Lesson #8
Serving
Many new slaves fear serving. they dont know how they are going to do it or what to do. Below are the basic steps to a serve, also there included is a list of points to think about when you serve. Make sure to express how you feel, what you see, how different parts of your body feels, also try not to repeat words
Now with that in mind...close your eyes a moment. Picture walking, bending, turning and reaching. Visualize each body part, how it moves and feels. Then type what you see, remembering always to add descriptive words, not only for your body but for your motion and feelings as well. A good way to help with this is a good thesaurus, there are some links listed under the training section to some online ones you may use....
There are many ways to serve, each slave should do their own thing and not copy something from another slave. The steps should be followed to a serve, be it a quick serve or a full serve.
1.Acknowledging the command: A slave always is before a Master or Mistress when he or she offers to serve.Thank the Master/Mistress for allowing to serve Him/Her; repeat what was commanded; and describe the desire to serve Them. This is the first opportunity for a slave to attract the Master/Mistress' attention.
2. Walking
to the servery: Before moving from the Free, a slave always backs 3 paces.
The symbolism of the number three is widely used in Gor. The sky of Gor has
three moons. Gorean Men separate life into three ages. Gorean kajirae counts
three steps for the three vows of service to the Free; love, devotion and honor.
When walking toward the servery, and entering as well, describe in full detail,
painting a picture of your beauty and grace, but don't forget to also describe
the surroundings.
**NOTE** When serving also make sure to include where you are. When entering the servery do you pass a fire? What do you feel, your emotions? Be discriptive.
3.Choosing
a vessel: Each beverage/ food is served in its own type vessel. Some of
these are: (Drinking: goblets, 3-footed clay bowls, small cups, tiny glasses,
mugs, horns, tankards and gourd flagons. Foods: plates, platters, trays, bowls
and baskets) Choose the vessel carefully… take time in describing the selection.
If you are unsure what drink is served in, ask. It's better to ask than to bring
something wrong. For there are some drinks that would not be served in some
vessels. (i.e.: hot drinks typically will not be served in a goblet; a goblet,
typically, is thin crystal, and the warmth of the drink would be too hot for
the Free's hands.). Choosing the proper vessel will show a slaves knowledge
of the Gorean drinks/foods, as well as their beauty and pleasure in serving.
A slaves description in this step will exhibit the concern of the Master/Mistress
in which are being served. Don't forget to wash your hands, and any other part
of your body the vessel might touch.
4.Cleaning the vessel: There are several ways to clean the vessel, in Tancred's Landing W/we use polishing it with a rep cloth. A Free does not wish to drink from a vessel that has been wiped with a kajirae's hair if they have had thier head on the floor, nor would they wish the use of silks for the same reason. you must keep in mind that a Master/Mistress may object to a slave's personal body touching where They will be drinking. When in doubt, whisper to a sister/brother. If a sister/brother is not available, ask permission to whisper to a Free of the Landing. If all else fails, or you are not comfortable with asking, use a rep cloth. Wiping the vessel clean demonstrations your devotion to the serve.
5. Testing
for flaws: this step is to inspect the vessel for any flaws, such as chips
or cracks, that may be harmful to the Master/Mistress. this is where a slave
can show a personal touch. Again, this is a time to show creativity, depending
on your silks status.slaves of Tharna will never use a vital area such as the
throat or inside of the wrist to test a vessel. A slave's lips do NOT ever touch
where a Free's will.
6. Obtaining
the beverage or food: With most beverages, the entire container is taken
with you back to the Master/Mistress so that refills are easily given. Does
the drink need to be warmed over the fire before it is served? Please make sure
you know what you are serving so you can serve it correctly. Each drink is stored
in it's own type of container, just as it is served in it's own type vessel.
(please check the Drinks page for a list of the proper vessel and container,
including how it is served) If serving ale, this is the step that the vessel
would be filled. Otherwise, most beverages are filled sitting in front of the
Master/Mistress in which you serve. Foods, on the other hand, will be prepared
in the servering cabin. (please check the Foods page for a list of the proper
vessels and preparation, including how it is served.) Know how to get around
and where things are in your home. Again, you need to describe what you feel,
what you see, smell, and sense. This gives the reader on the other end an idea
of whats around you. Give them a picture with your words. Don't think that because
you know your way around that They will.
7. Returning to the Free: Again, use descriptive words to describe your return. Incorporate the Landing activities, your movements, as well as the impression of what you are feeling as you approach the One you serve. This is also the time to show Him/Her your beauty and pride in being a kajira/kajirus as you kneel before Them. White silk slaves will kneel tower, blue and red silk slaves will kneel nadu, unless personally owned and restricted. Remember, if you offer, a Gorean Master has the right to take, with which, you must deliver. kajira kneel tower when serving a Mistress.
A slave
will see that most of the time slaves remove the cork with their teeth, now
this can be a problem if the Master or Mistress does not wish contact with the
vessel that they will drink from or be served from. A boy/girl would be wise
to ask if the Master or Mistress wishes the drink tested and sweetened if he/she
has not done so already. But if you are sweetening a drink, please stop and
think about what you are about to serve, if a slave is serving hot blackwyne
or another hot drink and its poured over the body as seen online, this would
burn a slave. If the Master or Mistress know much of Gor they will know that
a hot drink would be impossible to sweeten in this way. But a slave does not
make the rules and goes by what the Master or Mistress wishes. A slave can always
sweeten the rim of the vessel before the drink is added as well.
8. Ask
permission to prove the drink: Always, Those of our Home do not require
a slave to prove, but it is always polite to ask, to show your devotion in your
servitude. Tasting the drink or food displays that you are willing to chance
dying for the Master/Mistress, for you are checking for poison that may strike
you down before the Master or Mistress. It also certifies that you accept full
responsibility for the quality, fitness and proper preparation of the offering…for
you have tasted it yourself. When testing the drink or food for toxins or poisons,
a slave usually counts his/her slave heartbeats. Three beats of a slaves heart
to represent love, honor and devotion to the Master or Mistress. Afew drops
can be poured from the vessel onto your tongue, the vessel never having to touch
your body.
9.Offering the drink/food: a slave will, after serving the drink in the
manner the Master or Mistress wished, offer the drink to Them. Lift the bowl
first to your belly (showing your acceptance of being kajirae), then to your
heart (showing your love of serving), to your lips (for a kiss of submission,
always to the side, never to the rim), then above your head in offering (extend
arms, lifting the bowl above bowed head). Tell the Master/Mistress what you
have to offer Them, and that you hope the beverage and the serve were both pleasing,
by holding the drink out to the Master or Mistress. This will also let the Free
know that the serve is finished.
10. Wait for dismissal or subsequent command: when a slave is finished serving, they settle back and wait. If the Master or Mistress does not speak, a slave should wait a respectable amount of time before asking if they can be of any further service. A slave remains at the feet of the Free until released. A slave does not greet or speak to others till he/she has been released. If dismissed, return to serving furs or to your Master/Mistress or to the task that was being performed prior to the serve. If another command follows, then proceed
**NOTE**
Remember not all Masters and Mistress know what the Gathering looks like, you
wish to paint a clear picture of whats around you and what you are doing. The
simple way your chest rises and falls with each breath, would be a good detail
to add. Even if asked for a quick serve, testing the vessel and the food/drink
should always be done.
What if you dont know what they asked for? Whisper that question to a trainer or experianced kaji... no permission to whisper needed. If there are none there to ask, tis respectful and correct to post to the Master/Mistress that a slave is very sorry but is not familiar with that... ie might a slave apologize and ask how Master/Mistress would like that prepared.
What
does a slave do if a Master/Mistress doesn't respond during their serve?
Do a wonderful job and don't worry about it. The Master/Mistress
may well be busy. It's a slaves job to be pleasing, not a Master/Mistresss job
to please them with responses.
What does a slave do if they realize, or the Master/Mistress realizes, the
slave made a mistake? (ie red kalana instead of paga or they forgot cream and
sugar for the blackwyne) Role-play it. If possible,
just add it to the next post as if it was always there. Or if a mistake like
red kalana when paga was wanted, role-play turning around to go get the right
thing, or already kneeling before the Master/Mistress ask Them if a slave may
quickly fetch the correct item. Beg forgiveness, then move HARTA, as fast as
a slave can fly to do so.
What is done if the Master/Mistress doesn't know what to order? (ie They are new) Ask if They wish a description of what is available, and give Them a couple of choices, explaining what they are and how served briefly. ie paga or kalana... ask do either of those sound as if they would please, and if not, give two more choices and so on.