Abolition AU #2

[vanillasoftserve]

Mikleo was taken to the baths.

"Preparation" had been done in practice over and over, and he'd started to think of it as little more than a mundane exercise. His handlers approached the task as if he were a prized steed or the master's favorite dog. They were painstakingly careful but detached, like he wasn't a human being to them. They washed him, groomed him, and rubbed him with pleasant scents.

In addition to the gold cuffs and collar, he was adorned with more gifts from Ladylake to persuade the young prince--a gold circlet studded with a sapphire, and a gold pin in his hair with an amethyst drop that dangled at the side of his head. They gave him slender gold chain to wear as a belt around the barely-there silk gown, and sandals to protect his feet as they left the baths and made their way to Sorey's room.

The prince's chambers were at the end of a hall. The handler asked Sorey's guard to open the door for Mikleo. Inside, the first things that Mikleo noticed were rows and rows of books on shelves. He wasn't given the opportunity to examine them before he was led away. Through an arc there was a grand feather bed fit for a king.

"You know your duty," the handler said. The man took the chain from Mikleo's belt and threaded it through his wrist cuff and the bed post. It was a pointless, purely traditional gesture. Gold was too soft a metal to contain anyone, and the slack on the chain was long enough for Mikleo to grab whatever he wanted from the bedroom. A candlestick, a letter opener, any number of potential weapons.

It would do him no good to try anything. One false move and even the most valuable slave in all their lands could be executed on the spot without trial. Even if he managed to escape, he had no money, no standing, and no one to go back to. Ladylake took pride in this level of obedience, but it was really just self-preservation on his part.

Mikleo smiled. "I will show my prince the hospitality of Ladylake."

That satisfied the handler and he left, locking Mikleo into Sorey's room behind a palace guard.

Mikleo only wished the chain were longer so that he could read the titles of Sorey's books. As it was not, he followed the typical protocol and laid in his master's bed to warm it while he waited for Sorey to retire to his bedroom. He doubted Sorey would be interested in his specialized services that night--the boy had barely grasped what was going on, it seemed.

Comments

[anuntaintableheart]

Sorey left the dining hall too not late after he finished his meal. This was such an exhausting day, and he couldn't even pinpoint why. The dealings of today weren't anything extraordinary or out of the normal, but actually having his own slaves offered to him was something that he should have expected. The war riddled Rolance and Hyland were no strangers to Sorey's feelings on slavery, and he is still quite annoyed that they tried to send him one as attempt to sway his views.

Sure, the slave he received was beautiful. Breathtakingly so.

But didn't they believe that he had more to life than this?

Sorey began to undress himself of his cloak as he entered his room, nonchalantly throwing it on the four-post bed. His bed looked awfully comfortable right now, and his attention and thoughts were stolen by the sight of Mikleo. Laying on his bed.

What was he doing here?

Sorey paled as he realized Mikleo's true purpose and nature.

He did he not notice before?

[vanillasoftserve]

Without any handlers present to enforce proper etiquette, Mikleo felt confident about looking Sorey in the eyes instead of bowing his head. He even let his amusement with the situation show by smirking as he laid outstretched on the bed, flat on his stomach, with his head propped up on one crooked arm.

"You seem weary, your highness," he said. "May I rub your shoulders? Or perhaps your feet?"

[anuntaintableheart]

Sorey quickly shook his head. He made a rasped sound of protest as Mikleo brought his eyes to his own. He wished at this point that Mikleo would bow his head down instead. It was so incredibly hard to look at him, his smile coy and eyes mischievous. Sorey knew he was probably getting a rise out of this, and he quickly tore off his undercoat and threw it in Mikleo's direction.

"I don't need anything, thanks for the offer, though," he said quickly, his steps pacing to the changing area to get rid of his many layers and to change into something more comfortable. It was starting to get so incredibly warm in the confines of his chambers.

[vanillasoftserve]

Mikleo took the coat thrown to him and folded it over his arm. He could familiarize himself with Sorey's wardrobe with relative ease, the prince didn't seen fussy about his clothes.

Mikleo stood, holding the coat. The slender gold chain attached to his wrist clinked against the floor as he walked across the room. "You don't have servants to undress you?" He asked. "I can assume that duty if you wish it."

rip sorey

[anuntaintableheart]

"Ah, no no!" Sorey panicked, his hands gesticulating frantically. "You don't have to do that! I can dress myself," he explained. "You just... stay there. I can take care of myself," he tried to reason as he turned away to stalk awkwardly into his changing room. He hastily drew the curtain that was acting as a door closed, blocking off from being in Mikleo's view. He sighed heavily and couldn't help but laugh at his misfortune. Why in Maotelus' name would they even try to do something like this, especially if they knew how Sorey prided in having independence? He knew the farces the countries were trying to display and how they were trying to sway his views, especially with his ascension to throne looming nearer and nearer.

If Mikleo would just.. leave and stop being so pretty, his life would be so much easier.

He never knew one person would be able to affect him so easily, and it hasn't even been a day.

[vanillasoftserve]

Mikleo knew that Sorey wasn't comfortable with slaves but he was confused about what he could do next to make him more comfortable.

He draped the coat carefully over Sorey's desk chair and knelt gracefully, tucking his legs under himself on a pillow, beside Sorey's bed to wait for commands. If Sorey gave none, he supposed he'd be there all night.

"I know you don't like it but..." He trailed off. Sorey was still behind his dressing screen. As self aware as he was, there was still some hesitation when he knew it wasn't his turn to speak. "I'm happy you chose me. I hope you'll find some way to put me to use, even if it's just for their benefit."

[anuntaintableheart]

After Sorey finished changing into something more comfortable, and truthfully calming himself down; he returned into the main area of the bedroom, to see Mikleo on kneeling next to his bed. Sorey frowned and reached his hand out to take Mikleo's and help him up.

"You don't need to do that around me," he said, once again noting the contrast in builds. Mikleo's pale hands were so soft in comparison to Sorey's tough, tanned ones.

"You can wherever you'd like," he said, letting go of Mikleo's hand. He turned around to face the bookshelf, his finger gently sliding down the spines of each book. His face softened as he pulled out one book that has guided him throughout his life; his mantra and way of being.

"The Celestial Record. Have you heard of it, Mikleo?"

[vanillasoftserve]

Sorey's hand was warm and gentle. He found himself not wanting to let go. Physical contact so rarely meant anything to him.

He sat on the edge of the bed and shook his chain, laughing. "I can go anywhere I want within 10 paces, you mean?"

He sat on the edge of the bed, hopefully not too suggestive for Sorey, and looked over his shoulder at the book. "I know of it," he said. "I've always been intended for a noble master, so my education was adequate enough to allow me to hold a covilized conversation." He smirked again. "I can even argue, when given permission."

[anuntaintableheart]

Sorey couldn't help but grin. Not many people knew of the Celestial Record, and his interest was definitely heightened when heard in the viewing room the mention at Mikleo being educated. Mikleo knew of it! He never had anybody to debate or discuss its' teachings, and every time he would even mention the book he would get unimpressed stares of boredom. He looked over his shoulder and grinned.
"Well let's see what you know, Mikleo," he teased, lightly closing the cover as he handed the book to Mikleo. "How do you feel about the Age of Chaos?"

[vanillasoftserve]

Mikleo crossed his arms and scoffed a bit at the notion. "I think a few natural disasters have befallen our lands, and faced with circumstances they can't understand or control, people started calling it 'chaos.'" He wasn't a superstitious type who thought the gods were punishing them or whatever the belief was.

[anuntaintableheart]

Sorey took a seat next to Mikleo on the bed, his attention front and center on him. He couldn't help but acknowledge the giddiness he felt inside of him; his passion bursting after being contained for so long to censor himself to those around him.
"And malevolence?"

[vanillasoftserve]

Mikleo started to squirm on his side of the bed, a healthy space away from Sorey. He didn't want to speak any views that might make Sorey dislike him on a fundamental level. He had a lot of thoughts, but they had mostly stayed in his head.

"I think it's a force we don't yet understand," he said carefully. "And when people fear something they don't understand..." Sorey was looking at him. "But what do you think? I'm probably wrong, I've rarely left the training house in all my life."

[anuntaintableheart]

Sorey shook his head, a smile evident on his mouth. "No, no. Not at all! It's interesting to hear other takes on it," he said, his eyes encouraging him to continue. "And while I agree that it's something that you cannot see, and to think that it lies in all of us... but people think that it's an evil? What is it to be evil, anyways?" He questioned, sighing deeply to himself. "You know, it's nice to have someone to talk to about these kind of things. Even though you don't want to be here, I thank you."

[vanillasoftserve]

Mikleo had a clear concept of what evil was, but decided not to share it during the infancy of their relationship.

"I want to be here," Mikleo said, quick to correct that point. "The slaves the training house used to get themselves through it all by daydreaming about a kind, gentle master. I used to tell them such a thing doesn't exist, it's a fairy tale. But now I am here, and you do seem like a good person."

He looked up at Sorey again. "What will you do? If you appear in public with a slave at your side, you'll be called a hypocrite. If you get rid of me somehow then you'll offend Hyland." He hugged his knees to his chest. "And I really don't want to go back there."

[anuntaintableheart]

Sorey smiled at Mikleo. "Thank you for thinking so. I can say the same for you, as well," he admitted, his fingers playing with the feather cuff that adorned his ear. He quickly made a face after hearing the title Mikleo bestowed upon him.

"Just call me Sorey. When it's just you and me. I understand you have formalities to keep up with others around, but... just drop it around me, okay? It kind of weirds me out," he laughed as he leaned backwards, letting his back fall on the soft comforter on his bed. He sighed to himself after hearing Mikleo's concern about the whole situation they had on hand, closing his eyes to gather his thoughts.

"I don't want you to go back either, if you really want to be here," he reasoned. "I just wish there was more I can do for you and others like you. If I could, I would grant you freedom, but I don't want to start another war when there's already so much tension. One wrong move, and we're all in trouble.

"But, I know things will work out," he continued, aware of how idealistic and naive he probably sounded. "So don't worry about me." Sorey was aware of what would happen the moment word spread around the country about him owning a slave, especially with his reputation of actively opposing such. Perhaps, if he kept Mikleo with him, he would be able to change things, little by little.

[vanillasoftserve]

"Very well, Sorey." He tried to hide his smile when he said it, but Sorey was being sweet to him, it was hard to keep a straight face. Mikleo wondered if this was how normal young people would feel when they grew fond of someone.

"Since I am from Hyland, perhaps I can advise you on their customs." He had been thinking what his own next move would be since Sorey chose him. He wouldn't be content doing nothing. "I have an idea that may meet both our needs."

[anuntaintableheart]

Back still laying against the bed, Sorey lifted his head lightly so Mikleo came into his field of view. "I'm aware of a lot of their customs, but it's always good to learn from a native!" he chirped. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Needs?"

[vanillasoftserve]

"You need to appear appreciative of their gesture without it being hypocritical toward your cause, and I need to stay here--I don't know if I could stand to go back and be given to someone else. So we both need..."

When Sorey looked up at him with that curiosity in him, the candle light made his eyes glitter. It was somewhat distracting. He had to pause and regain his line of thought.

He lifted his wrist, the one shackled in gold and chained to the bed. "They want to use me to sway you, but perhaps you can turn it around, use me to show them--"

The plan was still falling into place in his head as he spoke, he bit down gently on his lip, deep in concentration.

"You could tell them you bedded me, and my services were so well performed that you awarded me with my freedom--and for my part I'll say I am so loyal and obedient to my beloved prince, I continue to serve him of my own will."