Come on and Feel Alive, Lover [Khyan]

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: 6th Cinderfall, Ash 122
NOTES: -

► Show Spoiler

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Sitting now in the lounge area of a fairly popular and reasonably high end nightclub, Æros couldn't help but find his thoughts wandering back to a few nights before. Partially because it had been so recent, partially because it had been so very good, and partially because he had made plans to see that very same boy again this evening, though they hadn't really planned for anything particular beyond simply meeting up again. For the half-Fæ, at least, he wanted to taste the other's tongue again, but he imagined doing so would be…not difficult at all, really.

The club he'd chosen this evening was not one wherein he worked as it did not host any sort of live entertainment outside of musicians, but he did find himself here quite often to either mind his business and drown himself in drink or find a treat to bring home with him. Here, both of which were easy tasks as they stocked pretty much anything one desired in Solunarium and plenty of its clients, regular or not, were beautiful– both male and female. He had oh so many options every time he came and many were happy to fall into the palm of his hand.

Such a place was dimly lit with dark walls and dark floors, but the magical nature of the lights gave the interior a sort of dreamlike, ethereal feel to it. The decor was sleek and expensive in appearance, simple but refined, with most hard surfaces being made out of a shiny black stone. The softer ones were usually some sort of plush velvet in varying deep colors. Æros quite liked this place because it was often…loud and busy. He liked to overwhelm his senses because doing so would serve to mute his own thoughts, at least to a degree. This had been, of course, enhanced by some pills he'd taken earlier along with the several drinks he'd had before now.

That also certainly did not mean he was done with his night's consumption, no. A half-filled drink sat on a small table beside him as he leaned back in his seat, letting his mind drift on all the sounds that floated around him. Beyond that, he fully planned to order more, too, and in the pockets of the loose, silken pants he wore there lingered yet more of his vices. It was a small wonder that he continued to live, in truth; he imbibed enough to kill the average person, but he didn't really care about that. In actuality, however, he was either very lucky or was only saved by the grace of his Fæ metabolism.

Whenever Khy were to arrive, Æros would be easy to spot, wearing little else other than pants, shoes, and some jewelry to accent his skin and his figure. He'd told the doorman to let his little lover in, giving him a name and a brief description, so he fully expected to see him at some point…however, he didn't remember precisely what time they had agreed to.

- - -

'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

Khyan hadn't been out sans collar since the day he'd met his Eros. On his shameless walk of shame a few hours after their intimate rendezvous, he'd chanced to catch sight of an old chum who'd been his inferior in his past life. He was able to duck out of sight before being forced into an exchange that would have been at best horribly awkward and at worst life-threateningly dangerous, if word reached Senator Argenti that his son's most expensive slave had free reign of the Umbrium. Though he'd escaped the situation unscathed, it had been enough to spook him into being more sparing with his outings.

Khyan had always been under the impression that life as a young patrician was horribly boring. He used to blithely joke in front of his servi that their lives must have been far less dull, for they were always engaged in one task or another. For Khyan it was even more boring, however. At least when he'd nothing to do as a Patrician, he could go out on his own and look for trouble. Now the trouble would have been too troublesome. Were he a proper slave with a proper master he might have been kept more occupied. The unpleasantness of what that might imply didn't really come to mind often. But Khyan was a slave in status only with a master who didn't feel comfortable giving him aught to do. Ultimately, he ended up requesting jobs. A trip to the market to buy groceries and stretch his legs, or delivering a missive from the domus to the headquarters of the Silver Sentinels- his master's employer.

At any rate, tonight he'd set a date to meet Eros, so he would discard his collar once again and slip into the perpetual night. If anything was worth the risk, it was another night of possible ecstasy like the first they'd shared. Khyan had brought Echoes of that night back to his consciousness frequently, and had needed a few moments in private each time. Only ever a few moments, because it didn't take long to tend to his affairs when they were so radiant.

He'd devised a better plan, he thought, to escape noticed than the old cloak and dagger cliché. This time he would hide in plain sight. He borrowed a royal blue and gold tunic from his indulgent master- They were of the same height, so the hem fell nicely. It might not have been tailored to Khyan's slim physique, but that wasn't the worst fashion faux pas one might brook in a tunic. At least it was well made, woven of fine fabric and rounded with a proper belt rather than rope that looked better suited to binding a barge to a dock.

Before stepping out of the domus, Khyan affected a Semblance technique he hadn't had much cause the practise prior: Altering his Aura to dissuade attention. He'd always been a boy who'd sought to be at the centre of things, so it took a bit of research to achieve. He'd been more observant on his trips to the Forums- Watching the people no one else was keen to look at- vagrants who begged for attention and failed to achieve it, and subtle, stealthy thieves whose deportments somehow discouraged eyes from resting on them. He assessed the attributes of an Aura that drew no attention and those that cast it off entirely, and tonight he wove those into a façade around his own otherwise radiant Aura.

The endeavour ended up being so effective that he didn't even end up needing to speak to the doorman to be let in. He simply walked through the door, and no one troubled themselves to look at him. It felt odd to be pleased at such a thing, but these were queer days for Khyan of Nykara.

The darkened club was not without its glister, but even so he knew Eros' natural luminescence as well as that of his Aura intimately enough that he found the man with ease. He walked up to him, grinning broadly- Relieved that he'd actually shown up. He stood there for a few moments, blinking curiously as Eros seemed to be looking right at him but not saying a word. At first he thought it was a joke...

"Oh!" He checked around to make sure no one he knew was around, and then dropped his Semblance façade, and offered a sheepish little wave to Eros.

"I made it..." He shrugged slightly as he held his hands out in a bashfully cheerful display that he was, indeed, present. He stepped forward, because he'd planned to greet his date with a kiss. But now that he was drawing close, he second guessed himself and fell back on his heel- dismissing his original plan, and offering an awkward arm pat in its stead.

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

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With perception dulled significantly by his inebriation, he barely noticed a figure standing before him. It wasn't as if the man was invisible, he just…was of no interest, really, like many others he passed on his way here. That, and very few were of interest to him tonight as his mind clung to the idea of holding that boy he'd had such a lovely time with just a few nights ago. It was so strange for Æros to have his mind continuously drift back to one person, but oh well, did it matter? Khy had acted utterly enamoured with him; he'd heard it in his Symphony, too. The likelihood of the man not showing up was near zero, he assumed.

Then, it was as if a veil were lifted and the young man standing in front of him…was Khy? Became Khy? No– it had to be magic, maybe Semblance? Æros knew he had something. He'd see a rune glint on the back of his neck amidst their coupling, one which was not Animus, as he'd spotted that rune elsewhere. However, he didn't know precisely to what school of magic the one on his neck belonged. Nonetheless, he assumed he could simply ask, could he not?

Khy looked very pleased to be there, and such a display warmed Æros' own expression; he was, after all, happy to see him, too. His companion stepped forward, but stopped short, only resting a hand on the Færie's arm. He chuckled lightly in response, a sly half smile drawing itself on his lips. Saying nothing, Æros shifted to grab his lover's arm and pull him down to sit across his lap. He was sitting in an armchair, one with sides of an adequate height to support the other's back.

Before he let him lean, however, he kept Khy upright with his other arm and leaned in himself to kiss him, running his tongue briefly over his lover's alongside a gentle, playful nip to his lower lip as he broke their kiss.

Letting him fall back against the seat now, "...so good to see you, dear lover. I'd forgotten what time exactly we'd agreed to meet, so I came a bit early. Hope you don't mind, but I've gotten a bit of a head start with drinking," words spoken playfully and punctuated with impish laughter.

"...but also, what was that trick you used to conceal yourself? I didn't even notice you," he spoke with no shortage of interest, voice low, smooth and musical.

- - -

'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

"Oh!" Khyan chuckled a bit awkwardly at the unexpected outcome of finding himself so quickly on Eros' lap. That seemed a favourable portent, he supposed, as another good omen stared him in the face in the form of a kiss. It seemed the plan he'd forsaken had been resurrected by the other. And they weren't even ætherically synchronised between Eros' Mesmer and Khyan's Semblance this time, so it felt more organic.

He accepted the kiss blissfully, and Eros' tongue, in the midst of its quick sweep, would feel the upward curl of Khyan's grinning lips as it passed between them. As Eros broke off from the kiss, Khyan bit his bottom lip and adjusted himself on the fæ's lap so he was leaning more toward the corner than directly against the arm that had been behind him. At this angle, he was nestled halfway against Eros' chest in addition to the plush arm of the throne-line seat.

"It's good to see you as well, Starlight. I missed you!" That came out sounding more enthusiastic than he'd have liked. On second thought, he wished he hadn't added that bit at all. So, before he got to a third thought about what he'd just done wrong, he pressed on and hoped it would be forgotten. And to that end:

"Drinking is good! I don't blame you. I may have had a cup or two myself back at the domus. I was rather nervous-..." Foot in mouth again. He didn't need to broadcast that Eros made him anxious enough that he needed to self medicate. He was coming off like such a try-hard! "...nerrrrvous because of my whole, you know... fugitive status." He trotted that old chestnut out for another run.

"Which is why, to answer your question, I used my Semblance Rune." He reached round to rub the back of his neck where the mark had been carved. "Semblance was my speciality at the Academia Arcanum well before I tried my hand at... having no hands." He wrinkled his nose, realising that pun probably wasn't clear: "Snake joke? Anyway, yeah. I ended up having a real knack for it, so I altered my Aura to dissuade attention. I figured it was a better look than a baggy cloak, yeah? So... um..." He shrugged a bit, "How've you been?"

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

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Æros appeared genuinely pleased as eyes of gold drifted over his lover's figure. It made him happy simply to have the other back despite it only having been a few days, but what's more is that Khy himself was so enthusiastic. Of course…this was not unexpected. Khy was, after all, not alone when it came to the concept of being infatuated with him. However, what did make this case different was that the stars themselves very much reciprocated his enthusiasm.

"Really, it's my pleasure to have you in my arms again," voice low and sweet, words woven with a confident sort of affection.


When his companion proceeded to trip over his words, Æros grinned, deeply amused. He placed a hand on Khy's abdomen and slid it upwards, gently feeling the body he'd just recently handled with such passion. His palm would drift up the other's chest and to the nape of his neck before finally lifting, at which point Æros gingerly dragged the back of a knuckle over the soft, smooth skin of his lover's face.

"You are so very cute," words not more than a murmur.

The Færie was good at saying sweet things. He was good at physical affection and saying what he thought people wanted to hear. He was smart and able to read others, even without his Mesmer. But even if he weren't, the awkward nature of Khy's behavior would've been palpable to many and it made Æros smile to stir such anxieties in another. The bashful actions and awkward construction of his sentences were adorable, too.

However…turn the lense on Æros himself, try and peel back the confident facade and he'll squirm, desperate to run and avoid revealing the broken shell of a man he truly is. All of the surface level fluff he loved, but anything deeper, more genuine, more personal? He'd be clueless, terrified.

All of that aside, his interest brightened at the mention of Semblance. Was it a quirk thereof that he'd used to create that emotional echo chamber when they'd laid together?

"Ah, Semblance, and it's your specialty? Then I'm sure you've already seen what I possess," words laced with curiosity, threaded together with a playful tone. "You do look nice tonight, though I, personally, think you look best with nothing on," he just laughed, a sweet but coy expression of faux innocence on his face. "...you probably make a cute little serpent, too."

"I've been…fine, I suppose. Worked the few nights we've been apart, otherwise I've spent my time wandering, perhaps drinking a little too much, but ah well." No 'perhaps' necessary; Æros has a very real and very bad problem, but he'd never actually say that.

For that would be admitting weakness and, well, he and his family critique his life choices enough, no need to key anyone else into his problems.

"But oh, I wanted to ask, did your master say anything about the marks I left on you? I still see remnants of the bruises on your neck," he sniggered, mischief in his voice.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

Khyan swooned at the charming flirtation, melting deeper into the corner between the chair arm and the Fæ. Was he even truly a half-Fæ if he looked as he did and could modify his physiology at will? It seemed to Khyan that the blood of the Fæ'ethalan race was potent indeed. The only reason Eros need reference his elven heritage at all was for status. To Khyan's mind it was always nice to pair one's exoticism with at least a bit of the familiar. Too much of the alien could be overwhelming in their homogenised culture.

Instinctively, Khyan arched his back and took a slow breath through his teeth, as Eros' clawed hand reacquainted itself with the front of his taut torso. He tipped his face toward the hand that stroked it, and looked up at Eros piningly.

"Cute," Khyan sniggered, playfully, as he repeated the diminutive label with which he'd been tagged by the man cradling him. "I may be cute, but you are exquisite." He was sure he'd thought that word in relation to Eros, but he wasn't so certain he'd ever uttered it aloud for the benefit of the other. He might not have rated so lofty a compliment himself, but that felt apropos. In his eyes, as well as those of their culture, Khyan was the lesser of the twain.

"It is!" Khyan sat up a bit, matching Eros' brighter energy as they got to the talk about his magic-use. "I'm... loath to be boastful, given my current predicament, but I took to Semblance quite naturally and achieved mastery a year before graduation. It's why they decided to carve me with another to finish out my schooling." Whether or not Eros had attended the Academia Arcanum, he would know that it along with most institutions that trained people in the Craft would only focus upon one Cardinal Rune for the full term of their tenure at the school. It was rare for multiple Runes to be applied except, perhaps, amongst the royal family whose blood was well fortified with a stunning threshold sickness survival rate that spoke to their divine ancestry.

Khyan blushed and giggled at the shameless flirtatious overture.

"Well, we've got to start somewhere!" He beamed, "If you were my master, I suppose you'd save coin on livery by making me serve you always in the buff..." He mused, a bit of familiar shifting under the skirt of his tunic at the notion.

He flicked out his tongue, playfully, when it was suggested he'd make for a cute snake- though he didn't trouble himself to extend or fork it for the endeavour.

"Well, heh..." He took in a breath and sighed it out, "I've rather an extravagant collar..." He rubbed his neck at the recent memory of its weight, "So it covered the bruises on my throat quite aptly, and if Master Cetus was sneaking peeks of my buttocks, he never let on that he saw anything amiss..." For Khyan's part, he was pleased with Eros' answer. He wasn't typically the jealous sort- at least not when it came to lovers, but something about Eros had awoken a streak in him. Any Sembler would be aware of this, as it had led him to literally inscript the man's Aura with what was, in Solunarium, a veiled threat. As Khyan belonged to Cetus, it was unlawful for another to claim him. By that same logic, if Eros belonged to Khyan there might be consequences for sullying his property.

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

► Show Spoiler

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To have another man curl up and purr in his arms like this made him feel powerful and bigger than he was. Æros adored it, because in moments like these, he could play pretend; as if his life was something that it wasn’t. As well as pretending he was beyond what he was, too. More talented, intelligent and so on…it was a welcome distraction. Was that why he liked Khy so much? No…couldn’t be. It was easy to find somebody to pine for him, but the attention from this boy in particular sparked within him a more genuine joy than he received from others and that was the conundrum.

And ever the sweeter were his compliments. “Oh, you think so…? You flatter me,” he says this, but he does consider himself, at least in appearance, to be exquisite– it’s just that hearing it from another is all the nicer.

The arm that ran beneath his partner, along his back, shifted to wrap around his slender waist. Pressing his palm into his lover’s obliques, his fingers fanned out just to touch a wider swathe of his skin. “Have you always taken such good care of yourself? I could run hands over your body forever and not get tired of it,” though his expression was one of overall affection, he had a bit of a ravenous look reflected to the bright gold of his eyes. Certainly, the black of his sclera didn't help to make him look any less beastial.

When the two first coalesced, Æros’ patience had been thin and only wore thinner as time went; he really did want to spend at least some time exploring his partner’s anatomy in a more methodical manner. He doubted they’d lack the opportunity– Khy was like clay in his hands at this point.

“I only had Mesmer when I went through school, I was good at it, but…a distracted study, I was often told,” though he laughed, he doesn’t actually elaborate as to what this means.

That’s about as much as he could share before the story became self-deprecating. Æros probably would have achieved mastery over the rune should he have tried just a little bit harder but his trip into substance abuse began in his teens and he found it all the more difficult to focus on academia and learning at that point.

“I convinced my sister to pass on her rune before I moved out on my own– not to say she and I aren’t still close, but we do see each other much less.” Again, he’s omitting the circumstances under which he left.

His sister, literally, only agreed to give him the damn thing in a desperate bid to stop him from leaving their family home. The sad part is that he broke her heart and promptly left anyway. It’s not that he did that on purpose, however, he genuinely underestimated how much she cared. Such things were common for Æros– having never allowed himself to form deep attachments, he doesn’t understand how much it hurts when they fray or break, nor does he understand what it’s like to worry for a loved one with behavior as self-destructive as his own.

“My family has no need to be frugal, but I’d have you serve me that way for no reason other than my own amusement,” his tone was taunting, echoing with a sort of playful whimsy to it, yet distinctly pointed, devilish in nature.

Æros’ gaze shifted over Khy’s figure, and upon noticing that ever so slight movement, a lopsided grin drew itself across his lips. He did see what they were doing as somewhat of an elaborate form of foreplay. Even if he didn’t, it would flatter him nonetheless.

Wearing that very same smirk, “...speaking of serpents, I wonder what it’d feel like if you shifted your tongue to one like theirs and used it on me?”

Although he floated this across as a mere suggestion, it was most definitely a request, and from him, it should be treated as more of a command to be filed away for later.

While it should have been a relief that the man’s master did not notice the marks he’d left, Æros found himself feeling something far more similar to disappointment. He found the idea of having laid claim on another’s property to be more thrilling than maybe it should have been. And Khy’s being so willing to submit to him when he already had a master? That was incredibly arousing.

"Perhaps he really is more of a friend to you than a master? I imagine it was difficult to conceal the alteration I must have made to your gait," he laughed.

- - -

'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

"I've..." Khyan paused, Eros' gentle touch inspiring a tense inhalation, "...always been lucky, I guess." Realising what he'd just said, he laughed at himself. "It seems you've driven me to distraction. Of course I'm not fortunate in all things, given my family's fall from grace, but my body?" He shrugged one shoulder, "It doesn't take much upkeep, in spite of what I put it through."

To the great vexation of many of his former peers and schoolmates, Khyan had just been naturally good at a great many things. Where others toiled to train or study, Khyan would indulge himself and still exceed the efforts of those who'd put in a great deal more time and energy. It was true of magic, of martial training, of taming mounts of the land and air... It was no wonder so many people relished in his downfall. It felt very much like comeuppance, even if Khyan had had no culpability in the accusations leveled against his father.

"Don't stop on my account..." He offered with a churlish grin. If Eros was as enraptured by their tryst as Khyan, that bade well for more than merely this night.

"Your sister's Rune?" Khyan arched an eyebrow and turned to inspect Eros, his eyes clouding over with subtle nebulae of silver- More like reflections of something he was looking at, than anything behind his lenses.

"Ah, Masquerade?" He smiled, approvingly. "Mesmer and Masquerade. A classically complementary pair." He let his Semblance descend back into passivity, as they continued.

"Oh, I intended to cast no aspersions upon your house, Dominus..." In truth, Khyan wasn't sure whether Eros was as well off as he indicated. He certainly hadn't searched for any verifications of truthfulness in his Aura, but he'd seen his home and it was, compared to many he'd seen within his own caste, not altogether awe-inspiring. That Eros was of the Fæ meant that he was not a full-blooded Re'hyæan. He was either a bastard, or had a particularly martyr of a parent who'd voluntarily reduced their station to marry a member of a lower caste and, in so doing, join it themselves. Even if the main branch of Eros' family was particularly grand, and in the modern era many human families exceeded their elven counterparts in wealth if not honorifics, that didn't mean that Eros enjoyed the full breadth of their support. But none of these were fun things to focus upon, when it served Khyan's ego better to think that Eros was as rich and powerful as they came. It was more flattering to be desirable to one with many options than one with few.

"That could be arranged..." Khyan considered, unconsciously setting his human tongue to roam over his top lip for his thoughtful moment. "In truth, I'm a bit ashamed that I wasn't a more active participant in our last encounter. You did all the work, and I was altogether idle." He tsked, "Such a naughty slave I am." He forced a chuckle,

"Aye... he is certainly indulgent. I could have done far worse- and would have, had I been left with his father, but..." His smiled turned genuine and warm, "His charity afforded me the chance to meet you. I doubt I'd have had the chance without it."

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

► Show Spoiler

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Æros laughed lightly at the sentiment of mistreating one's body.

"I put mine through a lot," understandment of the day! "But I find myself gifted in that regard, too. My work does keep me active but I could serve to be a little better to myself outside of that– however, hard to do when you're so used to just coasting by on the gifts of one's blood. Surely, you understand," soft laughter accompanying words spoken in a light tone, yet strangely, there's a wistful air woven into his voice.

"Oh, don't, worry– I never intended to stop. I pulled you into my lap for a reason." This time, his tone shifted to something far more lascivious.

And of this, he was telling the truth. The hand that graced Khy's cheek fell back to his body, drifting over his chest slower, this time. With gentle weight, he drew fingertips over pectorals, taking the time to outline the contours of each muscle, and running his thumb in small circles around each nipple as his hand drifted past. Though his lover's body was in this case veiled, the fabric was not thick enough to obscure any of the boy's figure when pressed, nor did it mask his warmth or the beat of his heart. Æros loved simply touching him, yes, but it was all the more fun to feel his breath catch, his muscles tense and so on. All of his reactions were so very delicious.

All the while, their conversation continued. "Yes– she's very good at it. We traded, actually, and you are right; the runes go together quite well."

His sister was a gifted weaver of illusions, often having constructed elaborate sets for herself and others to play around in when they were kids. Really, for her age, her skill was astonishing, but her kindness to him always staved away envy. Most in his family also happened creative individuals, artists of one form or another; their being good at magic only served to highlight this fact.

And to his companion's comment regarding his house, he merely exhaled what sounded like the start of a laugh. It was a tricky balancing act to convey the wealth and power his family genuinely did have whilst simultaneously hiding the fact that for the most part, Æros lacked access to it at the moment. Of course, this was not always the case, nor did it even have to be at the moment. All he had to do was rid himself of those pesky vices of his and retreat home, back to the place that'd broken him. Of course, such a thing was easier said than done.

The one thing that was nice, at least, was the fact that it wasn't public knowledge he'd been cut off. To advertise that would be embarrassing, the larger part of his family thought, so to most, it looked like they were turning a blind eye to his behavior while they attempted to fix the problem internally. To others, they would avoid, conceal or divert the subject. Showing weakness was…not a good idea for powerful families, lest they advertise their vulnerability to opportunistic jackals. Because of this, he could still throw around the weight of his family's name, he simply…had limited access to their coffers or anyone's direct assistance in any given situation.

"While I'm sure you meant nothing by it– what with how respectful you've been thus far– I still figured I ought to clarify," a sentiment given to fortify his bluff.

It was true that Æros had done the bulk of the heavy lifting the last time the two of them were together, but it wasn't as if he really minded that, in truth. A more passive partner is fine provided he is given free reign to do with them as he pleases, which he very much was. However, he is also not against the idea of Khy taking on a more active role, either.

"I'd like that, I think," he chuckled with a bit of mischief painted across his features. "As much as I loved having full control of you, I do quite look forward to whatever it is you'll end up doing to me." He spoke with no shortage of affection, genuinely enticed by the idea of having more time spent with Khy touching him. "...and is it truly naughty? Only in the sense that I am not your 'true' master…your submission pleased me greatly." Æros simply grinned, an expression of delight drawn over his countenance.

It really was cute how Khy freely expressed his joy to be in the Færie's grasp. Some tried to play coy, and while that was…fine, to wear one's satisfaction so openly was endearing.

"Indeed it did, I'd tell you to thank him for me, but…I am unsure how well that would go over," words punctuated with laughter. "Full glad am I that you've ended up with somebody so lenient. Would be a waste for somebody like you to be broken in slavery."

Really, it was tragic that the man was a slave at all. A waste of somebody with so many gifts, he thought. In thinking about it, Æros' chest tightened as he realized the contrast between their situations. He still had every bit of his freedom yet was choosing to throw everything away, waiting to die, while the other was robbed of his through no fault of his own. What a pity. The colors of both shame and embarrassment began to cloud his thoughts at the realization, much as he did try to hide such emotions from any outward expression.

- - -

'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

"Oh, surely! I'd forgotten you can manipulate your form at will. By the Founders, I know a great many rotund, rich senators who would pay a king's ransom for so cavalier a diet." Khyan was lucky for a human. He'd always assumed it had been some gift of his robust, Elven ancestry, but whatever the case he had a fast metabolism and lean muscle came easily without much effort.

"Does mass play into it at all, or is it completely ætheric in nature?" Khyan wondered aloud, "If you make yourself larger do you need to create your new mass out of something in the physical world, or does it just get conjured from the ætherium?" If that were a transferrable trait it would, indeed, by the diet craze of the millennium. One could eat to excess, and simply will away any excess weight.

"Mm!" Khyan hummed happily as Eros' hand continued to circumnavigate the landscape of his torso. Indeed, he was responsive to the shifts in the larger man's focus, as he set his attention on different parts of his body. The sounds were subtler than they'd been when they were alone. He still didn't wish to draw attention to himself, even if he wasn't actively using Semblance to dissuade it.

"You said you're employed?" Khyan recalled that being broached when he'd asked how Eros had been. He'd arrived at their prior meeting place after the half-Fæ had already completed his set, so he remained in the dark as to what he did for work. It felt indelicate to inquire after something that might be embarrassing to the Fæ. Khyan had been of the idle rich set, whose investments kept them afloat with no need for what one might call a profession. His father was a senator, but that was more a calling than a job- a duty to the empire that would have eventually fallen to Khyan had fate run smoothly. Amongst such as they'd been, the notion of occupation was frankly rather vulgar. Not that the slave would let as much on to his starlit obsession.

"Of course, Dominus, I do appreciate the clarity." A tinge of nerves that he might have raised Eros' hackles a bit and put him off. What a relief it was, when he proceeded in broaching potential carnal exploits for what Khyan hoped was their immediate future.

"I'm not a cold fish, I promise." He offered with a chuckle and a wink, "One of the boons of Semblance, is that I'll be very adept at finding what you like and focusing my energies upon pleasing you with that foreknowledge..." It sent his thought backward to memories of Eros' body, and forward to fantasies about what he'd not yet done with it.

"It is a boon indeed..." Khyan agreed, on the subject of his master's leniency, "But I wonder..." His dark eyes trailed slowly up toward Eros' jawline. "Perhaps if I'm a good boy," With an impish glint in his boyish eyes, they rose to meet the gold of Eros'.

"I might be taken in..." He arched an eyebrow, and lifted his hand- stroking Eros from cheekbone to chin with the back of his hand, "By an even more agreeable dominus, Dominus."