Chapter 18

Allora slipped into her room, a fresh warm mug of honey milk and a small piece of roast for Billy. She frowned as she fed the kitten "so Connor's a dragon, geee why doesn't that surprise me, he's the Captain of The Sea Dragon for The Flying Dragon fleet. Makes you wonder if all of their captains are dragons, probably, hell Billy I've seen fairy women, baby dragons, panther's, I bet that DeClan and all the people at his place are dragon's too, you should of seen the way they just appeared then disappeared. The little kid was really upset at Savas being gone, I should write him and tell him to send the kid a letter or something, you should of seen the size of the black dragon Billy it was huge no wonder he probably thinks I'm some sort of freak, they more then likely stick to their own, I must of been one hell of a big pest over the last few years and especially when I helped myself to some of his money, I wonder why he didn't just turn dragon and do me in or something" Allora put Billy in the dirt box and changed into her nightdress, she put another log on the fire, adding a lump of coal so there would be something to start the fire back up with in the morning. Setting Billy in the box with the paper and blanket Allora blew out the candles and got into bed, she lay there for a long time listening to the kitten scratching around in the paper making little mewling noises, with a sigh she got up and picked the kitten up wincing as it's claws got her hand again when she startled it, getting back into bed she lay petting the kitten thinking that if she said out loud how lost and lonely she felt it would make it seem even more real, it's just not working out she told herself, I thought everything would be so wonderful Billy, once I got my name back and proved who I was, all I did was exchange one lonely existence for another one, this one is just more comfortable so I shouldn't complain, I'm not cold or hungry, I'm not hanging from the riggings covered in sea spray, but at least there I had friends to laugh and joke with, Allora fell asleep tears drying on her cheeks.

The cat Nedra purred and nuzzled the kitten "yes my ohhhh sooo sharp clawed one, Nedra she understands your fears but you are now snuggled into the arms of one who will love you and care for you, there is no more need for all this hissing and snarling but you must learn and listen to Nedra my ohhh sooo tiny wild one, never must you hunt the little dragons or other little special creatures that you will learn to recognize as friends for they shall be just as fiercely protective of you as the ohhh sooo tearful one" Nedra stroked and purred softly to Billy as she talked to the kitten. Allora woke up to see Nedra the woman smiling at the kitten "Nedra?" Nedra purred, her hand gently brushing against Allora's cheek "but of course it is Nedra, my ohhh sooo lonely one, Nedra she has had a little talk with the biting one, who will now behave." Allora chuckled "I hope she listened to you" Nedra purred "but of course she listens to Nedra, unlike you my sweet tidbit, who once again is hiding inside herself, this does not please Nedra, so you shall listen carefully and learn." Allora found herself sitting next to Nedra on a long low couch, Billy purring between them in a beautiful garden, she watched as women and men walked by "you see these women, my delightful morsel, what you see with your eyes are lovely women, their shoulder's back, their head held high, it matters not their looks my ohhhh sooo worried one, what you are really seeing is their confidence, their self-esteem which makes them as they are, they know who and what they are, they care not for the thoughts of others towards them for they are supremely confident in themselves. Do you think the ohhhh sooo lustful Catherine of Russia worries that she is overly busty, what some would call fat, Nedra she prefers the word full figured which is much kinder, but of course she does not worry for she has confidence in who and what she is, she reaches out for what she wants, if she were a serf in the fields still she would be the same woman for she knows herself. Do you think the ohhhh soooo whining Cleopatra is a beautiful woman? but of course not, the difference is that she sees herself as beautiful, it is all as we perceive ourselves to be my tasty bonbon. But you do not see yourself as you really are, you see yourself still as the frightened skinny little child, come stand up and Nedra shall show you what she sees" Allora slowly stood up then gasped to see herself in a mirror dressed only in a short sarong of some flimsy gauze material that was almost totally see through, Nedra standing behind her. Nedra's hands came up to touch Allora's cheeks "where once was a gaunt face is now a face still thin but filling out, high lovely cheekbones emphasize large dark eyes and the delicacy of your softly pointed chin, the slenderness of your face brings one's eyes to your full mouth, then up to your deep brown eyes, that are so wide and wondering" Nedra's hands moved slowly down to caress Allora's neck and shoulders "such gentle slenderness, like the neck of a graceful swan, delicate shoulders to blend with such grace, your very delicacy and slenderness is your loveliness my sweet bonne bou'che." Allora felt her cheeks flush as Nedra still standing behind her cupped her breasts with her hands "one need not be overly lush to be seen as alluring, your breasts are full and high with small buds for nipples so right for such a slender delicate body, a man does not need to have breasts spilling over his hands to appreciate loveliness my blushing morsel. A waist that a man can span with his hands flaring to hips slender and yet so womanly, ohhh sooo long legs perfect to wrap around a mans waist in your eagerness to pull him closer and deeper, yes this Nedra knows. What you see before you my scrumptious bonbon is a woman not of frills and bows but a woman of true stately elegance, see the woman you have inside you." Allora couldn't help but stare at herself suddenly dressed in a beautiful gown of light mauve that brought out the brown in her hair and eyes the collar came up to just under her chin with a slight hint of ruffle from the darker mauve ruff, the form fitting bodice flared out to a slight bell at the waist flowing down to her feet, the long sleeves came to a point at her wrists once again with just the hint of a ruffle complementing her long slender hands and fingers. Her hair was up on top of her head in a puffed chignon, with wisps of hair at her neck and around her face softening the severity of the look. Nedra turned her slightly to the side "this is true elegance subtle, alluring, beckoning, you see how your lovely figure is shown off to advantage without being flaunted, this is you my sweet delicacy, you need not follow foolish rules of fashion, make your own rules my delight." Time and time again Nedra showed Allora dressed in soft yet fitted tailored dresses, riding habits, day dresses. "Now Nedra shall talk of what you must do now that you have put on weight and flesh to your delightful frame" Allora listened carefully to Nedra as she talked of diet and what she should be eating and drinking, to stay healthy, fit and bring a glow to her skin. Nedra picked up Allora's hand turning it over, her fingers gently rubbed and caressed the palms of Allora's hands gently smoothing the calluses from years on board ship away "you my ohhh sooo delicate one are a very talented artist, yes this Nedra knows, perhaps one day you shall paint Nedra, but hands as lovely as yours should also be pampered along with the rest of your body, Nedra shall have lotions, oils and creams prepared for you, sooth your body, love your body with them, your skin shall drink and return the love by showing it's glow, it's warmth and well being. Your scent is soft, delicate, alluringly subtle, a touch of spice, a hint of the sea and tropical breezes, yes this Nedra knows." Allora smiled down at the little crystal bottle now in her hand, Nedra smiled at her "under the elegance is fire, wanton, wicked, eager, Nedra she feels this deep inside you and is pleased, soon you shall be ready to play at your wantonness for you are a woman who longs to embrace all there is to offer, never should you think this wrong, Nedra knows her delicate bonbon is not the wide eyed innocent hiding her needs, for such would not be you, one does not sail with a ship full of men and walk away unknowing of life and the needs of men, no matter how hard the ohhh sooo noxious Willy tried to protect you from hearing and seeing what goes on, no, no my sweet delight such blushes are for those who have been hidden from the daylight of their desires for far to long." Nedra chuckled with a purr, tipping up Allora's chin "ha my temptuous delight you wonder at the sexuality of a certain dragon. Dragons are delightfully sexual creatures both in human and dragon form but one must be careful not to tease a dragon for to do so is to tempt their desires, this you are not ready for my sweet delectable one, right now you are to confused in your needs, once you have gained your confidence then you will be ready, now you would only confuse sexual love with emotional love, later you will not be so confused and more willing to see the two as separate activities depending on who you are with. Soon you will be going to Montcliff, this shall be good for you, there you can run and play and be yourself without worry of censure, taking all the time that you need to learn who you are. Nedra she has all ready looked over Montcliff and added some things for the ohhh sooo athletic one such as a bathing room and beach room, this will be a good start for you my sweet delight." Allora gently petted a purring Billy "thank you Nedra, I needed a good push in the right direction again, I got all caught up in being angry at the world for not accepting me just the way I am, I didn't realize I could change but stay myself, you have been very kind to me, I appreciate that a great deal." Nedra smiled with a purr "one thing you do need to stop my ohh sooo verbal one, elegance and swearing do not mix, one can be at one's most lovely and elegant and ruin the whole effect with one simple "son of a bitch" spoken out loud, think it but do not say it. There is a time and place for such naughty words dressed in a ball gown is not one of them." Nedra softly kissed Allora, purred to Billy and sent the two back to bed, to sleep a soothing restful sleep.

Allora sat eating her breakfast, Billy on the floor next to her, making happy growling noises as she gnawed on a piece of bacon cook had left out for her, she had all ready had her honey milk and explored the tree's in the foyer and dining room. Allora felt so giggly inside, she had gotten up to find the table next to her bed with a crystal tray on it, bottles and jars of creams, oils and lotions sat almost winking at her, each had the special scent that Nedra had said was all Allora's, in the closet hung the clothes that Nedra had dressed her in, the chest of drawers were filled with under garments of every style and description. When Beth had come in with her wash water, she had ohhh'd at Allora's hair telling her how lovely it looked in such a soft chignon, Allora had asked Beth if she could fix her hair that way, with a grin Beth said she certainly could and set about fixing Allora's hair that had gotten mussed while she slept, chatting the whole time about how much she loved playing with new hair styles, it was the most Allora had heard Beth say since she hard first walked in the house. Allora had almost laughed out loud when she had seen Riley, when he went to bed he must of taken a bottle with him, he looked like he had a terrible hangover "Riley, the cure for that is to drink a cup of coffee filled mostly with whiskey or a large mug of ale." Riley smiled wanely "I do believe I will have to consider such action momentarily, you wished to speak with me Miss Allora?" Allora chuckled "go take get a mug of cure, we can talk later, I will need the carriage though." Taking Billy up to her room and making sure she had plenty of water and fresh dirt in the box, Allora glanced out the window to see the carriage waiting.

Allora realized how right Nedra had been as she walked into the jewelers her head high, confidence in every step, the elderly jeweler came hurrying forward with a small bow "how may we help you my Lady?" Allora smiled "I am looking to purchase a choker, something with at least four strands or more of pearls, where a larger jewel can be taken off and on, also a pair of small pearl and possibly diamond earrings." When Allora left she was in possession of a five strand pearl choker with a gold clasp in the back, a long teardrop shaped pearl, a teardrop shaped amethyst both with tiny clasps on the top so they could be attatched to the bottom strand of the choker in the center and earrings to match, small delicate earrings. The jeweler had even been kind enough to pierce her ears which now had tiny gold hoops in them, she had also left her father's signet ring to be sized so it would fit her and had ordered a delicate emerald and gold shaped bow pin to hook onto her grandfathers gold watch so she could wear it pinned on a blouse or dress. Next she stopped at the furrier's and purchased a sable waist length jacket with a wide collar that could be turned up so it framed her dark hair and face, you could barely tell where the jacket collar stopped and her hair began, the wide cuffs could be folded down to act like a muff over her hands, it was large enough as to give no hint of the shape of the woman underneath she also bought an ermine pelt for Billy. Satisfied with her purchases Allora headed home, she noticed that Riley didn't look quite so green around the gills when he opened the door, she had Riley hang her jacket up then went to the back room and opened the safe. Most of the gold and silver was now at Tetly's being invested but Allora had kept everything else in the safe, she lovingly opened the velvet box holding her mother's necklace "someday mama I'll wear it but not now" she thought as she closed the box and set it back on the shelf, placing her new jewelry next to it she glanced down at the strange box at the bottom of the safe, she hadn't seen it tucked way in the back of the safe until just a few days ago, all it contained was a large odd shaped amber stone held in what looked like eagles talons surrounded by a black obsidian type stone at the base, there were weird rune like etchings around the base and what appeared to be the upper broken part of a walking stick, even the box had strange writing on it, she had tried to figure it out but it was in a language she certainly had not seen before, Allora had no idea if it had been her fathers or if it had belonged to Charles, so had simply closed the box back up, with a shrug Allora shut the safe and went to take the ermine pelt to Billy. Allora went into her bedroom to the unhappy mewling's of the kitten, with a smile she picked up Billy and snuggled her against her chest "sorry for shutting you in my room but I don't think you're big enough yet to go wandering around while I'm not here, I brought you something" putting Billy on the bed, Allora put down the ermine pelt, Billy her eyes shutting to little slits stared at, then cautiously batted at it with a hiss, growling slightly she pounced on it, rolling around and around on the bed with the pelt, with a triumphant yowl she held it in her mouth and dragged it over to the center of the bed and lay on it while watching Allora change into her paint spattered shirt and breeches and covered her hair with a scarf, "you took care of that big ol mean ermine, showed it who's boss didn't you" she said with a grin, Billy just purred licking her paws.