Cobb stood before her, humming gently to himself, tapping his finger on his mouth. "Well, if you think so, then perhaps it is better to start somewhere else."

She understood that he'd had his hands full all morning, but she needed him right now, and so she told Kat to dust the bottom floor. They were in her room, her sitting on the bed, him, standing near the window. Motes of dust flitted around the room, and Alexa thought she'd need to get Kat to dust her room as well. For now, though, she turned her attention back to Cobb.

"But where to start, that's the thing," Alexa said, rubbing her chin. "I don't really want to make any assumptions just yet. That scar might be from her past life. But still, I don't want to risk it. She cried, Cobb. I wasn't even hitting her that hard."

Cobb turned around and looked up in thought. "What about more mental punishments, then?"

"You mean like writing lines," she said, leaning back onto her elbows.

Cobb nodded. "Something of that sort. Have you thought about tying her up and making her think about her actions?"

Alexa shrugged. "Doesn't fit the crime here, but that's a good idea. I do need to introduce her to bondage. But that took Sarah some time too, so I'll hold off on that for now. And writing lines is a good idea, but I don't want to do that after spanking her. Seems like it's too much."

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"But you want to get it in her head that you won't tolerate failure, of course," Cobb said, nodding sagely. "We'll have to get abstract, Madam."

She laughed. "Glad to have you, Cobb."

"Anytime, Madam," he said with a grin. "If I may, allow me to list off some ideas I have."

"Please, do."

"Well, if we want to avoid physical punishments, then I suggest we try something soft, at first. Perhaps an unpleasant chore. Scrubbing tile with a toothbrush, for instance. Cleaning the stove, or something of that sort. Of course, it would have to be something she does not normally do."

Alexa thought on that for a moment. "That's not bad, Cobb. Where'd you come up with that?"

"Butler training, Madam. Was quite unpleasant at the time," he said with a laugh. "I have more, too. You could ground her, restrict her privileges. Once she has some, that is."

Alexa ran a hand through her hair. "Speaking of that, we need to get her some kind of hobby. What does she do in her free time, Cobb?"

"Well, yesterday she simply wandered around, sat in the garden for some time, and slept for the rest. I'd say it's too early to tell what her temperament is."

"Hmm, good point. Alright, we'll think of something later. Back to the punishments. Could ground her," Alexa said, "Or could make her do something unpleasant.

"What about creating an allowance for her, and then restricting that?" Cobb asked.

Alexa shrugged. "She'll only be going out with me anyway."

"What about online purchases?"

"None without my consent," Alexa said. "Besides, she'd need to ask to use the computer, and she hasn't yet."

He hummed softly. "She really does need some hobbies, doesn't she?"

"She does."

"Well Madam, if I may, I have an idea that may very well work for this 'crime'." Cobb showed a clever grin. "I quite think you'll like it."

Alexa sat up and looked at him, brushing her hair back. "Oh? And what's that?"