Rikku flipped through the latest clothing catalog Baralai had brought her. He had ordered her to look through each one he brought her and mark what she liked. A lot of it seemed so boring and meant for older women, but she had dutifully found a few items in each catalog she liked. Looking at the clock, she realized it was time for her bubble bath. She had been used to just showering as just a means to clean herself up, but now she had the time for luxuriant bathing, and she was beginning to enjoy it.

"Your dinner has arrived." Baralai announced from her bedroom.

"Be right there, Master." Rikku said, turning off the hot water tap. She was surprised that he came early today. She didn't expect to hear him knock, since he never did, but that was his right.

"No need, it'll keep. Finish your bath." he ordered her. When she finally came out of the bathroom, he smiled at her. "You can finish this catalog while you eat."

"What do I get to have for dinner tonight, Master?" she asked cheerfully as she sat down at the small table, gazing at the domed dishes on the serving tray he had brought. He never brought drinks since she had a cup for tap water in the bathroom.

"Grilled steak salad, a cup of lobster bisque, and a berry parfait for dessert." Baralai took the lid off each dish as he described it. "I've also brought two blueberry muffins for your breakfast, since I won't be able to come by in the morning."

"Why not, Master?" Rikku worried.

"It's your coming out party, remember? I have to supervise the arrangements to make sure everything is perfect before I send for you." he explained. "Now eat and finish going through the catalog." He put the catalog with the empty dishes when she was done, leaving the domed dish with her breakfast. "You should get plenty of sleep tonight, there will be plenty of surprises tomorrow and I want you in top form."

"I hope I please you, Master." Rikku said as he got ready to leave.

"I'm sure you will." he kissed her in gentle reassurance, and she felt her heart skip a beat.

Alone again, Rikku had nothing to do really but get in bed and turn the TV on, but she didn't really pay attention to it, she was focused on the fact that her journey was almost over. The week had flown by fast, even though it hadn't seemed like it at first. Part of her wanted to call it quits and be let out, but she refused to give up after making it this far. Baralai's visits were the highlight of her days, despite her frustration that he wouldn't really touch her. When she had asked why, he told her that he was waiting for her party. It made sense for him to claim her again when she officially became his slave, even if it left her extremely disgruntled.

"Oh, I forgot to brush my teeth!" Rikku exclaimed, hopping out of bed and going to the bathroom. When Baralai brought her dinner on her first night here, he had brought of a list of instructions, more like a schedule of how she was to fill her days, all of it related to personal hygiene. He also explained that he wanted her to start eating a more balanced diet.

Once back in bed, she turned the television off and closed her eyes, willing sleep to come, but she was too keyed up in nervous anticipation about tomorrow. Sighing in frustration, she slipped her hand between her legs. She had never masturbated until Baralai, when he had made her learn how to as part of her training. Imagining that he was really doing her, she barely stifled her cries of pleasure in time, remembering that he had warned her in the most severe terms to not expose her presence. Finally she was able to blissfully drift off to sleep.

You will be ready at 12:30 pm. Use the rose scented bubble bath at 11:30 am. Keep your hair down.

Rikku read the note Baralai left on her breakfast tray as soon as she took the dome off to eat the muffins, a slight smile appearing on her face. Reading his handwriting was almost like having him there. She went through her morning rituals, trying to control her anxious impatience with little success as the clock seemed to move so slowly. She wondered what surprises he had in store for her, and was eager to see what her slave outfit looked like. At 11:29 Rikku went to the bathroom and got out the chosen bubble bath.

"It won't be much longer now!" she exclaimed aloud as she turned the hot water on. She had a lovely sunken garden whirlpool tub that made her feel positively spoiled, with an almost obscene amount of scented items to use in it. Bubble bath in powder or gel form, beads, bombs, soaps(both bar and gel), as well as shampoo and conditioner to keep her hair healthy. Not to mention various moisturizing lotions to use when she got out. She felt so special as she soaked herself in the warm scented water, hoping she could keep doing this after today. She became so relaxed she had started to doze off when the alarm went off. She had it set it for noon so she'd have time to finish preparing herself. Pulling the plug, she rinsed the suds off her before getting out and drying herself off and applying the lotion she liked best. Then she sat down at her vanity table and began brushing her hair, counting out the hundred strokes Baralai insisted she do. She then replaited her tiny trademark braids, one on each side.

"I've got five minutes left." Rikku stood up, hard-pressed to not start pacing back and forth while she was waiting, but that might make her start sweating and ruining her careful grooming, so she forced herself to just stand patiently in front of the door. "I will please my Master and make him proud of me." she repeated when she felt herself getting too nervous. She heard the key turn in the lock and collected herself.

"It's time." An unfamiliar man told her as he opened the door. "Follow me."

Where was Baralai? Rikku wondered as she left the room for the first time in a week.