Abolition AU #2
Mar. 24th, 2017 04:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vanillasoftserveMikleo 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.
"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.
no subject
Date: 2017-03-26 05:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-03-26 05:51 am (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2017-03-26 06:56 pm (UTC)"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.
no subject
Date: 2017-03-26 07:25 pm (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2017-03-26 09:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-03-26 09:56 pm (UTC)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."