Open Post

[makingmyway]

Open post for Dorian Storm! Can be set within straight Critical Role canon, some kind of AU, or anything!

Can be whatever you'd like to do, or if you're stuck for a prompt, go ahead and use the Random Scenario meme!

THE RANDOM SCENARIO MEME
- Go to RNG and enter 1-7 for a scene type, and 1-20 for a scene to play out.
- Have fun!

TYPE OF SCENE.
① Action → Gun fights, bar brawls, fights to the death are all possible scenarios.
② Angst → Characters suffer emotionally or physically from relationships breaking up, death, injury, etc. Hurt and comfort themes are included.
③ Crack → Genderswaps, super powers, sudden compulsions are all possible outcomes.
④ Fluff → Something that is devoid of angst. It's light-hearted and might have the overtone of romance.
⑤ Gen → General fun, things that didn't fit in the other categories.
⑥ Sex → First times, kinks, even dubcon are all possible themes of sex related scenarios.
⑦ Your choice → Think of your own scenario, choose one of the above or make a combo even!

ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honour → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.

ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.

CRACK.
① Sexswap → Uh-oh, you're suddenly the opposite sex!
② Forced confessions → No matter what it is and no matter how hard you resist, you're going to be compelled to spill some deep dark secret!
③ Mind-reading → You've suddenly got the ability to read minds!
④ Animal → You're suddenly part animal or transformed into an animal!
⑤ Awkward pick-up lines → You're compelled to use bad pickup lines on whoever is closest!
⑥ Back in School / Graduated → You're suddenly back in school! Or if you were already in it, you've aged and long since graduated!
⑦ Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my! → You're suddenly a vampire, werewolf, or zombie! Maybe even a demon or a devil, whatever creepy crawly you can think of. What do you do now?
⑧ Ghost → You're suddenly a ghost or at least invisible. What are you going to do with this new ability?
⑨ Awkward conversations → So did you just fart or what? Any conversation goes, as long as it's embarrassing and awkward.
⑩ Crossdressing → For whatever reason, you're suddenly dressed in clothes of the opposite sex.
⑪ Suddenly naked → Oops! Your clothes are suddenly gone.
⑫ Suddenly a kid → You're a kid again! Have fun with that second childhood.
⑬ Fortune cookie → You've suddenly received a note with something that will happen in the future, either precise or vague.
⑭ Super power → And suddenly you're like Superman! Any power goes.
⑮ Bodyswap → Somehow you've changed bodies with the other person.
⑯ Back in time → Somehow, you wound up in the past again. Do you try to correct something or just sit and wait for time to jump? Maybe it jumps to various points in your life or maybe you actually think you're back in the day. Have fun, run wild with the idea!
⑰ To the future → Is it everything you've dreamed? Is it horrible? Whatever happens, you're here to witness what happens to you in the future. Either you take the place of your future self or you're just there to watch. Might cause some confusion if people start seeing double though...
⑱ Angels, mermaids, and fairies! → You're not necessary something dark or evil. You're just something different. How do you deal?
⑲ Locked in a closet → For some reason, you're locked up in a closet with someone else. Do you make nice and try to figure your way out or what?
⑳ Finger trap → You're caught in a Chinese finger trap... with somebody else! You can't figure out how to get loose either... have fun with that.

FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?

GEN.
① Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
② Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
③ Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
④ Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
⑤ Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
⑥ Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
⑦ Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
⑧ Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
⑨ Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
⑩ What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
⑪ I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
⑫ Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
⑬ My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
⑭ Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
⑮ Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
⑯ Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
⑰ Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
⑱ Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
⑲ Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
⑳ Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.

SEX.
① First time → it's your first time together or your first time ever! Enjoy the awkward times!
② Bondage → You and your partner decide to experiment a little with ropes or handcuffs or whatever you'd like to tie your partner up with.
③ Rough / Aggressive → Your characters want it rough.
④ Romantic → Slow and gentle, meaningful, that's how characters want it.
⑤ Dubcon → Character A wants Character B and it doesn't really matter if Character B wants it as bad or not.
⑥ In public → Characters feel like taking a risk and doing it in a public place.
⑦ Roleplay → Naughty nurse fetish? Pirate kink? You and your partner decide to try it out now!
⑧ Healing → You've both fought hard or gone through a rough time and it's time to get some R&R in.
⑨ Last time → This is the last time you're going to this because you're breaking up or maybe your lover is running off to sacrifice their lives in some heroic way. The possibilities are endless, but you better make this one count.
⑩ No strings attached → You're just friends with benefits. Nothing wrong with that, right?
⑪ Anonymous → You met in a restroom or bar, any location of your choosing, but you don't even know each other's names.
⑫ Toys → You're eager to try something new, so why not toys?
⑬ Aphrodisiacs → You've been slipped a strong aphrodisiac somehow and now you absolutely cannot control yourself.
⑭ Show → You're putting on a show by either doing it right in the club or filming it for a bunch of people.
⑮ Ménage à trois → It's time for that threesome you've always dreamed of.
⑯ Non-penetrative → Frottage, handjobs, whatever you want to try out.
⑰ Controlled → You are under mind control and must do whatever your lover asks of you.
⑱ Hatesex → It's not just rough or aggressive, you absolutely cannot stand each other.
⑲ Extreme → Fisting, knifeplay, whatever you can think of so long as it tests the boundaries.
⑳ Fantasy → This is just a fantasy, a dream, and you know it, but what is your ideal fantasy and how willing is your partner?

Comments

[likemybooks]

[The door to his room was locked; this was to prevent new acquisitions from wandering around the manor and getting ideas, thinking of escape or plotting with other captured mean, each collected for personal use.

Taryon sits on the bed, hands folded and resting between his knees, not looking at anything in particular. His heart is encased in rock, tight, his body unable to move in this quiet room. It doesn't take long before someone returns knocks on the door.]

Sir Karnon ordered you follow me and get clean. He's having dinner soon.

[The door is unlocked, and outside are two servants, one who seems to be carrying beauty supplies. The handsome servers and entertainers must be presentable, after all.

Taryon obediently follows. A bath sounds nice, even if everything else sounds terrible. Once out in the hallway, he can see other servants knocking on another captured man's door.]

[makingmyway]

[ It had been a long few days, locked in his room with only the guards checking on him and making snide comments. He didn’t really have anything to pass the time except play music, which fortunately at least he had been allowed to keep his instruments, since Sir Karnon did seem to like it. A small blessing if there ever was one.

But playing music did at least help him keep his sanity in the otherwise quite and still room, and he was in the middle of a song when he’s interrupted by a knock on the door, with a servant instructing him to follow for a bath. It seems the master has returned home.

Placing his lute aside, Dorian hesitantly gets up to follow the servants, one of whom was carrying a multitude of products to make him presentable. His heart pounding, he can’t help glancing around as they head to the bath, and he catches sight of another man nearby. ]

[likemybooks]

[The sight of someone else flanked by guards isn't reassuring, but Taryon sees that's he's not alone. Someone else to plan an escape with, someone with whomever he can agree that this can't be right.

He veers closer to Dorian until they read the door and they are standing side-by-side. As he turns to speak to thr other man, he feels a hand shove in inside, followed by an order to clean up and make themselves as presentable as possible before the hairdressers arrive. Two attendants have already prepared separate tubs for the arrivals.]

...Right here, in front of each other?

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian is both a bit relieved and nervous to see another person in a similar situation to him, but they don't get a chance to talk before they're pushed into the bathing room, instructed to clean up. He doesn't say anything as the other man asks the question, to which the guard replies that yes, they either undress to get cleaned, or the guards will help them undress.

And Dorian shudders at how eager some of the guards seem about that idea.

Glancing towards the other man, he shakes his head a bit, trying to warn him to go along with it for now, before slowly starting to remove his clothes. It doesn't hide much anyway, and Dorian isn't entirely shy about showing off his body for the most part. ]

[likemybooks]

[Taryon, on the other hand, has not stripped fully naked in front of anyone. Sure, he and Lawrence undid some buttons and felt the shape of their bodies beneath their clothing, but that doesn't count. The genasi seems alright about it, probably because he looks good underneath.

He turns away to unbutton the few buttons on his revealing shirt before peeling it off his skin. Like many human males, his arms and chest are speckled with hair, though he hides it as he continues to remove his pants.

The guards continue to watch the two, though one is eagerly staring at Taryon's backside as he hesistates to remove his underclothes. Others watch Dorian with anticipation.]

[makingmyway]

[ While Dorian is mostly comfortable with his body, it’s the leering looks of the guards that has him feeling self-conscious. He quickly finishes undressing, avoiding the guards’ eyes as he quickly gets into the tub, since at least that way he can be hidden.

As he starts to wash up, he can’t help glancing at the other man. If it weren’t for the situation they were in, he’d admire how handsome the other man was, as well as be curious about his body hair, since his body lacked was mostly lacking in that.

But given the guards were already starting at them both enough, he didn’t want to make the human any more uncomfortable. Especially since he had a feeling things were only going to get worse from here. ]

[likemybooks]

[Taryon keeps himself facing away from the guards and Dorian; if they will see him bare, he won't give them the opportunity to joke about his privates. There's some dignity he must retain.

Only when he's stepped into the tub does he turn around to look at his fellow prisoner. It's no mystery why he was also brought (purchased? Was he also sold?). His hair is almost as beautiful as Taryon's, and he can see the muscles around his shoulders and upper arms.

He smiles to himself; it's nice to worry about things like comparing himself to another man. It almost distracts himself from the shuffling footsteps at the door while he scrubs himself down. If he can continue looking away from them, he can pretend he's just having a luxurious bath before an important party.

This doesn't last long. After a dozen minutes pass, one of them pipes up. "Get out of the water. Start getting dressed, and make sure you use these perfumes." Another walks up to Taryon and shoves him by the shoulder - his own hair is covered in suds - and Tary falls face-first with a splash into the water.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian startles at that, and is half getting up to protest the other man’s rough treatment when two of the guards haul him out of the tub.

“Watch yourself,” one of them warns, as he hands Dorian a towel. “Do as your told, or we’ll have to make sure you follow orders ourselves.”

Shuddering a bit at that, and not liking the too eager look on their faces at the suggestion, Dorian takes the towel to dry off. He doesn’t say anything even though the guards are standing a bit too close, not sure if it’s to “help” as they’re threatening to do, or to prevent him from trying to help the other man.

Either way, he can only watch what else might happens to Tary. ]

[likemybooks]

[Taryon pulls his head out of the water, coughing. Shampoo has gotten into his eyes, and he throws water into his face to wash it out. He's skitting the careful rinsing of his hair, not now when he's still in the tub and he hears movement from the other side of the room. Those guards had better not touch him. He will get out according to their orders.

His eyes are red and teary when he stands and steps onto the floor. When he opens his eyes, two guards are eyeing him, and he remembers that he's naked. Taryon turns around and grabs a towel, then turns away to dry his hair.

"Make sure you're ready within the hour," one of them says, and he leaves with another guard to stand guard outside the door. Two more lean against the wall, arms crossed, and idly watching Taryon and Dorian get dressed. It's less interesting that seeing them strip and bathe, but it's one of the rare times they get to have the Lord's special servants to themselves, even if they can only watch.

Once Taryon pulls on his underclothes and his trousers, he decides to speak up. He glances at the guards, who give no indication if that's even allowed, to converse.]

...How long have you been here? [He sits down, staring at the mirror. This shouldn't look like he's stalling for time.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian dries off and gets dressed quickly, feeling better once he has his clothes on since the guards seem to loose a bit of interest. Not that the outfit hides all that much more anyway, but he’ll take what he can get at this point.

He applies the designated perfumes, and in particular is instructed to where his hair in a certain way - a loose braid that can then hang over one shoulder - and is in the middle of fixing his hair when the other man speaks. He glances at the guards, and when neither of them try to stop the conversation (or just don’t care to) he finally answers. ]

A few days. [ Sitting at his own mirror, he looks at the other man by his reflection. ] I had… accompanied Karnon from Jrusar.

[ And somehow the lord had kept his true intentions hidden the entire trip. ]

[likemybooks]

[Taryon's hair is too short to style it in a variety of ways, and he's found that letting it flare out flatters his face shape. Perhaps looking appealing isn't the safest course of action, but he's been well-trained not to toy with rules. There is a limit as to how much he can hide without earning a punishment, and this house seems harsher on retribution than his home.

Home...his father sold him into servitude for a massive sum of money. Why? Wasn't his business enough? Did he want to rid himself of his failed heir so badly? What did he tell his mother and sister?

He scoops up a scented cream and rubs it disheartedly over his arms. His eyes are unfocuses and hover around the supplies resting atop the dresser.] That's far. ["Accompanied..." he wonders if Dorian, too, was sold.] I just arrived here. My father--

[His throat constricts, and he shuts up.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian too is used to pampering and making himself presentable. It had actually been some time since he’d been able to do it, though, since he had left his life as a noble to explore the world, without having a clue to how anything worked.

Maybe that’s what had made him such an easy target for Lord Karnon; a naive young son of a noble with no worldly experience who had left home, had no contacts out in the world, and had just lost everything.

Karnon hadn’t needed to buy him at all - he had already been in the prime position for Dorian to give his freedom away, because Dorian had been too sheltered - too stupid - to realize it.

He can’t allow himself to fall into self-pity, though. Not yet, not if they want to try and find a way to escape this. There had to be something they can do, if they could just bide their time.

As he’s applying some of the scented oils, he pauses as Tary trails off. Though he doesn’t finish, the implication speaks volumes. ]

…I’m sorry.

[ What else could you say to something like that? ]

[likemybooks]

[When someone expresses pity for Taryon, whether it be for dealing with his family or his restrictive upbringing, his standard response is "it's alright". This is the first time he can't bringing himself to say it. Instead, he sighs and pulls on the shirt that barely covers his nipples and hugs his form too tightly.

If only he hadn't been caught. If only he hadn't been selfish and though any romance was worth the risk. Then there would be no reason to get rid of him, and he wouldn't be in this situation.

Once he's brushed his hair and goes through the perfumes does he speak up again.] I've never done servant work before.

[One of the guards scoffs and mutters something quietly with a smile.]

[makingmyway]

[ Though he doesn’t quite catch the words that the guard says, he watches the guard suspiciously in the mirror. ]

…I don’t think we’re meant to be doing regular servant work.

[ If they were meant for physical labor, they wouldn’t need to put much care in their physical appearances. No, they were intended for something else, and the guess that he had made him wish they were just regular servants. ]

[likemybooks]

I— [It's obvious at they weren't selected for their punctuality and ability to cater events. But he hopes that most of their work will center on low-level work. That their outfits are for perverted imaginations only.

Like those taverns with mediocre food whose only draw are their waitresses in flattering corsets.]

I know. I know. I just...I hope it's not as bad as I think.

[It's much worse.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian starts to reply, but he catches the guards' reflection in the mirror, seeing that they're starting to get impatient with how long it's taking them to get ready. Even though, from what he can tell, they still have a bit of time.

Thinking for a moment, he then clears his throat and turns to look at Tary, keeping an eye on the guards as he asks. ]

Do you need help with anything?

[ He was pretty much done anyway, and while this might seem like a way to hurry the other along - and it seems to work, since the guards don't seem inclined to protest - it was more to offer any kind of comfort he might be able to. ]

[likemybooks]

N...[He catches himself before he can refuse and realizes what Dorian is actually offering.]

Yes. Can you...help put on some jewelery?

[He usually doesn't wear any, but thr more accessories he has, the later they can leave. Tary plucks a colorful necklace with a heavy pendant that rests between his pecks and hair decorations styled like peacock feathers.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian nods and gets to his feet and, making sure the guards won't stop him, walks over to where Tary is seated.

Taking the necklace first, he unhooks it and rests the pendant against Tary's chest, taking his time to secure it in the back. As he does, he's close enough that he's able to whisper in Tary's ear. ]

We'll get through this.

[ It isn't much, but all he can really offer is the small amount of bardic inspiration that he has, hoping it will still help the other man somehow. ]

[likemybooks]

[It's a bit of extra courage to draw on when Taryon faces a new challenge. Whatever meets them on the other side of the door, he will survive it with...

Um...]

Sorry, circumstances force me to ask this, but what's your name?

[He rests his hand over the heavy pendant. It's cool against his bare, exposed skin.]

[makingmyway]

[ Wanting to stall as long as they can, Dorian picks up a brush to fix Tary’s hair before setting the feather in it. ]

Dorian. I’m Dorian Storm.

[likemybooks]

Taryon Darrington. [He answers loud enough for the guards to hear.] You might have heard of me if you've been in Wildemount long enough.

[Of his family name, yes, if one lives in the Truscan Vale or close enough to be aware of the bad reputation their business brings.]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian hums, holding some of Tary’s hair back as he clips the feathers into it. ]

Ah… I haven’t, unfortunately. But I haven’t been here for very long, to be fair.

[ And when he did arrive, he’d immediately been stuck here so… ]

[likemybooks]

Ah. Right. [Straight form Marquet, he said.] Right.

[There's a small click, and Taryon knows that his outfit is complete. There's nothing left for them to do here but wait, and even then, that's only a brief moment before one of the guards approaches them and looks them over.

"Good enough," he says, followed by "Get up. We're taking you to your master."]

[makingmyway]

[ Dorian can’t help swallowing nervously as the guard approaches, hoping it doesn’t show on his face. One of the other guards gestures for Dorian to move forward, not giving him time to even wait for Taryon to get up.

He steps to the door, and the guard places a hand at the small of Dorian’s back to guide him away, and he can only spare a glance back at Tary before being led down the hall to where the master awaits. ]

[likemybooks]

[The guard looming over Taryon is a bit more patient. The jewelry catches his eyes, and Taryon can hear the heavy, hot breaths of a man hungry for touch but fighting the good fight in holding back his wants. He doesn't know whether this should comfort or worry him.

He's followed by this man, each step sending him closer to a panic. Dorian and the first guard turn one way, then the other until they reach a large door. The two guards step in front to open the entryway to the study, where Lord Karnon, dressed as he was when he stole his slaves into his mansion, looks up from his paperwork. His eyes trail from one man to the other, and what he sees pleases him.

"I chose well," he says as he puts away his quill. "You'll make excellent servers to our guests tonight. Which I should have mentioned - you are to attend to my visitors when I call you. The servants will bring food and drink to our room, and you are to personally hand it over. Nothing difficult for you to manage, I'm certain. But I have several rules: you must appear to enjoy your role. You cannot defy an order. And most importantly, you must show off your good looks."

He explains that there are two business partners dining tonight, how to stand up correctly, and many other details that Taryon fears he will forget. Karnon steps around his desk when he talks, circling Dorian and Tary, his eyes always looking downward.

Tary is lost in his thoughts when Lord Karnon finishes and asks if they understand. No response.

"I said, do I make myself clear?"