Zoey matched his slight flicker of a smile with a beaming one of her own. She was learning to know that even the slightest hints of approval meant that she had pleased him. Her heart fluttered at his approval and a dim voice, barely heard in her mind anymore, told her that she should not accept this. Still, she told herself, if she was good, it was not that bad. Once again, she resolved to try her very best to be good for him.<br/><br/>When he stepped away from her she was reluctant to let go of his support. She was truly enjoying his warmth and strength. Biting at her bottom lip, she simply stood where he had left her as he had not given her instructions to do otherwise. She found the defiant little voice chime in again about how she didn't seem to find that odd either. She had been a willful girl her whole life and now she stood staring at the floor, waiting for her Master to acknowledge her. Bitterly, she reminded the little voice that her former life had ended and obedience was the hallmark of her new life.<br/><br/>Her mind flicked to the invitations that she had penned to Quentin's business associates and she could not suppress a shudder. Obedience was a must because that punishment hanging over her scared her more then Quentin himself. While he Was a hard man hard man with a strong streak for sadism the Lady was nothing but. There was not an ounce of compassion in her. She looked to her Master, busy with tidying something, and smiled softly. Things could have been much worse.<br/><br/>She sighed softly, realizing that despite the very unconventional situation that she was not unhappy. She did not like the punishment of course but he was fairly easy to please and did not have outlandish expectations of her. Her mind wandered but she knew not to daydream too much. The little toy was cradled in her hand once he gave it to her. It made her nervous to have possession of it. It seemed so fragile and she knew that Quentin would punish her severely if anything happened.<br/><br/>Finally, after what seemed like hours, he seemed ready to depart. She walked awkwardly forward, still trying to adapt to walking after her ordeal. She was dreading the stairs she knew were coming but she was more focused on where exactly they were going. She wanted so desperately to ask but knew better. Instead she just clung to his arm and let him lead her.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>