All at Sea

All at Sea

by

With Lowered Eyes

( Edited by Arika Lee)

1.

I had lived with her as a submissive for two years. We'd met at a club in the city and I was captivated by her from the first moment. A tall, extremely feminine, long haired blonde. One might have been tempted to think of her as the stereotypical Nordic beauty but that would have missed the mark. There was nothing typical about my Mistress Claire. She was imaginative and exciting and there was something dark behind her light blue eyes. It was that dark side that I loved. I need to be used, you see.

She had explained this unrealized need to me and I had surrendered easily. She had called me a natural. I knew only that I was addicted to her. I quickly learned that pain and humiliation was the price of my drug. I paid willingly.

My Mistress informed me early in our relationship that I was to be a source of income for her. She knew I would never refuse her and within a couple of weeks of our first meeting she ‘loaned' me to a couple of her friends. Neither of them had been attractive. One had been distinctly unpleasant. I did what I had to do, having no choice in the matter. Following each occasion my Mistress had examined the marks that had been inflicted on my body in front of the woman and then had sent me to the car while she and her ‘friend' concluded their business.

She was not unkind to me. I would not want anyone to think so. She was a caring Mistress and she knew that I hated being shared. However, she believed that a refusal to do her bidding with others would disrespectful to her dominance. She also, I think, enjoyed my humiliation. It mattered not. No matter how hateful or humiliating, I always complied with her wishes.

*

One bright April weekend I was suddenly told to pack my bags. Summer clothes, an evening dress or two, good underwear, stockings, toiletries; I packed according to a list she gave me. I had no idea where I was going. She had me wear a long, black skirt and a white blouse with no lingerie underneath. She chose black sandals with ankle straps and a slim leather collar which had a small lock on it. Once I was dressed and packed she had me load my bags into the car and she drove us through the sunlit streets to Southampton . I had not dared ask her where we were going but, as we entered the city she said,

“You're going on a cruise, Sue.”

I looked at her with a questioning glance.

“It will be a real pleasure cruise.” She smiled to herself and said no more.

We arrived at the dock area and she drove through the security controls. We parked beside a huge white ship. Leaving the car, we walked up the gangway that led to an entry in the ship's side. I struggled to keep up with her as I carried my bags.

Once aboard the ship she made a call on her mobile and in a few minutes a tall woman with her hair bunched under a white cap and in the uniform of a stewardess joined us. She and Claire kissed and talked a little way away from me, turning occasionally to look my way. The stewardess turned and headed off. Claire gestured that we would follow her. Gathering up everything once more I set out after them. We came, eventually, to a cabin. The stewardess opened the door. The cabin was quite large and had a round port hole. There was a large sofa, a television, a side cupboard and two doors leading off the room. The stewardess left us and Claire had me sit on the sofa.

“I expect you're wondering what's going on.”

Of course I was full of every thing from curiosity to apprehension, but I remained silent.

“That was Veronica, a very, very old friend. She is the head stewardess. Pretty, don't you think?”

I nodded. Claire moved close to me and cupped my face in her hand.

“Don't be scared, Sue. You know I love you. I would never let any harm come to you. Ronny's going to look after you. You can trust her as you do me.”

I knew then she was going to leave me with this stranger and I could not stop my eyes from welling. She rubbed a tear from my cheek. She took her hand away and kissed my mouth, then stood and turned to pick up her handbag.

“Unpack your things. I'm sure she'll be back soon.”

“Ma'am…” I began hesitantly.

It was so unusual for me to speak without being told to that she spun around to look at me. She raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“What's happening to me?”

Claire looked at me, studying me hard. It seemed to last forever. Under her gaze, I was oblivious to the ship board noises. Finally, she smiled.

“You, my little courtesan, are going to earn a living for Mistress over the next couple of weeks while I am in the U.S. on business. When the ship docks I'll be there to meet you and bring you home.”

I opened my mouth to speak.

“No more. Do as Ronny orders. Be a good girl. You'll be safe and she will protect you. Trust her as you trust me. She IS me for the next two weeks or so. Obey her as you would me.”

She left, closing the door behind her and I wept. I sank onto the sofa sobbing and feeling my life had ended. I rolled myself into a ball on that bloody sofa, held myself and cried my poor heart out.

*

I didn't notice Veronica come into the cabin. I started when I felt a hand on my shoulder and opened my eyes.

“I'm Ronny.”

I nodded.

“Don't be scared.” She stroked my arm as she spoke, “Claire was once my apprentice. I taught her all she knows. She is like family. Naturally, this means you are too.”

Her voice was soothing and calm and her manner authoritative.

“Sit up.” I did and she put her arm around me. “I know you're scared, who wouldn't be? But this is just another phase in your training. You're an intelligent submissive, not a slave. You know that you have to develop for your Mistress. Put your faith in me and you'll be fine. OK?”

I nodded.

“You may speak whenever you wish to until I tell you otherwise.”

Words do not come easily to someone who has been denied them for long periods.

“Well?”

“I…….I don't know what's happening.”

“You are on the cruise ship ‘Leeward Isles'. The ship takes wealthy patrons across the Atlantic , around the West Indies and ultimately to Florida . You are here to serve some of those patrons and I am your manager. You also may serve me at times. Like I said, put your trust in me and you'll be fine. Now, little one, unpack and we'll get some food sent to you.”

Left alone again, I unpacked, hanging dresses and skirts and blouses, tucking away shoes, filling drawers with underwear and so on. Busying myself helped to take some of the fear away. A steward delivered some food and I realised how hungry I had become. The bustle of the ship quietened around me and I felt a tremor run through it, like a beast awakening. I went out on deck and watched as ropes were taken away. Eventually two tugs cajoled the vessel away from the dock and out into Southampton water. I watched all this and felt the fear rise in me again… that last ties to the land feeling…my last to Claire as well I feared. I felt empty.

I went back to the cabin and walked around it. My home for a while, I thought. The bedroom was spacious and had an en suite bath and shower room. The sitting room was comfortably large and well appointed. The second door leading off the sitting room was locked. I watched television, surprised to find more channels available than on the set at Claire's home. I found a fridge stocked with cold drinks, wine, beer and spirits. A girl could get used to such luxury but it did nothing to lighten my mood. I was still shaken that Claire could send me away like this with no detailed explanation. Veronica's words, kind as they had been, had failed to reassure me.

Ronny returned around three that afternoon. I had watched the ship sail past the Isle of Wight and into the Channel. I had drunk some tea and read the ship's brochures. I was bored. Later I would discover that this was not to remain a problem. I ended up dozing atop the big bed.

“Finding your feet?”

“Yes, thank you, Ma'am.”

“Good, this is one of the best cabins. Claire has invested a lot for your comfort.”

It felt so strange awakening to find her standing over me. It was as if I had no privacy, as if she were a wardress in a luxurious prison.

“Stand up, Susan.”

I stood. She inspected me then, walking around me, touching me. She ran a hand over my back and shoulders. Her fingers explored my face and ran through my long, black hair. She cupped my breasts and rolled my nipples through the fabric of my shirt.

“Lift your skirt.”

Unquestioning, I did so and held it up above my waist.

“Good. Turn around.”

I turned.

“Let it down again.”

I dropped the hem of my skirt and Veronica smiled.

“You'll do very well. It seems that Claire was right about you.”

I wasn't sure what this meant.

She took the arm chair and gestured me to the sofa. She removed her hat and released a mass of hair which fell almost to the seat. She took off her uniform jacket and I realized it had concealed a gorgeous figure, full and firm. Her long legs were folded to one side. She was simply stunning.

“OK, it's time for some explaining. I'm senior stewardess on this ship. It is a good job and allows me many perks. One is the freedom to ensure that it is I that serves the wealthiest customers and the best tippers. I supply anything they want and on this cruise…that may include you. Don't worry, I know about you and men. Ladies only. Some will simply want a dinner companion. Others will want sex and some of these will be dominant women needing the pleasure of a sub for a while. You will be any and all of these. You will enter into the social life of the ship. You will go to dinner, to the parties and enjoy the pools and bars. You will not drink to excess. You will always dress appropriately. If you are approached by any woman you will refer her to me. You may, of course, converse with them but if any services are required or if they attempt to open a relationship beyond the friendly, you will refer them to me. Do you understand?”

I did.

“Dinner for you tonight will be in the main dining room. I will come for you at 8 and lead you to the bar where you can have a cocktail. Just follow the crowd and enjoy yourself. Do not forget the rules. I am your Mistress just as Claire is for this cruise, remember that. How does she punish you?”

“It varies, Ma'am.”

“As it will with me if you disobey. Just remember… I taught her. Wear a knee length dress.”

She left.