Slate

They drove past dusk, and into the night, rolling sand dunes turning into low shrubby grassland. A large city lit up the horizon. When they were in the suburbs of the city, they pulled in to a depot that looked very similar to the one they had taken off from.

Siran turned off the engine, looking back at Ardent. The Sol looked out of place in the pink, dewy morning light. Only brilliant sunlight or the crisp blue azure moonlight did his skin justice. “Master. There are separate slaves here to take you around the city. In three days, they'll take you here and Ninan and another will take you back to the Station.”

Ardent hadn't slept a wink, even as they drove through the night, “Why wouldn't you take me back again? Because of your injuries?”

Siran gave him a wary look, “Master. You must report my behavior to the Slavers here.”

Ardent forced himself to swallow. No easy feat as his throat was still swollen and sore, “Don't tell me what to do, Siran.” He hissed in a hushed voice, “Ninan. Tell me what was on the itinerary without his alterations.”

Ninan glanced at Siran, who was not making eye contact with her, “S-siran is supposed to accompany you into the city as a bodyguard and interpreter. He knows many languages. The other Sol is a directional guide. I will stay here and help repair the vehicles that have made the journey. And we are supposed to take you back to the station together.”

A low hiss rumbled in Siran's throat.

Ninan got out of the Jeep and walked to the depot.

The morning was stiflingly silent, Ardent climbed into the passenger seat of the Jeep. They sat in the silence for a few minutes, before Ardent had to ask, “Who was he?”

“Brother.” Siran barely whispered, “Little brother. He hated me for becoming a slave. I gave myself willingly so my younger brothers would be overlooked.”

More silence, “It's not okay. What you did to me. You hurt me.”

Siran sucked in a breath and looked up to the still slightly starry sky, “I know.”

“But... You knew it would happen. You were very careful. I wasn't. I wasn't open minded about you choosing not to orgasm. I didn't think outside my own mindset. You were a slave so I thought you were repressed. I didn't think that you didn't want to lose control.”

Siran took a deep breath, “On Earth... There are Domestic animals, yes?”

Ardent nodded.

“Not all Sol are like me. I am stronger, larger, fiercer. Other Sol respect me from my scent alone. I am built for nature, where most city slaves are built for pleasure or... Domestic purposes. I am not. I am Feral. And even though I have given my loyalty to my slaver in exchange for my family. I am still... Feral.” he looked absolutely desolate.

“You say that like it's a bad thing. But I saw you fight. I saw you kill your brother. The pros of being as fearless and strong as you are must outweigh the cons.”

“You decide that for yourself.” Siran said in that deep, velvet tone, “We call it 'V'shirashin'. The Blackness. It's bred out of slaves. I would never be allowed to mate. The Slavers turn a blind eye, because it is illegal, but profitable to have me. A natural adrenaline surge that we can activate in battle. It activates naturally when aroused.”

“Your eyes...”

“A very select genetic trait. Few have it now. When transport companies want the best they find the bandit clans... And they get what they want one way or another. For me, they offered me my brothers. For others it is their children or wife.” Siran looked sadly out into the night, “I was sixteen. They made me prove I had V'shirashin. They pitted me and my older brother against each other. They said they would kill our younger brothers if we didn't fight each other to the death. Family is very important to Sol. You couldn't ask Ninan to kill a sister. You couldn't ask her to kill another Sol. But I can. I can execute my brothers. And I do. Because they have had over ten years on borrowed time. Ten years to do something, to change their lives. Ten years of freedom.”

Ardent nodded, he wanted to somehow comfort the slave, but burns covered his body, slightly oozing in some places. “I want you to accompany me in to the city, Siran. I trust you, and I do very much enjoy 'using' you.” he smirked.

Siran barked in laughter, “Idiot. Master. Master Idiot. I will tear you apart one day.”

“You haven't done it yet.” Ardent shrugged, “You can't tell me I was your first.”

Siran shook his head, “No... I can't do that. But Master. I am nothing special. There are many slaves in this city bred for bedwarming. They are cheap and safe. You want me only because I am the only one that you have seen.”

Ardent rolled his eyes, “What can I say? You're my type. And this is just a wild guess but I'm betting that ammunition like that doesn't come standard in Sol.” he gestured towards the slave's groin.

Siran smirked, “It's not usually a good thing. And no. But in my tribe... It is another prevalent trait. One more way to tell the Feral from the Domestic.”

“Okay. Well I need a nap. Shall we check in then get to the hotel?” Ardent smiled at his slave, who nodded.

The new slave was a young, delicate girl named Naserrin. She drove the town car to the hotel as the two large men napped against one another in the back seat.

After accidentally sleeping the day away, Ardent relished in finally having a hot bath. The city was cool, and his body was too used to the searing desert to find it comfortable. He upgraded his room at the counter, feeling like he had somehow earned it. He generally tried to get the best deal for company money but after that crossing, you bet he was getting the lobster tonight at dinner as well.

Or whatever this planets lobster equivalent was.

Siran entered the large bathroom, looking around, “You have too much money.” he commented.

“Not my money.” Ardent hummed to the acoustic bathroom.

Siran had a bag with him, “Where should I put my things, Master? I can keep them in the slaves room down in the basement. But if you wish me to accompany you in your room then it will be quite inconvenient.”

“That's weird.” Ardent noted, “I really can't imagine that lots of people don't want slaves with them in hotels. Why aren't there adjoining rooms?”

“Your voice is improving, Master. And I'm sure Naserrin would have an answer for you. I do not know, however. I assume slaves are called up, used, and then sent back to their quarters.”

“But what about just cleaning up? What if I want a dri-”

“Sir. I assure you. I don't know. I can go get Naserrin if you are truly that curious.” Siran was tired. And a little grouchy. He hadn't slept all day like Ardent had.

Ardent laughed a little, “Okay okay... Go shower off and then get in the bath... You're gross.”

Siran sneered at him, before stepping into the shower stall.

After rinsing off the blood and charred flesh, the slave sat down in the bath, “You burned in the sun yesterday, Master” he murmured, settling down into a comfortable position, “You shouldn't have followed me.”

“Yeah. I know that now. Excuse me for thinking that you were at some sort of a disadvantage.”

“A common error humans make.” Siran smirked.

“You can call me Ardent. Or Mr. Sites. If you're comfortable with that.”

Siran shrugged. “I am used to Master and Sir.”

They soaked in silence for over an hour after that.

Ardent tightened the straps, almost giddy with himself.

“Master. This is not a good idea. And there could be cameras in here. This is a bad idea. And just because I can't break them NOW doesn't mean that I can't later. This is a terrible idea, master!” Siran was squirming against the restraints that Ardent had placed on him, “They're leather! Just leather! Master you should go purchase chains!”

“Stop freaking out.” Ardent chided, “Yeah. You might get out. That's what makes it hot.”

Siran shook his head violently, “This is not a joke! This is not funny! This is not a toy! This is-”

“Um, Master?” a quiet voice squeaked from the doorway.

Ardent stopped his task of securing Siran to the bed posts, twisting from his position of straddling Siran's slim hips, “What could you possibly have to say right now?”

“Um, you wanted me to take you to dinner at this time.” she squeaked, face flushing bright red, “You have a reservation in a half hour.”

“Move it back.” Ardent said flippantly, “And YOU do not need these any more.” he ripped off both of the electrical tape X's on Siran's nipples.

“Naserrin!” Siran snapped, “Get him off of me! A'ssdressan! Vel'alavess!”

“Oh come on now.” Ardent said, “What are you saying?” He turned to the young slave girl, “What did he say?”

She shook her head, “I don't know Master! I do not speak Native Sol!”

“Useless girl!” Siran snarled at her, “Go get a Controller!”

“Don't move little girl.” Ardent snapped. “What is a controller?”

Despite the hushing noises Siran threw at Naserrin, she spoke up, “They are guards. Used to control slaves. Every business usually has at least one staffed.”

“Well that's silly. I have this slave perfectly under control.” Ardent smiled.

“Master.” Siran stopped struggling. He went quiet, calm, taking a deep breath, “Please, Master. Please. I beg you. Please don't use me. Please Master I'll do anything.”

He sounded somehow small. And broken.

“Goddamn it.” Ardent frowned down at him.

“Um, Master.” Naserrin spoke up again, “A... A Controller would hold him down and help you if he is reluctant to have you use him. And they are well trained in delivering punishment for such crimes.”

Ardent glared over his shoulder at the girl, “Shut up. Go get the car.”

He fitfully cut off one of the slave's leg bindings. “Thank you Master. I will do whatever you like. I will make it amazing for you. But you can't ask me to endanger you like that.”

Ardent cut the last tie, “I was really, really rude to that little girl just now. She's had a pretty shitty life and I was pretty mean to her. Because she mentioned someone punishing you after helping me rape you. It really doesn't sit well with me, okay? I don't want you to make it good for me.” He went to his suitcase and pulled on pants, “I'm not naturally submissive. I don't have an uncontrollable urge to please others. But I don't want you to just make it good for me.”

The human buttoned up his shirt, a crisp blue to contrast with his natural autumn coloring of flesh and auburn. The slave went to his bag, “Do you think how we dress is strange?”

Ardent looked up to him cutting and reapplying two X's to his nipples, “I guess. I thought the nipple thing was for the sun.”

“It's for the warped sense of modesty bestowed to slaves. A courier or guide can wear a uniform, and dress plainly. They are usually young. When they gain... Adult features, they are guided to adapt a different form of dress.” He was leaning against the wall to pull up the tightest pair of slightly elastic trousers Ardent had ever seen. As with in the desert, when he dressed only in leather and shrapnel, he didn't wear anything on his feet. The pants simply ended in a saddle strap.

His legs looked somehow sexier in pants than out of them. Ardent immediately wanted the pants removed. “So you're supposed to look enticing?”

Siran cocked his head, “Enticing. Exotic. Extreme. There are fashion lines specifically for slaves. There is a very specific feel to slaves that the Eucla like. I don't have any tattoos, which is considered very fashionable.”

The Sol would look deadly with some sleeves.... A splayed design on his chest. Creeping down his toned stomach... Ardent did his best not to think too hard about it.

The slave slipped on a tank top, it was slinky and tattered, and the straps were long enough to reveal the black X's on his chest. He squirmed into a black shrug after that, the long black sleeves anchored around his thumbs.

He managed to look like he belonged on a runway in the same amount of time it took Ardent to look horribly Business Casual. Ardent shrugged on a jacket and muttered darkly to himself.


The restaurant that Naserrin drove them to was nice, Ardent could see that. But it was all so... Strange. The company that he was meeting with had set up his travel itinerary, and his company would be picking up the tab, so he didn't really give a crap, but he had a feeling that this was not the type of place he would have chosen on his own.

It... It was a whore house.

He was slowly becoming sure it was a whore house.

A nice one. And there was a restaurant. He might even go so far as to say it was primarily a restaurant. But it was also a whore house.

“This... This is a whore house.” Ardent said out loud to Siran, who was faithfully by his side.

“Yes... A rather lascivious one as well. I believe your contact company is attempting to show you a good time.” Siran said slowly.

“By making my company pay for hookers?” Ardent asked, “I could get fired for that.”

Siran shrugged, “Not necessarily. It is a cultural norm. I understand that most business transactions are done in places such as these. It would be considered rude to not... Partake.”

“They aren't even supposed to be here. I'm not supposed to see them until the morning. And what if I were a woman?”

“You are a gay man. Believe me when I say you are adequately accommodated at this type of establishment, as a straight woman would be.” Siran gave a glare to some boys that were coming over to their table. They managed to find reasons to walk off in different directions.

“They look ten.” Ardent moaned in despair.

“They may be.” Siran crossed his arms.

“Are you going to sit?” Ardent gestured across from him, to the two seats that were there.

“No. That would be inappropriate. When your guests come I will kneel by you. Until then I prefer to stand.”

The maitre d, naked save a silver simple chain hanging around her waist and a host of tattoos came over and said something entirely incomprehensible.

Siran nodded to her, and said something incomprehensible back.

“What did you just do?” Ardent asked as she walked away.

“I confirmed your name, ordered a sample plate and a lineup of men. Not boys.” He gave Ardent a look, “Would you like boys?”

“I don't want men!” Ardent squeaked, “Why would I want men when I brought you? Why would they even ask that?”

Siran shrugged, “I do not come across as a pleasure slave. I read as a body guard to most.”

“Just because you're seven feet tall and terrifying? That's profiling is what it is.” Ardent moped into his plate, “Let's get out of here before they get back.”

“Probably because I am in fact not a pleasure slave. You should look at what they have to offer.” said Siran, “Considering you can not get what you desire from me.”

“Can't is a harsh word. We're stopping by the hardware store on the way home.” Ardent said matter-of-factly. “God... I miss the desert. You would have sex with me in the desert.”

“Please do not speak so loudly of my reluctance, Master. Others may speak English and alert the Controllers.” he muttered in a low tone, “And... I don't think I could control myself. Not if they bent me over this table for you.” he shifted uncomfortably “The more I think about it... I don't think I can control myself around you at all. So you should choose a man when they come. Please.”

Ardent stared up at him. “You said you would still participate. Make it nice for me.”

Siran would not meet his gaze, “I lied.”

“Mr. Sites?” An older, shorter, purplish skinned man next to a lankier, balder clone of him was grinning humbly at the sitting redhead.

“Yes. Call me Ardent.” he stood and shook each of their hands. They participated in the gesture jubilantly, “Sit, please. This is my guide, Siran.”

The two men looked taken off guard at that, and shrugged to one another.

“Oh. Apologies. On earth it is considered polite to introduce everyone.” Ardent said, none too politely.

They smiled nervously and gave their names. Ardent instantly forgot them and hoped Siran was doing better at this.

The meeting went shakily. They worked out their common interests and built a little good will. But then there was the line of men that kept walking by.

They were tall. Not at tall as Siran. And muscular. But not as muscular as Siran. And they were more beautiful than Siran. But not as handsome.

Ardent kept waving them to the side. Siran was becoming more distressed. “Master, will you please just look at them?”

“I can look without ogling, thank you Siran.” Ardent was flipping through the menu. The sample plate was okay, but he was starving and he wanted something expensive.

He looked to the short business partner, knowing he spoke more English, “Can you tell me, in a place like this, do they have somewhere that I can enjoy the slave that I brought?”

“You... Want to enjoy him?” the fat man gestured to Siran as the slave knelt on the floor beside Ardent. The redhead simply nodded, and the Eucla looked almost condescendingly at him, “Oh but surely one of these will be better. That one is... How do you say...” He said something in gibberish at Siran, who flinched a little.

“What did he say?”

Siran shook his head, “I can't repeat it in English, Sir. The idea is that you do not understand the difference between animals and men. But more vulgar.”

Ardent's eyebrows raised, and he looked back down at his menu, “This thing. With the huge number next to it. Order it for me, please.”

“You're on the services page, Master.” Siran took the menu from his hands, studying it, “Although...” he cocked his head. “They have rooms specifically designed to... Restrain people.”

Ardent smiled widely at Siran, “Order me something tolerable to eat. And then we'll look into it.”