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Post by Kelpie-River on May 14, 2019 16:53:58 GMT -6
|| Grange || Servile Slave || Post One ||
The graying out stallion stamped his hoof, sighing impatiently. Before him, a huge 3D puzzle was spread out, its pieces placed cattywampus across the plush, hand-knotted rug that covered the shining floor. He was, to say the very least, bored. To say what was really on his mind, he was caged. Trapped. And more than anything, he was beholden to the needs and wants of others, always at their beck and call. For years, it had worked for him. He'd coped by collecting his trinkets, lavishing in the opulence of city life. But as time wore on, and the humiliations grew more and more - including the brand that now stood out painfully pink on Grange's shoulder, and the stallion began to feel as though he could take little more. Even the toys and trinkets that had brought joy not long ago were discarded carelessly across the floor of his quarters, showing his growing disgust for such things. Nothing was as good as the idea of being able to master his own destiny.
With another heavy sigh, Grange leaned his head against the windowsill, watching as a bird flitted past him and into the growing darkness. It would be easy enough, he thought, to take his magpie form - the one he used when he was, ah, collecting, trinkets from under the Nobles' noses. Or even use his ability to meld with his shadow to escape unseen in the dead of night. But the problem was...what would he do when he arrived at freedom's door? It wasn't as though someone were going to be willing to feed and shelter him as Taavi and Lilith did here. Not to mention, while he wasn't exactly sure what Taavi's waning respect for the Aodh herd would bring in manner of reaction, Grange feared that Lilith would bring down hell to find her escaped possession. Which would in turn make both his escape and survival all that much more dangerous in the future.
Pushing himself up, Grange shook his head, and turned away from the room, nosing his way out into the rest of the house. His thoughts were still heavy as he walked. Assuming he could get away from Lilith, there was still the matter that he...cared for...even loved Taavi. After all, he'd raised the little shit into some semblance of adulthood. It wouldn't be fair to turn his back on the boy, without another word, never to be seen again, now would it?
WC: 412
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Post by empyre on May 14, 2019 17:47:36 GMT -6
|| Taavetti || Chevalier || Post One ||It was.. nice, getting a break and being able to come home to the palace for once. Not that Taavi really missed the place anymore, his room was full of nothing but reminders of a colt he no longer was. Still, he loved his family and seeing them happily bustling about always seemed to lighten the weight that seemed to have settled in his chest as of late. It was a strange feeling, walking these halls, ever since he'd taken it upon himself to chug that aging potion. Things seemed smaller, less significant. He would say it may be due in part to recent events he had witnessed --the new scar crossing his chest aching at the reminder-- but death had always been an acquaintance to him, so he chose to believe it was merely the inches he'd grown physically that made this place seem so little.
He greeted the servants and slaves he strolled past with a smile, but he couldn't fight back thoughts of Isolt. The little mare had been brave, had fought, and still had not taken the chance to run. Would these others be the same? Or did they dream of freedom? Taavi certainly wasn't in a position to help them, but really he wouldn't particularly mind if they tried. He was brought back from the line of thought when Lucie suddenly perked up and took off at a run around the corner of the hall. Taavi chuckled, shaking his head, and figuring it was another one of his many siblings the dog had missed getting treats from. She would be fat from table scraps before this short leave was up, he was certain of it.
When he rounded the corner to catch up to her, though, he stopped short; a startled laugh shocked out of him at the familiar grey coat and blue horns. "Grange!" he smiled, though his elation died a moment later. He could tell something was off with the other stallion, "What's the matter? Something in my teeth?" he joked, hoping to bring a smile to his old friend's face.
WC: 348 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on May 14, 2019 20:58:12 GMT -6
|| Grange || Servile Slave || Post Two ||
Grange's attention was grabbed by Taavi's appearance in his line of sight. As required by custom, he dipped his head to the other stallion, though he forewent and entire bowing/scraping motion, considering the fact that he had raised the colt from the time that he was but a child. He had felt...strange going from sex lave to nursemaid, but the better treatment had been appreciated all the same. Now, however, even that wasn't enough for the champagne horse, and he was certain that it showed upon his face, as Taavi picked up on his mood with little trouble.
Grange paid little attention to Lucie, turning his mind to Taavi instead. The joke that Taavi cracked garnered a small smile, but his visage soon returned to a dull, saddened expression. His heart was too heavy for such levity today, and like the sun, it was sinking into darkness as well.
"Taavi," he sighed, forgoing the title of Lord with what he considered to be his friend. "Might I speak with you?" the stallion inquired, turning his head slightly t look over at his companion. The light glinted off his horns as he moved, a sign of his careful daily polishing - something else he might have to get used to doing without should his plan come to fruition.
"There's...there's something that we must discuss," he said, pawing at the ground uncomfortably. "And...it might be the end of our connection...it might ruin all that I've been working for, but I can't leave it unsaid."
WC: 257
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Post by empyre on May 15, 2019 19:41:33 GMT -6
|| Taavetti || Chevalier || Post Two || "Of course you can speak to me. You can always speak to me." Taavi said, brows lowered in concern. Obviously something was very wrong, and so as much as he wanted to avoid his own room, he knew there wasn't anywhere more private to speak in the bustling palace. "Come on, we'll talk in my room." He offered aloud, turning to move at a brisk walk. He was silent on the way, thoughts swimming with worry. Had something happened to Grange while he was away? Had he been attacked? Was his mother planning to sell him? Or maybe.. Maybe Grange was dreaming of freedom. The thought hurt, felt like abandonment, and sat as a white-hot iron weight in his gut.
Once they made it to his old room, Taavi shut the heavy door behind them, and moved across the chamber to crack the window open a small bit. The air in here was stale and dusty, and in need of a good breeze. He turned then, looking to Grange over his shoulder and offering a half-smile.
"We can speak freely here. Tell me what's on your mind. Please." He said, turning fully to face the other and sitting down on the plush rug. He'd considered sitting on the bed, but he wasn't entirely sure he and Grange would both be able to fit.
WC: 223 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on May 15, 2019 22:26:12 GMT -6
|| Grange || Servile Slave || Post Three ||
Grange was happy to follow Taavi into his quarters, which were nearly as familiar as his own. Settling down on the floor, he sighed as the plush rug pushed against his hooves and legs, enveloping him. This kind of comfort he would most certainly be loath to leave. But despite the fact that he wasn't wearing it, Grange swore he could feel and taste the cold metal of a bit in his mouth even while he considered the loss of his creature comforts. That indignity, mixed with the seared brand on his shoulder, and a passion for freedom that had been mounting for years were all too much, and had culminated in this drive to escape.
"I hope you won't think less of me," the stallion began, speaking frankly. There were no titles here. No lords, nor ladies in this room. Just a boy, years older than his body in spirit, and his friend. "But...Taavi...I can't keep going on like this," Grange admitted softly. "I know it's not pleasant to hear, but trust me, my boy, it's not pleasant to live, either," he stated. "I can't keep bowing and scraping to everyone I meet. I've got to be in charge of myself, my own life," Grange added, his tone deeply yearning as he stared up at Taavi. "I can't be a caged bird any longer. I've at least got to try."
WC: 233
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Post by empyre on May 18, 2019 11:17:11 GMT -6
|| Taavetti || Chevalier || Post Three ||The words struck Taavi like a physical blow, and the young stallion couldn't stop himself from turning his head away for a moment. He sucked in a deep, barely trembling, breath to calm the pounding of his heart. He'd feared that this would be the topic of this talk, but he was shocked to find the hurt coming more from Grange worrying that he would think less of him. Had Taavi done something to make the champagne stallion think he would think less of him for wanting to be free?! After his moment of swallowing down the initial pain, Taavi rose and moved over to sit down next to Grange, leaning slightly into the other stallion's side. He used to be so much smaller than him, and now he feared leaning his full weight in case he accidentally knocked him over.
"Why would I think less of you?" he murmured, eyes trained on the rug, "You just want to live like the rest of us." He chanced a glance up at Grange, attempting a smile though he knew it would fall short. "I do want you to stay, I can't lie and say I'm okay with this..." He sighed with a sad chuckle and shake of his head, "But what sort of friend would I be to lock you away? I can't help you, not directly, I wouldn't know where to go or what to do for you, but I won't stop you. I can look the other way, and I can lie for you if you need." He offered, "And if there's any material thing you need I could give it to you, or buy it for you."
Each word he spoke drove a sharp knife into his heart, but Taavi knew this would be the right thing to do, despite the shadows of his mind telling him to tether Grange here. He knew, though, if he were to do that he would be keeping Grange the slave, and not Grange his friend. His older brother by all but blood.
WC: 341 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on May 19, 2019 7:48:04 GMT -6
|| Grange || Servile Slave || Post Four ||
Grange couldn't help but wince at the expression on Taavi's face. He knew the words would sting to the young stallion, but he wasn't aware of how badly Taavi would want him to stay. Clearly, it made sense. He had raised the boy practically, and had created - he hoped - some sort of bond with the boy. Despite how much he'd loathed Taavi when he first joined his house, Grange had grown. Of course, who could blame him? He had been sold into slavery at the same age as Taavi when they first met; who wouldn't feel a stab of jealousy for the noble colt when faced with such a situation?
Grange crossed the space between them, taking a moment to press his muzzle against Taavi's cheek in what he hoped was a comforting manner. Pulling away, the graying stallion cleared his throat, dipping his head to the other stallion in thanks. "I can't ask you to do anything you don't want to do, but anything you can do for me will not go unappreciated," he promised, his voice soft as he spoke. "Even just turning the other direction is enough," he assured Taavi softly. "It's really your mother who concerns me; I'm afraid she might send someone after me, and as such I can't let you know when or where or how I'll be leaving," he explained. "Just know that it will be some time soon," he added, feeling his heart wrench with the words. Was his freedom really worth abandoning everything he knew? It was a thought that had plagued the champagne stallion repeatedly recently, but the answer he'd always come back around to was yes.
"Now...what can I do to...ease this pain...until I do leave?" Grange offered, shaking his shorn mane as a way to change the subject. "Surely you can't have no use for me, if you're so sad about me leaving," he joked, his eyes glinting with pain that he tried to cover with humor.
WC: 332
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Post by empyre on May 29, 2019 19:45:00 GMT -6
|| Taavetti || Chevalier || Post Four || Taavi nodded to Grange's words, humming in half-agreement-half-amusement at the mention of his mother. "I could convince her to forget it and just buy a new slave in your place. I'm sure you'd rather we don't contribute to others' captivity but, well," He shrugged, "Slaves in the palace are treated better than any others." He closed his eyes when Grange asked what he would have him do to ease the pain. Really, there was nothing, because soon Grange would be gone. Taavi doubted he'd see the other again once he was, and then he would always wonder after his friend. There would always be a deep longing ache in him, wanting to know if he was okay; if he made it. If he was finally happy.
"When I was sent to help evacuate Hearth we...found them all dead. Killed in their homes." He began, aware it was a bit of a non sequitur, "The only one we found alive was a child, hiding under her bed." He swallowed thickly, opening his eyes to look at Grange, "On our way out with her we were attacked. By kirins. They killed her, in cold blood, tossed her broken body aside like it was a rag doll." For the first time since the incident, Taavi let the tears burning his eyes surface and roll down his cheeks. "The kirins will get here one day, Grange, and then it'll be over. I'm glad you won't be here for it, really, I mean that. You don't deserve to see the things I have."
He took a breath that rattled through his chest, swallowing the tears as he forced a wobbly smile onto his face, "So let's go out to the market, buy some useless trinkets and clothes, maybe another gaudy painting to hang up around here. Cause tomorrow I'm back at the barracks, and I've got the feeling I won't be seeing you next time I get time off.... I just wanna pretend for a while that everything will be okay."
WC: 337 |
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Post by Kelpie-River on Jun 26, 2019 21:05:28 GMT -6
|| Grange || Servile Slave || Post Five ||
Grange's eyes went wide in abject horror as Taavi explained to him what had happened with the Kirins. His whole body shook violently at the idea of murdering a child in cold blood in such a manner; he could barely wrap his mind around the idea, but he was certain that if Taavi had told him, it must be true. Taavi would not twist the truth about something like this; Grange was absolutely certain of that fact.
"I..." he trailed off, completely unsure what to say. He could barely get his brain to work, mulling over the facts that Taavi had supplied him with. "I can't say as I'll be too disappointed to be gone for that," he replied with a shudder finally.
"Let's just...have today," he suggested with a heavy sigh. "Things can be normal until night falls."
WC: 145
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Post by galekxy on Jul 16, 2019 17:49:22 GMT -6
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