"Broken Shards"

[zauberdecke]

"In the dark
I need to taste the blood
Go on, draw another line
We can cross this time."
- Blindfold by Sleeping Wolf

---



[ Essek Thelyss: Shadowhand to the Dynasty.

One who reached further then the Luxon would allow, who would do absolutely anything for knowledge. Oh no, the man did not care for power, not really. He wanted to cast himself into the portal of knowing, he wanted to surrender himself to books and learning without having to deal with the mundanities of socio-politics that all of the Kryn engaged in. It was tedious and it filled him with sickness even as he plastered on an urbane smile for all and sundry to see.

Within the Dynasty, it was customary to take pets of the Empire; they were brought in across the border of Asarius, across the mountains and into the Dynasty. There were Dynasty born pets on the other side, both lost to the ravages of the other's civilization, generally never to be seen again.

Essek had never really had an interest to begin with when it came to pets; at the market he carefully avoided the slave blocks where those not of the Dynasty were paraded around. However, it had come to this-- it had come to his trading of the Beacon, and in return he recieved a Volstrucker to serve him. And yet, for all of that, Essek Thelyss had not thought he would receive a broken Volstrucker.

In fair trade, he and recieved a dossier on the man in question and had perused it with only a small semblance of annoyance while Trent Ikithon had assured him that a man like him could be rebuilt, the honeyed words of a silken snake which Essek recognized.

After all did not a predator recognize another predator? So now he held in his household a man whom had to be guarded carefully, though Essek was not cruel despite how he imagined Dynasty pets were treated, the cage that he had placed this Volstrucker named Bren within, well it was comfortable-- he'd seen pictures of Vergossen so he supposed it must be far better than that place. But he had not precisely interacted with him-- most of his unseen servants were given the walking of him, the care and maintenance of him.

Perhaps because he did not precisely know what to do with him, or what use he had for something broken. Though he arguably did not know what manner of broken the Volstrucker was, but after a week-- he decided perhaps it was time to summon him and see for himself; acertain what sort of work was cut out for him.

If this man was worth putting back together again.

So it was one evening, he had the Empire man summoned to his chambers. ]

Comments

[ausgebrannt]

[Five very long hours. Bren was not cut out for this. He was made for books and studies and magic. Yes, he'd enjoyed the beer gardens back home from time to time, but there was a great deal more casual in that, and he'd been another man then. A boy, realy, without the scars he carried now.

So he was relieved when Essek made his goodbyes and led him to the foyer.

He turned to listen as Essek spoke, nodding his agreement. Good. No Adeen for the carriage ride back made it a much more enjoyable prospect already. At the little jab against his master's husband, he did not bother to hide the flicker of a smile at that. Adeen clearly did not deserve to count. That was obvious after having met him once.

If he'd had his voice, perhaps he would have said something, but as it was, he only stepped in slightly closer to Essek, not touching, but close. So close.

As the carriage appeared, he looked up, ready to help his master into the coach once more, and certainly not looking forward to the small excuse to touch him. Nope. Certainly not him.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The silver coach with the green fire lantern finally pulled up to the steps and then Essek stood there and then he nodded for Bren to open the door for him, a beautifully indulgent smile on his face. Though it was clear that he was undergoing a bit of overstimulation from the party. ] When we get home, it will be tea brought up I think.

[ For right now, he was trusting Bren to do all the work, giving the Pet a chance to do valid and authentic service for him; another chance to gain favor.. to please him. ]

You handled yourself well, I am proud.

[ausgebrannt]

[What Bren wouldn't do to have that smile directed at him. How had he gotten himself in so deep already for this drow, he did not know. Perhaps it was the kindness, the gentleness he'd been treated with, perhaps the fact that it was met with a firmness as well, a reminder of his place. Maybe it was the little gifts of praise.

He opened the door and offered his hand out to his master to assist him into the carriage. That small piece that he could to do serve him, to please him, it did spark something in Bren, that need for the other man's approval.

A smile found his face at the words, a flush of warmth through his chest that was mirrored in the faint blush that rose in his cheeks. Essek was proud. Of him.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Gracefully Essek took that hand and then he stepped into the carriage so that he could settle much as he did before, but this time he looked more relaxed, calmer and it had everything to do with the fact that Essek did not have unpleasant company to share the carriage with.

There was that tell-tale pat of the seat next to him. After all, of all the room in the carriage, it appeared that Essek still wanted Bren beside him on the seat; as if that was his place and there was little inclination for them to deviate from it. ]

Home..

[ He commanded, once Bren was curled up in his place. The carriage would then set it's way through the streets.. the comforting sway and clop clop of the horse feet against cobblestones.

Essek's hand naturally gravitated toward the top of his Pet's head, to lightly stroke against hair in a calming manner. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren wanted to be nowhere but just beside his master anyway, so there was no hesitation in him as he stepped into the carriage, pulling the door shut and settling himself close to Essek. Even with the extra room, why would he want to be anywhere else?

Especially when those fingers soothed over his hair once more, though Bren wondered faintly if it was soothing for his master as much as it was for him. From what he had seen of the drow, he got the sense of something lonely and isolated in the Shadowhand, something that echoed that loneliness in him. Perhaps he was only seeing what he wanted to see, a soft wishful and wistful thinking.

But whatever it was, if he could please him, could provide some comfort for him, wasn't that more than enough?]

[zauberdecke]

[ Just the simple act of stroking through Bren's hair seemed like it calmed him immeasurably, it was like feeling the ocean waters through his fingertips-- the ebb and flow, the way that Bren's breathing moved his hand up and downward, especially when he stroked the very nape of his Pet's neck. His breathing evened out and he soaked up the silence.

There did not need to be words right now, not from Essek. Bren would likely feel the emotion of ease radiating off the other man, as the silence transmuted into calm emotions.

He hated functions like that, the pandering that felt nearly incessant and without any sort of remorse. And so he very softly utilized Bren as a emotional support pet here and now, basking in the ease of the moment; with the world passing by outside of the carriage. However finally the carriage pulled up and therein came the door to open and for Essek to be helped out by the unseen servants laying in wait.

And then they would go up toward Essek's quarters, toward the warm fire and Bren's notebook. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[The atmosphere was gentler, more comfortable, more comforting. Bren was happy to bask in the quiet and the proximity. The touch was soft and gentle enough, that has he leaned further into it, into Essek, he came dangerous close to dozing. If the carriage ride had been any longer, he likely would have. As it was, the coach pulling to a stop was enough to jar him awake, and he lifted his head to look around. Home. Or as close to home as he would have, and still far more of one than he deserved.

He waited for Essek to exit the carriage before following him out, close enough behind that there was no need for the leash to pull taut.

Something in him seemed to relax with relief once they were back in his master's quarters, with the door shut and the world closed away, the gala left far behind. Adeen left far behind. And his notebook and books in sight. He would be patient though, would wait for Essek to release him from his lead and grant him permission before he made any move to go to them.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek knew that he just wanted to relax, and so the very first thing that he did when they entered his quarters was to set Bren right off the leash so that he could wander over. He rather thought that it was reward enough that the other man get a little bit of leeway to relax as well. Really, they both earned it.

Settling onto his feet, he wandered over to dress right out of his own garments, stepping behind the dressing screen so that he could pull on a luxurious silk robe. ] You may get yourself comfortable as well, Chathtiu--

[ That was permission to get comfortable, to settle at the foot of Essek's chair and yes.. indulge in the processing of a book to write the experiences of this evening. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren would not need to be told twice for this. He moved to his pallet without hesitation -- though did encounter a brief bit of trouble trying to work free the various straps and fastenings of his clothing. He managed it before too long. Off was thankfully simpler than on. He folded the garments carefully before setting them aside and changing into the clothing he'd been given for sleeping. By now what scant modesty he had was forgotten in terms of changing in front of his owner. There wasn't really any room for it, and he'd never been body shy. Generally. Not when his body wasn't conspiring against him to make sure he was drowning in his own shame and humiliation.

Pulling on the soft, loose pants, he scooped up his notebook and books, holding them to his chest and waiting for where Essek would settle in so he could curl up nearby. He did have things he wanted to ask and write down, things he wanted to translate and put into context. It was really only in these moments that he and Essek were alone that he truly missed having his voice, though he was half certain that his master would grow tired of his voice rather quickly.

Dressed casually now, though face still adorned with the cosmetics, eventually Essek would find himself with an eager pet on his knees by his feet, looking up at him hopefully.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek emerged from behind the screen just as Bren pulled on the loose pants, and then Essek hung back only a little bit to watch the way that the firelight kissed the other man, the play of flames off freckles, the way that the hair became burnished with gold and dark ambers. Even if Bren did not think very much of himself, certainly Essek thought he was a bright flame and quite exotic by Dynasty standards indeed.

He thought of Adeen's own Tesleen, all blonde and blue-eyed and he thought that he rather liked the warmth of this man. Would not want someone darker nor blonder. His pet appeared to be just right.

Finally he moved fully in, belting his robe closed as he approached the wing chair and then he sat down, crossing one leg over the other and then moving his hand to very carefully to run against the soft high plains of cheekbone. ] You must tell me all your thoughts of the party..

[ Though his eyes were on that collar, as if he was contemplating the puzzle of it-- and perhaps broaching the mystery of it tonight. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren certainly thought a lot of Essek, the silk of that robe paling in beauty when compared to the drow's skin, soft and smooth and star-kissed as the evening sky. Not that he was letting his thoughts waltz down those forbidden paths, of course. Perish those thoughts. Or perish Bren from the thought. Maybe that was more accurate.

He settled in himself, immediately melting into that touch at his cheek. Ever the kitten starved for affection for far too long.

A quick nod and he opened his notebook to begin writing.]

'It is not like any event I have been to in the Empire. But I never attended any particularly fancy affairs. You were a person of great interest to many there, looking for your attention and your favor.'

[A pause.]

'It looked exhausting. Very exhausting.'

[zauberdecke]

It is very exhausting.

[ Essek says this carefully as he rests his head back against the backsplash of the wing chair, taking a deep breath that ended in a long and fully drawn out sigh. ] People come to me for favors because I am the Shadowhand, but it gets tedious-- my brother, Verin, he avoids the worst of it being that he is stuck in Baxxoxan.

[ He glances down at the notebook again and then he summons his Mage Hand, it picks up a pen and then he starts to write there. ]

'I can attempt to get that collar off, however I will rely on your clever mind to assist, are you up for it?'

[ausgebrannt]

[Oh a brother. This was interesting to know, and Bren would probably have asked more about it if he didn't notice the appearance of the mage hand and the writing. He looked and watched the words as they appeared. His eyes went wide and he looked up at Essek.

A quick nod and he penned.]

'Of course. I will do what you need me to do. I am ready.'

[Ready to be rid of this reminder of Ikithon, of the listening device he was certain that it must be.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The collar would have to be brought out again, if only to keep up appearances, he could even have a grand pantomine attached to it. Thankfully the unseen servants were quiet, so there would be nothing to listen to if one were to go in and find an empty collar laying on an empty cot in a cage-- but he wanted to talk to this man, this Pet who had inspired such tenderness within, and he wanted to hear what he had to say as well.

What stories lay behind those sad blue eyes?

He shifted then and then rose from his comfortable wing chair. For a moment he dislodged where Bren's head rested against his leg but that was a forgiveable sin, he thought. Once standing, he motioned toward the chair. ]

Sit.

[ That was all he said, it was a very terse and very direct command, one that the collar would register definitely as a form of displeasure, though the look in Essek's eyes said 'play along'. He was setting a precidence, and he was also going to make sure that Trent Ikithon knew that Bren had 'displeased' him in some way, shape or form by the tone of the voice.

Even though that was not entirely the case; the good thing about Essek Thelyss was that he was quite good at not letting his emotions out through his voice. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Whatever appearances need to be kept up, Bren would of course cooperate in whatever charade that would need playing, especially if it were to work against Trent Ikithon. There was a moment of loss as Essek stood, and Bren lifted his head to look up at him.

His head snapped up though at that word. Acting or not, something in Bren responded to that tone, and he moved all at once to obey, settling on the chair, back straight, eyes up, poised. He was well aware that this was part of the charade, and he was ready to play his part.

His heart was racing. Why was his heart racing?

Maybe because he knew he had misbehaved and Essek should be displeased.

But that could wait for later, when he could beg forgiveness and punishment with his own voice.]

[zauberdecke]

[ He did not voice it but the 'good boy' was there in the tenure of his eyes, the way that the violets shimmered with that strange golden light, like fireflies in the evening. He then very carefully took in the way that Bren was sitting, the ramrod straight back, the way that he instinctively rose up to the challenge of that voice.

Not in insolence, but in something that was far more intriguing.

Subservience.

It was only after the space of a few held breaths that he then took a seat down, right there on Bren's lap, one finger on a shoulder and the other then moving to curve just underneath the edge of the collar, as if regarding it-- finding that secret puzzle piece that Bren had told him was inherent within the collar's masterwork. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[The good boy, unspoken or not, rang right through him. He could fall into those eyes and disappear forever if they looked at him like that. Like he mattered, like the gold in them glowed for him.

What he did not expect was suddenly having a lap full of drow. His eyes go wide and a silent sound tries to slip past his lips. Oh.

He swallows and lifts his chin so that Essek can get a better look. His own gaze is fixed on his master. Oh he was close. He was so close. He was in his lap and Bren had no idea what to do with his hands. What should he do with his hands? He lifts them, then drops them, then lifts them again then very deliberately folds them at the small of his back.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Noted that Bren tucks his hands right behind himself.

Of course it does not go unnoticed, those eyes do not miss a single thing whatsoever. ]

Ves bwael~ [ He speaks Undercommon because he does not want Trent to know that he's just told Bren very good, it was best that Trent knew as little Undercommon as possible. of course he also thought that Trent Ikithon would probably think Undercommon 'beneath' him because he'd seen the look of mild condescension in those rhummy eyes.

Patiently he is toying with the magical locks that bind, very carefully like someone removing cards from a stacked house, not wanting it to all come down in one fell rain of chance, his own fingers slightly caressing and ever so carefully he leans in so that he can view the magical exosystem of the bindings, though he was provided with a good roadmap by Bren's written words. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Another shiver that would have been accompanied with a whimper of sound if the collar were not still active at those words. Oh he knew those words in Undercommon. He may have looked those up straight away. Perhaps he ought to think twice about the merits of removing it. But no, no it would be better to be gone.

He found himself holding his breath when Essek leaned closer, still and frozen, a deer caught in the gaze of a wolf, except this particular fawn would have gladly thrown himself into those teeth. That was something to think about, wasn't it?

His eyes fluttered halfway shut and he tried to be motionless, tried to let Essek work without being a distraction to the drow. The collar was a delicate thing when it came to the undoing of it.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek wanted this collar gone, and he wanted it gone now-- he had a small little make-shift one that Bren could wear until at a point until he could have one custom-made; but it was starting to put a bad taste in his mouth that Trent Ikithon could use it to 'spy' on his conversations; he did not want this in the slightest and so of course he was rather keen to assist in the removal of it.

Magically he touched it, delicately and lightly-- he placed up wards around it as he did so, to cloak what he was doing, so that it remained for the most part undetected.

A few miniscule clicks, a few breaths taken, it was all very precise but he did so with an exceedingly deft hand, undoing first one ward of the collar, taking a break before he set upon the next intricate layer. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren wanted it gone too. It was Ikithon's magic, and feeling it against his skin, around his throat quite literally threatening to choke him, it had been wearing on him, a weight that was far heavier than the physical presence of the collar.

The touch of Essek's magic was entirely different, a shiver to it, like frost and a cool wind, but it was comforting somehow. Distracting. But not quite distracting as how he could feel each puff of the drow's breath.

His own breath catches again, but he still struggles to hold still. He can feel the flutter of the magic, a loosening of the hold on him. Gods he wanted to be rid of this thing so very much. Even if Essek immediately bound him with another silencing collar, that would be infinitely better.]

[zauberdecke]

[ There were three separate wards on it, and he was working on the second one.

Such an ever-present mien of concentration to the drow as he worked, playing the collar much like he was working on playing Ikithon. Tapping against it like keys while he pulled strings and manipulated the very core of the aetherical bindings. Another subtle click and that was undone; one final one to go---

This was when he started to bite his own lower lip, reaching for the sweet spot of it over and over and pinging it, he scooted even closer; the anticipation held fast between them. This one was longer, this was 10 minutes, he had to be very careful though, he had to do this without Trent knowing that he was doing it-- this required delicacy and skill, but he was filled with far more stealth than the average wizard.

Likely more than Trent Ikithon bothered to hone for himself.

Another slight ping, he exhaled breath and then the collar fell apart around Bren's neck, enough so that Essek could quickly slip it out from around it-- then he closed it once again, quickly, before there was any time for such a breach to register-- sealing it back up with magic that poured into the cracks like glue, poured it into the cracks to form it in a subliminal space that was not around Bren's throat. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Minutes felt a bit like eternities -- of both utter thrilling anticipation and utter torture of having Essek close. And then even closer. His fingers twitched behind his back, but he held his position. Gods it was a trial of his will and self control, but so far he was winning. Just barely.

That second lock slipping free and he took a breath to calm himself. Close, but oh the last bit of all of it was still holding on. He watched Essek still, saw the way that concentration had the drow biting at his lower lip -- a cute peek of fang? Was that what he saw?

Focus, Bren.

His eyes shot wide again as the collar let go and he felt the strangling grip of Ikithon's magic fall away entirely. He drew a breath and had to bite his own lip to keep from speaking and ruining the subterfuge. Silent still, he fixed a look that was overflowing with gratitude on Essek, watching as the other wizard stitched the spell back together seamlessly, simply without him caught in the midst of it.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Quickly, Essek handed the collar to the Unseen Servants, and then he leaned back slightly in the chair. When he spoke, his voice was cool and it was precise, but it was clearly for show. ] You are a dirty slut that has taken too many liberties this night with me, and I grow tired. You may be a good boy but I can see what lingers behind your eyes so you shall have to prove your repentance.

[ A very carefully picked out admonishment. ] For such, you will spend the night in your cage.

[ And Trent Ikithon would feel those words getting further and further away-- as if Bren was being pulled away ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Oh Bren understood that it was part of the pantomime, part of the script. He understood that with every logical fiber of himself. The illogical part of himself though? That part heard dirty slut and had to bite hard at the inside of his mouth not to wind up whimpering. This was a new side of himself he was discovering, and he half feared it was obvious enough Essek would discover it to with the way his eyes widened and his face heated. After all, there certainly was something lingering behind his eyes, and sins at the back of his mind that he ought to be taken to task for.

It was a good charade for Ikithon's benefit though, and Bren kept quiet, watching as the unseen servant took the offending collar away. He'd wait long after it was out of sight to speak.

Hells, he'd wait until Essek bade him speak to utter a word in all likelihood, eyes shifting to look at his master in something rather like quiet awe.]