyard, and someone was screaming something at the top of her lungs. Actually, there sounded like a lot of screaming.

And somewhere inside there was a cute little gray mouse with his name.

He had to get it back!

Fairies weren't allowed to know their names anymore. Instead, they kept their own names on a folded piece of paper, for important businesses and accounting. A fairy's name is very powerful, and anyone who knows it just gets free wishes and commands and lots of beaurocratic haywire that he would be in so much trouble for.

It was called the Rumplestilksin Law, named after a famous fairy. Buddy, after that famous fiasco, Rumpie didn't even show his face up to work anymore. Retiring early and last rumored was he lived south in the bahamas selling daquiris to island natives.

If that mouse figured out the name... or anyone else inside...

He had to get it back.

The naked fairy jumped over the wall, finding himself inside a cute little courtyard. It was a wonderful garden, well kept, someone had spent time with this. He saw a well in the middle, water recently drawn up.

No mouse.

He checked under the shrubs and plants, along the walls. There was a pile of wood outside of one door, it looked as if it had been thrown out lazily. He checked through it, but no mouse.

He did see several cracked that led inside.

Through one window he did see two girls, one standing and the other sitting. He heard someone else upstairs, and another girl wandering around. Four girls. That would be easy enough.

Because girls like cats, and cats caught mice.

He easily found himself growing smaller and shorter, fur spouted all over his body. He turned into a nice small tabby kitten, oragne and white. He pawed and mewled at the front door until there was just enough of an opening for him to get through.

Now, he was on the prowl, looking all along the walls and in different rooms. He mowed loudly, so as to scare this mouse. If the mouse just dropped the name now, no one would get hurt.

Otherwise... there would be fur to pay!

He crouched, looking into the kitchen, seeing no mouse to try and steal morsels from the floor.

Katherine sighed as she listened to her eldest daughter rattle on. She sipped her tea, leaning back in her chair while Hanna fumed. Eventually when her daughter had finished her tirade, Katherine set her glass down, but remained in her seat as she studied her child. “You overstep yourself again Hanna,” she said, rising from her seat to walk calmly around the angry woman. “You may be Warin’s whore, but you’re not the only one he enjoys...,” she paused behind her, leaned in and dropped her voice, whispering low into Hanna’s right ear, “fucking.” She smirked at the way her daughter bristled and then finished walking around her to face her again.

“Now, if you must know, which really you don’t need to, but I’ll humor you, Warin asked for her. He wants her this evening. Not you.”

She smiled and winked at her daughter. “But I am sure the man you pleasured last night would be more than willing to warm your thighs again. Or was that your backside he was pounding? The screams from your room. . .it was hard to tell - - well it doesn’t really matter, does it? I’m sure Warin will be glad to know you’ve pleased his accountant. Since making him happy seems to be your goal in life, then screwing whoever he or I send to you, should make you fuckin’ giddy.”

Katherine then stepped forward, leaving no room for Hanna, giving her the opportunity to back up or remain where she was. “Listen daughter, you live here simply because I allow it. YOU live simply because I allow it. I’ve buried two husbands and survived. I can bury a daughter if the need arises. I would hate to see that happen.”

She then turned away and reclaimed her seat. She stirred her tea and smiled warmly. “Now be a dear and help Cinderella with the wash. I’m sure she’d appreciate it. Send Amara to me on your way out . . .oh and by the way, you should prepare yourself. . .Warin will be receiving Cinderella soon. So maybe you should brush up on your skills before you find yourself in fourth place, instead of third.”

Her eyes held her daughter’s, tempting her to act in a way that would make Katherine’s anger explode. She almost felt the need to whip the child with the same devices that Warin used on her when she begged for it, but if Katherine lifted the whip Hanna would be left scarred. Was her daughter ready to take that chance? Katherine sipped and waited.

Amara had heard Cinderella come in with her breakfast but did not acknowledge her with more then a mere nod, she had other things ot take care of namely her face which was in shambles, lucky for her, Hanna did not hit very hard and she did not bruise to easily mostly she would just bare a few scratches.

Quuickly she ate her breakfast not even tasting the food but savouring the tea nad lemon, at least Cinderella remember how she liked her tea, for amoment she felt bad for her but then it past.

Standing up she walked over to the wash stand, running the cool face cloth over her new cuts she took the time to bath each one with the freezing water, if for no other reason then that it would keep the swelling down a bit.

Pulling her clothing over her head she headed down the stairs still doing up the tiny little buttons down the front of her dress.

Walking into the kitchen she could hear her sister once agian screaming, sighing she was glad she was not the one being yelled at his time, besides mother would put her in her place quick enough.

Putting around the kitchen Amara called out to Cinderella, not screaming but not quitely either "Cinderella, are you around girl, i need something mended."

Just then she notice a little orange tabbgy kitten running across the floor, thinking to herslef that it was strange since they did not own any orange cats Amara desided to follow the cute little buggar and get it out of the house before mother saw it.

"Cinderella, are you around girl, i need something mended."
"Coming..." Cinderella sighed, brushing bubbles from her hands. Once Hanna had finished her breakfast, Cinderella had begun washing the pots and pans, plates and cutlery she had used in it's preparation. She quickly dried her hands on her apron and left the sink, following Amara's voice.

She turned the corner just in time to see her step-sister moving across the room with a purpose. The purpose was the apparent pursuit of a cat. Cinderella frowned slightly, the cat looked unfamilar to her. As she was the only one who fed any of the animals in the house she knew them all, and loved them dearly. They didn't shout at her or demand she demean herself on a daily basis.

God forbid Amara intended to hurt the poor creature. She didn't think it likely but given the foul mood her other sister was in, anything was possible on such a morning.
"Goodness me, must be one of the strays...they come in after the mice..." Cinderella offered, catching up with Amara and the cat. "I wouldn't touch it if I were you, it could well be riddled with fleas...I'll deal with it..." She offered with a slight smile. Thinking it would be nice to give the cat some milk, or even sneak it some cream, before putting it over the garden wall.

"Goodness me, must be one of the strays...they come in after the mice..." Cinderella offered, catching up with Amara and the cat. "I wouldn't touch it if I were you, it could well be riddled with fleas...I'll deal with it..."

Amara turned at the sound of Cinderella's voice, but did not stop following the little orange fur ball.

"I wasn't going to hurt it, just merely through it out of the house both mother and Hanna are in foul moods and I didn't want to end up with a dead animal in the house, could you imagine the scene now, mother scream beating the thing with a broom or some such thing, honestly Cin, do you think I would hurt it?"

Amara looked at her and shrugged of course Cinderella thought I would hurt the thing, after al I was pure evil as far as she was concerned and therefore not to be trusted with anything that breathed let alone of her prescious stray.

"You had better get it out of the house and quickly then" Amara through over her shoulder, "Oh and by the way I have a gown that needs mending Warin tore it last time mother sold me to the pig, hopefully you are next and I well not have to worry abot his foul hands ever again."

Hanna narrowed her eyes at her mother's words, biting back the words she so desperately wanted to blurt out. Turning towards the door she yanked it open before turning back to face her mother, the anger flashing in her eyes.

"I am not some fucking slave girl mother," she said coolly. "If you want someone to do your wash, do it yourself. And as for Warin's accountant, you can tell him if he comes near me again, I will cut off his dick and shove it up his ass." Hanna paused when her mother turned her eyes towards her, sudden fear settling in her stomach, overpowering her anger. Turning quickly, she ran from the room slamming the door behind her, hoping her mother didn't follow her. Running past Amara in the hallway she relayed her message that their mother wanted to see her.

Finally at her room, she slipped inside, slamming the door behind her and something furry brushed against her foot causing her to scream. Looking down she saw a mouse run under her bed. Sighing in frustration, she locked the door and flopped down on the bed, waiting for what she knew would come from her mother, but, this time she would be prepared.

In the hallway Amara was shocked to see Hanna all but running from mother's room. Hanna had paused for a moment and said something about Mother wanting to see her ASAP and then took off slamming her bedroom door behind her.

Not seeing anyway to avoid it Amara headed down the hall towards mother's room, slowly taking her time, breathing relaxing breaths, she knew mother was in a mood and would have to be dealt with gantly if she wanted to come out with all limbs still intact.

Standing outside of mother's door Amara knocked gently then pushed the door open a few inches, not stepping into the room, but enough that mother could see her standing there.

"You sent for me Mother?"

"I wasn't going to hurt it, just merely through it out of the house both mother and Hanna are in foul moods and I didn't want to end up with a dead animal in the house, could you imagine the scene now, mother scream beating the thing with a broom or some such thing, honestly Cin, do you think I would hurt it?"
"Of course not, I just...I wouldn't want you scratched or bitten...stray cats can be quite feral..." Cinderella replied meekly, biting her lower lip slightly as it seemed her step-sister had read her mind.

"You had better get it out of the house and quickly then"
"I will..." Cinderella almost beamed, moving towards the ginger feline.
"Oh and by the way I have a gown that needs mending Warin tore it last time mother sold me to the pig, hopefully you are next and I well not have to worry about his foul hands ever again."
Cinderella stopped dead in her tracks, feeling a wave of nausea sweep through her as the image of the older man's hands upon her flesh dashed through her imagination. She shivered and forced herself to put such thoughts out of her mind.

"Here, puss, puss, puss..." Cinderella knelt down, rubbing her fingers together and holding them out towards the cat. "Come here, I won't hurt you...are you hungry...?" She edged closer, talking softly before sweeping the cat up in her arms. His fur was so very very soft, almost unbelievably so.
"Were you in here looking for mice...?" She continued, nuzzling behind the cat's ear with the tip of her nose before depositing him on her meagre bed beside the range and seeking out a saucer of cream.

Casting a wary glance over her shoulder she placed it before the slightly bemused looking feline.
"Better drink it quickly, god knows what will happen if you're found down here with me..." She sighed, turning back to the cat and fondling it's delicate ears.

Is this what it felt like to be a cat? Petted and pampered and everything just brought to you? He could get used to this. He had lost himself in this sweet girl's simple touch.

He wished to thank her, express his fond wishes for her, but it came out in a long series of purrs. His throat had turned into some machine, loud and noisy and unable to stop. He simply purred, comfortable with even the slightest graze of her fingers.

And he licked at the cream. How delicious. Had cream ever tasted so good? He could only take a few licks though, before he searched for her fingers once more When she sought to go away he cried out for her.

"Hey, wait, come back. I love the way you touch me."

It came out a cute but whiny meow, mewling to get her back here, and finish what he started.

To be honest, after all this wonderful treatment, he had forgotten why he came into this house. That seemed lost in forever ago. He had found a new life as a kitten, here with this girl to love and pet him forever.

Then he heard the scream upstairs. It startled him awake, out of whatever fairy tale dream he had just been in. His name! The mouse! Someone upstairs had screamed just like she'd seen a mouse.

He darted off of the bed, smashing the bowl of cream and sending it everywhere across the floor. He leaped out of the way, some instincutual reason not wanting to get wet at all.

At the foot of the stairs he bounded up two at a time. He leaped up with all his might, nothing more than fur and legs and claws, reaching the top of this Everest.

Where had the scream come from? One of the rooms up here. He looked in each one, only finding one occupied. He could smell the mouse, that tiny heart beating, fear desperate in its little beady eyes.

Where was it?

He mewled at the top of his tiny lungs, scaring it enough to make a noise, to come out so he could finally get his slip of paper back.

Cinderella sighed, kneeling beside her bed, stroking the strange cat, watching it with something akin to contentment as he lapped at the milk. She knew she had chores to get on with, and now she had Amara's dress to fix on top of everything else. She began to stand but the cat apparently didn't want her to leave him so soon. He mewled at her and her heart melted a little more. Smiling she sank onto the bed beside him, stroking the length of him, running her fingers along his tail.
"Alright...I'll stay for a little bit longer...but then I'll..." She whispered before a scream cut her off.

Her eyes looking immediately towards the kitchen door. The scream hadn't been shouting her name, it was a scream of alarm. Before she could respond the cat leapt from her bed, sending the saucer of cream tinkling to the stone floor upon which it broke into a hundred shards. Fine bone china now little more than dust.
"Oh no...now look what you've done..." Cinderella began to gently scold but the feline was gone, vanished in flash of marmalade coloured fur.

Dropping to her knees once more, Cinderella began picking up the larger pieces of china. Trying not to cut herself as she chided herself for using a piece of the best china for a cat. She knew she would have to pay for it once the breakage was discovered. She mopped up the spilt cream and, after wrapping the shards of china in some sacking from the potatoes, she hid them carefully at the bottom of the compost barrel outside the back door. Neither of her step-sisters would go rooting through it, certainly not her step-mother, so she would be safe...for now.

Tutting at herself, Cinderella returned to the kitchen, finished the washing of the plates, putting on more water to boil ready to wash the clothes and then moving to sit beside the fire and begin the mending. Her delicate fingers creating delicate stitches in the expensive gowns the like of which Cinderella doubted she would ever get to wear.

Hanna groaned as she lay on her bed, hearing the sound of the mouse scurrying around under her bed. Suddenly she felt movement at the foot of her bed. Sitting up she saw the mouse looking at her from the end of the bed with a piece of paper in its mouth.

"What the hell do you have there little one," Hanna said, moving quickly towards the mouse and grabbing it before it could run off. Taking the piece of paper out of the mouses mouth she slid off the bed and walked to the window. Leaning out the window, she dropped the mouse outside into the flower bed, watching as it scurried off into the grass.

Stepping back from the window she was suddenly aware of the meowing of a cat at her bedroom door. Walking across the room she unfolded the paper that the mouse had been holding. "Valtorin," she read out loud as she opened the door and looked down at the orange and white cat that sat at her feet.

After a delightful breakfast, Warin was dressed in his finest coat; black silk with gold buttons, and prepared himself for his meeting. The rain had not let up, which frustrated him, but that was the only thing that could mar his day.

According to his accountant, Hanna had been wonderful, but the man had overstepped himself, speaking of what he'd do to her next time. Now Warin would not allow a next time; she was his pawn.

He thought on the various women of the Willingsworth household, and smiled. Katherine was devious woman, and that, perhaps more then her very graceful aging allured him. Sure, he had to watch his step, else be ensnared in her schemes, but that made it fun; and profitable. Her eldest daughter, thrown to him first when Warin had found some...extra...debts of the family, was quite the surprise. Instead of being shamed by her lot, she seemed to embrace it, at least for him. That apple had not fallen far from the tree.

Then there was Amara, who enjoyed his company not at all. It was the closest he had ever come to forcing himself on a woman; which was a thrill all it's own. Katherine was promising more 'fresh meat', but he knew she was out of daughters. Did she really think she could shine that dull Cinderella up into a lady? Every time he'd seen the wretch, she was elbow deep in laundry or worse. She must be disparate. Fortunately, he liked Katherine disparate just fine.

Finally, after a insufferably long ride, slowed thanks to the weather, he had arrived at the home of a local magistrate. Lord Baron Paden Seaford had arranged to discuss this particular matter outside of his official offices. Odd, for a man of the law to have to avoid it. But then not all men of the law enjoyed the...activities...this one did, and humble Sir Pevensey made the problems its stirred go away quietly.

Two hours later, Warin returned to his carriage, grinning at another successful business deal. IT required only the final touches; the agreement of one Katherine Willingsworth.