"Dear young lady?"<em>Does he mean that?</em>Alice had no idea what to think.  Had her master just... flirted with her?<em>No.</em>How foolish of her, it was a compliment to reassure her.<br/><br/>Alice had never been in a position to make a request... she barely knew how to make a request.... what could she ask for?  Was this even a legitimate question?  Was this a test?  A trap?  She hesitated but made sure not to retract her soft touch.  She thought for a moment...<br/><em>Money is off the table, that would be an insult.  A relief from duty for even a short time would show disloyalty...<br/></em><br/><br/>"Master... m-may I please be given extra rations tonight?  I have been feeling hungry for some time and haven't gotten enough to eat..." Alice asked in a timid tone, knowing to demonstrate respect.  At the same time her hands had adventured down almost to the point where her Lord's arms submerge below water, not daring to go further.  She quickly hushed an impure thought and waited shakily for a response.