Caging the Phoenix (Candy Van p2) [CLOSED] [MATURE]

"Second first... Manumission requires... full payment of the worth of the Servus... either by itself or a third party wishing to free it... and extraordinary service to Pilum... and the Senate... to authorize such a payment... Being Patriarch of a great house... and able to force the holder of my seat to compliance... this task, though no easy feat... Should be quite possible... perhaps within three years... depending on how circumstances... present themselves..."

He merely held her for how.

"... Second... depending on how good of a lawyer you can find... You stand between fifteen... and fourty percent chance of avoiding prison time... of any significant amount... Beacon, however... has much less stringent of evidence standards... and the jury is not made... of your peers... I estimate an eighty-five percent chance... that you will face expulsion..."

Gulping, she would spend even more time deciding on what to do. She didn't want to leave, but she also didn't want to be Leo's pastime. Deciding a minute later, she would sigh heavily and sniff loudly, unable to wipe her tears away, "...Very well. If you can save me from my fate, I shall change it to serve yours. HOWEVER, you must hold up your part of the bargain before I do this. If you can keep me around with as little ****ing me as possible, then I shall serve you and your family when my time at Beacon is over. Just... Please don't violate me... I want to be with him foremost.."

"My part of the bargain... will be fulfilled the moment... confirmation is sent..." He took hold of her chin again, turning her face to look at it. "... The moment word is sent... status as a citizen of Beacon will unravel... and you will fall within Pilorum justice... as a Servus of Pilum... Legally... Aoife Knight... will no longer exist... though I will let you keep your name... in violation of custom... and Aoife Minimi Corda... will replace her... as a legal entity... Property... of House Decimus... and the Regulus family... Within days... equipment for implantation will arrive... as well as the nanomesh collar... you will wear until manumission... or death... marking you as Servus... and defaulting punishment... for any potential misdeeds... to my discretion... Though Vale's authorities... may attempt to intervene anyway... if your outbursts continue as they have... but you will not have... that option without my backing..." He thought a moment. "... And mentioning nature of arrangement... in terms the Barbarians find distasteful... should be avoided... within Vale..."

He released the Nerve staple signal, making sure Aoife could stand before he stopped holding her up, his hands sliding down her sides.

"... While I will not prevent you... from seeing the Barbarian... Know that your status... as Servus will place such ability... within my discretion as well..." With his hands on her waist, Leonius could feel Aoife still trembling. He leaned in, whispering. "... And while I will let you... place him first... know that you will become familiar... with the 'taint' of your Master within you..."

His hands slid lower.

"... Place hands... upon wall... "

Only opening her eyes enough to find the wall, she would comply with more than a little hesitation. Even though Knight would be in command and getting used to it, she would suffer from something she wasn't used to. Pity. Pitying Aphelion for what was to come, she suddenly shakes more violently  before trying her best to calm down, "J-Just.. Don't hurt me.. It was true what I said in Autunno, I was trying to be friends with someone I se- saw as a rival. J-Just try to give me a false sense of freedom while I am at Beacon.."

Leo's voice was soft. "... I... know... that is why... I did not want... to make this offer..."

He took another deep breath, closing his natural eye.

"... I will not lie... this will not be... particularly pleasant... Custom and obligation dictate it be so..." He brushed a bit of hair behind her ear. "... And I will try..."

It was the last thing he said, before the world started to go dark, and filled with the sound of Aoife's whimpers and sobs.

(FADE...)

Afterwards, she would act as if a robot, her eyes hollow and her body language as if anyone in her head was long gone. Knight had been told countless times about how her times with Aphelion were, but this was nothing close to the hype. It hurt. Everything about it hurt. Unable to speak, she would try but fail to get anything more with a pitiful, "C-Can I please go? I don't like it here."

Slowly, Leonius nodded, adjusting his armor. "I have arranged... a conditional release..."

He glanced back at her.

"Confirmation... has been sent... Welcome to Pilum... Aoife Minimi Corda..." Slowly, he turned. "You will be under observation... of someone who owes my family... a great deal... In four days... the limiters and monitors... will arrive... and I will expect you... in Vale for implantation..."

He took a deep breath, sighing.

"The condition of your release... is that lethal force... is authorized now by Beacon Guard... and Vale to stop you..." He turned away and opened the door. "Providing my contact... does not get to you first... so behave... until I take from you... ability to not..."

His first steps out were somewhat unsteady.

"... And Aoife..? ... Next we meet... I expect you to call me... Dominus..."

He walked out of the holding area, leaving the door open so Aoife could go...