Possession

[Disclaimer:This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.]

Chapter 7- A Pet, a Person?

Selix sat in his place on the floor. The small wooden lap desk sat at attention in front of him as he continued to scrawl out the sentences pouring from Master’s mouth. Letter after letter, each birthed from his pen with all the diligence and passion Selix could muster. He perfected his punctuation, demanded of himself that each letter be perfectly formed and that every single page be free of error or ink splotch. With a pause in the dictation Selix sat and waited for Master to find the words.

Mikhael briefly stared over at the boy in the floor. The sheer number of letters they’d been through seemed staggering. Only three or four language switches but Selix proved his mastery transitioning flawlessly. Each set of characters fell from his pen with beautiful accuracy. His eyes caught on the strong yet delicate fingers of the boy. The simple way they worked amazed him, the gentle grace of his pen flowing across the page. The simple peace on the boy’s face interrupted only occasionally by intense concentration. “That will be the end of the letters for today Selix.”


“Yes Master.” The boy capped the ink jar after emptying the pen into it, briefly wiped it in his pen cloth before setting it in its place within the small desk. The letters he picked up and stacked on Master’s desk to be signed and sealed. The small desk put away toward the side of the wall. “Will there be anything else, Master?” Selix said in an even tone.

“No. You should go and rest before dinner. I’m sure you have more interesting things to do than sitting around here.” Selix bowed with all the elegance and grace he possessed and moved to the doors.

Mikhael heard the doors click shut and shook his head. Without complaint, Selix went to work writing. Never asking for spelling never and missing a beat or asking for a repeated sentence, Selix wrote away, the only sound of his existence the scratch of the pen against the surface of the paper. He’d even prepared the small desk as if he’d known the room by heart. The heavy tempo of Mikhael’s boots sounded against the walls of the hallways. The den remained empty, no doubt his brother was still busy with errands. He headed for the door. Even in times of peace there was something to be done.

. . .

Selix poured the hot water in the sink, wetted a towel and wrapped it around his hand and wrist. The door to Selix’s rooms opened and Selix bolted up, flinging the towel from his arm to the sink.

“Is it time to prepare for dinner already, Selix?” Rae’s voice called from the other room.

Relaxing back into the chair, Selix placed the wrap around his wrist again, “No I’m soaking my hands. The cuticles are getting long.”
From the door came a sigh, “Very well, I’ll get the trimmers.” Rae pulled open a few drawers and lifted the table from one of the walls.

“Really I can take care of myself. It’ll only take me a few moments.” Selix pulled the boxes from Rae’s hands and set them down.

“Stop that.” Rae’s voice became stern. “It’s my job to care for you. Someone else can easily do as well as you can and more quickly. Don’t be so stubborn.”

Selix nodded and sat down across from the groomer, whose hands quickly went to work soaking his fingers.

“Did the Master say anything about your dress today? More of those ‘you’re beautifuls’?” The groomer sighed.

“No.” Selix replied, “He was busy all morning dictating. He didn’t have much time for playing with pets.”

Rae cooed, “What’s wrong Selix?”

“Nothing.” Selix sighed. “It was just a long day of writing for Master. I think we’ll have to cut some of the dinner preparations back so I can rest a bit.”

“Oh.” Rae’s face seemed rather shocked at the confession, “Well it never takes long to get you ready anyway. You take such good care of yourself. I rarely have to lotion you, you’re so soft and makeup is a breeze since you don’t need much of it. Really, we probably spend too much time.”

“Yes probably,” Selix agreed in that same tone.

“Anyway, more of your cloths came from the fitter’s today. I’ve picked out the most gorgeous set for dinner tonight and a lovely sleeping gown for this evening.”

Selix closed his eyes at the thought of the evening’s preparation. “Yes that all sounds wonderful.”

“I’ll bring them in after we’re done with this. I’m sure you’ll want to tweek them a bit. You always do.” Rae laughed.

A smile crossed Selix’s lips, “No I’m sure that whatever you picked out will be lovely.”

“Are you feeling alright Selix?” Rae frowned. You don’t seem yourself.

Selix laughed, “Oh no. I’m just tired from working so long. You know us pets, we get tired out easily.” He joked. “I just need some rest.”

Rae nodded and continued began to trim the cuticles on Selix’s long fingers. He mentally took note of the warm wrap on Selix’s right hand.

The manicure and then the pedicure finished, Selix was glad to be free of the groomer for a bit. He slowly spread the lotion over his skin, being sure not miss a spot. Combing up his hair, he set it in place before lying out on the large bed. He stared up at the ceiling and waited for dinner.

. . .

Connor continued to count up his push-ups, “Twenty… and twenty one, and twenty two.” To his surprise he’d been led to a new cell this morning. Bigger and according to his cooing groomer, heated and cooled with an adjoining bathroom with nothing that he could take apart. Not even a glass mirror. The bedroom was devoid of possessions. A single bed sat at the far end of the room on an annoying smooth metal frame. Nothing to pull apart or take to piece, Vesperian was smarter than he looked.

According to the groomer there was a second suite for all of their preparations. Connor shuddered at the thought. Outside the room four guards were posted in addition to his two keepers. Sooner or later Vesperian had to get bored with this level of surveillance. The afternoon ticked up until he was once again shuttled to the preparation room, against his will bathed, lotioned, scented, plucked, painted and dressed for dinner. Oh the joys of pet life.

. . .

Selix ate silently at dinner. Master’s absence weighed heavily on his mind. For a brief moment when the doors to the dining hall opened he smiled with joy. It was the unpleasant pet form earlier. A knot grew in his stomach.

Connor sat down and frowned at his plate. What the hell do they think men live off of? Fruits and leaves cleverly adorned the plate in front of him.

“The fruit is fresh so you needn’t worry about it being overly sour. The leaves are more water than anything.” Selix assured the other pet.

“Why the hell would I care about that? Where is the meat?”

Selix scowled at the language, “There is no meat. Meat turns your taste bitter, what would your Master say if he kissed you and you tasted of meat?”

Connor didn’t reply.

“Where were you trained?”

“I wasn’t.” Connor answered briefly.

“What do you mean you weren’t?” Selix questioned, “All pets are trained.”

“Well I guess Vesperian likes a taste of the wild side because he caught me fresh off the auction block.”

“Really!” Selix gasp.

Connor nodded.

There was a long moment of pause as dinner continued in silence. The two pets were escorted to the waiting room in case their Master’s arrived late.

Connor scowled at the overdressed fish tank that made up the ‘waiting room’. Basically a large empty room with a few couches and honey water in a pitcher, Connor couldn’t think of any other place he’d rather not be.

Selix draped himself across one couch and grimaced as Connor sat in one, his back against the back of the couch like he was a Master and not a pet.

The moments ticked on, Connor staring from one surface to the other, tapping his fingers with boredom. He could easily take out a guard or two with the table but where the hell would he go. With no clothing people would see his collar and return him like a lost coat. The flimsy draping pants he wore certainly weren’t going to get him far and without a shirt the collar rang out against his skin.

“What’s it like?”

“What’s what like?” Connor scowled.

“The world outside of the trainers?”

Connor shook his head, “You’ve never been?”

“No. I was raised at a trainer’s from the time I was born. Pure bred pet.” Selix smiled.

Connor didn’t. “It’s like being here but without someone else running your life. No trainers, no keepers, no groomers, and certainly no masters.”

“What do pets do all day?”

“The place where I was born wasn’t like this place. People can’t own other people there. There are no pets.”

“But Masters-“ Selix gasped.

“There are no masters. Everyone is just born. You worked the fields or you raise cattle or horses. If you’re family is skilled you take on a trade. You can be a blacksmith or a weaver or a trapper.”

“Oh. That doesn’t sound so strange.”

“It’s not. It’s beautiful.” Connor scowled.

“Tell me about where you grew up.”

Connor shook his head but found the look in Selix’s eyes hard to resist. The way the younger man looked up at him, eyes big and shining with curiosity reminded him of home. “Well all the kids used to get up in the morning and help with the farming. The sun wouldn’t even be up yet and you would roll from bed and feed the animals. Sometimes you’d pack up for the trading fairs and start off to other villages.”

“Did you see a lot of other villages?”

“A few.”

“Did they speak other languages there?”

Connor shook his head and laughed, “No they all spoke the same language, it wasn’t that big a place.”

“Oh.” Selix replied sadly.

“But every village had its own history. And sometimes they dressed different or said words with an accent. In one village all the women wore grand scarves around their hair. In another all the men didn’t wear shirts.”

Selix took in the information. Imagining taking a wagon off to the small villages where everyone spoke the same language. “What did you do when you grew up?”

Connor shook his head. “My village was gone by then.”

“I’m sorry.” Selix replied.

“Don’t be.” Connor answered, “I survived.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Selix stared at his right hand. The wrist no longer ached. “I never could have done any of that though. So I guess it’s for the best I was born here.” Selix said cheerfully.

“No.” Connor interrupted. “It isn’t.”

Selix was silent for a moment. “Yes it is. I didn’t know how to do any of that as a kid. They taught me everything at the trainers. They taught me how to cook and how to sew, How to stand up and sit down, how to talk. I even learned different languages. I learned how to please Master!”

“How to please a master? That’s your grand achievement?” Connor laughed.

“Don’t laugh at me.” Selix said quietly. “No ill-bred, ill mannered pet is going to disrespect me.”

“I don’t have to disrespect you. You do that on your own, fawning all over Vesperian’s brother like he were a god.”Connor mocked angrily.

“Master is Master. He works hard. It’s my job to make him happy.”

“And for all that he doesn’t seem very happy with you does he?” Connor accused, “Even I can see all those little scowls and grimaces he makes when you’re around.”

Selix turned pale.

Connor turned away from Selix.

The silence continued on.

“He doesn’t-” Selix shook his head and whispered. “You’re right, he doesn’t want me.”

Connor turned away from the boy’s face, pretending not to listen.

“But I have to try. That’s what a pets for. We please our Masters. “Selix’s voice quivered for a moment before he went on, “Even when we fail. Even if my Master’s doesn’t want me. That’s all I know how to do.”

Connor pretended not to hear him.

“I don’t know why,” Selix continued. “Master doesn’t want a pet like me. But your Master wants a pet like you. I guess even with all that time at the trainers, I guess I didn’t learn well enough.” Tears formed in Selix’s eyes and he attempted to bat them away with his lashes.

Seeing the boy’s crying face made Connor stop, “Don’t cry.”

“I’m not going to cry,” Selix looked Connor in the eyes. “I may not be able to do all the things you can. I may not be able to feed cows or farm or fight, but I you can do what you can do and I can do what I can do.”

Connor shook his head, “That’s the difference between you and me. You think that pleasing a master is a good thing. I think that no one has the right to say he’s my master to begin with.”

“None the less, we’re both pets.” Selix hissed. “The difference between you and me is that I’m willing to accept that and do my best and you try to deny it and do your worst.

Connor didn’t say anything. He couldn’t

“Good-night Connor.” Selix left the room.
. . .

[a/n] From now on all updates for Posession and other stories will be posted at NoirRomance.com one week before they appear here on AFF.net. NoirRomance.com is a free yaoi site full of my writing. You can subscribe or visit there for more of my stories and the lastest chapter updates and news.

. . .

J42- Thank you so much for your praise. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Saraphena- I’m really happy that you enjoy the characters so much. Character work is my favorite part of writing and this story is wonderful because it features so many vastly differing and strong people. The story is in rotation with 4 others and updates at least once a month.
Tamingriki- I’m glad that you’re enjoying more than one story in the rotation. Connor has had a rough time of it for a while. Like most things, life usually gets worse before it gets better. As for Vesperian taming Connor, you’ll just have to stick around and find out. I hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised. More chapters lay ahead with lots of new discoveries and the ever thickening plot! Okay maybe that was to dramatic, but you can’t blame an author for trying.
Avernion- I hope you enjoy where the story is heading. I think you’re the first person to say ‘poor Mikhael’ though I’m sure you won’t be the last. Selix agrees that Master does have a tough life though. I’ve added plenty of space and reformatted old chapters. Hope that helps you. Thank you so much for reading and for all of your suggestions.
Jea- Now that you’ve seen the pets meet, what do you think? I hope that you’re still enjoying the story. Connor agrees that they couldn’t be more different but Selix thinks that all people are basically the same, Connor just needs to adjust before he does something He’ll regret
TinglingSensation- I’m glad you’re enjoying the differences is Selix and Connor. I’m sure that most people favor Connor out of the two but I don’t think you should discount Selix as being slightly stupid. He says that he just considers himself focused and would like you to know that he graduated quite high in his class. Pets don’t need to prove their smart , they just need to be there for Master. As for Darius and Mikhael I love to play with the two generations of Banpo elite. We have the old school authoritarian and the new school rebel. Updates are once a month because the story runs in rep with 4 others… sorry I can only write so quickly.

Tamingriki- It’s good to hear from you again. I agree that there are a lot of fantastic authors on the site. You just have to dig a little occasionally. What do you think of Connor’s performance so far. One step forward and two steps back. As Valda, from Debt and Ownership, would say “everyone resists when forced to give up themselves.” Connor would rather die free than live in slavery… I know it’s very Mel Brooks of him. Updates are once a month due to rotation with 4 other stories.

Demonic Darkness- I’m happy to see that you’re so enthusiastic about the story. Poor Selix indeed, lol. Though I admit some days I’m very jealous of his life. I hope you enjoy what happens next.

Spoonring- Glad to see that you’re enjoying more than one of my stories. Connor isn’t pleased that you’re enjoying his story but Selix blushes when you sympathize with him. Most of the stories of the people of Kiritikri you will never know. Like life, there are just too many sad tales to tell. Sad thing is that this happens for real all over the world to children and women and young people who can’t defend themselves and don’t understand why they would need to.

Amberbead- Updates come once a month due to story rotation. I’m grateful for your enthusiasm and blessed with your continued patronage.

Tamingriki- I never would abandon this story. I love it. I’m sorry that updates paused for a bit, but its been on track for about three months now. Updates come once a month due to story rotation. As for your review. Connor is happy that you understand his position, though Darius believes that you should never question a brilliant strategist before you understand his full intent for the battle.

L.S.- I’m glad that I perked your interest. Hope you come and visit us again soon.

Avernion= Happy to hear from you again. I don’t think Connor much appreciates your pity… he just glares angrily at you. Updates come regularly about once a month due to story rotation. Hope you continue to enjoy

Lambent- I’m glad I get to punch someone kink buttons… It makes me giggle. As for Mikhael and Selix I love exploring the idea of informed consent with these two. It’s just so fun to watch Mikhael contradict himself, but don’t tell him I told you that. Connor and Darius, those two I have to house is separate apartments, damn primadonnas won’t even behave off page. The parallel progression is my favorite part of this story. The idea that people from opposing backgrounds and lifestyles can end up in the same place and that two people with the same history can end up in such different ones intrigues me. I’m glad that you’ve enjoyed it.

Jules- I’m so happy to hear from you again. You’re reviews always brighten my day. As for our dear little Anna, yes I’m afraid she’s dead if you didn’t get that from the massive pile of blood and all. Perhaps in death she found the peace that she deserved so greatly in life. I’d be careful about making quick judgement’s about any of these characters though. Like most real people that aren’t all of what they seem. Connor is not purely righteous, no one is. Darius is not pure evil, no one is. Selix certainly isn’t a stupid doll, he’s one of my favorite people. Like you said it’s all he knows and he is one of those rare beautiful people that does what he thinks is right with all of himself. Mikhael when he’s a whole pile of interesting. Lanix is a great side character I enjoy writing her a lot… I just wish she had more purpose in the story… sadly some side characters remain just that. I’m happy that you identify so strongly with the characters and hope to hear from you soon. As always it’s a true pleasure to hear from you and I’m blessed to have you. Truly I’m so grateful. Thank you for reading both this and Debt and Ownership. Readers like you make be proud to write.

Kitty- I’m so glad you’re enjoying the story. As for discussions between Connor and Darius if you can get them in a room together on or off page without them starting a fight, be my gues. I don’t seem to have much luck. I think that Dariuus would condemn rape though not condone it… lol ah word mismatches… I love them. Updates are once a month due to story rotation with 4 other stories.

Chleohnz- I’m happy that you love my writing style. You’re compliments make me blush. I’m happy that you enjoy the contrast, it’s one of my guilty pleasures. Thanks so much for reading. I hope to hear form you again soon.

Kylee- I’m happy to hear form you again. I’m glad that someone has love for adorable Selix, people seem to pity him more than anything. I told him he has an admirer but he tends to be blushy so pardon his lack of response. Mikhael does not agree that he will enjoy being a pet owner. “Who the hell would” are his exact words. I hope you continue to read

Tamingriki- Glad to hear from you again. What do you think of Darius’s investigation so far. Heads may roll, the question is whose. As for Connor running away, it’s all he thinks about. He even spends his days off page plotting about how to escape on page…. It’s getting a little ridiculous if you ask me. Next chapter delivered now!

Fallen- thank you so much for your praise I feel blessed with readers like you. Updates once a month due to story progression, but here is one right away.

Lambent- Glad you’re still with me. I’m glad that you’re getting into the story. The characters are too. Selix won’t admit it but I think he’s glad Master Cruz didn’t use him too, don’t tell him I told you though. There are several brands of slaves in this world. Pets are specifically pleasure slaves. While Cruz bought a pleasure slave that does not necessarily mean that’s how he has to use him. Cruz was a free man and thus could own any type of slave. This is why it doesn’t really matter if he slept with Selix or not. Though it was rare for a man to buy a pleasure slave and not use it as one. Cruz had his reasons though. As for Darius and Mikhael as members of the military they are strictly allowed pleasure slaves therefore it is imperative that he be known to sleep with his pet.

Jules- YAY! You returned again. Darius enjoyed teasing Connor a lot too. I personally think it’s hilarious… once off page though I had to break up yet another fight between the two of them. Apparently both on and off page Connor does not like to be fucked with. I love Selix dearly, I can only ask that he forgive me for all that I put him through. Somedays I just want to plop him with a different caring and loving master and be done with it. But that would be the end of the story since I don’t do actor shifts mid story (unlike certain harry potter movies). What do you think of Darius’s reaction to the reports and their contents. Can’t wait to hear from you soon.

Avernion- Your Back! Yay. What do you think of Connor’s version of Epheus versus Selix’s version of Epheus.

Kylee- Great to hear from you again!!! Connor still isn’t pleased with your pity… he would shank you… if he could get a shank. I’m happy to have sparked your curiousity with my pairings. As for Selix, I don’t think he’s confused so much as he doesn’t know what to do with them. Mikhael says he knows exactly what he wants. I hope you enjoy what I have cooked up for these too. Mwahahahaha… Next chapter coming right up.

Helga1967- glad you’re enjoying. Hope you stick around

Roya- I’m glad that I held your attention through your vigil. I’m truly blessed with your enthusiasm. Thank you so much. Really it’s more than I know how to take. Thank you thank you thank you. I hope that you enjoy Selix more in the future. He’s one of my favorite people. As for the non=con type of fics I don’t know what to say about that other than there are some non-con themes between Darius and Connor and I hope that you continue to enjoy their awkwardness. As for the plan… even I don’t know because those damn characters have yet to help me write that page yet… always complaining about ‘time off’ and ‘I don’t want to work with him any more’… grumble grumble. Connor is far to smart to assume he can kill Darius and run away scott free. Life doesn’t work that way and the home is well guarded.As for NoirRomance.com, you need to click on the chapter number not the title to access the stories. Hope that helps.