Jasper wasn't sure how to answer Kate's question. Would he like to learn? Yes, and no. He had a feeling she wanted him to say yes, and he didn't want to upset her. He also knew she could probably sense his hesitation. His ears pulled back the slightest bit as he thought, before perking up once more.<br/>"I suppose." He said, a little shyly.<br/>-----<br/><span style="color: #4080FF">Kate picked up a mug of cider, took a sip then held it "I can understand you being unsure, I have taught lots kids to skate. Not that your a kid. I would like to take a sleigh ride to the lake with you."</span><br/>-----<br/>She had taught others? Why? Jasper was always learning something new, and confusing, about his mistress everyday. He wouldn't mind learning though, it may even be fun. What was he thinking?! Mentally scolding himself once more for thinking such things, Jasper tensed. However, he still felt his tail flick behind him, betraying how he felt about the idea. Keeping his head down so as to not show Kate anything else, he forced his tail to remain still.<br/>-----<br/><span style="color: #4080FF">Kate watched his tail flick, "Your doing so good talking to me. I hate the master /mistress thing. In your mind, can you accept me as a friend. I hate all a mistress stands for. I am not like Malora. Can you mentally accept me as a friend? Only on paper are you a slave. I will turn 18 in three months. We can go before the magistrate and on paper you will be free."</span><br/>-----<br/>Jasper's head snapped up, his eyes locking on Kate's at her mention of hating the 'master/mistress thing'. He heard everything she said, but could it really be that simple? Did it matter what a piece of paper said if it had been drilled into his head countless times what he was?<br/>True, Kate didn't act like a usual mistress, but she still was one to him at least. The classes separating them also made it a challenge to see her as just a friend.<br/>"I will try." He said softly, flicking an ear.<br/>-----<br/><span style="color: #4080FF">Kate grinned and placed left hand on his back, "I cannot ask more than that. I like you very much, Jasper. Your not like the men/boys that live here. You do not have uppity ideas. May I ask how old you are?"</span><br/>-----<br/>Leaning into the touch, Jasper knew he would be blushing if he were in human form at Kate's words. When she asked how old he was though, it took him some time to figure it out.<br/>"I..." Flattening his ears as he thought, he tried to remember. Age hadn't meant much to Malora or Draco, as soon as he was capable of fighting, and serving, he had done so.<br/>"I think I am 18." He finally answered, uncertainty in his voice.<br/>-----<br/><span style="color: #4080FF">Kate looked at him and smiled, "Good. I am glad your older than me. If you do not remember your real birthday, can we mark the day you arrived as a special day? Every year you and celebrate the day before yesterday. That is December 4th.</span><br/>-----<br/>He couldn't remember when his birthday was, it had never been acknowledged or brought to his attention. He nodded to Kate's suggestion, though unsure of how special the day was. He supposed it was better than nothing, something he could remember as being good for once.<br/><br/>He was also unsure of what he being older than her had to do with anything. He didn't know if it was just a passing comment or not, but he kept it to himself. It was still unusual, to him at least, for those of Kate's class and status to share such things with their slaves as it never really mattered how old they were as long as they could perform their duty.<br/>-----<br/><span style="color: #4080FF">As she ate her meal, Kate, pondered on him being raised so differently than her; *he never had a party; does not know how to have fun. You have to show him.* <br/><br/>Kate looked at her food and scowled; whispered under her breath. she held her knife like a dagger and cut up her chicken, "I ever see you Malora, Ohhh, I get my hand on you. How dare she. How dare she."<br/><br/>She finished eating looked over at Jasper, "How dare SHE. Jasper, do you have any idea why your here? Are you here to as some kind of test for me? She can not get to Papa. Jasper, did she tell you anything; any clue at all? Was her motive to test my ability to heal you? Why would she stay in her letter you were bred for me? What does that mean? When You ever want your revenge on them; I will help you. Do you want more to eat?"</span><br/>-----<br/>Jasper didn't pay much mind to Kate as she turned back to her plate. It was when she started whispering under her breath that he grew concerned, his green eyes watching her intently. He could hear what she was saying, and was confused. Was Malora not her family? And was family not suppose to love one another?<br/><br/>As she turned to him, he quickly stood and backed up until he felt his back feet touching the floor, his front half resting on the seat of the chair as he looked up at Kate. He tried to comprehend all that she was saying, wondering where this had all come from. Moments ago she was calm and collected, but now...Jasper didn't understand everything she was saying, what did she mean Malora couldn't get to her father? He shook his head to answer whether he knew anything. He knew nothing of why he had been given to Kate, or even that he had been supposedly 'bred' for her. He too wanted to know what this meant.<br/><br/>He quickly shifted back into his human form, having succeeded in shifting his clothing with him, a handy trick when making multiple shifts. Sitting back down in the chair he looked into Kate's eyes with his own worried ones.<br/><br/>"Kate, I don't understand. Are you alright?" He moved his hand to rest on hers but refrained from doing so, letting it rest on his knee instead, shaking lightly. He was worried for Kate, and though inside he was frightened, he wanted to ensure she was alright. His instincts to protecting kicking in.