Britta smiled as the young man butchered the greeting.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“Good try, but is <i>gu-ten mor-gen</i>,”</span>she explained, sounding the words out slowly.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “It means 'good morning.' Sun is outside.”</span>She looked to him briefly, but found herself turning away as she realized the young man wore nothing but the bed sheet upon his lap. Her soft skin erupted into a gentle, rosy pink as she fiddled with Ever's food tray.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I am Britta,”</span>she began, trying to remember Ever's list of rapid-fire questions.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I am working for <i>Meister Magnus und Meister Klaus.</i> It is morning time on Thursday, about nine o'clock. You slept a long time. On normal days, breakfast is early, but <i>Meister Magnus</i> wished you sleep, so I come later. I hope I did not disturb you. Food is very important for you.”</span>She had no desire to tell Ever precisely why Magnus wanted him so well-fed; it wasn't her place to discuss her masters' secrets and intentions. If he wanted to know all that, he could ask her employer himself. The Augustins paid her too well for her to be loose-lipped.<br/><br/>She pointed to the small glass jar, her finger brushing against the silver spoon stuck in the sweet, bright goo.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “<i>Marmelade </i>is fruit,” </span>she explained, tapping her finger against her chin, searching for the words.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “I make it. Sweet oranges, put them in pot, boil with sugar <i>und</i> water. It's quite yummy!” </span>she laughed.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “Very popular for breakfast back home.”</span>Her mother had taught her how to make simple meals like breakfast when she was a young child, a skill that wasn't necessary for the twins. Sometimes she found she missed that element to serving others; watching as their eyes lit up with joy as her food filled their mouths and ignited pleasure along their tongues. Magnus had seemed intent on finding a new chef to cater to Ever's needs, but she wondered now if she'd be able to convince her employer to let her make a few meals for the boy herself, assuming he enjoyed breakfast, anyway.<br/><br/>The young man's coffee request was taken politely with a quick jolt of a nod that sent her wavy blonde hair whooshing around her delicate face. Britta returned to the door, pausing before it for a brief moment as if hiding what her fingers were doing. The door unlocked with an echoing click, allowing her small body to pass through before it shut once again, locking Ever inside.<br/><br/>It didn't take long for Britta to return. She knocked, waited, pressing her right thumb against the electronic panel on the door as she balanced a second tray in her left hand. No servant other than Britta had been given access into the Augustins' secret room, and though the things that occurred down there unnerved her, she felt honored that her masters would trust her so. She slid into the room once the door had unlocked, carefully moving in her simple black trousers and white blouse. She looked more like the manager of a front desk at a hotel than the trussed up 18th century chambermaid she normally played, mostly to satisfy Magnus' strange nostalgia.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“Coffee,” </span>she said, setting a steaming ceramic mug down on Ever's breakfast tray along with a tiny pitcher of cream. She glanced at Ever, sheet wrapped around his body, and grinned.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “Oh, there are many clothes in the manor. If you like, I can find you something to wear, to make you more comfortable?” </span>And to make herself more comfortable. She was used to her masters' nudity, but this new man was a stranger to her, and his beauty made her blush.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“<i>Meister Magnus</i> will get you special clothes made, I think. He has bought me many dresses. To reward me.” </span>She paused, smiling bashfully and stepping away.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I am apologizing, I do not mean to disrupt your meal. Would you like to be left alone?”</span>