A Continuation of Randy's Travels (Red/Dis) [M]
 

With his first human study now at an end, it was time for Randy to be reassigned. This time, he'd be looking after a young woman from a wealthy background. It was bound to provide some good contrast to his previous assignment, and as usual he was eager for the learning opportunity. With his wig and all other uncomfortable dressings in place, he rapped on the door and waited to be invited inside.

The door was opened by a short chunky woman who was dressed in large, colorful skirts and an elaborate wig. On her shoulder was a monkey, "Mr Baker, I presume?" she said, "I am Lady Summerville, you're the new manservant, correct?"

"Correct, madam," said Randy with a nod and a short bow. He attempted not to stare at the monkey and make it obvious that he'd never before seen such an animal. Humans certainly did keep strange company.

"Come right this way then!" She replied, making an elaborate gesture for him to follow her, "You must meed my daughter Alissa and get acquainted," she lead him to the foyer and called out "Aliiisssssaaa! Alissaaaa!"

A moment later a young girl rushed into the room, she was young, perhaps thirteen and her dress was rumpled and the bottom a little dirty, in her hand was clutched a somewhat squashed bunch of wild flowers. Her long dark curls were lose and she moved them out of her face so that she could appraise Randy with bright, eager blue eyes. "Hello," she said.

"And good day to you, Miss Summerville," Randy greeted stiffly, though this time with a bit of a smile as he got a sense of her personality.

Lady Summerville screeched, "Alissa! What have you done to your dress? And where is your hair ribbon? Are those weeds?" she set about busily plucking and grooming at her daughter's clothes and hair, "Look at you! You're all messy now! Hold still!" she said as she tried to scrub at a smear on her daughter's face.

"Ack! Mama stop! I can take a bath later! Gerroff!" Alissa struggled. Lady Summerville shot Randy an apologetic look, "I'll have a maid show you to your room," she said.

Randy offered her an understanding smile and nodded again, though he was not at all bothered by Alissa's appearance. He'd been happy to find that a child in such an environment could still be just that: a child, with the same playful spirit as others he'd encountered, regardless of her more formal upbringing.

A buxom young woman with reddish-brown hair and a lightly freckled complexion and spectacles greeted him, "If ye come this way Ah'll show ye ta yer room, sir,"

Randy's eyes widened at the sight of her. He had yet to encounter a human with that combination of coloration and figure. She may not have been purple, but she was certainly appealing. He was all too happy to follow after her.

Her unusually large breasts bounced with each step she took, "Richt this way noo!"

Randy found himself enchanted. She seemed so exotic, but with familiar comforts in all the right places...

"No if ye need anything ye just call me! I'm Ellen Erickson, mah brother an' me are head o' the searvin' staff," she said opening the door to his room and giving him a pat on the shoulder.

Randy flashed her a gap-toothed grin. "I'll be sure to do so; thank you very much," he replied.

She beamed at him, "Ah'm sure ye'll like it here, the Summerville's are a nice family, if a touch eccentric, but they got guid hearts on em, I been workin' here fer near aboot ten years,"

Randy nodded. "Is there anything in particular I should know?" he asked, if only for the sake of hearing her speak some more.

"Weel, ye'll be takin' care of miss Alissa, but she shouldna give ye too much trouble, aside from bein' a bit wild she's a good little lass," said Ellen.

"So I've gathered," Randy remarked fondly. "I am sure it will be an enriching experience. I am pleased to have made your acquaintance, as well."

Ellen giggled and blushed, "Och, go an wi' ye, ye great thing, Ah'll come by wi' yer breakfast in the morning," she said as she turned to leave.

Randy watched her go, having decided against any substantial flirting as he might normally have been inclined to do, at least for the time being. These humans had a very different social structure than his own kind...

The next morning Ellen arrived at his room with a tray, "Ah got ye yar breakfast!" she said, breakfast was generous, a large cinnamon bread loaf, two sliced apples, a mug of warm, hearty goat's milk and a wedge of fresh cheese.

Randy's ears gave a twitch. As far as he was aware, this was not typical of human ears, but not completely impossible. Perhaps no one would notice, as it was prone to happen involuntarily from time to time. He opted to ignore it and greet Ellen with his most pleasant smile. "Thank you very much; it looks lovely," he replied, though his eye was still more on her than on breakfast.

"If this isna enough, Ah can always get ye some more," she said lowering her spectacles to bat her lashes at him.

Disregard

"I will be sure to keep that in mind," Randy replied with a grin. "I'm afraid I can eat quite a bit."

"Ah thought ye might, big lad like ye," said Ellen, her cheeks turning pink.

"It wouldn't take me long to clean this tray," noted Randy. He could scarcely help himself. "I don't suppose you're inclined to watch."

"Weel Ah do like ta see mah cookin' appreciated," said Ellen with a grin.

Randy's ears wiggled again. That statement pleased him more than she could have expected... "And appreciate it I do," he replied before taking out most of the bread loaf in one bite. It was showing off, but so long as she was interested, he saw no reason not to turn on his usual brand of charm.

"Oh my, ye do have a hearty appetite," said Ellen, "Why dinna ye come doon ta the kitchen with me an' Ah'll feed ye up nice and proper?"

"I believe I should like that very much," he answered, eyebrows arched in eager curiosity.

"Guid, I kin see we're gonna get along jus' fine," said Ellen reaching out a hand to give his arm a light squeeze.

"I believe so." Randy glanced toward the tray and snatched up the rest of the bread. It was not something he was used to, but he liked it.

Ellen giggled and motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen, "Thar's plenty of food for ye in thar, no need to start yer day only half full,"

"That is very thoughtful of you," said Randy as he followed her. "...And you may watch all you like."

Ellen giggled, "Where are ye from? Ye ain't local, Ah kin tell,"

"You're right; in fact, I was born into travel," said Randy. "My father made a living repairing ships and my mother was a very well-off woman who couldn't stand to remain in one place for long. I've been to all sorts of places ever since I was a child. I've only somewhat recently settled here to find work and learning opportunities." He smiled to himself, knowing that none of it was a lie. "What of yourself?"

"Oh, Ah was born an' raised in Scotland, only just came here ta work fer tha Summervilles wi' ma brother," said Ellen, "I ain't well traveled an' Ah don't really aim ta be, visitin' places is nice, but there's no place as nice as my own home," said Ellen.

"I'm sure I'll always enjoy travel," said Randy, "but I would like to make a home for myself that I can love just as well."

"Well this is a nice place and I already like ye," said Ellen giving him a wink.

He beamed. "Then I'm off to a good start," he said.