Being petted like a pet animal was hardly something kitten was going to complain about, quiverring with delight while her Mistress's fingertips stroked through her hair, exulting in the praise. Though she trembled as she licked her Mistress clean, it was purely the restraint of the "and nothing more" which provided her enthusiastic obedience with difficulty.

Though the questions brought their own answer, "They most assuredly already possess such, Miss Matsumoto. While never before put to use, this was made some time before our confinement in the labs, and while i am still aware of the principles under which we designed it, they have excised the data pertaining to the method we derived for the translaminate material's construction."

"...the masino meant to say 'we appreciate the offer but it's unnecessary,' mia regina. And...thankyou, for using all of us."

The other two shards were awake again and answered her question. There did not seem to be anything else to deal with today. "Of course," Vera replied to the thanks, "I enjoy the company of you three and I expect to see further good things from each of you in the future. Do keep me posted on your progress and do not forget to get dressed." The Head Girl smiled softly, her pet still clad in that skintight teal suit. Vera traced her fingertips over the smooth material and pinched those visibly erect nipples teasingly before drawing away.

If there was nothing else, she would dismiss Kite and slip back into her panties before reutrning to her own work. With the suit already known by NICE, there was no need to include that in her report. She merely noted the progress of each shard. Kitten seemed to want to be used more and it was true that a pure servant did lack as many uses compared to a weapon and a living computer. But, there were certainly things that shard could do that she would enjoy more than the others.

---

A few days would pass before Kite finds a slip of paper on her door. The message was clear stating that she was to go see Miss Matsumoto. No further details were given so it was unknown what the purpose of this call was or what was expected of the slave upon arrival. As always, no one would stop the woman from going up the elevator to Vera's suite.

Without any details, Analyzer had no idea what she should or should not bring. A new formal report was not yet ready, and to delay long enough to make it so seemed anathaemic. Of course, Kite had always been of the inclination to try to keep her shoulder satchel loaded to be as close as possible to ready for anything worth being prepared for.

That had changed, over the years. In distant past, it meant armament. blades, bombs, very briefly a taser calibrated as close as she could guess from blood and tissue samples to frequencies that would disrupt the nervous system of a werecat. It hadn't worked, thus, very briefly.

Shortly after her release, it had meant very little. Merely Victor, her notes, pens and pencils, a textbook or two, snacks and sports drinks.

These days the textbooks had their own bag, for a rubber compression suit for training in to take their place in the go-almost-everywhere-bag, and a second notebook, devoid of the other's scrawl upon the cover. And a carefully sealed plastic bag with a variety of small toys, just in case.

The definition of 'worth preparing for' had changed, but the doctrine had not. No piece of Kite could conscience unjustifiable delay in obeying the order upon the slip, especially not knowing how long it had been waiting for her to find it. So she delays only long enough to finish tightening the corset kitten had started the process of hiding under their uniform while Analyzer and Sword had debated what, if anything, should be inferred. It meant she creaked slightly as she sped across the campus, but it was hardly the most unusual sound to have ever come from her apparel. While Analyzer's tasks with the student council meant that more students would recognize Kite than had been the case since the end of her brief time as Resident Advisor for the dorms, any that knew more than that she was currently who to ask about events also knew that she was "a little odd", and probably would not comment. Probably. Not that it mattered.

No, what mattered was using the elevator ride to catch her breath, clean her glasses, and make sure her hair hadn't gone wild in the wind, in order to be at least approximately at her best when knocking on her owner's door.

Vera smiled faintly to herself when she received a knock at her door. She could guess who it was as she did call the woman here in the first place. With the exception of the slip that called Kite down to the basement the first time, this was the first time their owner called for them directly. Usually, anything Vera desired was handled upon her slave arriving with new requests or reports. But, it was apparent that while giving some freedom did help ease her slave into her role, it was hindering one of the shards.

The Head Girl called for Kite to enter and merely waited at her desk for the student to approach her. Her eyes briefly took in the sight of her slave. The student had kept her uniform well kept and it seemed to be even more form fitting than normal. If she was aware of the corset the slave was wearing, she had not mentioned it. Vera did infact know but she had chosen to take a blind eye to the uniform violation. It was a privilege she was more than happy to allow her pet to keeping herself as appealing as possible.

"Afternoon, Miss Kite," she greeted the woman, "It pleases me that you found the time to come at such short notice. I have a few short tasks I wish you to do for me. I have been providing two of you with tasks that give you purpose but I have been neglecting my poor Kitten. This will be her task and I ask that Analyzer and Sword only ensure that she does not harm herself during her performance, understand?" She smiled once she was acknowledged. "Good. Kitten, I know you are wearing something for me to see. Take off your blouse and skirt and show me. Tell me why you picked your attire and what you hope I will do to you while wearing it." This would be some quality time with the third shard that the other two try to protect with all their power. This would be a good time to see what this slave has learned during her time on the island.

Kite enters and approaches quickly, eager, even without knowing what she has been summoned for, that she has been summoned is reason enough for eagerness.

"Yes Miss Matsumoto."/"Yes mia regina." Kite's voice is somewhat mangled by two of her trying to speak at once, and one hand rises to her neck to probe gently. Evidently it was no pleasant experience for her throat to try to do that. But her stance relaxes further as Analyzer and Sword step back, letting kitten have, not control, for that rested with their Owner, but undivided volition, perhaps.

kitten smiles as she steps out of the skirt, and unfastens the blouse, twisting her hips slightly while peeling it off and attempting a sort of striptease while exposing the rigid purple leather. It did not come down so far as to cover that almost-too-sensitive spot above Kite's pelvis, and while behind her it went up to the edge of her shoulder blades, her modest, though not insignificant breasts received only a miniscule amount of support from the ridge which lifted them slightly and thrust them forward. "This one... this one picked this corset because it sang, Mistress." kitten furrows her brows, groping for further explanation, obviously aware that this is insufficient. "This one was looking at the closet, and trying to think what Mistress would like seeing, and while lots of things in the closet make sounds in this one's thoughts, this one made a high note today: hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!" kitten attempts to hum it, perhaps something approximating a middle-G or high-A? "Like that. And that made it stand out. So that's why this one picked it, Mistress.

kitten fidgets, shifting her weight to one foot, probably unaware of her other heel rising to let her toe draw nervous circles on the floor. "What this one hopes.... Mistress, this one hopes that this one will be useful to Mistress. This one wants to learn what pleases Mistress, all Mistress's senses, so that... so that..." kitten trails off, at a loss for words again.

"It is alright, Kitten," Vera stopped her, "You are not used to speaking up but you need to work on being able to properly tell your owner your reasoning. It helps your Mistress understand her pets better so she can take care of them better. It looks lovely on you." The Head Girl rose to her feet and moved around her desk to stand before the nervous woman. "This is your chance to show me more of what you are capable of, my pet. But first, I have something for you." Something cool and metal pressed right on that spot above Kite's pelvis. She would feel the device attach and remain there even when Vera pulled away her finger. "I had it specially made for you. It allows me to show my approval even when you are busy performing your given task. The better you perform..." The device would begin to pulse, sending a light sonic vibration through the vulnerable nerves at a slow and steady rate, like a stroking finger going back and forth. "You will receive pleasure. Do better and it will increase. It is only a prototype so I do hope it is satisfying for you nonetheless."

"Now... Wearing only that, I want you to go through my suite and clean it. Cleaning supplies can be found under the sink and in the janitor closet out in the hall," Vera commanded, "When you think you have finished the task, come to me and I will inspect your work. Are there any questions?" She was uncertain how Kitten would take the given command. It was possible Kitten only knew things a sex slave would know and not common things like a slave who does tasks a maid would do. But this was a chance to see what Kitten knew and adjust from there.

In many ways, kitten's mind, as more than an overpowering desire to serve and be Owned, has only recently begun to form. Before offering herself to her Mistress, she had remained curled within layer after layer of protection, coming out only when exactly the right sort of circumstances had combined to let her experience a temporary, fleeting, and usually sexual glimpse of the caring control she so craved. kitten nodded in silence, quiverring with delight at her Mistress's praise, she did well in picking the corset!

At first the thought of something metal -there- of all places was scary, but only until being shown what it was for. It was some kind of remote Mistress-stroking-finger thing! kitten's knees crush together in sudden excitement, obviously distracted by the thought that such a thing meant that Mistress could pet her from...from anywhere! And specially made for her! Special...

As she listens to her task, kitten's expression grows first confused, but then determined. No, she doesn't know anything about cleaning! But it's what Mistress wants of her! It's how Mistress has chosen to have her serve! She will learn! After all, it's not like Analyzer or Sword knew much cleaning either...if kitten could learn it, it could be a thing she could do that the other two couldn't! "No, Mistress, this one will get started right away."

Most likely, kitten's ignorance would be immediately visible if not from how her emotions changed while being given the task, then from how once reaching the sink she spent a considerable period of time crouched there, reading and re-reading the directions on the bottles. But after a time she started, beginning her work there, tentatively wiping things down in order to try to get a sense of what is and isn't 'fully clean,' a sense none of her have beyond lab equipment, used to living in what could politely be called "suboptimal conditions."

But kitten wants Mistress to be proud of her! So kitten will learn!

The device was nothing too fancy, merely a specialized form of vibrator from NICE labs. It would not be a permament addition but she may provide it during various visits to keep her pet docile and yearning. Emotions flickered in and out of existence as Vera spoke to Kitten. She was uncertain if the confusion was due to lack of experience or simply because it was an unexpected order. That answer would come as soon as the slave begins working. Still, her pet was determined to learn and obey. That alone pleased Vera and she could only hope this one learns quickly.

While not knowing the in depth details of proper cleaning, most people at least knew something about keeping things clean and tidy. Vera could only assume it was something along those lines but with Kite it could be anything. Thankfully the back of the bottles and cans of cleaner had clear instructions of how and wear they are to be used. The only complicated part may be some of the warnings and descriptions of where to use certain cleaners. But this was not just a task but a test. This would reveal details about the third lesser known shard and what she is capable of. Will she learn on her own? Will she ask questions? Will the other two try to give a bit of help without Vera knowing?

She would turn the device on at a minor setting. The sensation would be similar to the tip of a feather tracing faintly across that specific spot. If the slave learns quickly, she will increase the power. Vera would continue with her own work. Hopefully if Kitten uses something where she should not, Analyzer will step in. Really, she was not expecting too much. Some dusting and vacuuming would certainly be a good start.

kitten had finished studying when the device activated, somewhat fogging her thoughts in the insistent teasingly light strokes. Luckily, her thoughts were pretty simple. Stuff falls down. Except sometimes in the scary place with the super-loud humming that made teeths vibrate. Cleaning doesn't destroy the dirt. So, when cleaning, dirt's gonna fall down. So start at the top!

Armed with a devout heart, strong convictions, a damp cloth, and a spritzer of all-purpose cleaner, kitten sets to bustling about her Mistress's suite. Analyzer thinks her first mistake was believing any label that says 'all purpose cleaner' but who knows? Maybe NICE Labs did make one. She doesn't say anything to kitten. Instruction was logged, interfere only to prevent injury.

The walls look clean enough, so onward kitten goes, trying to carefully wipe down everything she can reach she makes her way. The dressers and most furniture provide no significant obstacle, aside from noticing dust under a decoration on one table sends her back to re-wipe every fixture she had previously visited in order to dust under things.

The bookshelves pose more of a problem. A test hop proves beyond a doubt even to kitten that jump-wiping is a stupid idea. Stretching up on tiptoe leads to overbalancing and falling backwards to a mildly impacted rear and glaring accusingly at the shelf in question. So! Cleaning supplies had to include a stool or stepladder! kitten marches out into the hall to find this closet, seemingly uncaring about the fact that she's 'clad' only in a corset and vibrator. It's on Mistress's orders! Surely that supercedes everything else? Shortly she returns, stool in tow, and the cleaning resumes.

Like a kitten, Kite quickly ran off to do what was expected of her. Though perhaps not the brightest of the three, the innocent slave at least had enough sense to logically figure basic ideas to follow when cleaning. Some of things Kitten picked up on were things some people still do not realize when dusting high places. All purpose cleaner should be safe enough to clean majority of the suite. There were probably a few things that worked better but what Kitten was using now should not damage most things she was cleaning.

The walls did not need to be cleaned unless there was an obvious stain somewhere which there were not. Even without servants or slaves, Vera did her best to keep things tidy. Obvious stains were non existent but there was certainly dust here and there in places and objects she did not frequent or use. The light patter of footsteps could be heard as Kitten went back and forth in an area then return there when she realized she missed something. Vera smiled faintly as she say that lovely form move quickly in that skimpy corset.

The slave never came to ask any questions, instead she tried to figure everything out on her own. For the most part, things seemed to go well. Kitten left the suite briefly only to return with something to stand on to dust harder to reach places. Vera was only making note of the woman as she passed from one area to the other. The clatter of fingers on a keyboard were Kite's only company besides the faint strokes across one of her most sensitive areas. With the stool, Vera decided it was not a wise time to increase the frequency just yet.

Much like other tasks, this one would not be finished until Kite thought it was done. This will help show how thorough Kitten could bein her work and her desire to please. Once Kitten finished with the high up places, the strokes across her spot grew firmer not feeling like a finger stroking slowly in both a circuler and back and forth pattern. Let that be a small reward and positive reinforcement for the progress made so far.

By the time everything in the suite that looked like a wipedown would be a good thing had been duly wiped, kitten was on the verge of more than one kind of collapse. The bathroom and kitchen floors had almost seemed like a reprieve, able to wipe them without having to actually hold herself upright in the ever-building surges of pleasure and excitement, and when she briefly caught herself drooling, well, kitten could just wipe that up, too!

It was also a convenient place to just lay there for a bit to think. There -had- been a thing called 'carpet shampoo' in the janitorial closet, but it had mentioned filter masks, and those hadn't been in there... at least not labelled. So how? how how how? Can't wipe carpet. Tried it, on just a little tiny spot and it was good the cloth wasn't very damp anymore. But if it doesn't wipe, it probably doesn't scrub. And what is there for how to clean if can't wipe and can't scrub? Couldn't ask Analyzer. Analyzer always said 'if you can't clean it with fire, water, acid, or sonics, you're using the wrong tools.' Can't ask Sword. Sword thinks cleaning is something for the people the bloodstains are a warning for to do.

That it takes as long as it does for kitten to realize she should ask her Mistress is perhaps is a reflection not so much upon kitten's intellectual capabilities, modest though they might be, as it is upon how deeply ingrained in Kite as a whole is the concept of being unable to rely on anyone outside the self. But she does realize it, and so after putting cloth and spray away, kitten crawls back to her Mistress's desk. "Mistress, this one isn't all the way done, but... almost! But not quite... this one can't work out how to clean the carpet, Mistress. How should this one do that part?"

Vera could sense Kite more clearly now as the woman struggled to hold in those surges of excitement. Things seemed to be going well enough though it seemed like she was spending some extra time in the kitchen. Little did she know that her pet was laying on the floor, trying to think of what to do about the carpet. The device was probably not helping as it kept stimulating one of the woman's most sacred of spots.

Soon, the Head Girl would see Kitten crawling out towards her. She was amused by this and turned the device a bit higher, the strokes becoming more frequent and seeming to push through her skin and into her cells with the sonic vibrations. The slave's inexperience and innocence became apparent when she asked about how to clean carpet. But the fact her pet came to her with a question was a good sign. As long as a question was not one that one could figure out through observation and research, Vera generally did not mind. She was a bit more lenient in this situation due to the nature of the shards she was dealing with. The Head Girl reached down and stroked Kite's hair before answering. "Just vacuum the carpet. There is a vacuum cleaner in the closet as well. I see you are learning very quickly, my pet. If you have further questions, do not be afraid to ask."

Hopefully, Kitten was not as skittish around loud vacuum cleaners like actual cats.

kitten mewled piteously, trying to concentrate on anything other than craving to be touched was difficult through the intense sensations, and to be petted as well? kitten nearly fainted, though nearly is the operative word.

"A va-...vac-yewm cleaner..." kitten nods slowly, no, she doesn't have a clue what that is, but since she can't remember a label like that in the closet, it MUST be one of the things that's not labelled. So if she could figure out which not-label-thingy could do good stuff to carpet... then she'd know what a vac-yewm cleaner is! "Yes Mistress! Right away Mistress!" Of course kitten was eager to finish her task. Not from finding the task distasteful, no, but from a far more elemental, even childish perspective. The sooner she could finish the task well, the more useful it made her, and the sooner she could potentially have another task.

This was a longer departure from the suite, as things without labels are much harder to identify than things with labels. Sword was of the sudden opinion that letting kitten find out what a labelmaker was and where to get one would be an extremely dangerous thing to have happen. But like Analyzer before her, Sword kept her piece to herself. But eventually kitten returns, attempting to carry herself with pride and triumph, but mostly carrying herself with leaning heavily on the vacuum in order not to fall over in the continuing barrage of special-secret-spot pulsing that's shaking her knees with every step and turning kitten's every breath into a panting mewl. Luckily, she knows both what a power cord and power outlet are.

Turning the device on does provoke an immediate fear reaction, kitten scampering back from the noise and staring at it for a few moments until reasonably convinced it's not going to do anything horrifying to go WITH that noise. She manages, within a few attempts, to take hold of the handle, and start the actual act of vacuuming. Had she anything like a normal sense of shame, kitten probably would be wishing she'd started anywhere but the walkway leading from the front door to Mistress's desk. Lucky for her, then, as she takes step after twitchy trembling step, torn between wanting to be as far away from the roary thing as she possible can and wanting Mistress to be proud of her, that she does not possess such a thing.

Kitten was certainly the simplest of the three shards. She would have to be patient with her. The other two protecting her for so long had left the poor woman so very vulnerable. But it was fine. Everything the Kitten learns will be from her Mistress, making her rely on her own even more. It was apparent that the other two shards would remain quiet and let the slave learn all on her own.

Her pet remained gone for a rather long time. She was uncertain if there was a problem or not. But there was no point in going after Kite for two reasons. One, even if held up, Kitten would do everything in her power to try and return to her Mistress while the other shards protect her. And two, the only thing that would prevent her from coming back would be a guest and the matter would be completely out of Vera's hands unfortunately. Thankfully, there was no reason to be concerned as the sound of mewling could be heard over the rolling of the vacuum.

The effect of the device was readily apparent as Kite relied heavily on the vacuum to even keep herself standing. Vera smiled faintly as Kitten moved like a blur away from the loud vacuum. She truly was like a small kitten. As Kite crawled towards the still roaring vacuum, the Head Girl turned the device a bit higher to increase the woman's pleasure. Obey and do the task and the pleasure will increase, a simple lesson that Kitten will recognize. The device was no a steady rippling wave focused entirely on that vulnerable spot. Perhaps she will grow too aroused to even be afraid anymore.

Thankfully, it is a good vacuum. Because kitten is in no state to be able to tell if it's working or not. She's doing well. Mistress feels she's doing well. This one single thought is all there is room for in kitten's mind between the clashing tides of arousal and terror, gasping for breath. Obedience itself is pleasure. To serve, to have a task to fulfill is itself the reward. But extra reward is never a bad thing. Is never something kitten would be averse to having. It would be like making icecreams and then turning down someone offering whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Or sprinkles! It's just not a thing that is done.

Slowly, slowly kitten makes her way through the suite, mewling and wailing loudly, almost as loud as the vacuum itself, certainly loud enough that her Mistress can track her by her sounds as well as that of the vacuum. Still, as much as the machine was getting inside her head in bad ways, kitten refused to rush. To well-perform the task for her Mistress was far more important than either her fear or arousal.

Several changes of power outlet later, however, the deed was indeed done, kitten had quite eagerly returned the vacuum cleaner to the janitor's closet, glad to be separating herself from its torrent of noise. And so she crawled back to Mistress's desk, her body slicked with sweat, well, mostly sweat, panting longingly, "Mi-Mistress.. it.. this one... this one thinks she's.... thinks she's finished cleaning Mistress's suite." kitten sways slightly as she speaks, actually dropping from a crawl to a kneel involuntarily as her hips decide they're not going to hold weight anymore.