-Red Roses Too-

[Mama Z]

It was one of those lazy days. A day where really, there was nothing else to do but lounge around and contemplate life. Not that meant laying down and thinking it over, but going for a stroll then moving to another part. Eventually, the trail lead up to one of the many rooms that the slaves inhabited. Up the rocky stairs and to the many rooms. Others were meandering about, talking, laughing lightly, some even licking wounds.

Everyone had a duty and a story, and it was just a question of who was performing to their abilities to that day. Looked like many found their day just as lazy as he did forever. The white and pink wolf sashayed his way in through the halls. His head held high but that coy look was right in his eye. He was taller than most and no doubt his coloration made him stand out. Those pink eyes scanned the heads of the other slaves before setting their sights on the rooms. With a smile and a small sway, he danced into the room.

Immediately he was greeted with gentle hellos and soft laughter. The other girls were lounging about taking their time. Some were being licked, cleaning themselves up just in case they were called upon. His long tail flickered as he studied them. 'Are you going to be staying in with us, Zivan?' One asked giving him a wide smile.

Zivan smiled a kind smile and shook his head. 'Just came to check on you.' He stated, his voice soft and light. 'But I see you're all okay, I'll see you females later.' He dropped a knowing wink before turning back out. He was on a mission now. It was a lazy day and it was the time to now seize it.

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[demin]

The black-scaled Druin, his back now conspicuously absent of its trademark mountain of spikes, sat in the topmost room of the Royal Hatsuhi Tower, staring out over the vast canyons of Keikoku. Boredom was beginning to takes its toll on Giaku's Dominus. The tenuous peace with Shinkou and Akeru had brought border skirmishes to an all-time low, and since Lacrimosa had taken up the crown and throne Charon found his involvement in political matters to be increasingly unneeded, a bittersweet notion. Even Ammon, the slave-turned-emperor, though with no official power, had more say in Giaku's affairs than he. Charon sighed and shook his horned head, bringing himself out of his stupor and tearing his gaze from the endless canyons.

He rose to his feet and turned to exit the room, making his way through the door and down the many steps into the Hatsuhi courtyard. Now he was in one of those foul moods he seemed to find himself in more and more these days. Charon eyed one of the smaller towers, the one which housed the more well-behaved of the sclavus who were owned or favored by Giaku's various nobles. A smirk played across his muzzle. Perhaps he could find a sclavus to his liking with which he could vent his frustrations into, he thought, and made his way into the slave tower.

[Mama Z]

More laughter, more talk. Naturally, those wanted to up their statuses in society, its why they were so obedient here. They knew what was a good thing and what was a bad thing. Being so close to the nobles, everyone wanted to be appealing. Zivan was no different. Its not that he wanted rank, but comfort was always a perk. Pink eyes looked around as he passed, looking down at some of the smaller slaves.

Zivan stopped short watching as two of the newer ones started to bicker. And they were fighting. It was pretty funny. Zivan watched as one lashed out and he rolled his eyes. Gingerly and easily, he stepped over them. Now on the otherside of them, he kicked his right back leg backward, knocking one down with a soft yelp. Needless to say the dramatic move broke the tension. He looked back at them, 'We don't fight here.'

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[demin]

The sound of chatter and laughter made Charon's long ears perk up, soon followed by the sounds of a scuffle. The Druin passed through the doorway into the slave tower and ascended to the slave quarters, growing ever closer to the source of the commotion. As he rounded a corner his white eyes caught sight of two of a lower noble's most recent acquisitions snapping back and forth at each other and sat back on his haunches to watch the show. They seemed oblivious to the Dominus's presence, that is until a particularly odd, though not bad looking slave, made one of the belligerents trip over himself with a quick, sharp kick, informing them fighting in the slave towers was forbidden. The tripped slave's eyes went wide with shock at the sight of Charon, who bent his head down into the slave's face.

"Indeed it is, sclavus," he paused, shooting a quick glance to the odd colored slave. "And what happens to slaves who break that rule?"

[Mama Z]

They hadn't been expecting a show. The wolves that were focused on what was going on stopped to look back at Charon. Many immediately humbled down, lowering their stances to something of a more respectable level. This included Zivan. His ears lowered down, as did his tail. He looked at the leader before letting his shoulders rise and fall in a gentle of shrug. 'Depends on how bad the argument is. And what it is, Sire.' He stated, vocals coming out gentle. Again, the certain allure was there, hidden deep in his tones.

He glanced to the two slaves, wondering what their punishments would be for this. They could very well carry out their own justice, but with someone such as Charon here, it would be left up to him.

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[demin]

Charon's ears flicked at the sound of Zivan's voice. There was something about this odd slave's voice that put the Druin at ease, despite his earlier frustrations, though he was still having a hard time telling whether this strange creature was male or female. Not that it mattered much. Charon rose to his full height, grabbing the fallen slave by the scruff of his neck lest he try to make a desperate bid for escape and safety, though the Druin kept his white eyes glued to Zivan, taking in his quite feminine appearance. "Well said, sclavus. What would you have me do with them...?" He asked, trailing off. "I don't believe I caught your name."

[Mama Z]

The former leader picked up the slave by its neck, as if the thing were a mere fly with his hand..thing. But those eyes were right on him. Zivan's tail twitched in pleasure, when he woke up this morning, that had not been what he had been expecting. Lips turned up into a small smile to show off some of that pleasure, but it was far from over stepping rank.

'Zivan,'he introduced, dipping his head in a very elegant way. His eyes then flickered to the one in his grasp, 'I'd say cast them out. Let them earn their ways back into our ranks.'

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[demin]

Charon glanced back at the two guards and jerked his head toward the offending slaves. He let go the trapped slave's neck when the guard had taken hold and his partner had done the same to the other law breaking sclavus. "We'll do things Zivan's way. Take this trash and throw them into Keikoku. If they manage to survive three days with the canyon demons, let them back up."

The two guards gave slight bows to their Dominus and dragged the two now-exiles from the room, clawing and whining the whole way down the tower as they were thrown to their fates, hearing their skulls thump on each and every step down the tower staircase. Those potential concussions wouldn't help them in their fight for survival. It was unlikely they would make it long with the demons living in the canyons. Even Giaku had a modicum of fear of the savage beasts living in Keikoku's winding and twisting crevices.

After the slaves' cries could no longer be heard, Charon turned his horned head back to Zivan, one brow cocked.
"Zivan, was it? How long have you been living in this tower? Do you even belong to one of the noble's?"

[Mama Z]

The punishment one step further than what he had anticipated. Now the slaves had to make it three days in a rough area and only then could they come back. But it was doubtful they could make it. But who knew, surprises happened all the time. Surprises like their survival, or Charon's visit. Zivan watched as the two were handed over with ease, the guards doing their duty and removing the two with swift and effective ease (much to the other twos dismay).

The cries faded out as they were drug away and Zivan's gaze traveled back to Charon as he was addressed. He dipped his head slightly, showing naught but respect for the higher level. 'I've been here for quite some time, My Lord. Practically since the day I was born.' He stated softly, tail gently swaying behind him. 'But no, I'm afraid I belong to no one. My home is just here with a few of my surrogate mothers.'

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[demin]

The Druin listened with rapt attention as the odd-colored Ohm spoke, brow cocking in curiosity at mention of the lack of an owner. Charon then took a better look at his surroundings, just now noticing the roomful much more well-behaved slaves viewing the festivities, some snickering at the misfortune of those just sentenced to the canyons. Charon let a smirk flit across his muzzle at this. It was nice to see slaves who knew their place.

The Druin turned back to Zivan, again eyeing him up. "I'm amazed I haven't seen one as... outstanding as yourself..." He said with some interest, trailing off. Charon thought for a few moments, bringing his hand up to rub at his chin. "What are your particular talents as a sclavus, Zivan?"

[Mama Z]

Now that was a compliment and he was practically preening under it. Surely the great Charon didn't go around singing compliments all that much. Then came the question and Zivan smiled, 'Depends on what you seek. I've been well trained in quite a few...' he paused looking for the word, 'Acts.' All thanks to the family he grew up with. Everything from conversation to massages to "relaxation." 'Is there something particular you are seeking?'

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[demin]

Charon thought for a few more moments, taking in everything Zivan said, noticing the subtle inflections and tones of the sclavus' voice that promised innumerable pleasures and succor. It was a safe assumption Zivan was a slave trained in more specialized forms of service to whoever his master may be. But, for now, he did not have a master, and the Druin saw an opportunity he was hard pressed to pass up.

"A Druin of my standing has many needs, sclavus." He said, a small smirk flitting across his muzzle. The Dominus turned to descend the tower's winding staircase, making sure his sweeping tail and the deadly formation of spikes on its end went over Zivan instead of bowling the slave over.

"How often have you been to the Royal Tower, Zivan?" Asked Charon, motioning for Zivan with a deft swipe of his hand to follow beside him.

[Mama Z]

He said nothing for a moment, but it was easy to tell teh answer wouldn't be a no. There was just that look that said so. The Dominus was high on the pay scale and would naturally have many different needs depending on the day and the stress levels that went with it. For those reasons, he'd normally have many to suit his needs. But Zivan was confident in his abilities and could conform to whatever Charon needed.

He turned then, his tail sweeping over Zivan's tall form with ease. Then he was motioning him forward and Zivan held in his smirk. He would not gloat because such things were very unbecoming. 'Only a few times,' he stated moving forward. 'But it is always an exciting thing to walk into.' Company not withstanding.

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[demin]

As the two made their way down the tower, they passed the two guards whom Charon had commanded throw the law-breaking slaves into Keikoku. Both seemed rather pleased with themselves as they returned to their posts outside the slave quarters. They gave their Dominus another slight bow of the head as they passed, with Charon giving a curt nod in response. 'Three days to go.'

It did not take long for them to cross the courtyard to the Royal Tower and cross through its doorway and into the throne room antechamber. Charon glanced into the throne room, seeing the the Empress and Emperor dealing with issues brought to them by the various nobles. Coming to a stop, Charon turned to Zivan.

"Head to the top floor, sclavus, and rest in my chambers. I may have some business to attend to at Court." He said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. The Court had had little need of Charon of late, and this greatly irked him. Some of the more gutsy nobles had gone so far as to say he was nothing but a relic of a former age, only around as a symbol. He wondered if they were right, leaving Zivan for the moment and proceeding into Giaku's heart of power.

[Mama Z]

Across the courtyard and Zivan following along peacefully. For every step though Charon had to take, Zivan almost had to take almost two. Though he was far from small, the size difference was still there. But he appeared not to struggle or worry that he'd be left behind. Across the yard without a word and soon moving into the huge towers. Naturally, the ohm looked around, taking in his surroundings quietly.

HE had thought they were going straight to somewhere quiet to be alone for a bit, but the Druin seemed to have other ideas. They passed by the throne room and Charon immediately stopped, looking in as if called. Though the others inside the rooms made no acknowledgement of him, Charon still felt the duty to go in. Zivan looked at him as he was given orders and could only imagine what could be so urgent. Not one to question it though, he gave a low graceful dip of his head. 'I shall be waiting for you then,' he stated softly. AS he turned his tail flickered, as if waving good bye to the mighty ruler.

Up to the chamber it was then so he could get to know the personal space of Charon. Perhaps gather a few clues as to what he may need.

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