For Tommy

[biocomposer]

People tend not to call them slaves, of course. That feels like it's in poor taste. A host of other words are used - 'indentured' and 'obligate' are popular euphemisms, as is the odd term voluntarily bound. By a certain definition of 'voluntary'. Most are in the system because of debt, or to avoid incarceration, during which they'd likely be put to work anyway. Some people sell short contracts to save money for college or suchlike, only to then need most of the proceeds to pay for therapy to recover from the experience.

The staff at the niche boutique Elijah visits in London wouldn't tell him how they come by their wares, but he can guess. Their slaves tend to be unusually talented, or educated, or beautiful - and Elijah would guess at gambling debts or addiction or the sort of crimes that the entitled often expect to get away with.

He picks over profile photos on a tablet, frowning more and more deeply with every profile. Eventually, tiredly, he has to concede:

"I don't think you have what I'm looking for."

The saleswoman bites her lip and looks at her own tablet. She knows that she's in the company of one of the world's richest men. If she doesn't make this sale she's probably losing her job.

"We, ah - we do have a couple of recent returns who haven't been processed back into the system," she says, cautiously. Elijah lifts an eyebrow but doesn't object, so she goes on: "I can show you the paper files?"

"Please."

This is how he first learns of 'Thomas'.

Comments

[bleak_midwinter]

"If you're sure," he says, having to trust that he's right. He did fine holding on to the cross, at least.

"I tie you up - then what?"

[biocomposer]

"I bought the needle kit you mentioned," Elijah says. Maybe it's a steep escalation, but it's new, and nothing will get him out of his head like a little novelty.

[bleak_midwinter]

"Oh," he says, and then smiles at him before reaching out for the pen again.

"I think you'll take to it."

[biocomposer]

"I hope so. I've done a little reading into it, other people's experiences, and it does sound...very intense."

He draws slowly on the pen and holds it, before exhaling a cloud of vapor.

[bleak_midwinter]

"It is. It can be. I'm not just inside you, I'm putting something underneath your skin."

His eyes drop to Elijah's mouth, briefly.

"But it's perfectly safe. I'm good at it, and it's one of my favorite things to top for."

[biocomposer]

Elijah's tongue darts briefly over his bottom lip.

"This evening?"

[bleak_midwinter]

He looks again, wishing he could - kiss him, inhale the smoke left in his mouth.

"Yes. But I should stop smoking in that case, and so should you. It's a very intense experience for some people - it always has been for me."

[biocomposer]

"Thank you. You're being - extremely sensible, on my behalf."

He switches off the pen and puts it to one side.

"I'd like to eat with you first. Any preferences?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"My job is to be a good dom to you," he reminds him. That's part of it.

"Meat?" And potatoes, or something. He isn't that fancy.

[biocomposer]

"Meat," Elijah echoes, with a small smile. "I'm sure I can manage that. Most people who meet me are surprised I'm not vegan or on some fad diet."

He settles back, looking up to the sky.

[bleak_midwinter]

"I don't think you can get as strong as you are on a vegan diet," Tommy says, with a huff of a smile.

"Do you want to sit at my feet again?"

[biocomposer]

"Maybe between the meal and the scene," Elijah decides. "It might be useful to have that...transitional period."

[bleak_midwinter]

"Alright," he says - and reaches out, to briefly brush his fingers over Elijah's neck.

[biocomposer]

He shivers in pleasure, his response to Tommy's touch absolutely visceral, and arches his back just a little.

"Ah - by the way. The results of your medical came back. I left the envelope outside your suite, but I wasn't advised of anything so I'm assuming it's all clear."

[bleak_midwinter]

He smiles softly and scratches his nails through the hair at the nape of Elijah's neck, feeling the bristles there.

"Good. You never know what someone takes with them, when you yourself can't even leave the house."

[biocomposer]

Elijah can't even speak for a moment, and it's clearly a response to the gentle scrape of Tommy's nails.

"....I have my bloods done every two months. I'll always let you know if there's anything that might need us to...adjust our approach."

[bleak_midwinter]

He's silent a moment as he keeps scratching him like that, then tells him, honestly:

"It's been an adjustment for me. You're so responsible with yourself, with me. I haven't been..."

Treated very well.

[biocomposer]

"I don't really see the logic of mistreating someone who I'm inviting to tie me up and hurt me," Elijah says, mildly. "Would you tell me about your previous owner?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"Ah... what would you like to know?"

He'll tell him, probably, but he doesn't know where to start.

[biocomposer]

"Tell me about how the experience of living with him was different," Elijah suggests, offering himself as a frame of reference. "What did he expect of you?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"Total obedience, sometimes even in play. He didn't let me give him advice like you do. But if something went wrong, if he or someone else went through drop afterwards I was the culprit. I wasn't a person. I was a took."

He delivers it all with a flat tone, like it doesn't affect him, like it didn't matter.

[biocomposer]

"That's...ridiculous."

As if a physiological response to a physiological experience can be prevented.

"Did he ever speak to you outside of scenes?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"No. I had a room, where I was to stay. Why speak to something you use just for your own urges? To satisfy yourself?"

[biocomposer]

"That depends on what you consider satisfying. I realize this is a loaded question, but - did you ever try to escape?"

The shock collar has fallibilities if you're smart, and he knows Tommy's not stupid.

[bleak_midwinter]

"No," he says, looking a little uncomfortable with the question, but aware he might as well answer.

He did, once, but not with his previous owner.