Zoey stared at the floor, eyes unfocused, until she heard the shopkeeper address Quentin. She was exhausted and was very near dozing off when her Master returned. the shopkeeper's comment about her generosity made her blush deeply and she simply looked up at Quentin as he approached. Quentin's response brought a vivid blush to her cheeks. His statement was not untrue but she could not help herself. Her embarrassment was almost immediately forgotten however the second she felt his hand stroking her still sweat-damp hair. She nuzzled his hand much like the pet he was treating her as would before taking his offer for assistance.<br/><br/>The struggle to her feet was worse than she expected and she felt awkward and unsure as a new fawn finding its footing for the first time. It was a far cry from her usual understated grace but she hoped that under the circumstances that she would be forgiven. It took a long moment for her to find her footing and she stared at the floor, once again embarrassed by what she perceived as her shortcomings. She was forced to take small, cautious steps when Quentin led her out to the hand cart. Each was still quite painful and she bit her lower lip to muffle the sounds of her discomfort. The last thing that Zoey wanted was to displease her Master now.<br/><br/>A small pout curved her pretty lips when Quentin left her to get into the cart herself. Not trusting her legs to support her at all, she was reduced to dragging herself in with her arms. After much effort she did make it in, though she almost lost her blanket several times in the process. Once inside it was only a second before she felt strong arms envelop her and drag her against that strong chest. after some fidgeting to ease the strain on certain tender spots she simply sank into his lap and leaned heavily upon him.<br/><br/>In answer to his questions she gave only a slight nod. Again she assumed they were rhetorical. She flushed again as his hands combed through her unruly hair. She did not wish to see how she looked right now. She tried and failed to stifle a yawn at the mention of food, bathing and sleep. In this moment she wanted nothing more.<span style="color: indigo"> "Thank you Master." </span>She murmured, the exhaustion she felt clear in her voice. her back went rigid at the reminder of the trial that lay ahead. it was the last thing she needed to do to prove herself worthy to be his pet. With all that had gone on she had once again forgotten it.<span style="color: indigo">"Yes Master, of course. I would never wish to disappoint you."</span>Her voice sounded more alert now, her mind shocked from its near sleep, and carried an edge of fear. Light caresses against her skin relaxed her somewhat but an icy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach... what if she did disappoint him? Would her existence revert to the hell of pain and suffering that it had been?<br/><br/>Zoey was not even aware of the tiny sound of terror that passed her lips as she craned her head up to look into his eyes. He was almost impossible to read but right now she needed to gauge what chance she stood.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>