Chapter 8

''Good morning, Snow.'' 

The sudden voice made Snow whirl around to face the door, dropping the book in his hand like fire.

''You must had sleep soundly.'' Paul smiled happily, a tray of food in his hands. He didn't even look at the book dropped on the floor or how Snow almost fall on his knees while putting it back to it's place ''I brought you a light breakfast. It's better to not upset your stomach whit heavy food so early in the morning.''

Approaching the small table, Snow watched Paul how he arranged the foods on the table, each plate more beautiful than the other. 

''Do you want to eat together, Snow?'' 

Nodding, Snow walked to the table with timid steps and weary expression. He wasn't sure what was happening, why things weren't like they were suppose to be. But in the short time he know he like the man so at last for now, while Master wasn't in sight he can enjoy his time with the elder till he was put back in his designed cell.

''Thank you.'' Snow whispered letting the man to pushily set different foods in front of him

Before, feeding time in his cell was irregular and it all depended on his dancing performance and how the audience was enjoying their time. Feeding was a necessity, a rare comfort if any at all.

With hesitation, Snow begin eating and if he was alone in the room he would have let out a moan that otherwise stuck in his throat. The food was delicious.

Light and smooth and creamy and so easy to chew. The aroma and taste made Snow feel lightheaded.

''You must have a sweet tooth.'' Paul voice made him snap his head up, the fork that he hold clumsily in his hand stuck between his lips ''I never saw someone eat those desserts with such pleasure.'' he said a little sadly but before Snow could react, the man took more of the plates with the so called dessert and put them in front of him

''Here you go.'' Paul smiled, winking at him jokingly ''There's nothing wrong in having dessert before breakfast.''

For the past thirty minutes, Snow eat each and every single dessert on that table. He has never feel so full in his entire life. Licking his lips after scraping the last plate he flushed with shame before looking up at Paul.

To his relief, the man was calmly eating his meal so Snow let himself relax on the soft chair, watching the outside from where he was seated.

~

''Had you seen the bath Snow?'' 

Not long after the food was taken care of, the empty plates arranged neatly on the tray by the elder, Paul asked Snow while he was trying to subtly whip the dirt on his arm.

Blinking confused, Snow tilted his head at the man before asking back.

''The hose?'' he whispered, head bowed at his dirtiness before sighing in defeat. He know that it was of no use, not with how dirty he was but if there was something that his previous Master did that he really hated was the water hose.

The icy water falling on his back and arms, hitting violently the meat between his legs and scratching his skin anytime it touched his face.

''The-the hose?! Why would you-! A garden hose-!'' breathing harshly, Paul pinched the base of his nose before speaking again in a much kinder tone

''There's no hose Snow. However there is a shower, a bath tub, a washbasin and a toilet.'' the elder said each name slowly like he already know that Snow never saw either of those before ''There is a bathroom for you that will cater to all your sanitary needs.''

Still more confused then anything but nowhere near the panic Snow excepted to have, he followed Paul towards the other door beside the exit. Snow did observe it before the man come in but he didn't even think of opening it.

The door held a sparkly clean space, with blue-ish panels on the walls and the things Paul must had named before.

''Now child, listen carefully.'' Paul said after clearing his throat once more, turning a circular thing stuck on the wall, water beginning to fill the bathtub ''This is for warm water or slightly hot water, if you forget which handle to turn just go for the red one-''

In the following hour, Snow learned the basics of a bathroom, which handles to turn, how to use the washing basin and the toilet. He had never come across such things in his last cell, the biggest interaction he had with water being the hose.

Taking his first bath with warm water was what made Snow blink back to reality.

With a shuddered breath, he tensed his body hidden under the water before fixing his gaze to the door. After a brief reluctance, Paul exited the bathroom to let him learn the things by himself.

''So warm.'' he said in the quiet place, hands moving under the water, the pale orange bathtub making his skin stand out 

Throwing his head back, Snow breathed and relaxed once more, his body loose in the water. He felt that strange feeling from the forest again. Warm and steady and so so strange but great, relieving.

~

After following Paul last instruction to wrap his body in a big fluffy towel, Snow exited the bathroom dazed with warm steam following him out.

''Look at that bright look.'' Paul clapped happily, a bundle of white cloth in his arms ''I have something else for you. It's a gift from Master Aeron.''

Strangely enough the mention of his Master didn't make Snow jump out of his skin. In exchange he watched with fascination how Paul unfolded a white designed costume for him. A flowy white blouse with a pair of fitted pants were slowly put on his body.

 ''How do you feel Snow? Are you up for seeing the Manor properly?''

Snow was beyond overwhelmed after the daze of the bathroom faded and the precious clothes were on but in the end he couldn't do anything but quirk his lips and follow Paul around.

He was cleaned, dressed and feed before seeing his Master. Those were all precious moment for Snow to cherish so even if in the end he will end up in a cell he would still be thankful.