((Okay.))

The ride was unusually smooth on the way back, just as it had been before. About an hour later, they pulled up in front of the mansion. Yokou hopped down and opened the door for the girls. "We're home, ladies."

"Holly cheese balls." Lori exclaimed when she saw the mansion "LORI!" Athena exclaimed at her friends outburst "What the thing is huge." Lori said in her defense "I know you said mansion but I didn't expect a freaking castle."

((I'm going to use that from now on.))

((lol))

Yokou couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "I will take that as a positive comment. Now, it's rather close to lunch time. Why don't we go inside and you can get settled in your room?" He asked, making a mental note to carve Lori's name on the door as well.

" Sounds great." Lori hurried inside to look around "I'll get lunch started." Athena hurried off to the kitchen frowning after Lori.

Yokou unhooked the horse and brought it back to the stable, where he gave it fresh food and water and bedded it down for the evening. He then made his way inside, where he carved Lori's name on the door underneath Athena's.

((can't help myself))

Suddenly the door opened "Athena is that you?" Lori stood there blinking at him "oops." she had slammed the door into his face

Yokou blinked rapidly. Confused, he reached up and knocked on the door.

Lori giggled "Sorry about that sir I didn't realize you were standing there." she then blushed she was only wearing her under things "Excuse me a moment." she closed the door and dressed quickly "Sorry about that."

Yokou raised an eyebrow, but chuckled. "That's quite alright, miss Lori. I did not mean to intrude. I suppose I'm just not used to having females around."

"It is my own fault sir. I should not have assumed you were Athena." Lori smiled at him "Lets go eat."

Yokou smirked. "Very well then. I look forward to see what Athena has prepared today." He said, gesturing for her to go first.

"Thank you sir." Lori closed the door and hurried downstairs helping to set the table "What did you make?"

" Roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, and lemon pie for dessert." Athena smiled at Lori.

Yokou smiled as he waited for the girls to be ready. "That sounds wonderful, Athena. I invite both of you to sit with me at dinner tonight." He said.

"Of course sir." Lori sat down with Athena sitting next to her "Thank you for the meal." she shouted before digging in.

Yokou chuckled again and started to eat. "Miss Athena, how did a shy girl like yourself meet such a boisterous girl as Miss Lori?" He asked curiously.

"We worked for the same old fart." Lori answered her mouth full "We shared a room together and just kind of bonded."

Yokou burst out laughing. "You hold nothing back at all, do you?" He asked. It was more of a statement than a question, since he already knew the answer.

"Nope I got my freedom a while ago and I can do what I want." Lori grinned " I can still do what I want because you don't own me." she leaned against Athena '' But I can still go to the servant fair."

Yokou raised an eyebrow. "It's true, I didn't buy you, so I don't own you. However, I do hope you'll at least obey the rules of the household, if only because I'm letting you stay here. Honestly, I have no wish to think of Miss Athena as my property, either." He admitted.

Athena blinked at him a frown forming on her face. "Of course I'll not break rules I'm not that kind of person." Lori smiled.

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/e7728a7f.jpg (Lori just cause)

Yokou nodded. "Good. Thank you." He said, and continued eating.

Lori smiled and went back to eating.

The meal continued in silence. Once he was finished, Yokou stood up. "Ladies. I am going to retire to the library. If you need me, feel free to come get me." He said.

"Want to help me clean after we are done?" Athena asked "Though you would never ask." Lori grinned and together they cleaned the table and the dishes. "I'll take the left half." Lori grabbed a bucket of water heading to the left side of the mansion while Athena went to the right.

Yokou went back to the library, where he took out the worn-looking tome he had bought in town. Sitting down, he opened it carefully and started reading it.