Masters And Slaves Abound (for Xuxa-Rene)

Torin shook his head. The story he was sure was just a story. He didn't know if he belived his father, the man that had wanted him to go out during the night and kill those that had crossed him. If it was true why would his dad have thrown him out when the transformation did not complete and he wasn't completly controllable but he didnt offer any more. This woman had already caused him to speak more then he had to any master before.

He licked his lips at the offer, why not? its not loke it would ever come up again. "Why would you have picked me, I was clearly the one that they had not prepared for the sales, I was flithy and could have been carrying many pests." He stiffeend as he excepted to be hit. "I am grateful that you died, death does not come to one like me so it would have been hell" He sighed. Had he just traded one hell for another?

He did wonder what sort of immortal she was but didnt ask. He raised an eyebrow and spoke again merely a whisper. "Where are the chains that you will chain me to when you are not using me?" He liked to know things ahead of time, what he was getting used to, how far he had to push to be punished, but from what it sounded like this woman didnt punish, just sent slaves to their deaths. So he did not want to push too far.

Well, at least he had asked some of the predicted questions.  Raven smiled some and settled back into her chair a little further.  Her sarong opened further up her hip, but she paid it no mind still and simply smiled into the fire as she considered his first question.  There were a few more that followed quickly, but she would allow him that.  After all, it was clear he'd never been given such an opportunity like this before.  She watched the flames lick and caress the logs on the grate, causing them to glow and expand before crackling and falling back again.  It was hypnotic and somewhat arousing at the same time, but Raven didn't let the hypnosis last too long.  She had questions to answer.

Keeping her eyes on the fire, she let her smile soften further.  Why had she picked him?  "I picked you because you were exactly what I was looking for."  She said eventually.  "Yes, there were many others I could have bought and they would have been presented a lot better than you were and would have been prepared and such, but I didn't want prepared.  There are so many slaves in the market that believe they are the best because of their training or their skills, their beauty or natural ability and they are so very desperate to please, but I've had those before and they bore me terribly."  Her eyes finally left the fire and she looked squarely at Torin then.

She noticed that he had placed himself just out of reach of her chair and she cocked her head some as she slowly leaned forward and reached out to him.  She put her finger under his chin and lifted it so she could look him in the eye.  "I picked you because I did not want a trained robot, Torin.  I picked you because I wanted someone, not something.  You have spirit, you have a spine.  It has led you to suffer greatly, I can see that, but it is that which has drawn me to you.  Downstairs, Dantry and Lisa have probably referred to you as my new pet."  Raven smiled and then actually laughed quietly, "In some sense, that is what you are, but in another, that is only a part of it."  She drew him closer with her finger under his chin.

Considering the next part of his statement, Raven actually turned some in her chair, almost facing him straight on.  "Hell is what you make it, Torin."  She told him, "And clearly, hell for you was in the slave market, or being used so barbarically before.  I've watched you, learned of you and before you think me any kind of psychic, I have read some of your papers on the way home.  You were a sex toy, used and abused for entertainment and then chained up somewhere dark and disgusting when they grew bored of you."  She shook her head, "That is not your life anymore, Torin.  That much I will promise you."  And now the chains.

"Look around you.  Look into the corners of the room, the end of the bed, even the collar at your throat, or the throats of any in my house.  Do you see anything that would even resemble a holding for a chain?"  She cocked her head to one side, "While ever you are here, you will not be chained or restrained unless necessary.  If you wish to be chained, then it can be arranged, but I would hope you do not wish that."  And then, quite boldly and openly, Raven moved off her chair and placed herself neatly and tightly over his knees.  Her sarong parted entirely, leaving her form utterly exposed to Torin and she let it happen.

Sitting there in his lap, open and uncaring to who may see or what may happen about it, Raven regarded Torin now truly up close and personal.  "The use I have of you, goes much deeper than mere sex."  She said quietly to him, letting her heat radiate over his upper thighs, "And it will be nothing close to what you have suffered."  She let her hands rest on her own thighs lightly and stayed there, testing him almost.  She wanted to see and feel what he would do and just how deeply seated his past training was.  "I seek far more than a simple bed slave or a pet.  I seek in you a companion, another that I can see centuries with instead of a few mere decades, but one with a heart that beats like my own, that feels the heat of passion and the pain of separation.  I seek a living, breathing challenge.  One that will not only be able to stay with me through the years, but keep me going.  One that would dare argue with me from time to time even, fight with me and not simply let me win."  She moved her hips over his groin, letting him feel her in almost every way.  "But someone who can let me lose control as well.  Someone that is not so fragile and can handle such a creature as I."  

Raven grinned as she moved her hips on Torin again, "I know your training means you are erect and ready to perform upon but a simple command, but I want more than that.  I want you to instil in me that deep desire for your touch.  Make my spine quiver at the thought of you, my skin tingle at the idea of your caress.  Make me need you and want you.  If you can do that, your place by my side will be set and you will have a good life with me, for I will make certain of it."

Then, from her bold and sudden whorish flirting, Raven removed herself from his lap and left him there by the fire to consider her offer. She stood before him, just within his reach should he so desire to reach out.  And what an offer it was.  She had only made such an offer once before and that had been centuries ago and that companion had been a mortal man.  That one, she had found fighting for scraps of mealworm in the pens and heading for the mines.  He had dared lock eyes with her through the bars and he had captured not just her attention.  He had been in his early thirties when she had bought him.  Over the last years, she had found herself thinking about him and thinking about her solitude.

When bought, her companion had no name, it had been stripped from him when he had been captured.  She had named him David and he had been more than a challenge to her.  He had defied her and argued with her, openly disobeyed her on many occasions, and yet, she had not the heart or desire to have him disciplined or removed.  She may have owned him in name, but he had owned her heart and until the day he died nearly fifty years later.  Dantry and Lisa may have thought of Torin as a mere physical replacement that she felt ready to have now, but for Raven, it was something much deeper than that.  Torin would never replace David, the two couldn't be further from each other if they tried, but she saw that spirit in him, that fire that made him a survivor and a fighter.  David had held a certain touch about him when it came to her.  It was strong, but at the same time, it was incredibly intimate.  A single touch could have her heart racing and a single kiss could turn her weak at the knees.  David wasn't able to do that simply through training or a need to please her, he could do that because he loved her and he had made her love him back.

And so, nearly three centuries later, she was ready to let that emotion back into her soul.  Whether Torin could succeed or not was another matter.  She could see the pain and hatred in him, she could feel it like the heat from her fire, but somewhere in there was a man, a true man that could still love and be loved.  If she was right about him, she knew they would not just have a few decades like she'd had with David, but centuries.  An entire collection of lifetimes that she could share with him and treasure.  Hell, she could even afford his freedom if it were an honest arrangement.  But if she was wrong, what would she do then?  She had considered this also.  Were she to fail, she would not kill him or have him removed, that would serve no-one's best interest.  She would probably have him work with Dantry and he would have the pick of the house then when she permitted it, like she had done with the Lycan and his beloved little Vixen.  If that were the case, she would simply have to keep looking.

Torin sat there tense, worried that he was going to get beat, but least then he would know her buttons. He always pushed hard the first few days to see how much he could get away with and what he couldn't. He swallowed as he watched her. His eyes furrowed in confusion then followed hers to the fire. He stared at it he swallowed the fire was calming, it put him in a strange trance. He was strangely relaxed.

Suddenly he heard her speak his attention went to her immediately. He raised an eyebrow. Why would he be what she was looking for? That did not make any sense but he didn’t speak. He had looked down when she continued but did not resist as she put his finger under his chin. He listened to her words, wondering why tears, something that he had not felt in decades were beginning to pool at his eyes. He blinked them away trying to keep his angry, detached look in them.

He slightly nodded as she spoke of the others two calling him a pet. That was normal, nothing new there. He had no choice but to move closer to her. He was surprised though no master wanted a slave with a spine. This was no normal master though, that he had already figured out. His eyes betrayed him for a moment, “Yes maam, the slave market was hell” He swallowed hard. How did this woman know so much about him? About what he had endured? He wanted to look away but he couldn't. He sighed. Would his life really be better? Anything was better then the slave market. It was hell, not so much for what happened to him, but more for what he was forced to watch, the abuse of the others. He shook his head. Feeling other people's pain was a curse. He just figured all halflings did.

He stiffened at the mention of chains. He then looked around. No there wasn’t. A hand went to his collar wincing slightly at the tender flesh still. “I do not madam” He lowered he gaze then then shook his head almost fearful. “No” He said softly.

When she moved he stiffened then closed his eyes. He let his eyes wonder over her body. His member reacted immediately. He was a bit stiff, he couldn't get aroused he had not been given permission but she didn’t seem to mind. His new mistress had a beautiful body.. He was tempted to touch her. But until she had given him full out permission the only proof of his condition was his erection that was straining upwards, almost painfully. He was having problems following her, what could be more then sex? He shook his head trying to stay focused. His hands clenched at his side. Hell he WANTED to touch this woman, master or not. He had not felt like this, since HER. He swallowed hard at the unwated memory floated in his mind.

He looked at her shocked. “You know, and you still took me?” He swallowed again. He licked his lips he could give her all of that, he couldn't die naturally. That was for sure, he could see him living here for the rest of eternity. Well until she grew tired of him. Again she moved her hips. Was she doing on purpose, testing his restraint? He growled softly. He was slowly loseing controle. Until he knew what she was, he wasnt sure how much she could really take.

He was about to throw everything into the wind and touch her but as soon as he moved his arms she moved off of him. He was left with a painfull erection, paning and shaking. He lowered himself. He had almost lost it, he had almost blown it like he had done with Rachael sweet, Rachael who was the first and only love of his life. He had lost controle with her and he couldn't do it again.

He looked over at her. He was trying to keep a hold of the hatred and anger, least those emotions were safe. Nothing else was safe. He looked up at her, hoping that the fear and regret and pain was hidden. He knew that his arousal could not be missed. Thanks to being a half-breed he was well endowed. He had been too much for Rachael, not used to the passion overload, he had ripped her in their love making, her screams still haunted him.

He looked down and then bowed down to her and kissed her feet. An act of submission that he had been taught. He did not know what else to do. He was painfully hard but it wasn't about his pleasure it was about hers. Only if he was granted permission would he raise from this painful position.

Raven had known from the second she had first moved her hips on him what would happen and she had told him openly that she knew his training would stop him from doing what would only be natural to a free man, but she realised when she moved that he had come so close to losing it, to forgetting everything and letting go. She regretted moving so soon then, but it was too late to take it back now and when she watched him fold over in submission and kiss at her feet, she took a deep breath. So much for that spine she was talking about.

Perhaps he needed something a little different to make him see. She needed to know how far she could push this one before he let go. There had been so many times that she had hurt David before they had found a balance in their time together and even though he was much stronger than the average human, he still had his limits and she had to be careful. The very last thing she wanted was to hurt Torin in the same way. She had to know what his limit was, how far she could let go before he couldn't handle her. Or if he could indeed take her on like she needed. Being a half breed, that instantly worked in his favour, it meant if she did hurt him, he would heal better and faster, but he still had that human part that meant she could kill him.

Raven tilted her head to one side and regarded Torin as he remained motionless at her feet and probably deeply in pain at her teasing earlier. Instead of leaning over him, she brought her wing around and tenderly brushed it down his side before she pushed the feathers under him. The move was designed to make him move under his own steam without her having to order it verbally, "If you have a foot fetish, then by all means Torin, kiss away, but otherwise..." She smiled down at him, trying to be kind.

She was about to give up on the subtle nudge with her wing and reach down to pull him up when someone knocked on her door. "Enter." She said with a sigh and Moira entered, "What is it, Moira, can you not see I'm busy?"
Moira lowered her head, but did not enter the room, "I apologise Milady, but there is a visitor downstairs, Lord Kraven and he demands your presence."
"Oh, he demands, does he?" Raven said, moving away from Torin now.
Moira swallowed hard, "Yes Ma'am." She said, "I informed him you were otherwise occupied, I promise I did, but he refused to be postponed. Dantry is with him in the study, but he is highly impatient. Forgive me Ma'am, I am truly sorry about this."
"Fair enough." She said, "Tell him I will be with him presently and send in Helen to dress me appropriately."
Moira nodded, "Yes Milady. And the boy?" She pointed to Torin.
Raven smiled, "Torin is free to roam the house as he pleases. Give him some chores if you feel the need, but when I am done, I would like more time alone with him."
Moira nodded again and snapped her fingers at Torin, "Boy." She said firmly, "With me."

Half an hour later, Raven arrived downstairs again, but dressed much finer than before. Her gown spoke of taste and time, showing her unique style, but more importantly, she was stiffly covered. She was anything but relaxed now. She entered the study with her head high and all the outward manner of her once noble birth. "Kraven." She said before nodding to Dantry, "You may leave us." Dantry nodded, but his eyes shouted he wasn't happy about it, and he left in silence. "Now why are you demanding to see me, Kraven?" She asked as soon as the door was closed, "I made my position perfectly clear on many occasions."
"And I refuse to believe it, Lady Darkheart." Kraven said back sharply, "And if it wasn't bad enough that you are seen trawling the slave markets without an escort...."
"That is my choice, Kraven." Raven snapped, "Mine. I have not, nor do I want your company in such matters. You may be an immortal, but you are far from anything I would desire to keep around me."
"I am a nobleman and a Lord of this land, Raven, and you will respect that!" He snapped, moving a little closer.
Raven did not move, "Your lordship is nothing more than blood money spent in spite of my family name." She shook her head, "And now you keep insisting on diluting it further. I despise you Kraven and everything about you and I have told you often, you are not welcome here."

In that second, and it was literally just that, Kraven shot across the room and slammed Raven against the wall, holding her fast by her throat. The noise instantly brought Dantry into the room along with the rest of the men in the house, but none dared to pry him off her. As they had entered, Raven had shook her hands at them. "You enjoy your toys, Raven." He said darkly, "And your solitude up here, but remember this. I am never far from you." He moved in just that little bit more until his lips brushed over hers and his smile darkened yet further. "You cannot evade me forever, I will be back when you fall again and I will force your hand." His free hand snaked around her hip as he grinned at her once more. He then let her go and backed off, leaving her breathless and clinging to a large table along the wall. "Remember what I said, Raven." He told her, "Let's see how long it takes this time."
"Dantry will escort you out." She replied coarsely and nodded at her agitated guard.......

The act of submission and lowering himself to kiss her feet was the only thing that stopped him from acting out his needs right now. He shook with it and it was taking all of his control not t...he couldn't even think it right now. He needed to know what this woman was. He was certain that she was not a mortal. She had made that clear, but what, there wasnt much that could handle his full passion. Before he didnt need to hold back, he was chained or drugged and he did not feel anything for those things...but this woman standing there.

At the feel of her wings he tensed then stood. He looked at her. "What are you, exactly" The time for questions had come and gone but he didn't care, he didn't know how she had done it but she had caused his body to react in ways that it had not in years. Then he had kissed her blasted feet? What the hell was wrong with him?

He glared at her, he did not have a foot fetish, it was excpeted of him was it not. He was about to ask more when the knock sounded. He growled toward it, who ever it was did not have good news. He listened to the exchanged with a raised eyebrow. It was clear that his mistress did not like this person. He was going to stay with her but he was dismissed. He half bowed, a bow that did not reach his face and left with the other woman.

He was given a few things to do and he did it quickly. He then purposely put himself near the door, the closed door that his new mistress was behind. He sense the man too close and was about the burst through when a hand rested gently on his shoulder. He looked up and was greeted by a shaking head. "Something is wrong" he spoke softly.

Torin was still denied entry and he sighed and walked outside. What good was here? Even if his mistress wanted more than a sex toy. He would never be trusted. He rubbed his forhead. Why did that bother him? He heard someone behind him, and a far bit away he saw a man leave. He snarled he did not like this man. He watched him leave with a mean glare.

With Kraven back in his carriage and leaving the estate, Raven finally took a breath again and edged herself from the wall and the table once more. Her guard surrounded her and Dantry's Beta carefully took up Raven into his arms and took her back upstairs. Helen would be waiting to undress her again and make her comfortable. Raven would not be back downstairs again for the rest of the night probably, or if she did, everyone would stay out of her way. Dantry accompanied the carriage right to the very edge of the boundary where the estate road and the highway merged. There was no way on earth he was letting that vampire back anywhere near his mistress again.

Outside, Torin was right to feel a presence behind him. The refusal to allow him entry into the study when Kraven attacked Raven was well placed and was now to be explained to him in detail. "You were right, you know." Came the voice. It wasn't Dantry, but Vixen, his lover and mate. She stood with her arms folded as she too watched the carriage disappear to the main highway, followed so closely. "Something is very wrong here. I didn't expect you to pick up on it so quickly, but Master Kraven turning up like that, it's given you a head start." She moved up to Torin and regarded him closely, her eyes flickering between the dark brown and honey of her Lycan state. She was finding it hard not to shift right now because of the threat Kraven had posed. Moving into his full view, she offered him to sit on the lawn with her while they waited for Dantry to return. "Allow me to enlighten you fully about our dear owner." She said with some mirth, but still in genuine respect.

Looking out over the lawn and the vast space beyond, Vixen took her time to articulate her words for Torin. He deserved that much at least. "Lord Kraven Arrin, one of the oldest True Blood vampires there could be in the world. Like Milady, he fought in the Blood Wars between their kind. Do you know of the war?" She looked to him, but it seemed he didn't so she explained anyway. "There have always been two races of vampires. Milady is one, Angelus Demonica, a winged vampire and the oldest of the breed. Kraven is the other, Nos Feratus Originum, the non winged born vampires. After Ronin was killed, the two remaining great families bartered a peace, the Darkhearts and the Annins, but Kraven doesn't see it that way and he wants what she has. A few centuries ago, Milady lost someone that she cared about deeply, cared enough that she openly declared she loved him, even freed him from what the rumours told. He was a mortal man. Kraven took such a deep offense at this, he very nearly declared war all over again. And then, when Milady's lover died, as mortals tend to do, he left such a gaping abyss in her soul that she fell. Kraven took full advantage of that and when I say full advantage, I mean it." She looked to Torin again, wondering how much of it all was making sense yet.

"You've felt it and seen it for yourself already, Torin, but things are different here when it comes to Milady's idea of keeping slaves. She doesn't beat us, or use us in the way you've probably been for so long and there's a very good reason for that. You see, Milady has a very distinct perspective on our bondage thanks to Kraven. Milady may be of high birth and nobility, but that means little when your enemy snaps that steel around your throat. Kraven kept her as a slave for a number of years and he ensured that she would never see another of us hurt like she was. Most of us have years to learn this as Master Kraven's visits are quite rare, you've had one night. Her history with him also means she will not allow any of us to defend her while he is here. You see, to attack a Lord even in defence of one's owner, means death. It is probably why you were not allowed to enter with the rest of her guard. If we'd been allowed to hurt him as he was hurting her, she would have been forced to forfeit our lives in payment for his injuries and he wouldn't hesitate in taking every last one of us. She would give her life over ours any day and that's why we all are so devoted to her. You probably don't understand it all fully yet, like I said, you've only had one night here so far, but you will understand eventually." She then levelled her gaze some and her tone darkened.

"However, don't think for a second that her presence or command has been in any way diminished by what I've told you. She may not wish harm on those in her house, but don't think for a second she wouldn't come down on you if she felt you had crossed the line. For more than a thousand years, Milady was one of the most deadly warriors this world has ever seen and it was her shot that killed Ronin and ended the war and she is just as powerful and deadly today as she was back then. No doubt with Master Kraven's visit, you'll get to see it for yourself. Watch by all means, but I strongly suggest you don't get in her way." Vixen then looked around, noticing that Dantry was near the house once more and she got to her feet. "Time to go back inside." She told Torin, "Remember what I've told you." And she left him there.

As Dantry approached the side entrance to the house, he looked over at Torin and snapped his head at the door, ordering the new slave inside. He would double the guard and rotate the watch more often tonight just to be sure Kraven wasn't about to turn up again and he kicked himself mentally for even allowing the bastard entry to the house to begin with. Everyone knew how dangerous the vampire was and how vicious he could be with what he wanted and now, for some reason, Raven was back on his radar and Dantry wouldn't allow that. Not a second time.

Turning to the voice Torin glared at Vixen. Then turned back towards the retreating carriage then back to Vixen as she spoke. “Of course I picked it up, I..” he trailed off and shook his head to stop any further questions about it. He didn't understand it but he picked up on things, like emotions and dangers and such, he didn't want to get into it. He did not want to let anyone know more then needed.

He had a feeling this Vixen, as she was called, seemed to have something to tell him so he waited. He hadn’t been called to his new mistress so he hoped that was not a sign of something horrible. He swallowed hard and sat as she began to speak. He was not relaxed the way that he sat made it look like he was ready to bolt at a moments notice.

He nearly fell over a few times at her story. He couldn't believe it, there was a good chance that she bought him to simply kill him. It would be logical, to kill him. He rubbed the temples of his head. He had only heard of the great vampires and their war.

That was one question answered though. His new master was a full vampire and a strong one. So he wouldn't be able to hurt her, if anything she could hurt him. Least he would be able to heal faster then a mortal. He wrinkled his nose when told of her former lover. Why did that bug him so much? Its not like he would ever be anything but what he was, even if she had freed others. He didn't want that, least as long as he belonged to her no one could capture him.

He growled as it continued. “You mean he...” He shook his head “Why was he allowed on to the property then?” He looked at her then looked away. “Sorry” He had to stop acting so protective no normal slave would act like that. He kept his eyes diverted from Vixen so she wouldn't catch on. He was learning so much, so a slave his new master had been a slave at one point.

He did turn to her when she explained why he wasn't allowed in. He was about to object. “The rest of you would be payment?” He bit his lip. “I did not know that” He rubbed the temples again, something was not right and he just could not put his finger on it. “Why would she give her life for ours? That does not make sense, not only is she more important, what would happen to us if she did die?”

He couldn't help but  keep her gaze during the next part since her gaze was so intense. He raised an eyebrow. “What is crossing the line” He muttered hoping that she wouldn't have heard that comment.

He licked his lips again and wondered what she meant by all of what she just told him. He was about to ask more when he noticed Dantry he stood and offered a hand to Vixen. “Thank you” He said softly. His eyes were soft when he talked to her but as soon as he turned his eyes turned dark. He walked to Dantry with a bit of a snarl. The burn on his back still fresh in his mind, the pain of all the others was almost too much for him to handle without taking it on his own. He looked at him.

“I take it that my presence is been requested?”

Dantry firmed his jaw as he watched Torin come to him to go back inside. And he saw everything, the darkness in his eyes, the snarl on his lips, the sheer difference between the look he got and what Vixen was given. And so, when Torin spoke, assuming he'd been summoned, Dantry took the new slave firmly by the arm and stopped him at the shoulder. "What is your issue, Torin?" He asked quietly but firmly, "Out with it, or I swear to the Gods, I'll leave you in the damned kennels with the hounds til you do."

Upstairs, Raven, now corset free again and looking much more comfortable with herself in her sarong, sat perched on the edge of the wall of her balcony. Her wings hung limp, but gracefully down either side of the wall and she stared out over her vast gardens and the cliff's edge on which they sat. With her knees somewhat drawn up, she leaned her forearms on them while her head lolled against the stone wall supporting the rest of her back. She looked at ease, but appearances could be deceiving.

It had been more than two decades since Kraven had last darkened her home and she had forgotten his evil almost entirely. Had she not have been seen in the slave market, he may never have come, but what was done was done and there was nothing she could do about it now. She just hoped that this visit would be a passing fancy for him and he would not come back again for a while. She had no doubt that Dantry would make things as difficult as possible for Kraven to get back onto the estate, but like her, his hands were tied in the matter.

Slowly, one hand drifted from her knee and traced the line of his fingers that had been so tightly about her throat. She remembered still very clearly the torture and torment of those years under his name. Like her, every slave in his household was branded, it was the law, but branding a born vampire was both pointless and futile, for the skin healed with no trace of the brand. Not that Kraven cared much for biology. He had insisted upon her being branded as often as possible, just to see her suffer. Had she the option, she would not brand any of her slaves, but the law was the law and she hated it. Perhaps that was why, when it went wrong, she would make sure to be there to limit the damage as much as possible.

And so, while the house downstairs tried to get back into the normal routine of the night, Raven remained perched on the wall, staring out over her slice of land in silent contemplation. She expected Torin would be brought back to her soon as ordered and she felt he had a lot more questions now than he had earlier. As her companion, he needed to know and learn all he could about her, and for some reason, after what had happened earlier between them, she felt he perhaps deserved it too. There was definitely a connection of some kind between them, something that sparked somewhere deep inside that could change everything. Also, she wanted to know more about him too, everything from his past and present, every inch of who he was and why he was, inside out and upside down in precise detail. Anything less would be intolerable.....

Torin relized his mistake as he got closer. He didn't care though, this scum had let the other monster close to his mistress that he supposedly respected and cared for. She could have died, did he not know what would happen to all of them if she died? Sure he could handle it but he wasnt sure of some of the others.

When he was grabbed he flinched and glared at him. He turned towards where to dogs were and thought about it for a moment, he was really considering it, but he couldnt handle being chained up his branded skin was still bothering him. It would heal quickly though.

He looked at him "Why did you allow that scum to the mistress that you state that you love?" He shook his head his body trembling, shaking with mixed emotions. "Do you know what would happen to us that are new here if something was to happen to her?"

He looked at him waiting for his punishment, he didn't care. His protective nature was coming up and as much as he wanted to hide that and keep it down, keep it hidden and keep at least one thing secret, one thing has his. He didnt have much, luckily this one let him keep his name.

His hands twitched and waited to see if his answers were going to be enough.

Dantry tightened his grip some on Torin's arm, feeling the guilt of that very thing rising far more than it really needed to. Sure, he could have refused Kraven to the house, but that would probably have cost Raven far more than it did already. As for what would happen if something had happened to Raven, Dantry knew that very well too. As he tried to calm his mind and consolidate his answers into a line of thinking this very vocal new slave could understand. As for the rest of what he was feeling from the other man, he would deal with that secondarily.

"First off." He began, "You haven't been here long enough to spout that shit at me." he levelled his gaze and tightened his grip some, but not enough to leave too much of a lasting mark on Torin's flesh. "And second, you really have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. Kraven is a Lord of this land and by rights, he can come and go from anywhere he pleases, regardless of what you, I or anyone else thinks on the matter. Yes, this is Milady's estate, but the majority of what you see beyond belongs to him, that includes the town below us. Oh yes, he is most definitely scum and the worst kind, but no slave can raise a hand to him, or they forfeit their lives in payment. How can I protect Milady if I'm dead?" And now the second part of Torin's statement, "And yes, I know very well what happens to any new slaves if the owner is hurt, killed or otherwise disgraced. They are returned to the market without refund or papers. That makes them mine slurry at best, so don't think you know this game any better than I do, Torin, understand?"

After a moment to let that sink in, Dantry let go of Torin's arm and turned his head away, "The discomfort should fade soon." He said more quietly this time, "I know it is bothering you, it is bothering the rest of your new housemates." He looked up at Torin then, "If it were up to Milady, she would not brand any slave at all, she despises the practice vehemently, but it is still the law, so she obeys like all Immortals." Dantry shook his head then and started walking back into the house. "Look, whatever you think you know about Milady, this house, us, you have no idea yet, Torin. Maybe given a few months, you might start to get it. But until then, stop pushing buttons you have no right to push yet." He nodded his head to the door again, reminding Torin that Raven did want him back with her after Kraven had gone....

Torin winced as the grip was tightened. This man was not human, he was far too strong, he had been told that, he thought but all the emotions in the house was overwhelming right now. He glared at this man, he was taken aback, this man had not wanted to let the other man in. That struck him. He raised his eyebrow as the man spoke.

He swallowed as the grip tightened more, clearly this man was upset. He shook his lead. He had not known that Kraven wasthe Lord, why would a immortal be Lord of anything. He did not want Dantry to know how much that news upset him. He shook his head and closed his eyes. He had let his emotions run wild. He wouldn't back down though he could not allow him to show any weakness. He had spent enough of his life being weak.

He opened his mouth to say that he would protect the mistress but promptly closed it. He knew that would just come off of strange. In truth he didnt trust males, any males, or females, except for some reason the new cook, the one that had feed him hours before, and for some reason Vixen, why these two? He looked up at him "I have been living this game as you so called it for a lot longer then you" He said softly.

He shook his head when told it was bothering the rest of his housemates, he knew that he could feel their pain, which is why it was paining him a lot more then the others, with too much in one area it seemed that he couldn't stop his body from taking on a lot of the pain on to his own. He did not know that he showed any physical signs of it, but his burn would be festering as a result. Luckily it was still at least somewhat covered by his cloak unless it fell of course.

He glared at the man again. "Sometimes pushing the bottons safe lives, I much rather know now how hard to push now, then in a few months" He curled his lips into a snarl and pushed passed him, giving him a good view of his back. He started up the stairs to Raven, wondering if he was going to be escorted again.

Dantry did all he could not to let his temper flare with this impertinent new slave, but his brazen comparison over their years in servitude was too much. No matter how softly it was said either. Dantry turned about quickly, taking in the second comment just as badly and grabbed Torin a second time, but this time, it was by the back of his collar. He also noticed the brand had started to fester already, giving rise to more paranoia by Dantry. As part vampire, he should be at least starting to heal some, even as a full human, it should not be so angry and blistered. "You wanna push buttons, fine you fucking push mine and see what you get!" He snapped darkly. "And believe me, after two hundred years in this house, you ain't the first to try it."

Dragging the boy inside, Dantry at first made to take Torin to the back kitchens to get his brand cleaned and redressed, buthe felt that wouldn't work well enough, so he changed direction and made for the stairs instead. "Let's see how big those balls are in front of Milady." He said, "And maybe see is she wants to deal with your festering attitude as well as your damned back." All the while, he didn't let go of Torin's collar, letting everyone in the house see Torin being brought down a peg or two.

After a few seconds and three quarters the way upstairs already, Dantry glared at Torin, showing his changing eyes as he battled to keep his temper in check. There were so many things he wanted to say to the impetuous boy, but he also knew he'd cross the line if he did. Raven had bought him for a reason, a personal one and he understood Torin would become highly important to Raven's state of mind and health in general so speaking his mind now would only cause trouble later down the line. That wasn't to say however, he couldn't repeat what the boy had already said and inform her of what he'd done and his attitude. He couldn't expect what she'd say though when they finally reached her.

Dragging Torin the final distance to Raven's door, he knocked, opened and then entered with his head down. He couldn't see her, but he could smell her hypnotic scent and it was coming from the balcony. Roughly, he pulled the cloak from Torin's shoulders, exposing the bad brand and then yanked Torin down to his knees alongside as Dantry knelt for his Mistress. "Milady." He offered quietly, "As requested, your slave."
Raven turned her head on the wall and stared down at Torin with one eyebrow raised. "I see." She said.
"Milady, I must make you aware..." Dantry began.
"I already know." Raven said with disappointment. She didn't move from the balcony wall, but she did ruffle her wings some against the stone and she lowered her chin some at her new slave. "Perhaps I have been too kindly with you, Torin. Or perhaps I have made a mistake in whom I wish to be companion to. Can you give me a reason to change my mind?" Sniffing up, she could also smell the growing nastiness in his brand and she shook her head, "And you have not been honest with me either, have you. You've been here a day Torin, just one single day and already, you have managed to upset my most trusted friend, cause paranoia downstairs and then insult me. Today has been a bad day, I'll grant you that, but your behaviour has gone too far." She turned her head along the wall to look at him again, "And how long would you have hidden your wounds before seeking help? Until you reached death perhaps?" She lifted an eyebrow again, waiting for some kind of answer.......

Torin sensed he had gone too far mere moments before the back of his collar was grabbed. His eyes bulged out as the sensation of chocking hit him. He struggled against it but that only made it worse. Sweat was building up on him as he was sure now that this Dantry thing would see his back. Was it his fault that he absorbed pain from others? He didn't understand it, when it was first found out he was very valuable, many armies wanted him, but it was flawed it didnt happen all the time, he wasnt sure why it was happening here.

He raised his eyebrows. This thing had been here for 200 years. He shook his head. "What are you anyways" He smirked. "You have a lot of buttons then, I haven't said much or done much, you would think that you would be happy that I got angry at you for letting that scum near YOUR mistress, guess not"

He held his head eye as he was dragged around. He knew Dantry was trying to knock him down a few pegs, he had to chuckle at that. He was the newest slave he was the bottom of the bottom, so what he was selected to be with the mistress, that meant nothing and the proof of that would come soon enough. "Wouldn't you like to know how big they are" He teased it was his only defense he had now, continually push him, not let him know how much pain he was  really in.

He smriked at him. So his back was festering, it must be bad for this thing to say something, it was clear he did not like him. He shrugged. "Either she will or will not, it will go down eventually on its own" As he noticed the change he licked his lips. "You are far too easy to upset Dantry you should really work on that" He shrugged he hopped that Dantry wouldnt be able to see through him all of this was still an act he was nearly falling over.

When he entered the room, rather when he was dragged into the room. He winced as the cloak was ripped from him, it had partly dried and now it was open even more. He growled as he was dragged to the ground. He smirked to himself as Dantry started to speak then was shut down.

He looked up at his mistress as she spoke then too Dantry. He was not going to be open with him here so he shrugged and looked through her. He shrugged. "It would have gone down in a couple days, I am a mere slave and a slave does not ask his or her mistress or master for anything" He licked his lips. "I was not aware that I was causing paranoia, one would think they would be grateful" He rolled his eyes. "As for upsetting this" He jabbed his thumb at Dantry, I do not know how I could have" He would be more open if it was just him and her but with this lackey around he was like this.  He continued to look at her although it seemed Dantry was trying to get him to look down.

Raven firmed her jaw before looking back out over her gardens before shaking her head on the wall gently, "You really don't understand us at all, do you Torin." She said almost sadly, "Despite what you have already seen and been told." She took a deep breath before she turned on the wall some and brought her knees down to put her feet on the floor. She leaned forward on the wall and then hopped off gracefully to stand before them. She could feel and see the distrust between Torin and Dantry and it left a thick taste on her senses. Torin truly was what he had been made and she had her work cut out to make him whole once more. As for Dantry, she understood why he had done what he'd done and she respected him for it. The open thumb jab at him though and the refusal to acknowledge the Lycan caused Raven to lift an eyebrow at Torin. More than that, she could see the temper rising in her trusted friend that could spell bloodshed and she really didn't want two fights in one night. Firming her jaw, she lifted her head some. "Dantry, would you leave us please." She asked softly, "Torin and I need to come to an understanding."
"Yes Ma'am." Dantry said and quickly got back to his feet. Without another word, he turned about and left the room.

Raven took a moment then to gauge the situation and what should come of it. Torin needed a serious education in things in her house and it seemed he had either chosen to ignore everything he had seen and heard since his arrival, or he really just couldn't grasp it for himself. Either way, he would cause utter chaos if he wasn't corrected immediately. Moving to him, she placed herself just out of his reach this time and looked down at him. She somehow knew he would meet her gaze anyway. His spirit would not let him do anything less and that was what she wanted. However, everything else had to be earned, wanted and worked for.

"Allow me to give you an understanding here Torin." She began, "If you want to fuck with Dantry, by all means, carry on the way you are going, but know this. The giant you saw leaving will not be what greets you again should you continue this path. Dantry is a Lycan, a very powerful and dangerous Werewolf that has been in my house for more than two hundred years and has been my most trusted confidant and friend for nearly as long. How you have upset him is how you have upset me. Like many immortals, Dantry has a gift with those around him. He can feel them, sense their presence, much like you and I can, but unlike you, who seem to feel others pain and anger most of all, he feels their threat, that which makes them dangerous around those he cares about. Hence his reaction to Kraven. As a man and my friend, he wants to protect me and keep me safe. As a Lycan, it is his onus to defend me with his life if necessary as I am his pack leader and Alpha. It is the same for his mate, Vixen and no doubt one day, their pups will do the same as they do. But until then, Dantry is responsible for my welfare and as such, you are showing to be a threat which resonates downstairs as well. You are putting everyone on edge and setting a bad example for the station you currently occupy. And that in turn insults my ownership and standing among you all. Simply put Torin, your attitude stinks and needs a serious adjustment." She lowered her chin some and moved that last step to within his reach.

"You think you know everything there is to know Torin, but you don't know anything." Her voice was somewhat lower now, but no less clear in intent and tone. "You think I don't know what you're feeling? What you've felt over the years? You think I don't care that you're branded and collared to someone you probably hate as much as the life you've had, but you're wrong Torin, so very wrong. I have been where you are and I have suffered just as much. You think this house and the money that comes with it mean I have lived a life of luxury and pleasure. I assure you, that is not the case. Long before all this, it was not silver that graced my hand, but cold steel and hot blood. I was born into a conflict that wasn't mine to fight and forced to live a life at the sword's edge until I was more than a thousand years old. Perhaps after that life, you'd think I would settle into this house and this life, yes?" She shook her head, "What waited for me after that was even darker and far more dangerous. What waited for me then was Kraven and a collar that looked just like yours."

Turning her head away some, Raven considered those memories and what they meant and how they could perhaps help Torin understand why she was the way she was. "The law requires that any slave belonging to an Immortal must be branded. This law is non negotiable and punishable by heavy fines and public sale of property to the value of. This practice was greatly enjoyed by Kraven. As his property then, I came under that law and I was to be branded. However, my vampire bloodline meant the brand would not take and my flesh would heal with no trace of his mark. I'm sure my daily screams still haunt his house." She looked back down at Torin again then, "He took that iron to me personally every day for twenty years until he was forced to release me. My lack of branding cost him this small slice of land and the cliffs you can see just beyond the lower boundary. Now do you see why I treat my own household so differently Torin? Now do you understand why I do and am what I do and am? I do not chain, mistreat or abuse my slaves in any way they do not wish to be. I do not beat them, humiliate them or hurt them. In my time of ruling here, I have sent but one slave to his death as punishment. He was an assassin that managed to hide his intentions from Dantry and the rest of my guard. I fed him to my hell hounds and let the rumour and gossip do the rest for my reputation. Now do you understand, Torin? Or are you still so certain of your hatred towards me and this house and wish only to be left to rot alone?"

With those last words, Raven moved around Torin to go back inside. She would leave him there to consider her words and perhaps learn something from her about what it truly meant to belong in her house. She didn't want to hurt him or humiliate him, or abuse him as he had known before. She didn't want any of that for him at all, not for any slave. As she walked past, she felt something strongly grab at her hip and pull back. She stopped and took a deep breath, hoping somewhere in her soul that this touch was Torin's and not simply her imagination. She closed her eyes and dropped her chin, begging the Gods silently what she felt truly was Torin..........

Torin watched her as she turned her attention back to the gardens shaking her head. No he did not understand why there was unrest downstairs because of him. He barely talked to any of them. So what he hadn't cried out when the iron was taken to him. Was that his fault? And his distrust of men was that really his fault too? He did not understand all the issues that he was being accused of causing. He wouldnt talk freely with that thing beside him though, he was certain that he was going to be the one to beat him, even without their mistress's permission, he knew that Torin would never talk.

Once he was gone he visably relaxed, he was about to talk but then his mistress spoke, He listened intently most of this he already knew. Already beeen told, but he wasnt sure if he was suppose to so he acted as if he hadn't heard any of it. His face held the proper sign of emotions. He licked his lips. He didn't under stand what “fuck with” meant so he was confused at that. He was shocked to find out he was a Lycan, The master that had caused him the worst pain, that had taken the love of his life was a Lycan, that would be why his smell caused him to be so angry. Not something that he would share though. He didn't understand how his attitude stunk. He had not done anything was his presence really that unsettling? He would have asked but she continued

He couldn't imagine being branded for over seven thousand days. He swallowed hard and looked up at her. There was pain in his eyes for that. He nodded. So that was the slave that she had killed? Good riddance.

As she went to brush past him he took a risk and took a hold of her and pull her back. He spoke in a soft voice. “I never held any hatred in my heart for you Mistress. Although Mistress I do not understand a few things, I do not understand why I take on the pain of others, I did not tell for I am used to that ability being used.” He paused “The pain normally does not last this long, I guess its because its so many in a small area. I am sorry for what your master did. I have had a lot of ones such as that” He bowed his head. “A lycan killed the love of my life, who was with child infront of me, I suppose the scent of Dantry as you call him, sent me off, I will try to be better around him” He went to pull her down, not in a painfull way but in a gentle way. He looked into her eyes. “I still do not understand how I am causing a paranoia downstairs I was there only long enough for the entry routine and to eat, and a bit of rest, how can I cause such displeasure in such a sort time?” His look was one of complete confusion.

((am a little confused for a sec here - I thought torin killed his lover by losing control with her? I can work with it either way and edit later if you want))

Raven let her breath go again when she realised it actually was Torin holding her and she opened her eyes again as he spoke to her and finally started making sense. She listened in silence and when he pulled her down to his level in afar more gentle way than necessary, she went with it and slowly dropped to her knees. Her wings spread out behind her in a luscious black silken fan before they relaxed to lay across the stone. She also spread her knees for balance and ended up with her thigh neatly alongside his and her ankle just by his knee and vice versa. To anyone looking from the outside so to speak, one would not be able to tell the difference between owner and slave and the scene actually looked rather intimate with their bodies touching just so like that. At least, that was how Raven felt about it. She continued to listen as she made her mind up then that Torin would be a very good addition to the house after all and would be a fitting companion.

As he looked into her eyes, she looked back, seeing the confusion and distrust finally fully and she nodded in understanding. Starting at the beginning, "It makes me happy to know that you do not hate me Torin." She told him with a small smile of her own, "For that would be too much to bear having you this close and knowing that you don't want to be here." She dipped her head some, "As for sharing the pain of others, I understand you have no control over that and I am sure downstairs, the new additions are eternally grateful to have less pain. Like I said before Torin, having experienced the agony for myself, I would not brand any slave were it not for the law. I will ease your pain as much as I can until the festering has ceased and you are more comfortable with it. And you needn't be sorry for what Kraven did to me. He was not my master, he was my captor. His wish is to be my husband so he may reclaim what I have cost him and gain vengeance for the humiliation I have caused him. He means only to hurt me and continue his bloodline through me. That I can not and never will tolerate Torin."

As for his lost lover and child, that almost broke Raven's heart entirely and at this, she actually leaned slightly into him and put her cheek to his shoulder. "Under the hand of such a master Torin, perhaps she and your child are now in a far better place then before. I would never seek to replace them or force you into such a situation like that and I understand now the animosity between you and Dantry. Yes, a Lycan he is and a very powerful one, but he is far from what you have known. If you could but spend a few days with him, perhaps allow him to teach you more of the house and of the other people in it, he may drop his guard some and let you see the real him." She then smiled and lifted her head again from his shoulder.

"The paranoia downstairs may not be entirely of your doing, so perhaps such a statement would be an exaggeration of the truth." She snorted a laugh quietly in her nose, "But some of it is displeasing and suspicious to the longer residents of my house. After our conversation, some of it can be explained like your reaction to Dantry when the iron was put to you. He truly believed he was helping you, yet you never even uttered a thanks for it. Most would have been grateful for the support. And after that, you spoke only to one person when any other slave would be happy to introduce themselves and find out what their new duties and accommodation would be. You just sat there staring at everyone in silence. Your natural refusal to kneel when you were first brought to me. Moira saw that as a challenge, for even as my head slave and most trusted housekeeper, she still kneels when the occasion demands it. And then, when you tried to gain entry to the study when Kraven was here. As admirable and honourable as it sounds to you, many of my guard saw it as an insult." She smiled once more before turning her head to meet his gaze once more. "But there again, you have only been here for a day. It is more likely then that you are simply of bad timing is all and the paranoia will soon fade once you have settled in. That is, if you wish to settle in. There is a life for you here Torin, a good one. You need only seize the chance to make your place. Open your heart to the rest of us and let us know the real you. Let us start again on the right foot and begin a true bond with one another." She reached around with her hand and placed it tenderly on his cheek, smiling to him. "Will you give it a try, Torin?"......

Torin noticed how she positioned herself. Did she do it on purpose? Of course owners didn't do anything by mistake. He raised an eyebrow at her but kept silent. He nodded as she spoke. It seemed that she understood the whole pain sharing thing even though he didn't why him? Why did he have to have this so called gift. He stiffened as she said she would ease the pain. He was confused, how would she do that? More importantly why would she?

He growled slightly deep in his throat at the mention of Kraven the world would be a lot better without his scum around. He couldn't do anything as a pet though, a gaurd maybe, but then hers didnt...it was all confusing.

His only nodded a little as she spoke about his child. "I was going to free them, with my life" He spoke with a catch in his throat he shook his head he couldn't discuss it at all right now. "I doubt Dantry would be anywhere near me anymore, he has made that clear" He was really unsure how to act around her now.

He listened to her explain how he caused the stuff downstairs. "I am not used to slaves being allowed to interact with eachother, everyone I have ever allowed to get close has died a painful death, I thought I was saving them"

He looked at her and even leaned into her touch "Can a burned bridge really be crossed?" He shook his head.

Raven could feel the tension still refusing to let go in Torin and she truly did feel for him. With this one, things would take time and tenderness, far more than any of the previous nervous slaves. He had heart and more than that, he had a soul. It was tortured, damaged, near damned destroyed, but it was there. She gave him a warm smile as she learned what he would have done for his lover and his child and she admired him for that. To give one's life for another with nothing wanted in return, that was a bond beyond life. And then, just like that, he was able to move onto Dantry. Raven laughed quietly then and traced her thumb along his jaw line. "Give him time." Was all she could say on the matter.

At the mention of his past experience with other slaves, Raven nodded softly. "When you come from a background like that and suddenly land in the deep end of a house like mine, I would suppose it can be a huge shock to the system. And yes, it can cause a number of issues. I should have made your integration a little less daunting and that's on me, Torin, so I apologise. You obviously need time to find yourself here and I should have seen that, so I'll give you what time you feel you need to adjust and settle as you wish."

And then he leaned into her touch and she couldn't help but let that smile travel across her entire face. It brightened her whole presence and she let that radiate back into him as a soothing calmness that eased his pain and discomfort. She concentrated on the brand specifically until she could feel the skin around it ease and soften the festering crust that was forming. "Go and see Lisa after sun-up and she'll clean off the upper layers and apply some more balm and she'll wrap it in clean bandage for you. After that, I'll keep a close eye on it until it has fully healed." He then asked if a burned bridge could really be crossed.

At this, Raven smiled once more and openly kissed his cheek. It was tender and smooth and soft like silk. "No Torin, you can't cross a burned bridge." She told him, "But you can build a new one. Anything is possible if you try." She kissed him on the cheek once more before she rose to her feet and gracefully left his embrace to go back inside.......

Torin wanted to let go, he wanted to open up but there was only a little bit of his heart left unbroken, could he really have that again? Could he risk the heartbreak? He licked his lips and looked up at her. He was stunned there seemed to be understanding in her eyes, She could really understand she had been a slave before. He still couldnt belive that someone would beat and harm a beautiful creature as her.

He grew fearful as she spoke of having time. That meant time with the hounds didnt it? He looked up at her in pain and worry. He didnt want to leave her, his place was with her, she had said that, was he too far gone for her to want him now?"

He had seen that he liked it when he had leaned into her so maybe all hope was not lost. He closed his eyes as he felt the calmness "How did you do that?" He relaxed back on his legs. He arched feeling the brand feeling different. "Mistress please tell me you are not taking on my pain, I can not handle that!" He was clrealy upset thinking that she would take on his pain. "I do not want you hurt" He bit his lip as he spoke of seeing Lisa "I can try mi-lady but Dantry might not let me out of his sight, you know in case I do something else stupid"

He gasped and his cheeks slighty changed colour as he kissed his cheek. He nodded as she spoke of the bridges and sighed. "I understand, so with a lot of work, things may get done" He watched her leave then looked down at his hands she hadn't told him to come in, but then he hadnt been ordered to stay so he stood and went inside rubbing his hands slightly cold.

Raven had been ready to send Torin downstairs to Lisa when she turned and saw him shaking some with cold. With a warm smile, she went to the wall and rang the servants bell instead which brought Moira to her in only a minute. The woman didn't kneel this time, but she did lower her head as she entered the room, "You rang for me, Ma'am?" She asked quietly and respectfully. Her eyes flickered between Raven and Torin, wondering what had been said and why her Mistress had been so private with Torin for so long.
"Yes." Raven replied with a smile, "Can you fetch Lisa to me please? Torin's brand has begun to fester and his misunderstanding with Dantry has left him a little on edge."
Moira nodded quickly, "Right away Ma'am." She said and quickly disappeared.

Across the room now, Raven moved to her fire and began poking it some with the iron to get the flames going again in earnest. "Come Torin." She said, "Warm yourself while we wait for Lisa." She put the iron back on the stand and retook her seat to wait.

As expected, Lisa arrived promptly and lowered her head at the door. "You requested my presence, Ma'am?" She asked with respect.
Raven looked up and smiled before she nodded, "I did." She said, "Torin's brand has not been successful. Can you tend it please?"
"Right away, Ma'am." She said and entered with her medical kit. She smiled warmly to Torin, showing she meant no harm to him.

Torin was grateful that Raven didn't shoo her away. He was cold. He felt pain in his heart. He hadn't shared what had happened to him or his family with anyone. He rubbed his temples. How did this woman get some much out of him so easily? He looked at her feeling uneasy. He was a murderer, did she get that? Two loves, one he had killed one was killed infront of him. He guess she didn't know about the first one, all the better, least for now. Once she knew that he was a murderer this easy life would end.

He tensed as she called the woman. He eyed her, he didnt trust her but he knelt down by the fire and readied himself for pain. His entire body was tense and stiff. His eyes straight ahead but he was aleart not blinking as if he was excepting an attack at any moment. "Mi-lady it is not needed really, no need to worry about it"

Torin's pleas for her not to worry so much were passed off as nothing, more so when Lisa actually cringed some when she checked the wound properly. "Oh Torin, you should have come to me so much sooner." Lisa said to him quietly, "I don't know if I can save this." She looked up at Raven and pursed her lips, "It may have to be redone at a later time, Ma'am." She said with some sadness, "Whatever he's been doing with it, it's no longer recognisable."
"He's been secretly taking on the pains of the other new slaves." Raven said back without hesitation, "And keeping quiet about his own."
Lisa's eyes went wide and she stared openly at Torin, "Why?" was all she could think to ask him.

While Lisa waited for her answer and Raven watched over them, Lisa went about cutting away as much of the dead flesh as she could. Raven kept his pain to a minimum, concentrating on helping, and soon enough, almost the entire brand was gone. It would leave a large scar between his shoulder blades, but at least that would be it then and he would heal completely. After a short time, Lisa had cleaned the wound out completely and covered it once more in soft cotton lathered in salve.....

Figuring out that his pleas were falling on deaf ears Torin readied himself. He hung his head only slightly. Before lifting it again. He stiffened slightly when hearing he was going to have to be branded again. He dreaded that but he knew it would have to happen, he wouldn't put his new master through that. He bit his lip.

As the question was asked he shrugged. "Its what I do, I can't handle so much pain in a place, when I can take it, why should others take it?" He shook his head. "Its what I am used to, I was forced to do it before, so its become natural."

His eyes shot up to Raven "Why?" He asked her quietly. He wasn't used to people taking his pain, or caring about him. It was going to be really hard to keep up his angry fascade.

"I would very much like to meet your former Master some day, Torin." Raven said with a raised eyebrow, "For I would very much like to seek recompense for your being forced to use such a gift like that."
"You're not the only one." Lisa said quietly from deep behind Torin's back. Raven however, showed no such restraint in the matter. Soon enough, Lisa was done and she excused herself quietly. Raven then considered Torin's final question and statement.

Leaning forward in her chair some, Raven cocked her head at Torin and smiled, "Did you forget what I told you outside?" She asked him quietly, "I have been where you are and I have suffered what you have suffered. In so many ways, it has educated me in what a slave really is and what they are so very capable of. I have learned this the hard way and still today I am learning more and more. How can I not care for that, Torin? How can I not care for my household for what they do for me and on my behalf?"

Leaning right forward now, she put her fingers under Torin's noble looking chin and leaned in, kissing him tenderly on the lips and then on his cheek. "You cannot love what you cannot respect, Torin and you cannot respect what you cannot care for. And how can you care when you cannot be kind? You have seen by now the level of respect and care I afford every soul in my house, from Moira, my most trusted housekeeper and friend, to Dantry, my ever loyal guardian, to the little blonde scullery slave that had to loose her pride for the sake of a few lice. And you, my most vexing and frustrating companion yet, who no doubt will keep me on my toes for many, many years, I hope."

Torin tensed as his new master spoke of his last one. He swallowed hard and then looked up at her. "A gift?" He looked shocked. He shook his head. "Who knows if he is even alive, he made many enimies" He jumped slightly and turned to Lisa raising an eyebrow. What was with this strange girl?

He nodded a thank you as she left and then licked his lips and turned back to his master. "I know you have been" He closed his eyes as she touched him, but then slowly opened them watching her. She didn't make sence. When he felt her kiss he gasped and brought a hand to his lips. "Why?" He whispered softly.

He wanted to stay angry, anger was safe, but how could he keep that up if she kept this up?