She tried to hide her bubbly smile as she stepped past the butler, who gave the street another long look before shutting the door tight, the lock clicking solemnly.
The garden Ava passed through was impressive, but not nearly as much as the house that loomed from the dark.
The elf could feel a layer of crackling magic hanging over the hedges and flowerbeds like a spider web, and she winced at the thought of what might have happened if she’d tried to scale the wall.
As she was led inside, the butler picked up a lamp from a side table, its light washing over pastoral paintings and gleamed off varnished wood.
Ava looked about it in awe.
She rarely got to see such rich decor.
She was shown to a sitting room lit with candles, their glow flittering off a massive oil painting hanging over a dead hearth.
The painting depicted the countess, a fine gown draping her, her hair done up in a beehive as she sat in a blooming garden, while around her tumbled the cherubic figures of rosy faced children enjoying themselves to the fullest.
Awards and plaques from various charities painted the walls in neat rows like listings of conquests and triumphs.
"The mistress willllll attennnnnd shortly," the massive butler said.
"Oh, um, okay," Ava said, taking a seat in a chair.
As it turned out, shortly was two seconds later as the door suddenly burst open and a large woman strode inside.
Ava bounced to her feet with shock as she took in the countess, who was dressed in a long gown aflutter with lace and folds.
It might have been modest, but the countess strained the fabric as only one in denial of their size could, showing off hips and breasts that led her with every step, wobbling tantalizingly.
Her hair was done up on loose curls that bounced around her smiling face.
"Darling!" she crowed, clapping hands aglitter with rings. "What a delight! Though I must say, you have caught me at an awkward moment. I was just in the middle of entertaining my guests!"
Entertaining? Ava’s elvish ears perked up attentively.
"Oh, well, I’m sorry for intruding..."
"Nonsense, you aren’t intruding at all! I’m always delighted to talk to someone about the poor orphans."
"Y-yes! Orphans. I came to talk about a... a donation for them."
"Of course you were," Vargaras said with a knowing twinkle.
"In fact, I was about to have a little... party with some donors about potentially building a new orphanage for the poor dears."
"You were?" Ava said breathlessly.
"Surprised? I am a very generous woman, after all. Tell me," Vargaras said, running a finger along the back of a chair as if idly checking for dust. "Does anyone... know you’re here?"
"No," Ava said.
"I-I mean, yes!"
"No? Yes? Dear me, you aren’t getting confused, are you?"
"O-of course not," Ava said, the tips of her ears turning red.
"I was um..."
"Good girl. Clearly you’re a very well educated, modern young elf. Certainly not someone who would have any nefarious other purposes."
"O-of course not! Why would you say that?"
"No reason at all. Like you said, you’re obviously not. And I certainly believe you. But a woman like me must be careful, you know. So many paparazzi and the like always looking into my business..."
Ava relaxed a little, exhaling in relief.
That was close!
She almost thought the countess suspected her.
"Exactly!"
"Then, would you like to take part in my fundraiser?"
"Would I? I’d love to!" Ava said.
The countess laughed grandly.
"Delightful! I’m sure you’ll be a huge hit. Of course, you won’t mind wearing the very official collar of donor support, right? Thaddius!"
The massive butler moved forward and held out his hands.
Ava’s spine tingled as she saw the necklace he held.
The gemstone within its silver setting pulsed with magic, Ava’s elven senses thrumming at its presence.
"I-isn’t that a slave collar?" Ava asked.
Vargaras gasped, bosom bouncing as she jerked back in surprise.
"Of course not! What do you take me for? I would never seek to collar a poor, defenceless, absolutely innocent young elven maiden who came into my home, without anyone knowing she did, and asked to attend my very private function. Why, I would be some kind of monster to do that!"
That was true.
Ava didn’t trust the other woman, but it was also the only way she was going into the party.
"Alright," Ava said, taking the collar from the butler.
"So, I just clip it on?"
"Yes," the countess said, licking her lips a little.
"Just like that."
Ava nodded and put the collar on.
No sooner had the latch closed the gemstone flared with light, shocking Ava to her very core with a surge of molten power.
She gasped, groaning as her body tingled, a feeling of disassociation pervading her, as if every sense of movement had been lifted just an inch above her skin.
The Countess laughed into her hand.
"Good goddess! You put it on, didn’t you? I can’t believe it!"
"Wh-why not?" Ava said.
"Shouldn’t I have?"
The countess giggled again and patted Ava’s head, sending strange, delighted sensations pouring through the elf.
"Of course you should have," the countess said, snorting into her hand. "I was just... surprised at how well you took to it. Now, shall we go meet the others?"
"Others?"
"For the charity ritual, my dear. After all, I suspect you will be quite the hit indeed..."
Ava brightened.
Yes! She was in!
She rose swiftly, beaming at the buxom Countess.
"Yes! I’d love to meet them."
"And they you. Now, come along, my dear. This way."
The countess made her way to the large clock in the corner and touched one of the elaborate pieces of filigree.
On soundless hinges the clock’s entire front opened, revealing a dark stone passage.
With a smile, Ava followed the countess inside, walking delicately down the steps and into the dark beneath the mansion.
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