Gyuki & Kahlil

[Gyuki]

Nicholas quietly read his book, looking up only when he heard Ken approach him and gave a pleasant smile to the boy before returning to his book.He would at least finish the page and then greet his dear little pet.As he read through the sentences he already knew by heart, the male stopped and lowered his book to listen to Ken question about going out today.The fallen gave a soft chuckle at the hopeful look on the other's face and gently reached a hand down to stroke his hair and cheek,"Yes, my dear.Of course you're coming with me, otherwise how should we know whether the clothes I buy will fit or not.I trust that you will enjoy yourself on an outing such as this.Seeing as you've been such a good child I believe you'll know better than to try and run off, though even if you did you wouldn't get too far.If you behave while we're out, I'll even allow you to pick out a present from whichever shop you choose."Straus slowly pulled his cold hand back up to place a book mark in the book he'd been reading before closing it and setting it aside.He wore that gentle smile again as he sat back in his chair and simply closed his eyes.At least it appeared that the child didn't hate him entirely, otherwise what point would he have in starting conversation?Still, there was the fact that the boy still didn't know his master's horrible secret, but Straus would never want him to discover such a thing if it were possible.The angel wanted to keep his dear pet ignorant of such a terrifying fact, at least for now.One day Ken would know, but not now, and not any time soon, lest the boy become even more afraid of his master than he already seemed to be.Slowly Nicholas opened his eyes, his smile fading to a slight frown that left him with an expression mixed between thoughtful and sorrow-filled.Strange, Nicholas rarely let such a face show, but right now he couldn't seem to hold it back as he tried to imagine a future he might possibly have with this boy still by his side, though he knew that Ken would hate any kind of future here.Perhaps one day Straus would let him be free and keep himself locked up in his estate until the day he withered away to dust.
At the sound of the door opening once more, Straus pulled from his thoughts and watched Felix lead in Ms. Eloise.He gave a gentlemanly smile before nodding his head to her,"Good morning Ms. Eloise.I hope you found your room comfortable and slept well."The woman took her own seat at the long table, one not too far from her host, and nodded with a smile,"Yes, Mr. Straus.Your household has been very hospitible towards me.I feel quite at ease here."Not but a second later, a servant came out carrying two trays and placed one before Nicholas and the other before Ms. Eloise before taking their leave back into the kitchen.For breakfast, a cheese omlette with a side of bacon, sausage, and a small biscut had been prepared, making the air feel a bit warm in Straus' opinion.The angel picked up the fork and cut a piece of the omlette before picking it up with the fork and holding it out o Ken just as he had last night with the pasta."I heard that you've not learned how to use silverware, Ken.Perhaps tonight at dinner I will teach you.It is a good skill to have, especially if I decide to host a business party," he said, continuing to feed his pet in the same manner as before.The angel wore a warm smile as he did this, though took care to try and not worry the boy with it.He didn't want to discomfort Ken much more than he already had, no matter how happy he was on the inside at the simple fact of having the boy as company.Their balance was delicate, an easily toppled balance of the shifter snapping and pulling some escape attempt on one end, while the other hoisted Straus' odd affections for the boy as well as his deep hunger to devour his soul.
As the hair on the back of his neck rose and his wings ached to sprout from his shoulders, Felix suddenly cleared his throat from across the room, catching Straus' full attention and easing away his sudden symptoms.Nicholas really should give the man a day off.Not only was he loyal, but he knew everything, every grotesque detail about the fallen, and yet he still chose to stay and serve him.The angel gave a thankful nod to the male before sighing and setting the tray down before Ken with a half-hearted smile,"It would probably be best for you to learn to use silverware on your own.'Practice makes perfect' as the saying goes.Try not to make a mess though.I do hate for the servants to have to wash more laundry than necesary."The simply sat back in his chair and watched the boy with distant eyes that seemed to hold all the secrets of time.He had lived through it all, though only participated in the story of the world when creatures had begun to settle this land and carve out the towns and cities that now blanketed most of the continent.Though he looked young and, as most would put it, beautiful, Nicholas' eyes gave way to his ancient age.They had a certain shimmer to them that decieved the younger generations, if they even cared to pay mind to those gray orbs.Still, at the time that it was what most would think to be a blessing to be so eternally young, it was a curse in the highest degree only saved for the truely damned.Nicholas was damned.Damned for the rest of eternity.Though saddening, such a thought was given nothing but apathy now from the fallen.He knew what he was, and he knew that the "wrong" he'd made could never be righted, so then what reason was there for it to be grieved upon?The first few centuries of his time on earth were spent as a sinful beast that bathed himself in lust and gluttony until that too lost it's shine.Now he was a "civil" man with a hidden past and a bloody appetite, but so long as he was an eternal beauty, would there really be anyone who cared about any of that?
Tearing from his complicated mechanism of a mind once more, Nicholas looked to Felix with a slight nod before standing and looking down at his pet with a more realistic smile than his last,"Come, Ken.It is time that we head out.I do hate to fight the crowds at the market and I am afraid that if we take too much more time we will be caught in such a situation."The angel looked to Ms. Eloise who stood and walked towards the door, allowing herself to be shown out to the car by Felix.Straus peered down to Ken, running his fingers through those beautiful blue locks as a gentle expression took him over."Did you know that there is an age old story of an immortal cast from heaven?His only crime was his jealousy over the affection his master gave to the mortals here on earth.The immortal had desired to possess the beauty and warmth his master had bestowed to the creatures of the earth, though his wish was looked on upon as an evil in the highest degree.The master then cast the immortal down from heaven and damned him to eternaly wonder the land until the day he paid for his sin.I wonder if the immortal should die for his sin...," he said before slowly removing his hand and walked to the door with that warm smile,"Let's be on our way then."Once they all had gotten into the car, Felix drove them into town where everywhere people were selling goods of every kind, even other people.As the car came to a stop, Nicholas picked up a black leather leash from the floor board and attatched it to the collar around Ken's neck before opening the car door and stepping out.He waited until both Ken and Ms. Eloise had gotten out before poking his head in to speak to Felix,"Come for us in about three hours.That should be plenty of time to gather a few outfits.Until then, go enjoy yourself.Anything you wish to do, you have my permission to do, just be back on time."When the male gave a nod, the angel closed the door and looked down at his pet,"So, where shall we start my dear Ken?Do you see a store that holds your interest?"

[Kahlil]

“S-Seriously?! I’m really going with you,” Ken turned and grinned excitedly, his earlier grim mood dissolving away as he rose slightly on his knees to put only his hands up on the armchair as a happy puppy would, looking up at his owner. Though, as Straus’ cold hand stroked over his cheek, he shivered a bit and forced himself not to flinch away from the touch. When Ken regained his composure, he lowered back to the ground and sat eagerly, waiting for breakfast to arrive. Occasionally, he stole quick glances up at Straus, noticing the man rest against the chair with his eyes closed and the gentle smile over his lips. He did not know why, but he found that expression on the man somewhat alluring, like the time when he saw the man’s feathery wings. He looked almost at ease with that expression, but as Ken saw the smile fading and silvery eyes opening again, Ken quickly looked away and turned when he heard the door open. Seeing Ms. Eliose being escorted by Felix, Ken bowed his head slightly to the woman in greeting, before turning back in front of him.

After a few exchanging of words from Straus and Ms. Eliose, Ken perked up when the scent of food grew stronger and a servant came out with two trays of food. It was the blond servant he had seen yesterday and as the boy placed the trays in front of his master and Ms. Eloise, the servant turned his head slightly toward Ken and narrowed his eyes. Ken did the same to the servant, as if challenging him, but the boy returned through the doors back to the kitchens. What’s up with him? Ken thought. Out of all the servants he had seen, that young man was the only one to stare daggers at him, while the rest tended to their own business and not really pay much attention to him. Catching the piece of omelet on the fork his master had lowered for him, Ken sighed and chomped on it, still feeling a bit ashamed as he remembered how crazy he was when he ate last night as his owner fed him in this same manner. He moaned a bit when the rich flavors flowed over his tongue again and took whatever next morsel was offered to him without any hesitation.

“S-Sure, if you feel like I need to learn,” Ken answered when Straus mentioned about him learning to use silverware, though it also made him a bit nervous. He did not know if slaves were really allowed to use such things. Then his thoughts were cut off when he heard Felix cough and Ken looked over at the man with curiosity in his eyes. Is he coming down with something? Ken thought humorously and then looked up at Straus to see his owner staring back at the masked man. “Oh…” he muttered and took the plate that was lowered to him, a small pout formed on his lips. “Fine, I’ll try not to make a mess this time.” He rolled his eyes and awkwardly handled the fork in his hands again, unaware of his master watching him absentmindedly. He stabbed it, not as gently as he had hoped, into the sausage, hearing the click of the silver fork against the porcelain plate. It stung his sensitive ears and he shook his head before taking a bite out of the piece of meat. It was easier to eat with the utensil this time, Ken had found, since the foods on the plate were more solid and less stringy like the pasta. Though, he still enjoyed both meals no less.

When Ken was almost done with his breakfast, the omelet, sausage, and bacon pieces were devoured, with the exception of the biscuit; he finally turned back to his master, holding his fork with the last bit of omelet at its tip more confidently than he had the second time he picked it up. He had a grin on his face as he chewed, though when he noticed Straus’ expression—having a distant look in his eyes—Ken’s smile faded and he wondered what his master was thinking. Swallowing, he was about to ask when suddenly, Straus looked up at Felix and stood up, before looking back down at him. “A-Ah, sure,” Ken nodded, taking his last bite, and then placed the fork down over the plate, and placed the whole thing back on the table for whatever servant to take back. He felt his master’s hand over his head and sighed when his fingers massaged areas along his scalp when they ran down his hair. Straus told him a small story about an immortal’s past and Ken tilted his head to the side, a look of uncertainty in Ken’s eyes.

“I don’t know, but…I don’t think he should die,” Ken muttered softly, feeling a bit sadden by the tale. “Perhaps while the immortal is down here on earth, he should work to show his master how much he cares for him? Show him that he had changed and no longer travels down that path of his sin?” He replied, though he was uncertain as to why Straus had brought up this topic. Ken never really learned what his master was, obviously he was not human, shifter, nor demon. Could this immortal Straus been talking about be himself? Ken shook his head, not really wanting to jump to conclusions. He then followed after his master, Ms. Eloise, and Felix to the main hall and then out the door to outside. He took a deep breath then, taking in the scents of the outdoors. Because he was so used to being held captive indoors and in dirty confined areas, being outside was bliss and he treasured this moment. Once he was beckoned to go inside the car, he hesitated for a moment, before trotting inside to sit next to his master. A minute later, they were on the road towards town.

“Wow…” Ken mumbled to himself lowly as he turned around, sitting on his knees as he gazed out at the back window, watching the shops and people pass as they drove by. Like the time when he had been brought back to Straus’ estate, the new sights fascinated him, but this time he would be able to walk among them. But you’ll be chained to that man while you’re out there… A tiny voice told him in his mind and he glanced over to Straus with his eyes, a small frown on his face. For a small moment, he had almost forgotten he was a slave—a pet—his freedom meaning it will be very limited. Spying the leather leash in his master’s hand as the car came to a stop, Ken groaned and did not struggle when he clipped it against the collar around his neck. Following his master out the vehicle, Ken looked around the marketplace, taking in the sights again and froze when he seen others like him out on the street. Shifters and humans, he smelled, were up on display to be sold, and there were several others who were chained by their owners while they strolled passed. Some looked content being by their owners’ side, while others lamented from behind iron bars. He did not realize it, but he had actually scooted a little close to Straus, mortified by the sight of the other mistreated slaves.

“Huh? Oh, um…” Ken glanced up at his master when he spoke, asking which store caught Ken’s interest. Relief filled him a bit, now that he had his attention elsewhere from the slave shops. “How about…over there at that one?” he pointed to a shop at the corner of the next block. He could not read the sign—never having to learn to read or write before—but he saw brightly colored clothing and it caught his interest. He had always favored brightly colored things, that and there seemed to be less slaves out on display on that section of the town. Slowly, he started toward the shop, his collar tugging on the leash gently while he walked in that direction.