Layla's white teeth, miraculously free of rot for someone of her age and status, were visible as she smiled.  She'd taken care of them, scrubbing them often and trying to keep herbs around to chew and make her breath sweet. Parsley and mint were wonderful for that, so her grandmother had taught her.  If only she could get used to the lot that she'd been dealt, she just didn't know how to be a<em>concubine</em>.  She knew how to fuck… and had learned the hard way how to do it on command.  She was more a trained pony than a consort. She had no musical talents, but she could dance. She just hadn't ever been trained for it.  She knew how to read and write, which was a rare thing, and she'd been taught by a soldier that passed through her village when she was small, in exchange for baking him the biscuits that she was known for, which had goat cheese inside.<br/><br/>The gratitude on Layla's face was unmistakable as she followed the taller woman toward the food, the scent of which met her before her eyes laid on the table, her stomach rumbling loudly.  Famished wasn't the word.  The robe that was handed to her was of the finest fabric that she'd ever personally touched.  "This is yours?" she asked, her tone reflecting her awe. She put it on herself carefully, almost saddened that her wet hair would get it damp.<br/><br/>The gasp that came from her mouth was loud when she finally saw the food. Her hands trembled as she lifted up a gold plate, unable to believe that she was even holding that… She stuck to fish and lamb, not being sure about the beef. It looked alien to her, never having before sampled its flavor.  Bread and vegetables met her plate and she sat beside Aisha.<br/><br/>Layla was very thankful for the robe that Aisha provided.  "I… um… er… don't know how to be… a concubine.  What you are is not what I was before I came here. You serve one man… I was expected to serve everyone and without complaint." Or else, but she left that part out. "I know how to seduce and play, and a lot of things, but I wasn't ever… prepared for this man.  I don't want to anger him." Or Aisha…<br/><br/>Slowly she ate, letting her stomach fill at a meager rate, not wanting to be sick.  She knew what hunger did and that too much food too fast was foolish. "Have you ever been with a woman?" she asked, a bit too hopefully, she thought.  "He'll likely want that... eventually. Especially as he brings in more and more women."<br/>