Collar the Wild

Chapter 28 - Workshopping

Hess and his sous chef work on the main meal of the day: a sweet potato and truffle macaroni cheese, topped and grilled with a parmesan crumb and accompanied with a few baked cauliflower florets and a rocket side salad. Although they have to stop every once in a while when a passing grope turns into a two minute smooch and fondle session.

"It always amazes me how you can turn something so mundane as macaroni cheese into a gourmet meal," Cal says, clutching the back of his chair with a Pavlovian stare at the two dishes of sizzling pasta in the centre of the table.

"I'm just amazing," Hess grins, leaning forward on his chair as they wait for the master to arrive.

"I came looking for you earlier and found the kitchen empty," the white wolf continues in a playfully accusatory tone. "I couldn't seem to find Ember either for some reason."

"Any other clues Sherlock?" Hess sticks out his tongue and smiles, wiggling his body a little as he leans.

"Seems like a pretty open and shut case to me. Can't help but notice what a good mood you're in too."

Hess frowns and pushes himself upright so he can fold his arms. "Dunno what you're taking about."

"I convinced him he was cute," Ember chuckles pridefully.

"Ruination." Voigt tuts and shakes his head, smirking at Cal who attempts some reason.

"Never know, he might be less of a brat if he finally believes he's our cute li'l gamer nerd."

"Bunch'a dicks," Hess growls and tilts his head away.

"There's my boy." Voigt laughs and tousles the chubby wolf's head fur making him growl more.

"I doubt I'll ever understand you three," Ember sighs, shaking his head with a bewildered grin on his face.

The master appears shortly after and the meal is put in motion. As Alek is collecting some pasta on his fork he looks over at the new wolf, addressing him first.

"How are you feeling, wolf?" He asks plainly, delicately bringing the food to his mouth.

"Uh ... f-fine, master."

"About tomorrow, I mean."

"Oh! Oh, well ... I'm nervous. But after going into town and being around the staff earlier, I think I might be ok."

Alek nods in understanding. "Cal suggested to me earlier the idea of putting the calming spell on your chastity collar. Do you think that will be necessary?"

"Master," Hess interrupts before he has chance to reply. "I'd like to deny this, please. Not while he's in the kitchen helping to cook everyone's meals. I don't want him hurting himself."

"You're quite right, Hess, I hadn't thought of that. I don't want him wielding sharp knives while he's under the effects of subduing magic." He turns back to Ember, "I'm sorry, it's all down to you I'm afraid."

"That's ok, master. I ... should be fine," Ember agrees with a nod, attempting to convince himself in the process.

"If you need to escape, excuse yourself quietly and go to the bathroom, but only if you truly must."

"Yes, master."

"I'm sorry Cal, please tell me of the rehearsal. Was everything to your liking?"

"Yes, master, thank you."

Cal sets down his cutlery and goes into granular detail on how well each team performed, speaking on behalf of his entire retinue. He expresses some expectation for certain staff where points of improvement were issued, but otherwise stresses how pleased he was and is confident of a smooth performance tomorrow.