So many questions, this one! Britta stood with her hands behind her back as Ever indulged in the food she had cooked for him, fingers lightly fiddling with one another as she watched with large, hopeful eyes. She was accosted by Ever's curiosity and frowned pensively. The young man was testing her English capabilities, and though a small part of her yearned for the easiness of her native German, something about successfully answering his inquiries appealed to her.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I have been with <i>Herr Augustin</i> before we come to Washington,”</span>she explained, nodding slowly.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I come from Berlin with <i>meine Mutter</i> and when I met the brothers, they liked me and gave me this job.” </span>Despite the young man's inviting nature, Britta recoiled from the chance to tell him too much more. Magnus had explained little to her, only that Ever was one of their “guests” and should be treated as such. She relished in the opportunity to talk to someone other than her masters. While they were not unkind to her, they were often entangled in one other or otherwise distracted by matters beyond her own understanding and didn't make the best conversational partners.<br/><br/>At Ever's enthusiastic compliments, Britta's eyes sparkled and a smile sprouted upon her face.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “I am happy to be hearing this! We say '<i>danke</i>' in <i>Deutschland</i>, this means 'thank you'.” </span>She shifted to the balls of her feet, anticipating Ever to request a bit of peace before one of the twins woke, but was surprised when her expectations were met with a cheeky joke at her expense. The blonde blushed, shaking her head quickly and taking a step back, as if frightened that Ever's sheet of modesty would pounce up to tease her.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“Oh, I—I, no, I...”</span>she stuttered, unsure how to deny his suggestions without coming off as rude. She sighed, relieved when Ever said he was kidding, though she did not come closer.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “Oh, I see, it is a joke,”</span>she chuckled nervously, bringing her hands in front of her and wringing them together. Ever offered a distraction when he latched onto her comment about clothes, and she smiled at this, a far more comfortable topic.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“You are similar in size to <i>Herr Augustin</i>,”</span>she explained,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I think I could find you something among their wardrobe. A shirt <i>und</i> pants.” </span>She paused before finishing her statement, a look of mild pity taking hold of her pretty features.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I am sorry, but you cannot leave. Not until <i>Meister Magnus</i> says it is so.”</span>She turned away, taking quick steps to remove herself from the room and retrieve some clothing for Ever, but the dancer's voice called to her again.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“<i>Was?</i>” </span>she replied, turning a few steps before reaching the door.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “<i>Meister Magnus</i> gives me dresses for being good,”</span>she said, not understanding Ever's implications.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “I am a good servant, <i>und</i> I am rewarded for this. The dresses are handmade just for me by the tailor. Better than buying from a store.”</span><br/><br/>She looked down to the floor, flaxen wavy curtains hiding her face from view.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“I do not think <i>Meister Magnus</i> would like this game of yours,”</span>she replied warily, a hint of waver in her soft voice.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “They are private. This is why they live in a manor far away from the city, lost in a forest.” </span><br/><br/>The young woman chewed on her lower lip, absentmindedly sucking away the lipstick she had applied only a few hours ago. Though she had no desire to betray her masters' trust in her, her curiosity was piqued. It had been so long since the twins had brought someone home, first time since moving to Washington. This one was beautiful, yes, but so many men were beautiful and the masters disposed of them without a second thought.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99">“What is it you want to know?” </span>she asked, keeping her distance but leaning forward as if pulled back to Ever by an invisible thread. Her voice was doused in a healthy amount of suspicion, but she could still<i>know</i>the questions and not directly answer them if they became too invasive.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffcc99"> “You tell me this, and then I will get you something to wear, <i>ja?</i>”</span>