Ghosts of the Past

[Lief]

Smithing was hard work, but Toby enjoyed the feeling of making things with his hands. The clang of the hammer. The heat of the forge. The dazzling fireworks that sparked from the welder. The process immersed him and calmed him. Plus, metalsmithing was a task in which the slave could excel. A job well-done meant less cruel words and vicious beatings from Master Meriet. Sure, this was work that droids could do, but Master Meriet liked a personal touch on his mount’s shoes and his guards’ weapons, so the boy learned from the best smiths that Meriet's credits could buy.

Not only did the work occupy Toby’s strong, rough hands, ones that were especially muscular for a boy who had just turned eighteen, but it also busied his overactive imagination. If he focused on bending and punching the metal, perhaps his mind wouldn’t wander to Master Meriet’s son, the boy with the shining red hair and beautiful smile.

When Crix Meriet came near, Toby’s heart beat excessively fast, face flushing redder than the coals that heated the forge’s furnace. Blood coursed through his veins like a rushing river. The earth nearly titled on its axis. The slave was practically helpless under the other boy’s spell. All he could do was avert his gaze, and hope that Master Meriet didn’t catch wind of how flustered he was by the close proximity of his son.

Perhaps Master Meriet would send Crix off to boarding school or flight academy or somewhere far, far away. It wasn’t really what Toby wanted, but there was lingering sense of danger that seemed to surround the other boy.

He didn’t know why. Guess it was just a hunch.

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix came into the conservatory in a huff, his fathers words thundering around his head 'You are eighteen now grow up' His ear still stung from the clip it had received. Crix was grown up ,well as of two days ago, he just wasn't a monster like his father. They had argued .... well less argued Crix's dad had ranted and raved and crix had stood taking it all ... after he'd refused to beat one of the child slave bloody for walking into him. The child was dead now , poor boy. Crix hated been a slaver's son. to be told he was better than so many people made his head spin.

With a loud groan he collapsed face down onto a couch letting the soft sound of rain on the roof soothe him. it was tranquil, he lay there for eternal minutes in a dream of running away. how glorious it would be to get off the island. he could join the republic and use it's might to free all the slaves in the galaxy. Ah but there was no way off the island without his dads permission never mind off the whole planet. No he was stuck here.

"Master Crix" Came the comforting voice of Nima his favourite of his dad's house slaves. She was more of mother to him than his own was. He rolled over and half smiled "I brought you some lunch, your favorite soup and I've even smuggled some blue milk for you." Crix smiled a little bigger. Nima must have heard Crix had gotten into trouble, she always brought him blue milk when he was upset.

Crix took the tray and sat up his eyes drifting outside to watch the forge. Working there was a boy about Crix's age, he was very handsome which left crix wondering why he'd never noticed this boy before. "Nima" he asked slowly eyes never leaving the boy at the forge "Who's that boy ?" Crix was entranced by the boys glowing skin and strong looking body "The blacksmith's apprentice sir , Toby's his name I think" Crix nodded at the answer and continued eating still watching the boy.

"Is he nice? hard working ?" Crix asked after a few minutes "Yes sir, he's very sweet and works well ... talk is he'll be the next blacksmith " Crix nodded again a sweet name for a seemingly sweet slave. Crix was settled on it then. Crix would be sleeping beside Toby tonight. It was one of the perks of his 'position' every night a slave was sent up to him and for one night they could experience a luxury bed and just a little comfort. Crix's dad usually picked a night companion for crix from his own cast off female bed slaves but tonight crix would pick and he would pick Toby.

"Bring him to me, but see he doesn't track mud or anything into the house ... I don't want to get into anymore trouble" Then it was back to lunch and watching this Toby boy.

 

[Lief]

Toby had no idea he was being watched by Crix. For the rest of the afternoon, his vision was practically obscured by the visor of his welding helmet and the sparks of electrodes that danced in his view. The slave was naturally perplexed when approached by a guard at the end of the day instead of being released to his sleeping quarters. The guard told Toby that instead of going to his slave quarters, he would be taken to the conservatory. He cocked his head in further confusion. What kind of things needed his attendance in the conservatory? He was a metalsmith, not a house keeper. Still it was an order and he was bound by his unyielding obedience to the Meriet household.

First, Toby quickly bathed in soapy hot water and jasmine leaves. The boy was covered in grime from the day’s work and wouldn’t be setting foot in the conservatory in such a filthy state. Once cleaned, wearing fresh clothes, and chained at the wrists as a precaution, the shy boy was escorted to the conservatory, a lavishly decorated offshoot of the Meriet mansion. Once inside, the slave was taken directly to a sitting room.

When he walked through the archway, Toby stood there before Crix Meriet himself. He felt a slow blush creep over his face, branching up from his neck and reddening the apples of his cheeks. Why was he brought here to meet Meriet’s handsome son?

“Sir, you called for me?” he asked deferentially, head bowed and grey-blue eyes staring intently at the marble floor.

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix had sat watching Toby all day peering at him over the top of his book watching the boy in his work. The sparks falling around him, yes he could have a little love affair with that boy. Some fun before he was forced to marry someone 'appropriate'. His father had his fun why couldn't Crix He had made arrangements whilst the guards were fetching Toby. Some platters of food , no doubt this boy would be hungry, a set of pajamas for toby to sleep in. He had been amused by the look of confusion on Toby's face as he was summoned. Yes humble a good man, he deserved a night of luxury.

They brought Toby just as the sky began to darken. His wrists were chained, crix tutted. They always did this Toby wasn't to be punished so why must he be brought bound . "Leave us" he ordered the guards. He smiled at Toby as he blushed. He was just as sweet as Nima promised. He was adorable.

"I did" He smiled "Come, sit down" he instructed patting the sofa beside him softly "I'll take those chains off your wrists"

Once toby had sat beside him crix reached over to slip Toby's hands up to his and ease the chains from his wrists with a tut "Did they mistreat you Toby?" He asked softly thumbs rubbing over the backs of Toby's hands "For tonight you're going to taste just a little comfort, have you ever slept in a proper bed Toby?" he asked one hand drifting to the platter of food to put a grape in his mouth then a secound in Toby's "You look hungry" He announced "eat your fill, that's an order" he said with a smile. This would be the hardest part slaves unfamiliar with household service often feared gifts.

[member="Toby Meriet"]

 

[Lief]

Toby had expected a reason to be revealed instantly. “Shine my boots” or “clean this floor,” or something along those lines. Toby didn’t know what to think as he was instructed to sit down next to Meriet’s son. Of course, he instantly obeyed, wondering if the younger Meriet took after his father in his cruelty. So far, he saw no malicious glimmer in the young man’s deep brown eyes. Such soulful eyes, they were.

Toby crossed the room and sat down next to Crix on the sofa, glancing over him him cautiously, careful not to make eye contact. The two of them seemed to very close in age, something he’d never realized before. The red-haired boy slipped off Toby's cuffs with ease, depositing them on a nearby table. His smile made the slave’s stomach do a slow somersault, as did the other boy’s hands on his.

“Did they mistreat you, Toby?” he asked. Crix's thumbs felt comforting on the back of Toby's tired hands.

“Uh...no, Sir,” he answered, with a slight hesitation. In truth, Toby was mistreated quite often by the blacksmith who slapped the boy and insulted him if he did a poor job on the horseshoes. But he supposed that Crix meant today, and Toby hadn’t been mistreated on this particular day.

Toby was then instructed to eat his fill of a delicious-looking plate of food, a cornucopia of fruits, cheeses, and meats. Although his stomach grumbled audibly, the slave was reluctant to take anything, but he did let Crix slip a few grapes between his lips. They were succulent. The freshest fruit he’d ever tasted. Oh right. Crix had asked him a question. He should answer it.

“My bed in the slave quarters isn’t bad,” he said, blinking nervously. It was lie. His mattress was like paper, and he usually woke with a painful crick in his neck. Why was the other boy being so nice to him? He wasn’t sure if he trusted it, but either way, he couldn’t take his eyes off of the Master's son. He wondered if it was insolent to ask why he was summoned to the conservatory, but he was intensely curious.

“Why did you call for me, Sir? If I might ask?”

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix had slaves to shine his shoes and clean his floors, what he didn't have were many freinds. The children on the island feared his father too much to beat Crix in any game and being stuck playing games you couldn't lose was boring. He had some 'friends' he wrote too off the island but he only got to see them once a year and most were very boring. Crix wanted someone to talk to and this was the best way to do it.

He smiled as toby crossed the room, even Toby's walk made him endearing. He'd never had these feelings for one of the companions his father sent. He frowned a little as Toby avoided eye contact, 'Perfect another person who feared him too much' He had noticed in that breif glance that Toby had beautiful blue grey eyes. "You can look me in the eyes Toby, no one will hurt you " He was not to know his father would soon make him a liar.

As his hands stroked Toby's Crix could feel how tired this boy was. He upped the stakes a little beginning to gently massage Toby's hands just firm enough that toby would be unable to easily pull away, still with the same smile. He was glad Toby hadn't been mistreated by his guards at least . "Good" he replied softly still rubbing Toby's hands.

Crix heard Toby's stomach grumble and yet still the boy didn't eat . Crix didn't like how scared Toby looked "Eat Toby" he pressed again gently releasing Toby's hands "would it make it easier if you traded me somthing for the food, a special skill beyond smithing you could show me in exchange perhaps?"

Crix had laughed at Toby's assertion that the beds in the slave quarters weren't so bad. Crix had seen them they were, of course now that Toby had spent a night as a companion Crix reasoned that toby would be moved to reside with his fathers own chosen companions, they got proper beds an special perks like running hot water. "They are terrible Toby, I've seen them, you don't need to lie" Crix smiled again "You're safe with me"

finally Toby came to ask Crix a question "I wanted someone to talk to, who would spend the night with me ... a sleepover of sorts ...." He paused and chewed his lips, Toby probably didn't know what a sleepover was. Ah it was no matter he was duty bound to follow crix anyway "Nima , my personal attendant told me you were hard working and sweet so I figured you would be perfect for the job and more than deserving of the privileges involved" He patted Toby's knee "... Like the food" He pushed again

[member="Toby Meriet"]

 

[Lief]

When Crix suggested that Toby look him in the eyes, the slave complied, locking on to the boy’s soulful pools of deep brown. Toby saw kindness in the other boy’s eyes, and a sliver of something else, something that gave him a pleasant shudder down his spine.

Then, the Meriet boy did something very unexpected. Almost astounding. Crix began to rub the slave boy’s hands, gently kneading the sore muscles. A rut formed in Toby’s smooth brow. He’d caught glimpses of Master Meriet getting a morning massage on the beach many times. The slaves gave the pleasure, not the other way around. It was odd, but nice. Toby’s posture began to droop and a deep exhalation came. The slave was beginning to relax. Crix asked if he wanted to trade something for food. His hand snaked carefully over to a chunk of freshly baked bread, gingerly lifting it off the plate.

“If you’d like something special from me I’d be glad to give it, Sir. But I’m afraid I don’t know much else besides blacksmithing and horses.”

Oh, he was caught in a lie about the bed. That was bad wasn’t it? Toby froze, the chunk of bread dangling from his hand, but when no repercussions came, he boldly took a bite. The bread tasted amazing, buttery and soft. The bread that Toby was given with his supper was usually stale, and sometimes even showed a thin dusting of mold which Toby would scrape off. As he chewed and swallowed, the nobleman’s son answered his question of why Toby had been summoned to meet Crix.

“Thank you, Sir,” he said sincerely, averting his gaze out of habit, then lifting it when he realized that Crix had told him not to do that. But what would they talk about during this "sleepover" event? All he knew was metalsmithing and the stables. That thought was soon replaced by another, one that made his heart drum against his chest. He would soon be in the private quarters of this devastatingly handsome boy.

As a result, Toby did something that wasn’t a common occurrence. He grinned.

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Cri fawned as Toby finally locked eyes with him. Good god those eyes, blue-grey pools so deep you could drown in them. filled with innocence and simplicity, not like his father's eyes they were harsh and cruel. Crix sat staring for a breif secound then returned to sense.

Crix wanted Toby to feel at ease and that was never going to happen if the slave was still sore and had his mind focused on work. So of course Crix was going to ease that pain as best he could . Crix was relieved as Toby's posture began to droop, it was good that he was finally relaxing "Your hands felt tired Toby , is that better?" He hoped it was. Father worked the slaves too hard, Toby's hands had been testament to that. Crix was pleased further by Toby finally getting somthing proper. It might have been bread but to Crix it was progress.

It seemed Toby felt he had nothing to offer Crix " That's quite alright " crix soothed "we can call all this payment for you giving up your free time" If dragging oneself back to the slave quarters to eat slop and do whatever slaves did before bed free time. "I hope you don't mind too much" he added still speaking softly.

Crix understood why Toby had lied. Slaves could die for ingratitude even if all they got was discomfort and pain. So he was not about to punish Toby for doing somthing that had been beaten into him since birth, Crix answered Toby's question then just sat watching him eat. He was so beautiful Crix began to wonder how he could have ended up here.

He smiled again and nodded slightly at Toby's gratitude," That's quite alright Toby " He said eyes still fixed on Toby's. such magnificent eyes then they were joined by a grin from the slave. "A smile" Crix exclaimed "You can pay me back with those" Crix said as he leant forward hand trailing up to stroke Toby's cheek. That's how his dad did it. He was about to kiss Toby when he pulled away. No he couldn't do it like this, Toby wouldn't refuse him even if he didn't want Crix to kiss him. His father might be happy to exploit his slaves but crix was not. No if he was to kiss Toby it would be at the others request. He brought his hand away and sat back "Are you sore anywhere else Toby ? Or are you feeling better?"

The rain had really picked up and drops of rain were racing over the conservatory roof. Which gave Crix an Idea. Unless Toby expressed any further discomfort Crix would stand up. Instructing Toby to continue eating his fill while he went to get somethings. He would return later with two blankets and lots of cushions being carried by Nima. He would lay these out on the floor. pull his boots off and lie down staring up at the roof " Come and lie by me Toby, have you ever raced raindrops ? " He asked, he bet even a slave had raced raindrops , they were out in the rain enough. If not Crix would explain the rules then announce his wager. The Winner had to tell the loser a secret or let the winner made a request of them. It seemed a good way to get to know this boy.

 

[Lief]

“I don’t mind giving you my free time at all, Master, er...Sir,” The slave tripped over his words, unsure of what to call the younger Meriet. He wasn't exactly the Master Meriet Toby was used to addressing, but he was giving orders so Toby supposed that the same name might apply. Crix was staring at him so intensely that Toby could have sworn the boy was trying to see straight into his soul. Crix suggested that Toby pay him back with smiles, a comment that instantly spawned another grin and a rosy blush. Meriet’s son was being so unbelievably nice to him. The kindness was strange since Toby was usually treated like garbage by the stablehand and smithy, and especially by Master Meriet himself.

“I suppose I can do that,” he agreed with a nod. His grey-blue eyes flickered to the hand that approached his face, not unlike a skittish animal. The grin stayed plastered on his face, but his chest heaved. He was still afraid of somehow upsetting Crix. If he did, he knew he’d be beaten within an inch of his life. Crix’s head tilted in, and then he pulled away. Was that? Was he going to? Toby could have sworn that the boy was about to kiss him. The slave would very much like a kiss from the boy. On the rare occasion that Toby had allowed himself to daydream about Crix Meriet, kissing was definitely featured prominently in those thoughts.

A mixture of relief and disappointment washed over him when the other boy pulled away. He was asked if he sore anywhere else.

“I’m not sore anymore, Sir,” Toby said, willing his pulse to stop racing. “And yes, I feel much better, thank you.”

The rain pattered on the conservatory roof. The sudden shower made Crix spring to his feet, busying himself with some other puzzling task. Toby was instructed to eat his fill, and he did, making little sandwiches out of the bread, meats, and cheeses, and eating until his stomach complained.

Soon, the boy returned only to lay cushions and blankets on the floor, sprawling on them like the king of his castle. Toby was instructed to join Crix on the floor and “race raindrops” or whatever that was. Toby eagerly stretched out beside the other boy on this back, resting his hands on bent knees. Staring up at the drops of rain as they plummeted towards the sunroof, he answered.

“I’ve never played it before. How does this game work?”

He turned to Crix with an amused expression. This was going to be fun.

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

"I'm glad " Crix smiled "And don't worry about what to call me sir, master both are fine " he leant in close to whisper in Toby's ear "You can even call me Crix when no one else is listening " Crix disliked all the pompous titles but they were a necessity for both his survival and the slaves comfort. He loved Toby's smile, he adored seeing it again. He felt in his gut that he needed to see Toby smile again and again. Suddenly Toby's smile seemed the most important thing in the world. He would have to find a way to keep it there.

"I demand that you do that" he replied. Toby was lovely and Crix wanted to kiss him, and continue kissing him until his body demanded he stop. Alas Crix was concerned that the signals he was getting from Toby were forced he couldn't bear to think he was forcing Toby into things. He hoped he could entice Toby to kiss him before too long.

Crix was pleased to learn Toby wasn't sore anymore "good, good beautiful" He smiled "You so much as stub your toe or get hiccups and I want to know so I can make it all better " He whispered soothingly. This man was going to be fun even if it was just a few nights of fun.

Then the rain came and with it the promise of an even better night. Crix always had an affinity for rain. the sound and the cozy feeling he got when he was wrapped up with a book. He was pleased to see Toby had eaten when he returned.He smiled as he was joined on the floor. He smiled to the sprawled slave. Toby was beautiful, Crix lifted a blanket to lay it over himself and Toby, shivering as pleasure shot up his back "Will you hold my hand T ... oby " he asked Offering his hand before rolling over to smile at Toby as he explained the game.

His free hand settled gently on Toby's shoulder "Well dearest you pick a raindrop at the top of the window and so do I " He trailed down Toby's chest "Then we watch them race down the window " his hand drifted still further to rub Toby's complaining Tummy "Whoever has the 'fastest' raindrop wins, The loser has to tell the winner a secret or let the winner made a request of them ... a forfeit if you will" He echoed Toby's amused look. He was going to enjoy tonight he could tell.

 

[Lief]

"Will you hold my hand T ... oby?"

Toby’s stomach churned at the request. There was no hesitation though. His strong, laborer’s hand found the other boy’s, palm pressed against palm, fingers knitted together. It felt warm and comforting. Crix began to explained the rules of the raindrops game, and paying attention to them seemed almost a herculean task with the other boy’s hand on his shoulder and then his stomach. An audible swallow came. Crix’s hands felt like velvet through the thin fabric of his shirt. When Toby was touched, it was usually only to be beaten or slapped. A cuff on the ear. Or a rough shove. The slave didn’t know the tenderness of wandering fingertips and hand-holding any more than one of Master Meriet’s hunting hounds. But Toby liked it. A lot. And he wanted more.

Toby panned his gaze to the window. Truthfully he didn’t really know if he was playing the game correctly, but despite his confusion, he pointed to a rivulet of rain running down the glassteel.

“That one right there,” he said. Presumably Crix had picked a raindrop as well.

He watched the stream of water slide down the glassteel, and hoped he didn’t lose sight of it. Once it reached the bottom, he turned back to Crix, losing himself in the other boy’s deep brown eyes. A soft smile crossed his lips, while his fingers played with Crix's. If he lost the race, what secret would he tell? You’re driving me crazy, Master Crix?

"Did I win, Sir?"

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix blushed a little as Toby's hand joined with his, he didn't know why. He did know that he liked holding Toby's hand, it felt safe but most importantly it felt whole as if it was filling up a gap in crix he never even knew he had. Crix gave the hand a squeeze, it was all so perfect. Surly nothing could go round Crix would later regret thinking. He giggled as Toby swallowed at his touch. Crix supposed he was unused to affection which made the slaver's son a little sad. To think one as handsome as Toby had never been cared for before. Crix seemed to detect that toby enjoyed his touch but that might have been pure wishfulness on his part. None the less he had ceased his touches to roll back onto his back. Pressed just a touch closer to toby.

Crix followed toby's finger to the glassteel and then pointed out his own, one of a multitude of droplets running over the roof.

"Mine's that one " Crix responded. Crix bet Toby was glad he wasn't in the slave quarters now, Crix had heard that the roof leaked and the whole building was drafty.

Whilst Toby was staring intently at his own drop, focused completely on the game, Crix had noticed himself and Toby reflected in the polished glass. They looked right together and Crix felt an odd weight in his stomach a new sensation that crix didn't understand, he'd never felt it's like before but it felt ... appropriate some how.

He was pulled from his thoughts by Toby's question. Had Toby won ? Crix didn't know , Crix didn't care.

"You did Toby, well done" He didn't have the heart to tell Toby he hadn't been concentrating and Crix supposed the slave boy deserved to win at somthing "So Toby, What will your prize be?"

[member="Toby Meriet"]

 

[Lief]

Toby had never seen the rain look so beautiful as it pattered against the glassteel above. The young slave had a satisfying meal in his belly, a prince of a boy lying next to him (and holding his hand!), and what was sure to be a comfortable bed for the night. If Toby was dreaming, he definitely didn’t want to wake.

And the night just kept getting better and better. Toby won the race! That was unexpected, especially since he’d lost track of his raindrop about halfway down the glass when it melted in with the rest. But what would his prize be? The slave toyed around with the idea of making Crix do something he wanted, like give him a kiss. The boy’s lips looked as soft as rose petals. But what if Crix didn’t want to? What if Master Meriet’s son felt it was beneath him to kiss such a lower caste boy? He couldn’t bear the pain of it. Toby felt safer asking for a secret from the other boy instead, so he did.

“Thank you, Sir,” Toby said, averting his gaze out of ingrained submissiveness. As his fingers intertwined with Crix’s, thumb rubbing the back of the other boy’s hand, he boldly flashed his silver eyes at Crix. A playful grin spread across his cheeks.

“I would like you to tell me a very deep secret. Perhaps, something you’ve never told anyone before?”

That wasn’t overstepping any boundaries was it?

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix had never seen rain so beautiful either. Toby made it beautiful.somehow Toby's presence made the symphony of the rain on the roof all the more pervasive, the glisten in the drops all the shinier and the blanket all the cozier. He was looking forward to the rest of his night with Toby , If Toby was dreaming Crix wasn't about to let him wake up.

Crix found Toby's excitement at having won endearing. It felt good to give Toby a win for once, the handsome boy clearly needed a win and Crix really wanted to kiss him. Toby had an angelic face, an easy beauty mixed with undeniable innocence. Clearly then Crix would have been more than happy to kiss Toby, heck he'd do it more than once. The fact that Toby was of a lower caste only made him more desirable, treating Toby with affection flew in the face of all the poison Crix's father had dripped into his ear and it felt good to do somthing so rebellious.

"Your welcome, Toby " Crix soothed, tilting Toby's head back up with his free hand. Crix was unwilling to have Toby's wonderful eyes hid from him. As Toby flashed Crix his eyes and grinned in such a playful way Crix reflected him. Toby's thumb on the back of his hand was more than comforting.

He nodded at Toby's request for a deep secret. What could Crix tell this boy ? He supposed his deepest secret was his aversion to monsters.

"I'm terrified of monsters Toby " He frowned a little embarrassed "So I still sleep with a teddy bear, It's childish I know but ..." He just blushed and nestled his head on Toby's chest. He should have picked a different secret one that didn't make him look like a baby.

"Let's just move on T" He smiled nervously into Toby's shirt

Then he sat up, his cheeks and ears still pinkened.

"Do you want to play the same game again ? Or should I teach you another game?"

 

[Lief]

When Crix revealed his secret, Toby’s dark brows rose. How could a boy who had soldiers at his beck and call be afraid of anything? He picked up on the other boy's embarrassment and his face reddened right along with Crix's. Toby suddenly felt oddly protective of the other boy, like he would fight a horde of monsters with his bare hands to protect this handsome prince.

“If it makes you feel safer, it’s not childish at all,” he said. When Crix pressed his russet-curled head against Toby’s chest, the slave lifted a hand to stroke the soft tufts of hair, letting his fingers glide along the other boy’s scalp.

Suddenly, Crix sat up and asked if Toby wanted to play the same game or if he wanted to learn another. Toby didn’t know very many games. Every now, and then he and some of the other slaves would play horseshoes on the beach before one would call out, “Lord Meriet!” and the children would scatter into the dunes. A new game would be fun to learn.

“Yes, please teach me another game, My Lord,” he begged with a nod.

One that lets me touch those soft strands of red hair again.

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix might have had an army but they wouldn't protect him from the threat of the biggest monster he knew. His own father . Crix thought Toby's embarrassment was terribly endearing, bush creeping up to redden toby's ears. He would have found it irresistable had he realised that Toby felt protective of him.

Whilst he didn't pick up on toby's new found desire to protect him he did feel well protected as Toby wrapped his arms around the slaver's son. soothing fingers stroking through his hair whilst Toby's body radiated a soothing warmth , it swiftly made crix feel better.

Toby's soothing touch also gave crix an idea to keep Toby close , Toby could be his valet . Dressing him, massaging any soreness he suffered, sharing his secrets and sticking by his side at all times , nothing Toby couldn't handle and it would keep him away from the lash. Or so Crix hoped. how wrong he was. Dread could wait however , the two boys were still having fun.

"Another game it is then Toby" Crix smiled still locked in Toby's eyes, crix had the perfect idea of what to play to best increase the chances of physical contact with Toby. "Nima bring me Entanglement" he ordered , nima stepped into the room briefly nodded and went off to find Crix's game. Whilst she was getting it crix shuffled down to Toby's feet "You'll need to take your boots off for this, T" he instructed rolling the blanket up and taking hold of Toby's right foot "I'll do it, you just relax my champion and I'll look after you ... now lets get those footsies out of these nasty boots "

Crix gently eased Toby's boots and socks off, careful not to cause any discomfort to Toby's , no doubt, weary feet then he put the boots and socks aside. he'd have Nima take them to be cleaned and softened when crix took Toby to bed, whilst they waited Crix explained the rules to entanglement whilst he teased and rubbed Toby's feet. "your poor feet look very sore, Toby ... I'll make them feel better for you , my poor boy" Crix murmered gently massaging the tenderest looking spots and playing this little piggie on Toby's adorable toes. Toby had been stood at the forge all day and Toby's skin was patterned with painful looking red spots so there was no doubt his feet were more than a little worn out. As he did that he explained the rules of his game.

"It's quite a simple game there is a mat with rows of coloured dots, Nima will spin a spinner which will tell us which body part we need to move to which dot it'll either be one of your feet or one of your hands" he beamed up tickling Toby's foot a little before returning straight to rubbing the pain away "First to fall loses, we'll have the same prize as before"

Then Nima was back game in hand. Crix set it up the indicated for Toby to go first. Then he shot a glance at Nima she smirked but she knew what to do. set them up for a fall so that crix could 'accidently' kiss Toby

[member="Toby Meriet"]

 

[Lief]

Entanglement. What an intriguing sounding game. And they needed to take their boots off to play! Toby felt a wave of relief that he’d decided to bathe before he came to the conservatory. He was a bit embarrassed at the state of his boots, however. They weren’t as shiny as the noble boy’s, and were covered in dirt and scuffs and worn at the soles. As Crix detailed the rules, he massaged Toby’s feet, an act that elicited a groan from the boy. He’d never had a foot massage before, and it felt divine.

Master Crix then explained the rules. Something about dots and hands and feet? He wasn't sure. Toby was finding it hard to concentrate with the other boy’s hands rubbing and tickling his toes. Then it was time to play Entanglement. As they rose to their feet, Toby felt almost pained from the lack of the other boy's touch. He missed it already, and yearned to feel it again. Nima spread a colorful mat on the floor then indicated to Toby where to stand. Next Nima spun a wheel, and told the slave to stay positioned where he was, but to try and put his hand down on a blue dot that was all the way across the mat. He laughed as he stretched towards it, planting his hand on the dot as instructed. It felt a bit ridiculous, but it was also fun. Toby was having so much fun that he almost forgot who was the master and who was the slave. Crix made Toby feel like an equal, and he liked it.

“Now it’s your turn Master,” he said, eyes crinkling as he laughed. “Hurry up! I feel like I’m going to fall already.”

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix didn't mind the state of Toby's boots, They were a mess because Toby worked hard. Crix's were clean because he didn't, crix just smiled a little at Toby's embarrassment before returning his focus to rubbing Toby's feet. As for Toby's soft groans at the soothing touches they just spurned Crix on, it seemed like Toby had never been pampered like this before. It didn't surprise Crix no one cared if a slave was sore, the owners had 'better' things to worry about and the slaves were all too busy with their own pains. As Crix pressed his thumbs into Toby's tired flesh he began to entertain the idea of charging one of the newer , younger slaves with looking after Toby at night, Running him a bath while the hot water lasted, massaging him when he got back in from work, fetching and carrying his food for him. No doubt the other slaves would be jealous and father would be furious but somehow that didn't matter to Crix, Toby seemed more important. Crix couldn't guess why but he reasoned it must be linked to the feeling in his stomach.

Toby's lack of concentration as Crix ran over the rules amused him greatly, How rude it was for Toby not to listen fully. He chuckled to himself then redoubled his ministrations. Toby really was enchanting and Crix could happily keep up all night. Touching Toby was soothing for Crix, no matter where it was, and the sweet breathless groans Toby gave out when Crix soothed a painful spot made massaging Toby Crix's newest Hobby. Soon however it was time to stop and stand up , he had a long and overly complex plan with very little chance of success to execute.

'Operation Tumble Toby' was a go ... Crix couldn't think of a better name.

Crix watched with some amusement as Toby stretched across the mat, The slaves laughter more than a little infectious. This boy was ridiculous ... that being ridiculously adorable. Crix was treating Toby like an equal because to crix Toby was his equal. No person with such deep, beautiful eyes and such an innocent laugh was meant to be a slave. Toby was angelic, could Toby be Crix's guardian angel? That would explain why his tummy fluttered each time Toby made a noise.

"Someone has gotten bossy " Crix teased putting his tongue out at Toby "Now face front again" He instructed still grinning stupidly "No cheating" Crix added ... as he cheated. Nudging the arrow on the wheel from a dot that would take him away from Toby's handsome face and force crix to look daft. Shifting it onto a dot within reach and from which he could start to execute his plan. he put his foot down on the nearest dot.

"Spin nice and slow for Toby Nima" He chuckled "I hope this is a smidge better than what you had planned for tonight T"

[member="Toby Meriet"]

 

[Lief]

Playing Entanglement with Crix much more fun than any leisure time he had to beg borrow and steal as a slave, always under constant fear of getting caught, and beaten. He’d seen children bloodied by the elder Meriet for simply stashing a deck of sabaac cards in a boot. It was better not to leave the games to his imagination, where he imagined that he was a famous Limmie player who had just scored the winning goal in a white knuckle match. Toby grinned widely as Crix teased him and stuck out his tongue. If he weren’t a slave and Crix weren’t the son of a cruel nobleman, Toby would sweep up the young man in his arms and take him down to the floor, kissing him until they both needed air. Fearful of rejection, he stayed planted firmly on his dots.

Once Crix put his foot down, it was Toby’s turn again. The wheel spun and Nima cried out a new position, his left foot on a dot that, just as the game hinted, would entangle Toby with Crix. His brow crinkled as he plotted out his course. It would be tricky, but he was fairly certain he could move his foot to that dot without falling.

When Toby tried it, however, that was a different story. As he spread his legs widely apart to move his foot onto his designated dot, the foot slipped on the mat and got caught on Crix’s ankle. The slave lurched forward crashing sideways into the other boy. Falling heed over heels, metaphorically and literally now.

“Oh blast it!” he cursed, laughing hysterically as he tumbled over.

The slave reached his laborer's arms around Crix to cradle the other from falling too hard. He couldn’t bear it if the other boy broke something due to his clumsiness.

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix watched with some small dose of adoration as Toby's brow furrowed as he tried to figure out how to get around the fact that this latest move demanded he tangle himself in crix's legs. Then Toby began to move his leg. Crix thought that he was going to make it.

It seemed Toby might have been great at a great many things but he was terrible at entanglement. "Gha" crix exclaimed as Toby's foot slipped and caught on hiss ankle sending the slave falling into him in the grips of hilarious laughter. This of course also knocked crix off his feet .

Crix had expected to land painfully on the hard conservatory floor but like any good servant Toby was poised to catch Crix. Cradling him gently and saving him completely from pain. Crix looked Toby dead in the face still chuckling lightly. Crix had considered teasing Toby further by feigning injury but that seemed unduly cruel. Afterall had Toby truly hurt crix the punishment would be severe crix was sure. So he didn't lie, As Crix met Toby's eyes again still glittering from the slaves laughter Crix once again felt the urge to kiss Toby. This time however he did kiss the slave gently on the lips. Bugger worry, Crix thought he saw a similar longing in Toby's pretty eyes and even if crix was wrong as a slave Toby was in no position to complain and crix could order him to stay. Of course if his kiss was not appreciated he would not force toby to endure more.

"Are you Ok T ?" Crix asked suddenly aware of the possibility that Toby could be hurt. His hands were stroking the slave's head gently.

If Toby was Ok and in want of more kisses Crix would gladly comply, kissing toby until either Toby or shortness of breath called a halt. Then pinning Toby's arms above his head with a grin Crix would speak again "I believe that means you lost T" He teased "And That means you have to tell me somthing about yourself , Like what the naughtiest thing you ever did is ? and what happened if/when you got caught" he rubbed Toby's wrists gently with his thumbs "And since you knocked me over I think you need a forfeit too , I'll let you pick what that is though?" He teased, still chuckling. Crix didn't really mind what Toby did in 'repentance' , he's take more kiss's , a massage , extra secrets , the opportunity to torment T some more. Anything really.


Boy Toby was fun Crix thought as he stifled a little yawn.

[member="Toby Meriet"]