Up in the library, Yokou had started restoring the scroll that had been ruined. Luckily the blotch wasn't that big, and didn't obscure too much of the script.

"Master are you in there?" Athena called into the library

Yokou looked up, surprised that either of them came to look for him. "I'm here. Hold on just a moment." He called back, putting his work away for a moment before going to open the door. "Miss Athena. May I help you with something?" He asked with a kind smile.

"Breakfast is ready master." Athena smiled " You did want breakfast didn't you master?" Knowing Lori she had made it without asking out of habit.

Yokou nodded. "Oh, yes, of course. I'd nearly forgotten what time it was...thank you, Miss Athena." He said with a smile.

"please call me just Athena master I'm not a miss." Athena frowned "I'm a servant nothing more."

Yokou frowned. "No. Not here, you aren't. In this home, you are a human being, just as important as any other. However, if it will make you more comfortable, then I will not call you miss." He said.

"Thank you master." Athena bowed " Shall I clean up in here will you eat breakfast?"

Yokou looked back briefly over his shoulder, then shook his head with a smile. "No, that's fine. After what just happened, I'd rather you not have to see my current work. I really must apologize for that...I didn't expect you two to be awake so early." He said.

" Of course master a servant always wakes before his or her master even when sick." Athena said following him " I don't mind blood master and I won't look in any books you don't ok first master."

Yokou shook his head. "I suppose. I'm not used to having servants around. I'm not used to having anyone around, actually. But please, you don't have to call me master. At least not at the end of every sentence."

" As you wish master." Athena said slipping ahead of him to the kitchen to finish helping Lori with the breakfast.

Yokou rolled his eyes and chuckled. The girl had a way about her, he thought. She was definitely...unique.

" Today we have porridge." Lori announced " Then for lunch something heavy." Athena sighed softly waiting by one of the chairs wondering if he would want them to get with him. " Oh Athena don't forget in a few days the festival will start." Lori grinned happily.

Yokou looked up. "Festival? What festival is that, Miss Lori?" He asked.

" Oh a little festival the town throws for everyone to attend. You can meet your forever partner there and generally master give us the day off of course we still have to be ready to work the next day but for that one day we can be free of are masters. We laugh get drunk dance around. They have a tamer version for the master and mistress's to but they still get drunk." Lori explained.

Yokou looked interested. "All these years, I never knew. It sounds fun, though the tamer version seems rather dull. Still, since it is something you look forward to, you're both free to go that day. And you may have the day after off, as well. One should not have to work with a hangover." He said.

Lori grinned " This year I'm getting you drunk Athena and you can't use the working the next day excuse." Athena gave Yokou this unreadable look till a slight flash of hatred flashed over her face but it was gone in a blink " Sounds great." Athena grumbled "I'll go clean upstairs." she walked off mumbling to herself.

Yokou frowned. "Oh dear. Have I done something wrong? She seems rather angry at me." He said to Lori. He wasn't sure why that bothered him so much, but it did.

" Oh Athena is just a fart she would rather do work then have fun...to her work is fun. Plus she doesn't like being drunk the fun her comes out." Lori grinned " But I won't really get her drunk...on purpose anyways.

Yokou shook his head. "I didn't realize that. I hope she doesn't hate me now." He said distractedly.

" Athena could never hate her masters not even ones that beat her." Lori said with a sigh.

Yokou looked horrified. "Beat her? Do people actually do that? How could they be so cruel?" He asked. He couldn't imagine ever beating anyone, let alone a servant.

" Yes one of her masters beat her. She was still learning to be a slave and wasn't as steady on her feet as she is know." Lori snorted " Lots of masters punish there slaves with lashing or beatings its a way of life for us."

Yokou shook his head. Perhaps he was weak, but he thought beating was the wrong way to go about things. "She will never get that from me. Only a weak, cowardly man would beat a woman. Only a coward throws the first punch, in any situation." He said.