Life settled into the closest he could come to normalcy. Really he flourished with a schedule, he had tasks and jobs and Erys was constantly busy even if he wasn’t at the forefront of pack activities. Chimera had gotten sick and that was when the man had really thrown himself into his duties. He didn’t want to think about how he felt about Chimera being sick, he didn’t want time to dwell on the feelings and emotions that were within. He wanted what he knew and what was comfortable, and that was endless, mindless, hard work. He put his all into every task and he slept hard at night, then he got up and did it all over again.

He didn’t have to think, that was the biggest requirement. He didn’t like to think about that kiss he’d shared with the king, nor when he had disobeyed when he was desperate to find out a clue about what had just happened. He was better off doing as he was told, questioning always brought pain anyway.

Erys helped Dalila while she was running the pack in the interim. He wasn’t incredibly strong but he helped her with his mind and caring spirit. She never went without dinner and he found himself reminding her to sleep. Caring for her became as important as caring for Chimera. Though Erystotle made sure to stay quiet unless the King spoke to him, he was there for whatever he might require of him. But Erys still felt off.

Quietly the ivory pelted man approached Chimera’s chambers, he’d seemed to be very nearly at full health now. Not that Erys would cease caring for him. He brought lunch, cool spring water, and a dose of herbs from Lady Siren. ”Your Grace.” Erys announced himself at the door and waited for an answer to come into the room. The same as every day he set up the food to his Master’s liking, he prepared everything to Chimera’s enjoyment. Working quickly and quietly until all was ready. ”Enjoy, your Majesty.” Erys bowed and waited to be dismissed.

Now back to full health, Chimera was getting into the swing of ruling again. He worked himself from dawn to dusk, tending slaves, going over books. During the never ending night, the shipments of 'goods' had ceased. Now he had to obtain more merchandise. Refilling his stock would be a slow process since he didn't accept all of the slaves that were brought to him, but he would get there eventually. Business wasn't at it's best anyway. Everyone was still recovering, plus it was the rainy season in Auster.

Noise from the doorway pulled Chimera's attention up from his ledgers. Erystotle called to him and the king nodded, allowing him entry. The pale brute was always so careful to prepare everything just as he liked and Chimera appreciated that. They didn't need to speak. He didn't need to ask for things. He simply knew that Erystotle would serve him to the best of his ability.

As the meal and water were placed and Erys stepped back, Chimera knew that the man was waiting to be given his leave. Tonight, Chimera had other things in mind. Aliana and the pups were already asleep in their chamber and he had planned to just sleep in the office so he didn't rouse them. He wouldn't be ready to sleep for hours, so with a sweep of one paw, he motioned for the horned man to join him upon the wide mat where he lay. "How are you finding life on the island, Erystotle?" Chimera's tones were conversational, but low and quiet. It seemed wrong to speak more loudly than that. As he waited for an answer, the two-toned man began his evening meal.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Instead of being dismissed with the wave of one dark paw the king ushered him forward, offering a place on the plush mat beside him. Erys wasn’t used to receiving attention, Chimera was sick but also he had become so in tune with his duties he had almost become a shadow. Always there when needed, but never noticed. As a good servant should be. His King wished for his presence though, and he wouldn’t show the hesitation he felt as he took his place beside Chimera as he was requested.

He was spoken to softly, with the late hour and the more… cozy setting there wasn’t need for his authoritative voice. Erys appreciated the softness. It seemed he would also be the meal’s entertainment, not that he thought Chi was using him for that purpose. He’d never had a master who was so genuinely interested in him. No matter how much he strived to be more shadow than wolf he was more in his element here than he had ever been before. Curse or not he felt like he belonged here. How did he put that into words for his King though?

”Pleasant, my Lord.” He answered honestly, and knowing the king was eating he forced himself to elaborate where he would have normally left it at that. ”I can easily say it has been the best home I’ve ever experienced.” He didn’t count his short time with his foster mother. As long as the curse was put to rest and left him be here on the island the once slave would be content serving the royal family the rest of his life.

As the pale brute settled down, Chimera began working on his dinner. He ate the meat at his own pace, listening as Erystotle spoke of his time with Fenmyre being pleasing. The king was glad to hear that the manservant thought of this place as his home and mentioned as much. "You think of this place as your home, do you?" One brow arched as he asked, casting the man a side glance with that pale, pink eye.

Chimera knew all that Erystotle had done during his absence from leadership. He knew that the man had supported Dalila and had tied up all of the loose ends that others may have forgotten. He hadn't run while Chimera was indisposed. That proved something of the man.

Finishing his meal, Chimera pushed the dish aside. He then licked his chops, making sure that his maw was clean. A drink came after. Turning his head, he looked fully upon Erystotle, his gaze holding that of the other man. "If you were free to choose, would you stay here?" It was an important question. One that Chimera wanted the man to answer correctly.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Erys wasn’t sure how comfortable to make himself so he lowered his galactic marked haunches and sat beside the King as he ate. He interrupted the meal for only a moment, as Chimera’s pleased voice spoke after a few bites of food. Clarifying that Erystotle thought of this place as his home. While he hadn’t put an incredible amount of thought into his words, this place was more home like than the slave ship, the slave pens, Fireside, Aerie… Though the last one was probably the closest it was probably just nostalgia for how long ago it had been since he was in Pyrrhic’s care.

”Yes, your Grace.” Erys answered honestly and simply. They said home was where the heart is, and he had thrown his heart and soul into his work here. It was very much his home, but he still looked for any sign that Chimera might correct him, or give him reason to doubt the future of his place here. He still had that worry at the back of his mind that he would or had screwed up somewhere and he’d go back to a life like he’d endured on the ship.

It didn’t take Chimera much longer to finish his meal and sip the water Erys had brought for him. The pale servant quieted, waiting for his next order or question when Chimera bore into him with one pale pink eye. Then the real query came, if given the choice would he stay or would he go. The answer was easy, but so much so that Erystotle second guessed himself, He thought for a moment before saying, ”If you would allow it, I would stay.” He had no where else in the world to go. He had shelter, all the food he could eat, duties to keep himself busy, and a strong warrior King to keep him safe.

Erystotle seemed to think about the query for a moment before replying that yes, if allowed, he would stay. It was the answer that Chimera wanted, that he was hoping for. He wanted Erystotle to stay of his own volition. Thoughts of the man's loyalty had plagued him during his absence. It warred within his brain, whether or not the horned brute had accepted and reacted to the kiss because he wanted to or because he had to. If Chimera freed him and a second kiss took place, would he know for sure? There was only one way to find out.

"Then you are free, Erystotle. A member of my pack. You are no longer a slave, though I would appreciate it if you would still serve me as you do now." It would be the man's job here. Everyone pulled their weight and Chimera needed a trusted wolf to see after the loose ends. Erystotle was good at that, so he hoped that the brute would continue doing so. "You haven't sinned," the giant beast continued, "So there's no reason that you shouldn't be your own master." That was how he saw it.

"You may choose one of the bungalows for yourself, or you're free to stay where you are." Erystotle was situated in a small servants room beside the office. Chimera didn't mind either way what he chose. If he wanted to be close, then he could remain close since he'd been here this long. Having him close put Chimera at ease, actually. He felt more than a little possessive of the man. This was his wolf.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Chimera was unreadable as Erys gave his truthful answer. This was better than any alternative out there, which was probably just finding a worse place to live and another cruel master. The wolves here were different, Chimera kept slaves, and his capability of violence wasn’t put into question, yet he showed him nothing but kindness even when he was upset.

Then the King released him. Erys felt his jaw drop, though he was usually good at hiding his emotions his surprise showed through. Faced with the reality Erys was even more certain of the answer he just gave. ”Thank you, my King.” He felt emotions fill him and he lowered his head humbly and also to hide them from his features. Chimera asked that he continued to do what he was, and Erys wouldn’t have wanted anything else. ”I will.” He whispered, still regaining control of himself. After being beaten and worse he’d learned not to react the best of his ability but even after all of that… This moment was the hardest to hold back.

”Thank you.” He said again, lost for words as he kept his ghostly eyes as his toes, stretching them and feeling the mat beneath like he’d never felt freedom before. Maybe he hadn’t been free, as Chimera released him it felt like the curse released him too. Overwhelmed he didn’t know what to do with himself, but he did find it impossible to restrain the tiny wag in his dark tail.

Upon being released from his mental shackles, Erys' jaw dropped. Chimera almost grinned at the reaction, though he held himself in check. He couldn't stop looking at the man's quivering lower lip, however, and wanted to kiss him yet again. Once more he held himself in check. Mismatched ears slid forward as he continued to watch the man war with his emotions. "You are a free man, Erystotle. You needn't ever hide your emotions from anyone ever again. They are yours just as you are yours."

The man agreed to continue to serve him as Chimera had hoped. Now that he was feeling better, he looked forward to spending more time with the man. Hopefully in the future, Erys would either bend to his will or let him know that he wasn't interested in men. Either way, it would be his choice and Chimera would trust it simply because there was nothing and no one forcing him to make that choice.

Chimera noted the subtle wag of tail and this time he grinned. Reaching out with one giant paw, he gentle gripped the pale man's chin and brought his gaze upwards once more. "You're a free man, Erystotle," he said once more. "You've every right to hold your head high." Having a grip on the man's chin brought Chimera's gaze down to Erys' lips once more. He just couldn't help himself. Moving forward, the King claimed his companions mouth with his own, his tongue dipping within to taste the newly freed man.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Erys lowered his head and Chimera reminded him of his freedom. He spoke with wisdom beyond his years, but maybe that was why he was such a good leader. He nodded hi shorned head in response, but was unable to lift his chin as he sucked back sobs. He took deep steadying breaths, and retained a little of his composure.

The future wasn’t a luxury that he had ever been afforded before, his master decided if he lived or died the next day, and now there was no more master. Only a king who he would willing serve for the rest of his days. He didn’t even know what decision he would make about where he was living, let alone what he really wanted going forward. Practically all of his life was spent following orders, there were no decisions.

He allowed Chimera to lift his chin, and there was no mistaking the smile that lay there now. There was more though, Chimera was serious no matter his expression, there was always a hint of danger despite the wisdom from his tongue. Erys felt himself relax even with these facts blatant in his sight. Yet Chimera said again, he was free and he could lift his head once more. Erys looked into his mismatched gaze, captured by the way Chimera looked at him. He didn’t feel like the object he had become.

Erystotle startled again when Chimera tilted his chin a little more before closing the distance between them. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, and silvery eyes fluttered closed as he let Chimera have his kiss, one that meant so much more with his freedom. The first time he wanted this attention and affection. He hummed softly and lifted a pale paw to Chimera’s jaw and leaned into the King’s passionate touch. His savior and caretaker, if there was anyone he wished to give his loyalty like this it was this wolf.

Erystotle was free to pull away, voice his displeasure, any number of things. Instead, he returned the kiss that Chimera bestowed upon him. A pale paw rose to rest upon Chimera's own cheek and a thrill pulled through the giant beast. Was he enjoying this? Did he actually enjoy the kisses being given or did he still feel obligated?

Chimera leaned into the much smaller paw though he continued the kiss for a few moments more before pulling back so that they both could breathe. A plethora of emotions were running through the big brute as he settled back to look down upon his pale counterpart. He wanted Erystotle. Wanted him beneath him, begging and pleading. It was a dangerous, slippery slope and so Chimera worked himself away from the edge.

The king's paw dropped from the smaller brute's chin, settling back on the ground before him. "You should go and enjoy your freedom, Erystotle." Chimera's tongue flicked out, pulling away the last vestiges of their clinging saliva. "I've much more work to do." He didn't, but it was easier to blame it on that than to tell the man that he would most likely get pinned if he stayed. Sometimes Chimera just couldn't control his baser nature, as time had shown more than once.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera is a very adult character and takes part in very adult situations. Don't read his threads. Ever.

Chi has three black Tibetan Mastiff's as guards. Assume they're very close by.

Knowing he had the freedom to stop at any moment made the affection so much sweeter, e enjoyed the savory taste of Chimera’s commanding tongue as he claimed his lips as his own. In a very different way than slave and master, this was changed to reflect a pair of lovers, and that thought had Erys’ heart pounding against his chest. The King leaned into his pale paw, a sign he craved the affection as much as the horned man was finding himself. How much had he stressed over their first kiss and what it would mean for a slave like him. None of those thoughts were valid anymore, he was free to choose as he pleased. He had chosen Chimera… Or was it really the other way around?

Chimera pulled away as Erys was losing breath, they separated but Erys felt himself stunned. A dreamy expression had found its way to his features as Chimera’s serious rose eye returned to his ghostly white. Erystotle gasped lightly for breath, but kept his head raised tall as Chi pulled his massive paw from his chin. The King offered his command, though it held a much different weight with Erys’ freedom. This was from King to his subject, not master to slave. Besides, Chimera had much more work to see to and Erys would be loathe to disturb his king. No matter his own deeper desire.

”Yes, my King.” He offered softly, with another little bow that was more for his reverence than requirement. ”Don’t hesitate to summon me if you need anything else.” Though the words were said on repeat they were more devoted now than anytime during his slavery. Erys would likely curl up in his little servant room and sleep until morning or Chi had need of him. Erys felt himself grinning as he offered the King one more glance and excused himself.