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.]

. . .

Darius smiled charmingly at Leader Tiananmen, who was content to laugh at his own brilliance.

“Don’t be so stiff General. You and I both know that report says exactly what The Council wanted to hear. Really it wasn’t so much different than all of that.” Tiananmen continued on. “Between you and me I think that you’re plans were nothing short of brilliant but at the end of the day those weren’t the results The Council was looking for.”

Raising an eyebrow, Vesperian continued to hold Tiananmen’s gaze.

“We both know what it’s like in the field. What The Council orders and wheat they mean are often two different things which is why they called me in to begin with.”

“I believe that you were called in because my attention was needed elsewhere Leader.”

Tiananmen laughed, “Officially yes, but we both know what The Council wants when they send in the PK brigade.”

Wincing at the allusion to Tiananmen’s troops as the pillage and kill brigade, Vesperian remained cool enough to speak with his usual charm. “I know Leader. That’s why I want to know from your lips what the orders were exactly.”

“Following up on our old conquests, eh?” Tiananmen shot him a wary glance for a moment and then continued stoically, “Well let me make this clear General Vesperian. We followed our orders to the letter, you needn’t worry about the details.”

Flashing a charming smile Vesperian turned back to his breakfast, “I meant no offense in asking. As I said, I’m merely curious about what happened since I could not be present myself.”

“You have nothing to worry about General. I did my job, and The Council agrees with me that you did yours. There is no reason to suspect that not being at the actual site will prevent you from promotion.” Tiananmen smiled broadly believing himself to have caught onto Vesperian’s true motives.

“I’m glad to hear that Leader Tiananmen.” Vesperian smiled back, allowing the Leader to misconstrue the conversation entirely.

. . .

Lionel dodged a particularly heavy blow from Mikhael’s sword before turning about and countering him. “You must tell me all about your adventures with your new pet, Commander.” The General panted as he engaged Mikhael again.

“There is little to tell.” Mikhael swung again forcing Lionel’s weapon to make a hard rebound enough so to land a few heavy blows with the practice weapon.

Holding up a hand to signal rest, Lionel clutched his knees and took deep breathes. “I find that hard to believe.” He straightened to stretch his back and twist at the waist. “If that were true you’d still be in bed with that delightful creature and not here.”

Mikhael mumbled a reply while heading back toward the showers.

“What was that?” Lionel followed Mikhael, untying his practice padding as he went.

A sneer briefly sat on Mikhael’s lips before being thrown off for a long thin line. “I have yet to bed Selix.”

“My dear boy,” Lionel raised one eyebrow. “I don’t know how you manage. He was so charming that I considered keeping him for myself.”

Shaking his head, Mikhael pulled the chest padding up over his head and threw it onto the nearby pile of laundry. “I can’t very well take that boy to my bed and you know it.”

“I know no such thing.” Lionel pouted. “I can’t believe that you have yet to make use of my tender little gift.”

“If I wanted someone in my bed I’d call on one of my former mistresses. You recall there were quite a few.”

“Yes I do remember. I seem to recall a few scandals as well. There is something to owning pets, Mikhael. Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, there is a reason they exist.” Lionel confirmed.

“I don’t want anything unwilling in my bed.” Mikhael clipped.

Lionel breathed in the glass of water he was currently drinking. “I’m sorry I believe you just attempted to call a pet unwilling. That is entirely their point of existence. They are trained specifically to be willing.”

“That’s exactly my point.” Mikhael continued yanking off his pants and grabbing a towel. “How can one be truly willing to do something if that is once job. Specifically when one did not choose ones job.”

A laugh bubbled up from Lionel’s throat as the two entered the showers, “Trust me. I don’t think Selix is unwilling. He adores you. He was positively taken with you that first night and you know it.”

“I hardly think that one trained to bring other’s pleasure could possibly understand the true meaning of the word.” Mikhael scoffed as he entered under the cold spray.

“Really Mikhael I don’t see why you have to replicate the barrack training halls in your own private training quarters. Most men at least have the decency to offer a guest a suite and a bath not a public shower.” Lionel frowned as he two entered the spray of his shower stall.

“These training quarters are completely effective at doing their job and you know it.”

“Yes, well. I find it hard to believe that such a dear friend of mine could be so delusional as to agree with Military standards.”

Mikhael raised a brow, “Be careful General, you’re beginning to sound like the show Generals that retire after a few battles.”

“Better a show General than the bloodthirsty stupid sort.” Lionel jabbed back, closing his eyes in an attempt to block out the militant and efficient world around him.

“I’m gar from what I could be and you know it.” Mikhael’s voice poured from his lips like a laugh as he toweled off and grabbed the fresh clothing from the servant at the door.

“Speaking of bloodthirsty, why is your brother meeting with Tiananmen?” Lionel pulled on his fresh clothing, please to be free of the heavy padding and sweat of training.

Tying up his boots, Michael spoke over one shoulder, “I haven’t even a clue. Though I suppose it could be an unofficial review. There has been rumor of promotion. For the both of us I might add.”

“That sounds painfully dull.” Lionel made a show of his shudder, “I hate speaking with that man. He’s insane.”

“Not that bad.”

“Once on the battle field I saw him lick his bloody sword. I’m not talking mistook. He looked right at the opposing forces commander and licked his blade. Disgusting. I thought I was going to be ill then and there.”

“Why did you join the military.”

“Well if I hadn’t been so blessed with a weapon I thought about becoming a pet.”

Mikhael rolled his eyes. “Stop trying to pick a fight.”

“Oh but I would be a pet in a heartbeat. All that luxury, all that decadence and none of the business of war and bloodshed, but then you would be denied my great leadership so I suppose not.”

“I doubt pets really think of it that way.” Mikhael’s voice ground out.

Lionel didn’t bother to look in Mikhael’s direction as he spoke. “Really, and when did you last speak with a pet on the subject.”

Mikhael scowled.

“That’s what I thought. You’re quite the man of contradiction.” Lionel elbowed Mikhael who brushed the other man off without a glance. “People shouldn’t be pets. Slavery is be abhorred.” Lionel mocked.

“They shouldn’t and slavery is a terrible ineffectual system. Really. Forcing someone to do what they wouldn’t rather only leads to lazy and incomplete work. It insults Banpo’s greatness by existing in the empire.” Mikhael picked up his pace as they headed back toward the main house. “Men should be treated with respect and dignity. Pets are treated like property, nothing more than a fancy statue that one can take one’s pleasure from, uneducated and unmotivated to do more than lay about and fuck.” Mikhael’s voice rose as he continued on. “It’s an abomination.”

Lionel’s laughter echoed in the halls, “So you find Selix stupid, pity.”

“He’s clearly not stupid. He knows several languages and can read and write.” Mikhael’s voice took a growling edge.

“He’s a simpleton then. Languages aside, he has no comprehension of how to behave.”

“No he knows how to behave. He’s quite cunning actually.”

Lionel sighed heavily, “So what exactly is the problem?” Lionel passed through the door to the lounge and accepted the glass from the attendant there. “You’ve described a grown man.”

“He’s not that either, Lionel.” Mikhael sat down in his chair shoeing away the servant offering him wine and accepting the water instead. “All of that isn’t him. He’s simply doing what he thinks I want him to do. Behaving, speaking, and well acting the way he thinks I want him to act.”

“And is he wrong?” Lionel said over the side of his glass.

Mikhael rolled his eyes again, “It doesn’t matter. It isn’t him. It’s dishonest is what it is. For instance he propositioned me the other night.”

Lionel clutched his chest and dug fingers into the arm of his chair. “I pet propositioning his master, blasphemous! How dare he do exactly what he’s suppose to do!” He chuckled at his own mock shock.

“But that isn’t what he wants.” Mikhael asserted.

“And how do you know that.” Lionel leaned back in the chair playing with the liquid in his glass. “You’re saying he propositioned you. That does say something for his passion.”

“Only because that is what he is trained to do. The second I told him that he didn’t need to, the whole seduction charade ceased immediately.”

“What exactly did you say?” Lionel cocked his head to one side, an amused grin on his face.

“I told him that I didn’t need him to serve me that way.” Mikhael voice was casual as he gestured with his up turned palm.

“Word for word.”

“Something close to that I’m sure. Maybe something along the lines of I didn’t want that sort of service, but very nearly those words.” Mikhael’s assertion left a smirk on Lionel’s face.

“Oh that poor boy. No wonder he stopped his ‘seduction’ as you put it.” He chuckled at the thought of Selix seducing anyone. “Do you honestly think that boy would continue after being told you didn’t want him. He’s a pet. They serve. You tell him stop and he stops. Now you’re upset that he stopped.” Lionel shook his head in amusement.

“I’m not upset that he stopped. My point was it was a job to him. It was a task to please a master.” Mikhael frowned. “He clearly didn’t enjoy the interaction.”

“Was he hard?”

“What?” Mikhael stared at Lionel who didn’t meet his eyes.

“I said, was he hard. You said interaction. So I assume you know whether he was hard or not.” Lionel brushed over his sentences quickly and lightly.

“That’s not the point.” Mikhael growled.

“So let me get this straight.” Lionel leaned forward one elbow on the arm of his chair. “You have a clearly turned on pet, attempt to seduce you. You say stop. He stops. Sounds to me like he was more unwilling to stop than to start.”

“You don’t understand.” Mikhael shook his head in frustration, “How can he consent to something that he doesn’t know as anything more than a chore.”

“Commander, if it isn’t clear by the boys actions and demeanor let me explain this to you clearly. I don’t think the boy has ever been taken before.”

A gaping look of confusion passed over his face, “What do you mean. He is a pet.”

“Oh Mikhael, be reasonable. He’s shy and quick to blush. While the woman that sold him asserted he father used him regularly I don’t really believe that. Look at him. He’s just too innocent.”

“It’s an act. It’s how he’s trained to behave.” Mikhael waved away Lionel’s assessment.

“You can’t have it both ways Mikhael. You can’t claim that he is a man with thoughts and feelings enough to manipulate the situation and then claim that he’s too naive to understand his own behavior.” Lional scolded and took a drink from his glass. “Really, you probably hurt the poor things feelings. He’s been nothing but charming and you’ve been a complete ass.”

“That is not the case.”

“How would you know? You don’t look at him. You barely acknowledge his presence in a room. You clearly haven’t spoken to him about any of this, and yet you claim to know the very essence of his experiences. You don’t like how he behaves when you don’t order him around and you clearly have distaste for when he obeys you.” The cheerful grin on Lionel’s face broadened.

Mikhael glared at Lionel and opened his mouth in retort before he was interrupted by the click of an opening door.

“Pardon my interruption Master, General Lionel.” The boy carried a large tray in his hands. “I thought that you might enjoy lunch after your training.” Setting the tray down on the table in the center of the room, Selix failed to meet either Mikhael’s or Lionel’s faces. “I apologize for the interruption.”

“It’s no interruption at all. It’s a pleasure to see you again Selix.” Lionel’s voice was clear and light despite his lecture moments ago.

“It is a pleasure to see you again as well, General Lionel.” Selix bowed gracefully. “Is there anything else I can do for you Master?” Selix stared at Mikhael’s boots intently.

Ignoring Lionel’s instigative glance, Mikhael kept a calm tone.“No Selix. That will be all.”

Selix nodded, consciously keeping the smile on his face. “Thank you Master. I hope you enjoy. Good day General Lionel.”

“Good day Selix.”

Another low graceful bow and Selix exited.

As the door clicked shut Lionel glared at Mikhael. “What exactly did you do to the poor thing?”

“I didn’t do anything to him.” Mikhael picked up a plaate from the tray and picked at the assortment of cheeses.

“That,” Lionel pointed toward the door, “Is not the cheerful sweet pet I bought you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. He has changed a bit but obviously for the better.” Mikhael didn’t meet Lionel’s glare. “As soon as I instructed him to abandon the act he ceased to.”

“Abandoned reality for fiction and its all for the better.” Lionel stood up and moved to the door.

Raising an eye Mikhael stared at Lionel, “Where are you going?”

“I don’t enjoy being lied to even if it’s not what you intent.” Lionel began to exit and stopped to turn a harsh gaze back to Mikhael. “Commander Vesperian, I didn’t purchase that pet to have you order him into misery.” Lionel’s stern voice pierced into the room. “Where am I going?” The sarcastic repetition of the question sounded strangely cruel coming from Lionel’s lips. “I’m going to fix this mess and save you from your own idiocy.”

. . .
. . .


Please R&R

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. . .

Tinglingsensation- Your back again. I’m sorry that the number of chapters isn’t to your liking. I’m afraid that with story rotation I can only manage once a month. Which is one and a quarter stories a week to write and edit on top of other story work, a full time job and 19 credits of classes. I hope that you understand and continue to read. Thank you so much for all of your feedback and I’ve added you to the update list so you won’t need to fret about missing an update. Thank you so much for your time.

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Kylee- I’m so happy to hear from you again! YAY!!!! I’m glad that you’re beginning to see Selix’s inner strength. As for Mikhael I don’t think he’ll ever admit how much he thinks about those kisses, don’t tell him I told you though. What do you think of Vesperian’s investigation so far. So much to do and so little time. I’m glad that you’re enjoying and hope to hear from you soon. Thank you so much for your continued reading. I’m blessed to have you. Thank you sooo much.

Avernion- Thank you, and once again it’s a pleasure to hear from you.

Jules- It’s a pleasure to have you back as always. I’m pleased that you’re enjoying the story so much and that Connor continues to intrigue you. All in due time we see their live unfold. Thank you so much for your dedication to the story. Truly I’m touched by your continued reviews and your passion for the characters.

Jea- I’m glad you’re enjoying the characters. Thank you so much for your time!

GellyBelly- I’m happy you’re back again. Glad to hear that you enjoyed Selix’s verbal bitch slap I know that I did.

Renny- I’m happy that you think about the characters on such an analytical level. It’s rare to get so deep an analysis. Thank you so much. I’m happy that you enjoyed the Myth portions of the story and I appreciate everything that you’ve said more than you realize. Thank you so much.

Kylee- Poor Selix again, be careful. Ever since this scene he’s been on a bitch slap spree. Selix does need some loving but he refuses to cuddle with me at the moment. Something about forcing him to do scenes with Connor. Anyway, he’s not pleased. Connor is my own personal McGyuver. I went to his apartment last night and discovered he’d found 42 ways to kill a person with just a couch…. He can be intimidating.

Jea- Please to hear from you again. I’m glad that you enjoyed the boy’s fight. Rarely do we get to say everything that we want to in an argument. I’m glad that you think about the social ramifications about both of their positions though. I’m grateful to have such thoughtful readers. I definitely am taking your thoughts about NoirRomance vs AFF.net updates into consideration. It’s still an open discussion and I’m trying to gauge what’s best for everyone.