Servicing

Seeing the way Lia had thrown herself to the ground, cowering and shielding herself from a strike that would never come broke Artorias' heart and incensed a fire within his soul. Her reaction was one of survival mechanics, of protecting herself from damage that she expected to receive. They had abused her. The slavers had done things to her, and though her outer appearance showed no signs of damage, she had been hurt by them previously. That enraged the young wolf, who now only wanted to take up his sword and go carve down every single wolf in that cave. His common sense won out over his anger though, and he recalled just how many there had been. If he went in alone looking for blood, he might take out a couple of them before they got the best of him—but they would get the best of him. No, his anger could not be directed to those who deserved it. So instead, Artorias focused on the frightened girl before him.

His smile slipped from his lips and he closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath to calm himself down so she wouldn't think he was upset with her. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Lia's fire-kissed optics gazing up at him confused. "No no, don't get me wrong, it was... very pleasing. You're very pleasing-" Shit, wait... that's coming out wrong. "Er, what I mean is, you didn't do anything wrong. Everything felt amazing! I just... That's not why I wanted you. You don't have to do those sorts of things for anyone against your will anymore." Not that Artorias hadn't enjoyed the contact, but he hadn't gone looking for a slave to use as a sex toy. She had begun referring to him as her lord again, and he didn't correct her this time as he knew she was facing a lot of abrupt changes in her life right now. Artorias' expression softened despite the warm, invigorated glow in his eyes. She was his, and although her touch had startled him, he couldn't deny the way it had made him feel.

"Idalia, you can stop cowering. I'm not going to hurt you. No one's ever going to hurt you again," he said, his voice smooth and soft like velvet. He shifted his body to come closer to where he had been lying before, reaching a paw across toward her as he held her ember gaze. "I'm very new to this in case you can't tell. My godfather brought me to come purchase a slave. I'm the heir to a pack, you see, and he thought it would be a learning experience. To buy a wolf, to hold possession over them, since that will be my life very soon." He paused, trying to determine how much information to fill her in with to give her some clarity in her new life, and also giving her a chance to absorb what he was telling her. "I chose you to serve a princess as a handmaiden. She's a wolf who is very close to me, and I know she will treat you well. I bought you because I saw the fire in your eyes, I heard your story, and I wanted to give you a life better than what you had." The possessiveness and protectiveness came back into his heart, yearning to shield this young woman from an unworthy world. Mine. Mine. Mine! "You'll belong to me, Idalia, but the life you knew... the life that made you do this..." He gestured to her defensive posture and tense body. "...that's all over now, and you never have to go back to it. All I wish is for you to serve me and the princess to the best of your abilities. You will be cared for; you will be fed when you're hungry, tended to if you fall ill or get hurt, kept sheltered and warm, and protected forever and always. Because you're mine now, and I will die to defend what is mine."

It was a lot of words for Idalia to consume, so Artorias gave her a few moments of quiet to take in what he'd said. He had meant every word, and he gazed intensely at the beautiful young wolf, taking her all in as the fire crackled nearby, the only thing keeping silence at bay. "I really didn't mean to frighten you. I'm sorry," he apologize with another awkward smile. "You caught me by surprise is all. I'm, uh... not exactly used to other wolves touching me there." He gave a nervous chuckle and felt his face flush hot again with a rosy blush.

"Artorias" | "Corbin" | "Argent"