Description
Her head cocked and she pondered with a little idea she had. She had no right. The male owed her nothing. But she was loathed to let this new toy go. He was so submissive. Even after what she had done he had not even tried to snap at her. That did make thing less fun but the sight of him writhing under her claw earlier sent shivers of pleasure down her spine. A face flashed beforw her eyes and she frowned. Once again he spoke apologizing for the second time thay day. It was she who should be apologizing but the female's soul was beyond feeling remorse for her actions. Her heart had grown too cold. "I should have killed you back then. I could have killed you today." She said. "For that, you owe me." Oh yes. Her idea had been formulated and she was bringing it to life. "You will serve me. Until the day I say you have paid back this debt-" She stalked over to him, her eyes fixed with his so he would feel her gaze on him as she whispered menacingly. "-you are mine." She stood over him, ready to fight in the event he tried to fight back. He was already on the ground and at a clear disadvantage but many kets fought like devils when put in such a situation. Should he resist she would be swift in her punishment. "Be a good assistant, a faithful servant and you will be treated well. Disobey me and you will regret it."
==What? He rolled onto his belly and was backing away at her words, feathers puffing out in indignation. "What?!" the very start of a snarl in his throat. "You think I owe you my life because you're... choosing not to kill me??" her scent burned his nose. Malicious and cold and threatening. "We don't even know each others' names!" as if that would help at all. It wouldn't. He knew it wouldn't. But protests were protests. "Why should I accept these terms?"
==His indignation amused her as he snarled and backed away. She stepped forward. "Then do you intend to fight me? Kill me even?" She asked, falling into a fighting stance. "To win your freedom?" She was confident that he would not. He didn't have it in him. She could see that. But she stood ready just in case he surprised her. It was funny that he thought it so important that they know each other's names. In truth she did not care, but it would be good to have something to call him by. "Rawlings." Her name rolled off her tongue in a purr. "And as to why you would want to accept these terms. I won't kill you here and now. Instead, if you do well, I would protect you. You will be paid as you pay of your debt. Behave and you will also be sheltered and not beaten. And once free, you will not have to ever worry about me ever again." As she spoke she circled him. She had no reason to offer these things to him. But something compelled her to give him these things. That face lashed across her mind again. Had she really become so soft that she wouldn't just take what she wanted and offer nothing in return? She had thought she had over come this! "What will it be, little pet? Fight or accept your fate?"
==
Death or servitude? He could hear her circling him, hear her ensuring he couldn't escape. His feathers puffed further, and for a moment he considered lashing out. Slashing at her face. But his muscles froze under the command, and he was left with one paw lifted awkwardly off the ground as she passed behind him once more. After a moment his shoulders slumped in defeat and he hung his head, ears drooping and feathers falling flat.
"...My name is Fieris." he didn't need protection, but... he wasn't ready to die, and not by her claws for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. "I am yours to do with as you please, Lady Rawlings." the words settled on his back like irons.
==
She watched the internal struggle play out over his face. The desire the lash out against her battling with his core nature. In the end he couldn't follow through with his own attack. She frowned. Somewhere inside of her she was hoping that he would fight her, but not for the reasons the rest of her wanted. But she was unaware of this as she strutted proudly. He had accepted his fate. Now she had to figure out exactly how she would get away with this. Her pack did not condone any form of servants or slaves. She would need to train him to answer that he was her assistant from now on. This also meant she had to be careful not to treat him too roughly, at least in public. "That is a good boy, Fieris." She crooned. Her actions were petty and selfish but she didn't care anymore., she had chosen the path of darkness. Such actions were acceptable on this side of the moral spectrum. She had herself a new toy. He looked strong enough, able to carry her travel gear, supplies, and haul back game or kets when on a hunt. Useful enough. With a wave of her tail she turned. "Come, lets go home. Along the way will tell you of your new role and the rules and expectations that come with it." She smiled. She was going to have so much fun.
==
Fieris's tail tucked tightly under his belly and he slunk along behind her, so low to the ground that his nose was passing through the sweet satias around him.
Somehow, he didn't think he'd ever truly enjoy the scent again. Home. New rules. His freedom gone in a flash, just like his sight.
Was he truly so terrible of a ketucari that he deserved this? Had he truly said something so horrific that he deserved to lose his sight and freedom both over it? Fieris shook his head and clamped his jaw, biting back the keen of despite that threatened to rise up in his throat. Unless he fought, this was his life now.