"I like him, he seems nice," she said, "Is he related to you?"

Randy looked down at her as they walked. "No, why do you ask?"

"There's something similar about the two of you, like you come from the same place," she explained.

"I suppose it is possible," Randy answered with a dismissive air. In truth, he couldn't help being somewhat pleased that she had picked up on it. She was a bright girl, and he knew he was going to enjoy getting to know her--even if that did mean putting up with Winston.

Alissa tucked her book under one arm and took Randy's hand curling her little fingers around two of his much larger ones.

Randy smiled at this and held her hand for the rest of the walk home.

When they returned home Alissa was taken to tend to her studies and Randy was sent to rub rose oil into Winston's feet.

Thus the pleasant afternoon was officially put to an end, and Randy chewed his tongue to hold back the grumbling and growling as he held Winston's feet at arm's length and oiled them.

Winston wriggled his toes, "Get between my teeooohs!"

There was a slight twitch of Randy's mouth and he took a deep breath, exhaling through flared nostrils before he complied.

Once Winston's feet were properly oiled Winston ordered Randy to pick him up and carry him to his bed, "Can't walk on my feet until they dry!"

Randy grunted in aggravation and disgust, but picked up Winston nonetheless. He heavily considered throwing him as opposed to placing him in the bed, but it would have been much too obvious.

"You spend a lot of time with Alissa for someone of your station," Winston noted, giving Randy a look of suspicion.

"She is a bright young woman and I intend to help her reach her full potential with her studies," Randy replied, distracting himself with his own response as he set Winston down so as not to simply drop him out of frustration.

"I saw her holding your hand when you came back from....where ever you were going, I certainly hope she's not doing anything....inappropriate with you," Winston scowled.

"Certainly not," Randy assured him calmly. "She considers me a friend, just as with the others who work here. It is nothing out of the ordinary."

"Good....I'd hate to think she was a whore," said Winston.

Randy's eyebrow twitched. "Not at all," he answered simply, standing by for further instruction.

"You can geoh! I have no need to talk to peasants," said Winston, "And don't touch Alissa anymore, not a finger!"

Randy's lip curled and he bared his teeth, though by then he'd already turned and begun to walk out of the room. He was tempted to just go up to Alissa and ruffle her hair, but of course that would accomplish absolutely nothing.

Alissa was waiting in his room with his dinner, "Ellen made you something special, it's oyster stew!" she said.

"Oyster..." Randy tried not to look confused as he gave it a sniff. His eyes lit up immediately as he recognized the smell. "Oh, that is bound to be good," he remarked excitedly.

Alissa nodded eagerly, "It's delicious!" she held out a spoonful for him, "Taste it!"

Randy did so and his ears wiggled to signify his approval. "This may be one of the best things I have tasted in quite some time," he confirmed.

"I like it too," said Alissa giving Randy the bowl, "Winston won't eat it because he doesn't eat fish, so there's plenty for us!"

"Perfect," Randy said happily as he tended to his bowl. "Fish is a favorite of mine."

"I'll remember that!" said Alissa.

"What are your favorite foods?" Randy asked curiously.

"I like all sorts of foods but the best thing I ever ate was Ellen's mutton chops," said Alissa.

"I must try that at some point," Randy noted. "She is a very good cook."

Alissa nodded, "I hope she never goes away," she said. She set the tray down and gave Randy's cheek a kiss, "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight, Alissa dear," Randy called. He smiled at the realization that he'd already grown quite attached to her.

Some time passed, Winston left and Alissa grew increasingly fond of Randy, making it her nightly ritual to bring him his dinner and sit and talk with him during the quiet evenings.

Randy enjoyed this arrangement, happy to have made friends with Alissa. He found himself somewhat reminded of his own son, who'd been nearly the same age when Randy had left for Earth several years ago.

One day as evening wore on Alissa did not arrive at her customary time with Randy's dinner. Instead Hans entered the room, set the tray down and hurried away as quickly as he could.

Finding this a bit strange, Randy peered out the door and called for him to come back.

Hans froze and then slowly returned to him, "Y...you ask...you ask of Alissa?" he said softly.

"Yes." Randy nodded. "Is she alright?"

"She....she," Hans struggled to find the right English phrase, "She is feeling.....womanly today,"

Randy frowned as he gathered what he'd meant. "Oh, dear..." That was an area in which he had almost no prior experience.