| Practice makes perfect, remembering always that the purpose is to provide a pleasing picture of the serve while managing to get the food and/or drink to the Free that is being served.
Although there are no preset number of posts in which to complete a serve, or the required length of each post, remember that too many posts will lose a Free�s attention and too few posts will make you seem rushed and can be interpreted as being lazy. Some like to adhere to 5 posts, 5 lines long, while others may be able to get all required items into fewer posts, that are slightly longer in length.
When serving, always try to be as descriptive and original as possible, remembering that you are trying to paint an image for the reader. Consider every aspect, how you move, your hair, skin, facial expressions, the light (firelight, lamplight or torchlight) and how it reacts on your skin, your clothing, sounds made, etc. The more descriptive you are the better the image and more pleasing for those reading. If viewed as a �mini dance,� you may be able to better describe not only your movements but also your feelings.
STEPS OF A SERVE
While the following steps are describing a serve for a drink, the same applies to serves that include a food request.
- Acknowledging the Request: This is where a slave always responds, �Yes, Master/Mistress�. It is a good practice to also repeat back to the Free what was requested. If the order is unclear, be sure to clarify. For example, if the beverage is served heated or chilled, always ask the preference. Never assume. Black wine is served first or second slave. Be sure to ask the preference, if it is not stated.
- Going to the Serving Wagon: Have a feel for your surroundings, so you can be creative with your movement. Take 3 steps back when leaving the presence of a Free. It represents absolute obedience, devotion, and a desire to be pleasing. Be descriptive of your movement, body, and feelings, drawing a mental picture for the Free.
- Gathering the Items: Before preparing the order, always wash one's hands. If serving a drink, be sure to know which drink is served in which kind of vessel. Use the typical vessel for the serve unless the Free has requested differently. For example, warmed paga is typically served in a three-footed bowl, but some may request that it be served in a tankard. Clean it with a fresh rep cloth. There are also serving trays, bowls, platters, and plates, if needed for serving food.
Examples:
- Reaching to a high shelf, silks rising up slender hips.
- Bending and reaching to a low shelf, her bottom exposed as silks slither to her waist.
- Kneeling upon the counter, she leans forward to pluck a bowl from the shelf with deft fingers.
This is another golden opportunity to express yourself, your personality, and show off your form, as blatant or subtle as your level allows. Try to incorporate the things you know about the One you are serving. Does the Free prefer a goblet, glass or bowl? A horn or a tankard? What is that One�s favorite color? Can you incorporate the Free�s caste or that One�s Home Stone? Perhaps the Free has a hobby you know of and you could locate a bowl etched with a scene depicting something about that or a scene depicting that One�s homeland? Give the Free something a little personal.
- Preparing the Food or Drink: Make sure you know where the beverage or food is stored and retrieve it accordingly. Note the warmth of the fire pit, the hot handles on the pots, the chill of the cold room, the selection of wines in the wine rack. Once again, be as descriptive as possible. Slaves are allowed to use kitchen utensils. For botas, the only botas that are pre-filled are for paga that is kept warmed near the cooking fires. The rest are to be filled at the time of serving. The reason for this is that certain drinks can ferment or go bad when they sit too long, even in the chill pit.
- Return to the Free: Again, describe your body, your movements, your feelings. Paint a picture of what that One is seeing as the Free watches you approach and what you are feeling as you move back to that One and lower to a kneel. Returning to the Free is also a time to show off and to focus the attention on you and that One you serve. This alerts the Free that One is now coming to the center of your attention.
- Present the Food or Drink: Kiss the side of the cup. Be descriptive. For instance, your lips, type of kiss, how you feel, your eyes as you kiss the cup. Lift it to the Free, bowing your head between your outstretched arms. Speak to the Free what you offer and that you hope the Free is pleased with you. Come up with your own little way of expressing your joy in serving that One. Personalize it as to how you feel.
- Give Thanks: Thank the Free for allowing you the privilege of serving. Continue to kneel until you are dismissed. A slave is in complete service to that One until the Free tells you otherwise. If not immediately released, ask if you can be of further service. This is again the perfect opportunity to flirt or seduce.
- Remain Focused: When in serve, one never joins in conversations in the room or greet. The attention is to be fully on the One that is being served. Once dismissed, offer to serve any other Free that may wish something. If none, then return to the Camp slave furs or the Owner�s furs, whichever may be the case.
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