"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]

[Bren only cast one Orpheus-style look back at the workroom before he followed Essek back out into his master's chambers. His eyes flickered to the clothes that had been set out for him, before his eyes moved back to Essek just in time to see the drow start unfastening his clothes and stripping and Bren forgets entirely that he had dressing and undressing of his own to do in favor of staring at the newly revealed star-scattered skin, like a twilight sky he'd never seen before.

He could see those star freckles and wanted to study them, memorize their constellations, map every journey in his life by their direction and--

Fuck. There went his traitorous mind, betraying him, taking him down paths he had no right going. He forced his gaze away for a moment and began his own undressing, by now utterly without concern to be undressing in front of his owner. Being made to masturbate himself to climax in front of Essek earlier sort of made undressing feel very minor.

Still, he kept darting stolen glances back in the drow's direction, unable to help himself.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek had not been too concerned by Bren's own viewing of his body, undressing in a manner that he did not consider to be sexual in the slightest, he honestly did not think in those terms unless he was taking care of what he considered to be a problem. His mind was not wired in a way that was overly sexual even at the best of times.

Finally his garments fell to the floor to reveal his own very lithe frame, shoulders that were delicate and curved-- a navel that dipped down in a graceful v and with the hint of the line of some white fuzz disappearing down into small-clothes.

He slips his overtunic on then and then carefully starts on the ties that go up the side; a glance toward Bren then-- a kind smile. ] You look as if you require assistance, Pet.. I know Dynasty fashion can be a bit hard to navigate.

[ausgebrannt]

[Actually, Master, I'm distracted staring at you and having impure, inappropriate thoughts. Mentally scolding himself, especially in light of that kind smile and those kinder words, Bren at least had the decency to look faintly sheepish, a faint flush of red in his cheeks.

...though as he finally did look at the clothes in front of him, he conceded that he had no idea how to begin with half of it, so he nodded, casting a pleading glance back to Essek with nod.]

'Ja. Please.'

[Silently mouthed as he tries not to shift guiltily from foot to foot. Tonight, when they returned from this event, or tomorrow. He had sins to beg forgiveness for, to be properly punished for, and that list kept growing.]

[zauberdecke]

Well, the best way to start with is the skirt, so go ahead and strip--

[ Essek said as he wandered over to where the swathe of fabric lay, picking it up gingerly. The drow held it there while Bren divested himself of clothing though he did watch, of course he did because Bren was pleasing to the eyes, in his nakedness.

Also perhaps he'd seen a look at Bren's appendage and funnily enough, he wanted to see more?

He had never wanted to see more of anything then he did of his Pet, in his entire life. A curious thought indeed. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was entirely unaware of the fact that Essek thought him attractive. He'd never considered himself aesthetically pleasing. He was a pale, freckled, ginger thing who spent most of his life buried in books with ink-stained fingers. So there wasn't even a thought at his master wanting to look at him out of anything more than perhaps curiosity about the human form.

So he finished the stripping, folding his clothes carefully -- wardrobe of a pet or not, they were the finest fabrics he'd ever worn -- and setting them aside before just as carefully before turning to face Essek.

Skirt? How did this work?]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek swept forward there and then in turn he manuevered himself behind Bren as he placed the skirt around that waist, there was the brush of fabric-- very fine fabric indeed and then he pulled it taut and the drew the flap once again over until the two ties were able to be looped and tied. ]

I am used to solo dressing, but then I also have Mage Hand to assist in the process.

[ And against Bren's heated flush, Essek's cooler fingers would feel like an oasis. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Mage hand. Bren had always wondered if that was a cantrip he should have learned. It did seem useful, but he'd made other choices. All of that was moot right now anyway. Most of his magic was locked away from him by the silencing collar. A few spells were still available, but aside from that first little display upon meeting his master, he hadn't attempted any casting.

That line of thought abruptly came to a screeching halt and exploded at the incidental brush of those cool fingers against his skin. At least Essek was behind him now and couldn't see how red his face suddenly became. It was a bit embarrassing in general to need help dressing, but Essek was right. Dynasty fashion was indeed more complex than Bren was used to. Anything more elaborate than simple trousers and a tunic was more complex than Bren was used to.

He couldn't help but let his hands settle at his own hips, fingers touching over the fabric. Ooh. Soft. He cast a tentative glance over his shoulder at Essek.]

[zauberdecke]

You will look lovely.

[ Essek thought that his Pet was asking for confirmation-- he did not mind playing up to whatever vanity the other man had; he already had determined that he liked being praised. That was something that he could fully get behind, endorse even. A praise kink indeed, he had his own level of it but he'd had to work hard to surmount it.

Once the fastenings were in place, he took the strapped band and then moved to hold it out so that Caleb could put his arm through the central hole, that was just where it was over the heart, the little ring of which a leash could be attached.

The top part was really no more than a glorified and ornamental harness, and it bared Caleb's chest, all freckled plane of it; from the torso hair to the little dip of a trail. ] You need do nothing at this gathering except for follow me around and be subservient. [ And his fingers were already patiently tightening straps into place, through both arms and shoulders. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren is indeed entirely weak to being praised, and simultaneously terrible at taking compliments, so there was a moment in being called lovely where anyone looking would be able to see the way that his brain short circuited, as if the logic loop had shattered.

His brow furrowed in confusion and he half opened his mouth to argue. He wasn't able to speak, so that stopped him, and a moment later, Bren's better sense kicked in. Arguing with his master was probably not something he should be practicing. So, blush only intensifying, he dropped his head and tried to focused on not making dressing him any harder for Essek than it already was.

The ah... shirt really didn't cover anything at all, did it? His gaze lifted back up to his master when he spoke, nodding his understanding and trying to ignore the repeated frissons of excitement that each unintended brush oft hose graceful, cull fingers over his skin sent racing through him.]

[zauberdecke]

[ That was the least of Bren's worries though, for as Essek's fingers tightened the straps firmly into place, his eyes were already straying toward the makeup case. He would have to do his pet's make-up, just a brush of something, perhaps some gold dust and some liner.

After the final strap was in place, he stepped backward and then to the side, his fingers gesturing toward the bed. ]

Lay down, Chathtiu, we've one final thing to do to get you ready.

[ausgebrannt]

[...Bren wasn't sure what it had to do with dressing at all, but hearing Essek tell him to lay down and point to the bed had him grateful for the skirt. He emphatically did not need a repeat of this morning, not sure if he could survive the shame (and arousal) of it twice in one day.

Once he shook himself from that new moment of mental glitching, he moved to lie back on his master's bed, watching the drow in curiosity. The trust was there enough that he would not hesitate or question it though.

Settling back, he propped himself up on his elbows so that he could continue watching Essek. He'd never worn makeup. This would be new for him, and he had not even considered what he was in for with how Essek intended to apply it.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The Mage Hand deposited his own cosmetic kit in his hand, and then with an enigmatic smile he started toward the bed in a manner that held purpose more than anything else, like a cat of prey and with his Pet cornered. Then he tossed the kit on the bed and then knee on the mattress, he started toward Bren via a rather dignified crawl.

This just felt the best way to go about it, but then he'd never done someone else make-up before.

Once there, he shifted to straddle a single one of Bren's thigh while he opened up the kit with a very deft lean, the brushes and such revealed to him. ] I think that eyeliner and lip-gloss, and a bit of eyeshadow-- that is all you really require.

[ He dragged the brush against the cream of the liner. ] This is traditional for most pets to be made up in such a way as this. [ Good thing for that skirt because Essek was settling back right against that thigh that was now straddled between his knees. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren could feel his heart try to leap into his throat while shunting all his blood to much lower climes as he watched Essek crawling towards him on the bed. This was a trial, wasn't it? It was a test, and he was immediately failing it. His breath caught in a silent gasp, blue eyes wide, looking every bit the cornered prey about to be devoured by this unfairly beautiful predator moving towards him.

He forced himself to take a breath, hoping that the dark fabric of the skirt and his master's focus on doing his makeup might keep him from being immediately noticed.

So he nodded quickly. Yes, eyeshadow and lip-gloss. Definitely.

He'd never worn makeup in his life, and he couldn't even begin to focus on that the way he could feel Essek sitting on his thigh. Breathe. Remember to breathe.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Oh Bren--

There was not very much that Essek did not notice; unfortunately for the Pet, the Master was not named Shadowhand just for amusements sake. He noticed things, it was what his entire occupation was. So he did perceive that tenting in the skirt, the way that the shape seemed to leave shadows that may not be so apparent standing up but which in this position was a beacon's alarm.

He leaned forward then, one forearm on the pillow next to Bren's head as he murmured encouragingly with the brush held brandished with the other. ] Eyes closed.

[ A little huff as he waited for Bren to carry out his order. ]

I may have to get you a muzzle, you are obedient but it appears that you are very frisky and have little control over your cock, mmmm? I will need something to keep it in place so we don't let all of Rosohna know what a filthy little Pet you are.

[ausgebrannt]

[There was a moment where Bren thought that he had gotten away with something this time. Essek leaned closer, and he watched with rapt blue eyes that were fixed on Essek's face in flustered awe. He obeyed, of course he obeyed, eyes falling shut. Hells, he even, for a moment, began to relax.

Then Essek kept speaking.

His eyes snapped back open immediately, face lighting up red as he stared at his master as if caught redhanded once more, misbehaving. Which, he had been. Just his hands were not the part of him that was red right now, were they? He lifted his hands to cover his face in embarrassment.

That was right. He had no control over his cock, and he was a terrible, filthy thing for it. For the thoughts he had, for what he'd done the night before and Essek still didn't even know about that part.]

Do not read yet, have to finish

[zauberdecke]

[ There had been a moment where Essek had been about to cast something that would've prevented Bren from covering his eyes. Perhaps because Essek was still doing a job in drawing those eyes, also because his Pet dare not cover his eyes in front of him- the audacity.

He wouldn't have raised his hand but his intent was to give Bren a firm reminder of who he belonged to, and a statement of rule in which Bren always meet his eyes even through the shame and embarassment of arousal. After all it was a bit intriguing to know he had that affect on Bren-kitten, maybe a bit flattering too.

But fate would have it that he never got the opportunity because there was a loud banging on his door, and a rough voice rising up to crest through.. annoyingly so and much to Essek's own displeasure. This set on Essek's lips a triage of curses, delicate and likely ones that Bren had not heard nor had cause to reference, but the tone of them was easy enough to guess. ]

~Zhah lil' lotha'valsharess kr'athin?>~

[ Another string of curses before Essek found his voice. ]

alu vith dosstan, Adeen

~Xal zil al, ol zhah naut zil ka dos orn, ohoho..~

[ Essek looked down at Bren with unreadable eyes. ] Hands away, Pet-- unfortunately brutes will be brutes and we are running on his so important time schedule. [ It was clear that Essek was not happy, that his entire mood went down the drain. ]

Belbau uns'aa szith, dos uncultured swine-- [ Came Essek's retort at the door in question. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren startled at the banging, lowering his hands to look at the door. He heard the cursing from his master, and even if he had not yet learned those words, there was no mistaking what they were and their tone. The voice through the doorway sent prickles of something terribly unpleasant through him, the bits of the sentences that he could make out were unkind and the tone was mocking.

And when he looked up at Essek and saw the change in his expression, the unmistakable displeasure, and something deeper he thought, a deep and abiding unhappiness, he could feel the urge rising to light something of this Adeen's on fire. Not a kind thought, but Bren was certain it would be deserved.

He lowered his hands the rest of the way. Any arousal he may have felt had utterly withered at this point in time, and as he watched the drow above him, his brow furrowed faintly in thought. Aware that touching without permission was strictly against the rules, Bren, for the first time, willfully chose to disobey, reaching up with tentative (slightly trembling) fingers to brush the back of his knuckles along his master's cheek, simultaneously mouthing a silent, 'I'm sorry' before his gaze darted to the door with a glower.]

[zauberdecke]

There is nothing for you to apologize for, Chathtiu.

[ Essek noticed the disobeying, except he had not given any command that he did not want to be touched, it was yet another way in which Bren seemed to be aware of the room in which he occupied; both mentally and physically. He allowed himself a little tsk underneath his breath, and then spoke out in Common, his voice raised slightly. ]

It's a shame when one has worse manners than an Empire Pet--

[ Then he leaned forward, slipping one hand underneath a shoulder while he applied the koi-liner to the very inner edge of Bren's eye and then precisely drew it out, though he already could see that he would have to apply some mascara to darken the ginger lashes out, he was close now-- so close to Bren, the space was like a razor's edge between them. ]

Be a Good Boy for me Bren, just like I know you can.

[ He crooned, his breath scenting of bermagot tea and lavender candies as it puffed against that cheek. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren stopped glowering at the door to look back to Essek with a flicker of a smile at the very obvious dig at Adeen in Common. He let his hand fall away and shut his eyes once more to let Essek tend to the makeup. He would be good, yes, as much as he could so as not to make this any more difficult for his master.

He could feel that breath against his skin, smell the soft, comforting scent of the drow, all of him so quickly becoming comfort, becoming safety. Bren knew he did not deserve anything so generous as a home, after how he had destroyed his own, but this was at least beginning to feel like some sort of place he might belong, owned thing that he was, pet and plaything -- and if he were given the chance, defender. He hated the way Essek's entire demeanor had changed when Adeen appeared, hells, even when he had spoken about the man. His husband.

The sound of his name though, that had his breath catching. Essek hadn't called him by name before, and Bren hadn't even been certain if anyone had bothered to tell his master what he was called. It hardly mattered, really. He didn't deserve a name, didn't deserve the name his parents had given him. Their little spark. But hearing it still tugged at something in his chest.]

[zauberdecke]

[ In the transitionary period, Essek had heard Bren called as such by Trent Ikithon; he knew the Pet's name but it seemed inconvenient most time to use it when he was attempting to create a barrier between them; not a very good one all told. But it felt appropriate to call Bren his name there in the comfort and safety of the room with Adeen right outside. It was a reward in a way, and yet it was even more than that-- an undefinable trust.

First one eye, and then the other-- drawing the lines of the eyes rather deftly, making the most perfect of cat lines that would accentuate the blue that were really quite lovely at this proximity.

Once that was done, there was the sweep of his thumbpad against the gold of some pigment and then gently he swept it just over the lids of Bren's eyes, first one and then the other in a ritualistic manner meant to be comforting and soothing. Already he could tell that this gold would go well with the colouring of Bren's-- and at this distance away, when Bren opened his eyes, he would be able to tell that Essek's eyes were the same but in a silver hue.

Finally, he reached for the gloss, he swirled his index finger into the cream and then he settled in closer while he lightly pressed the tip and slid it first on the upper mouth, and then almost erotically to slide along the plush lower lip. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren tried to hold still as possible while Essek tended to the cosmetics. This was so new to him, and he'd never considered makeup before, but it was far from unpleasant. Essek's touch was gentle, and the Zemnian wizard-turned-pet basked in the gentle contact, the proximity.

The touch was comforting, and Bren found himself hoping there was reason for him to be made up regularly.

When that finger slid along his upper lip, his eyes fluttered open to watch, trying to calm the way his heart decided to kick up into a faster beat. It was an erotic touch, without a doubt, but it was the casual intimacy of it that tried to steal Bren's ability to breathe and to think straight.

Thankfully his cock was still quite dissuaded from stirring at the memory of Adeen's voice, so he was saved further embarrassment there. But instead he tilted his chin up and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss pressed against that fingertip, a small, sweet act of devotion, an unspoken, silent vesper.]

[zauberdecke]

[ And now it was Essek who's heart stopped.

It was the touch of mouth against his fingertip that did it; he paused though he kept his fingertip there; and for a moment Bren could see that an entire range of emotions crossed over it, confusion, tenderness and perhaps even a shadow of indignance from a man who was set to be this man's Owner. And all of those caused his brain to short circuit only a little bit, so much that it took another half a second for him to start breathing again. ] Ah, I think that you are almost.. an.. done--

[ He brought himself back up, perhaps a bit shakily as the intimacy managed to coax a response out of him that was far different from any other response that had existed. It was the gentleness encased in cerulean blue eyes, it was such devotion.

It was no wonder that there were some pet owners that became overly fond. ] A few more minutes and Adeen will be banging on the door again, the swine.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren only seemed to realize what he'd done once he'd done it, but he didn't quite regret it. He wasn't certain what to make of Essek's reaction to it, to the flurry of emotions that he saw in those incandescent eyes. Had he overstepped? Probably, but he thought he'd likely do it again in the same circumstances.

Then Essek was moving away, and breaking the spell of the moment, at least for the time being.

A little nod, and he sat up slowly. Almost done? He tilted his head curiously, wondering what was left. He perched at the edge of Essek's bed for a moment, watching the drow and waiting to be told what Essek wanted of him. ...that didn't stop him from wrinkling his nose at the mention of Adeen. Bren had never laid eyes on Essek's husband, but he already hated the man.]

[zauberdecke]

[ the gesture had moved him in such a way that he barely knew how to process it; he was no good at emotions and perhaps that was just because he had grown up in a society that was largely non-dependant upon such things. Deep inside, that confusion was that he liked that touch-- the way that those eyes looked at him with such concern, and annoyance because he should not want that at all. 115 years of clinical Dynasty upbringing had taught him better.

And there was his Empire Pet providing some sort of basic need that probably he should not be, that was unlooked for-- and then there was Adeen, he could hear him cooling his heels in front of the door like some yokel from Jigow. ]

Comb, I need a comb. [ The sound of him rummaging around in the drawers of his vanitybbecame an entire ordeal, the thing was that he very rarely needed a comb for obvious reasons having to do with prestidigitate.. wait.

This Pet had him flustered, he closed the door and came back to Bren with purpose. ] Magic will do...

[ the cool scent of snow and jasmine as Essek used his cantrip to straighten out those locks of hair, around the back where he'd laid down on it and then also around the edges so that they formed a fall over the temple-- trying not to percieve how attractive his Pet was, how he was radiating something infinitely craveable. ]

Perhaps, you will learn how I present you and you will be able to do these tasks on your own, if and until you do then I will assist, yes.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was entirely unaware of the inner turmoil that he had plunged his master into. He watched though, and could notice that Essek seemed a bit less poised and put together than he was used to seeing the drow. He assumed it was Adeen's lingering and unpleasant presence outside the door that was unsettling his master, and that only made his growing distaste for Essek's husband grow.

He was startled from his mental wonderings at how vile this Adeen must truly be by the touch of magic, the sorting of his hair. ...prestidigitation was another cantrip he'd never bothered to learn. Why exactly was an excellent question, really.

A nod in agreement, though if Bren were being honest with himself he enjoyed the attention a little too much and would have very little motivation to actually learn how to sort his own makeup and hair. But he would try, since that was what his master wished, and he wanted Essek's approval even more than he wanted the attention. Better that he could be a good boy for him.

Especially when he knew he was not good, not deserving by nature. That guilt still itched at the back of his brain, the knowledge that he deserved to be punished, not pampered.]