159 Like a command (1/2)
”Do you understand the difference, Master?”
Ivan nodded. It wasn't hard to understand the difference, since the second one was clearly a command, while the first was a polite question.
”Good. Then what's the difference with: 'Celine, would you please give me a massage? '”
It was once again the same question, but withing the imitated voice, there was an undertone of dominance, making it feel less like a question but more like a command. Although it was the same words, the effect was different.
”It's the tone.”, Ivan answered. ”By using a tone as if there is only the answer 'Yes', it changes it from a question to a command.”
Susan nodded satisfied. ”Good. That's exactly right. Often, the important thing isn't the choice of words but the tone of your voice. It can change a question into a command or the other way around. Now try it.”
”Celine, could you please give me a massage?”, Ivan tried to say this sentence in the same tone as Susan, but he still didn't quite manage it. It still seemed more like a question than a command.
”It's still lacking but for a first try not bad.”, Susan said. She then asked Celine, ”I'm guessing you will be Ivan's personal servant, right?”
”I don't quite understand what it means to be a personal servant, but I guess so.”
”Don't worry, I'll teach you.”, Susan told her gently. It was completely different from how she treated Ivan.
”Now for servants, it is quite easy. Don't interrupt your master, if not to stop him saying something wrong or stupid. Obey his orders, as long as they don't infringe on your basic rights. Always be respectful.”
”Ok.”, Celine nodded to show that she had understood. ”Then how should I address him? Is there a norm or can it be chosen freely?”
”The standard is 'Master', but you can also use one of his titles.”, Susan explained.
”Then I'll call him 'Master'.”, Celine decided.
”But only in public.”, Ivan reminded her. He was unwilling to have her call him 'Master' all his time. Instead, he preferred their current relaxed and comfortable interactions.
”Sure that's fine.”, Susan agreed. ”It's common for most personal servants to call their master different in public and private. They are after all one of the closest people to each other.
But for now, you should try to talk in private as you would in public so that you can train and don't make a mistake.”
”Makes sense.”, Ivan agreed.
”Didn't you want a massage?”, Susan asked Ivan, making the other two realize that they were still standing around in the living room.
”Right.”, Celine exclaimed. ”When we went shopping last time, I bought everything required. And I also had one of the rooms refurbished so it would be more comfortable for a massage.”
She then led them towards one of the rooms.
”Massaging is always a good skill for a personal servant to have.”, Susan praised before asking curiously, ”So have you only learned it or do you have a skill?”
”I have a skill, 'Basic Heavenly Massage'.”, Celine answered while hiding how she got the skill.
When she heard the skill name an expression of astonishment appeared on Susan's face. ”Really? You really have this skill?”, she asked excitedly while grabbing Celine's shoulders and starting to shake her.
Celine was surprised by the fervor shown by the other woman. ”Yes. But could you please stop shaking me?” She was completely helpless against Susans shaking. Even if she used all her strength which had increased drastically after changing her race, she was unable to stop her from shaking her.
Susan hurriedly let go of her. ”Sorry. I was just too excited. Do you even understand what this skill is?”, she then asked.
The other two shook their heads. Wasn't it just a massage technique?
”No wonder you don't see it as something special.”, Susan took a deep breath.