Fiori was slouched angrily in a makeshift throne, the tapping of his fingers on the flat armrest echoing throughout the empty room. Dion had escorted the slave to the baths already, why wasn't he here? It had been fifteen minutes at the least and he didn't have any time to waste here. He hadn't even wanted a slave, but his uncle had insisted that it would be good for him. That it would cement his strength in the eyes of the people. So he obliged, and now his training would have to be cut short because the damn iceblood didn't know how to bathe.
After Levi had redressed in his filthy undershirt and trousers (because he didn’t fancy the idea of walking out in nothing but a towel), he mustered enough courage to push open the door where he was told the prince would be waiting. His hair was still half wet and drying in curly waves over one shoulder; his chin stayed level like a prince, and his eyes straight forward and ready to meet who he’d be dealing with.
Fiori straightened up on instinct as the door opened, sagging back into the chair with a huff when he realized that it was only the slave. This skinny little thing was the source of all his annoyance? It was almost laughable. Or, it would have been if this meeting wasn't eating up his valuable time. "What took you so long?" he snapped. "You do realize I have things to do, yes?"
“I was never informed of your schedule,” he answered honestly, “I’m sorry for the wait.” He looked over the prince and how he sat. He wasn’t as impressed by his slouched posture, but the captain of the guards definitely didn’t lie about him being big.
Fiori raised a critical eyebrow, sitting up to reveal the extent of his height. He was easily above six feet, but the commanding aura that rolled off him now that he was paying attention made him seem infinitely taller. "Are you an idiot as well as a slave?" he asked bluntly, completely serious about the question. Even on a good day, the idea of owning another person was distasteful at best, and he wouldn't suffer stupidity no matter how badly his uncle wanted this.
Levi glanced up to the Fiori’s new height, betraying the idea that his posture wasn’t impressive. His posture was definitely impressive. He swallowed, shoving away to urge to let his shoulders sink and make himself appear smaller. The Nord Windon people were notably smaller than the Uisge people. Levi stood at one of the tallest people in his kingdom: a measly 5’5” in comparison to Fiori. “I’m no idiot,” he managed out, the tone in his words shuddered. He wanted to say something more, but no words came.
Fiori shifted in his chair, subtly flexing the muscles in his arms and chest. "I suppose you are no liar either," he deadpanned. His clipped, annoyed sentence and stormy expression left no room for arguments. He would have to get rid of this problem in front of him, no doubt about it. Even his uncle wouldn't force him to keep such a useless thing as a pet. "What can you do? Do you have any skills?"
Leviticus sighed through his nose, inwardly deciding he didn’t like Fiori. “I study and write essays on Ornithology,” he answered flatly, “Other than that I mostly go on horseback rides and hunt. And like most princes, I assume you can relate with the exhaustion at having to keep up ornamental appearances,” he raised an eyebrow.
Fiori didn't know whether to be insulted or amused as he started to reassess this slave, so he merely shifted forward in his seat and tried not to seem too pleased. The slave must've been intimidated before, not stupid as Fi had assumed. It was a bright spot in an overall stressful day. "To serve my people is both my honor and my joy, slave. Do not presume to know the burdens of my title." He paused to let the warning sink in before leaning casually into his throne. "What are you called, iceblood?"
“Leviticus Elerib,” he answered the last question without seeming to fazed by the warning. “Most call me Levi, except by the regular civilians in my kingdom.” He did his best to maintain a calm and collected princely composure in hopes to preserve himself. The more he submitted, the more they would expect him to submit, he reasoned.
Amused. Fiori was definitely amused. Levi had practically bared his throat to him not a minute earlier, and now he was all calm and cool and unfazed. He could've laughed at the sudden bravery. "Come here," he ordered stiffly, beckoning him forward. "You're new to this aren't you? It's not often you see a proper slave bragging about their former status."
He inwardly winced, feeling like a fool. He couldn’t decide how to act, or even feel with his varying levels of confidence. One second he felt like he was still at the top of the world, and the next he felt like a bug. Now he felt like a bug, and he couldn’t keep his hands from trembling. He reluctantly took only a couple steps forwards, still a comfortable distance away from Fiori.
Fiori repressed another laugh, though his amusement didn't show on his face. How could Levi feel so comfortable talking back to him and yet so intimidated when ordered around? "Closer, Leviticus." He used the longer version of the name out of respect, thinking it dishonorable to put himself on par with Levi's more trusted acquaintances. "If you can speak to me frankly despite your position, you should be able to do as I say without fear."
Despite himself, he dared to take a few more steps forward, “I don’t…” he inhaled and closed his eyes, “I don’t know what to do,” he spoke quieter, under his breath more to himself. He couldn’t think straight, and he blamed it on the long car ride and the warmer weather. Whether that reason was valid or not,
He didn’t know. But he didn’t think using it as an excuse was a very good idea.
"Then do as I tell you." Fiori hooked a finger around Levi's collar and pulled him forward until they were mere inches from one another, gentle despite his outside annoyance. His eyes traced over Levi's face, cataloging every feature with a piercing stare. There was a long moment of silence before he spoke again. "You're scared. Why?" It came out more incredulous than Fi had intended, so he softened it with a promise. "I swear I will not hurt you unprovoked."
Levi exhaled through his nose, tense and uncomfortable being so close. “If you want honesty,” he began shakily, “I was just abducted from my home and told that I would be owned by another human. Told that I was nothing. That they could do anything you want with me. If these roles were switched wouldn’t you be a little frightened too?” He pressed his lips tightly together when he finished speaking, forcing himself to make eye contact.
Fiori stared up at him, impassive. Something in his eyes warmed minutely as he started up at Levi and he now looked more thoughtful than angry. "I would not be quite so scared as you," he answered, releasing the collar. "But I understand your fear. I did not know that you were freshly taken, I merely assumed you were an untested slave. I apologize for the lapse in judgment."
(Oh nooo I’m sorry I was trying to mark your post for unread real quick and it accidentally reported your post instead
I tried to stop it from going through but it did)
Levi relaxed, sinking back away from him slightly, “I appreciate your understanding.” He let out a breath of slight relief. He glanced off briefly to the side of his throne in a short examination of the room.
(It's fine, shit happens)
There were long wooden tables on either side of the throne that held a variety of jewelry and body paint, marking this as the room where slaves were prepared to meet their new masters. Fiori gave Levi one last considering look before he stood and marched over to a pile of silks, tossing him a large shirt and an ill-fitting pair of pants. "Your clothes smell foul, change into these."
(Indeed, just wanted to let you know in case you get a weird notification or email)
He caught the pair of clothes, “Thank you..” He glanced around the room for any evidence of a changing screen or any other source of privacy. The shirt wasn’t a big deal, but he’d rather not change his pants in front of someone else. Along with family, his kingdom’s culture very much cherished their privacy.
(Thanks for the heads up!)
Fiori gave him a confused look, not understanding why he hadn't started moving yet. Nudity wasn't something people cared about in his country, especially not in a non-sexual context. He walked closer to Levi, starting to tug up on his shirt. "Do you need help?"
(Yw!)
Levi instinctively wriggled away, “N-no, I can do it.“ He took a couple steps back, relenting to take off his shirt. He quickly replaced the shirt with the new, cleaner one he was given. He was a bit more reluctant to change the rest in front of Fiori. “Do you expect me to change here?”
Fiori leaned casually against the throne, making no move to approach again despite the urge to hurry Levi along. "Yes? I do not know of anywhere else you would change." His eyebrows had started to furrow together in annoyance. "I have things to do, Leviticus. Hurry up."
Levi hesitated again, letting out an exasperated sigh while he changed his pants as quickly as he was able. He draped his old clothes over his arm, which were notably thicker and heavier than what he was dressed in now. “What things do you have to do?”
Fiori pursed his lips, caught between answering the question and giving Levi a sound lecture on what was appropriate for a slave to ask. "Combat training. The festival of feats if nearly upon us and I need to be ready." For some reason, Levi wasn't scared to talk to him anymore, and that was more than Fi could say about anyone in this damn palace except for Dion and his uncle. It was refreshing. "Now set down your rags and we can be on our way."
