Erik nodded and smiled, “Excellent,” he said brightly, and paced around the room a bit as Alexi finished getting dressed. He did not bother asking for a shirt, and decided he did not particularly need one that day. Besides, if he wanted a bit more covering, there was always the silk robes. It was not as though he was going to see anyone besides Alexi and Joseph. 

It was just then that the elder vampire walked in, carrying a tray of food and a first aid kit. Though as usual, he kept it well-hidden, he appeared a bit haggard, as he had only slept a mere three hours the previous night. This was becoming a disturbing habit. 

“Good morning, Master Alexi, Erik,” Joseph announced, somehow managing to open the bedroom door with his hands full. “Is everyone ready for the next dose?”

Slipping on his socks and shoes Alexi decides to stop there, rolling up his sleeve in anticipation of what's going to happen. He's back to being a little nervous, but over all very happy and positive towards Erik. [i]'This time, it will hit just as hard, and open up a small small channel in our emotions. It will be very little, and mostly beneath notice, but with how strongly Erik feels every now and then, I am sure I will be able to sense it when we are close'[/i]

Humming softly he smiles, watching the man pace until the door opens to reveal Joseph looking beat. Alexi sighs softly at the sight, biting his lip gently as he worries for the vampire. [i]'He should be more careful I do not like the idea of him working himself so hard. I would say working himself to death, but I am not sure the is possible. . .'[/i] He smiles warmly at the man, nodding gently as he shows off his rolled up sleeve.

Erik nodded and sat down next to Alexi in preparation for Joseph to take the blood. Joseph calmly removed a syringe and took the younger vampire's blood first, and mixed the potion for Alexi, handing it to him. Then, he also took his master's blood, and repeated the process for Erik's potion. 

“Together this time?” Erik asked, turning to face the human and meeting his eyes.

Alexi turns away as his blood is being drawn, having seen enough of his blood leaving his body in the past few days. Despite not wanting to watch he remains calm and happy, his admiration for Erik strong and pure. Or, at least as strong as it can be from someone like Alexi. When at last it's done he presses the swab down and waits for Joseph to finish mixing in the potion. He watches Joseph hand the vial back to Erik and smiles. Taking his little cup he raises it in a “cheers” motion before downing it quickly. He makes a face at the taste of blood, handing the cup to Joseph and taking a slow breath, waiting for the feelings to set in.

Erik took his shot of the potion at the same time as Alexi. He found the taste much more pleasant, but of course, that was to be expected from a vampire.

At the moment, his emotions were muted, pushed to the back of his mind to focus on the task at hand. Still, he could not push away the fear and doubts he had about this whole plan, the paranoid fear that perhaps this was all some trick. He was beginning to trust Alexi, but years of hatred and mistrust for him, his family, and the people who held his position would not completely disappear in two days of heartfelt conversations. There was still a feeling that he was betraying himself and those he loved by doing this, but it was tempered by a determination to overcome his innate distrust and go through with it, on the belief that it would be for the greater good.

Behind the forefront of his mind, Erik could not overcome the embarrassment and humiliation he felt upon being captured in the first place, regardless of how much planning it took for Alexi and Mois to pull it off. It was also clear that being trapped in this room was making him frustrated and stir-crazy. There was an ever-present need to be able to exercise, run around, do things, anything besides being trapped here. Even with the plans to work on, he still felt – well, trapped.

When at last Erik's emotions hit him Alexi keels over on to his knees. Despite the much lower level of emotion this time, the complexity, the rush of so many different feelings all together takes his breath away and makes him sick to his stomach. His head begins to pound and he curls in around his middle, his head almost on the floor as his arms cross tightly over his chest. He begins to cry quietly, trying desperately to come to terms with all the different emotions. The doubt, the humiliation, the caged feelings all conflicting directly with his natural state of mind. Even the small flickers of trust do nothing to lessen the blow of such alien feelings.

Joseph could do nothing as he watched his beloved master fall to the ground with the pain of Erik's emotions. He could not help but glance up at the younger vampire with a confused and condemning look before realizing that it was not really Erik's fault. He could not control how he was feeling. The fact that Master Alexi could not control those emotions probably had more to do with his own madness.

Silently, Joseph knelt down and looked into Master Alexi's eyes. “Look at me, young Master. Breathe deeply and focus on my eyes, away from the storm,” he requested softly, touching the man's shoulder. “Let us place you on the couch and get some food into you. I asked the kitchens to make spiced oatmeal and hot tea with your omelet, so that you would have something soft and warm in case this happened.”

Erik just looked on in a sad confusion. Though Alexi had explained it, he still wished he could do something to alleviate the human's pain. But he also could not just stop feeling entirely.

In stark contrast to Alexi's state, Erik could not help but feel warm. There was a warm glow of confidence inside him, similar to what he had felt after the first dose, though a little less overbearing. He felt like he was admired, and somehow worthy of that admiration. Of course, it was a stark contrast to his own negative emotions towards himself, but it was not at all unpleasant.

A movement in front of him causes the human to look up. Spotting Joseph gazing at him with his soft, gentle eyes pulls a small smile from Alexi. [i]'Kind Joseph, always worried about me. . .'[/i] Taking slow, deep breaths as he's instructed to do he slowly begins to tear himself out from the middle of the torrent of emotions. Not all the way out though. He knows he can not simply push them back, ha can't let himself just avoid them. If he's ever going to learn to deal with them he's going to have to stay with them and let them do their thing.

The soft touch widens his small smile a fraction and he manages a slight nod. Slowly and carefully he reaches out, using the vampire for support as he drags himself to his feet. Once his feet are under him however he simply wraps his arms around Joseph and takes a minute to simply hold him. He breaths slowly, his forehead in the crook of the vampire's neck, his eyes closed. When at last the silence is broken it is Alexi's voice that breaks it. “You were right Erik, this time you do not hate me as much as before. . .That makes me happy. . .” His voice is gentle, wispy, not at all the confident self assured one he normally has.

Unable to put words to any more of his thoughts Alexi lets Joseph help him on to the couch where he curls up facing the plush backing. [i]'So this is what it is like for him right now. This is what it is like to be used by me, for a plan to fail, to be at my mercy. . .'[/i] He recalls when he and his brother were at their father's mercy, of which he had little, and wonders why it never hurt this much.

Joseph brought over a lightweight tray with the oatmeal and tea and gently sat it down next to the lord of the house. “Please, eat, young Master,” he implored. “Or at least drink some of the tea.” 

Once the initial feelings of admiration had worn off, Erik began to feel a tiny pain in his chest, a slight feeling of pain and confusion. Somehow, he was sure that it was coming from Alexi, an echo of the human's reaction to his powerful emotions. [i]Great, now my own emotions and their effects are going to hurt us both as the bond grows stronger. This should be oh so fun![/i] he thought sarcastically, strolling over to grab his own food and sit next to Alexi.

“I wish I knew of some way to help you, Alexi,” he muttered.

Alexi focuses on his breathing, his life, that little bit of himself that's always been his and no one else's. Slowly he's able to open his eyes, staring at the rich, dark purple fabric in front of him, hearing the words spoken to him and smiling at them. “Erik, the size and depth of my natural emotional state can be held in a teacup with room to spare. It is not you fault, and I would never dream of asking you to do anything but be yourself, save for requesting that you not swear. I do not even resent you getting angry as that is natural.” He lets out a sigh, managing to unfurl a little and roll over.

Smiling at both of the vampires he lets his feelings for them flow, washing over all the hurt and soothing it. Despite how Erik's emotions linger, something he is wholly not accustom to, he is able to use his own, at least for a little while, to calm down and breath evenly. Staring at the meal he knows he will get no peace as long as Joseph is alive if he does not at least try to take care of himself so with slow deliberate movements he sits up and reaches for the spoon sticking out of the porridge. Eating slowly he begins trying to objectively look over the feelings. The rush of them causes his stomach to turn forcing him to pause his eating for a moment.

After another deep breath though he manages to go on. In between bites he begins talking aloud about the feelings. “You know, I am beginning to understand why people fear failure so much. It is a highly unpleasant feeling knowing you failed at something. It's actually quite odd to know that it was through my and my brother's efforts that you did too. Though because the feeling of failure is so strong, the clash against my joy that you are here and my hopes for the outcome are completely overridden. It is a very dark feeling. . .Not at all pleasant. . .I am eternally grateful I myself have never felt it naturally.”

Erik rolled his eyes as he ate. “Yeah... I know. Way to rub it in my face, hmm?” he teased. “It's not pleasant. I lasted two hundred years in the Resistance, saved hundreds of slaves, and taken down more owners and overseers than I can count. But I was never caught, not until you. Of course, if I had been, I'd be some hard broken robot now,” he pointed out ruefully. Then he turned to Joseph quickly. “Sorry,” he muttered.

“It's fine. It's been two centuries since I was last hard broken,” Joseph replied, focusing on making sure that Master Alexi ate.

“In fact, knowing that you beat me so easily, it's hard for me to understand why you admire me, to be honest,” Erik muttered.

“I did not meant to Erik. . .”Alexi murmurs, eating slowly. However at the comment about his capture being easy the human pauses. Slowly he sets his spoon down, turning his head to look at the vampire with an odd expression on his face. Blinking slowly he asks quite seriously, “You do realize that is a very powerful insult to me and my brother right?”

Erik blinked slowly, not understanding Alexi's point. “That you took someone down who hadn't been caught in two centuries? How is that an insult?”

With that same, slow, deliberate voice Alexi responds. “It took almost an entire year of research, secret keeping, breaking, information gathering, hunting, planning, arguing, deal making, and several acts I would be ashamed to tell you to get you here Erik. Not to mention the amount of risk to my bother not only professionally when he took on the entire department to make sure there would be no casualties, to his integrity when he had to carefully work around letting absolutely anyone know about you even being there, and physically when he actually had to retrieve you without getting killed by either side as I am sure even his own men could have mistaken him for a rebel the way he had to dress and act, along with his risk from you directly as you would not be shooting to capture finding him lurking in the dark behind you.”

Alexi takes a slow breath, unsure if it's his own feeling or Erik’s that are making him feel so upset over the vampire's flippancy. “For my plan to work I had to ensure not a soul would know what happened to you. No human knows you were even there save my brother and myself. Not a single magical knows what happened to you in that raid save Joseph and Elaria, though I am sure there are plenty of rumors flying about that you are either dead or captured. However instead of looking in private homes, the rebellion’s eyes needed to be elsewhere, and as I arranged it, they look only to the police and government.”

Taking another breath, sounding as calm as ever from the beginning of his spiel to now, his brows furrow lightly. “I know I am not the best at conveyinghow difficult something is as my unwavering confidence and undoubtable skills have given me no reference to the internal aspects of the challenges I undertake, however believe me now when I say I risked everything but the plan to free the slaves to bring you here. My home, my money, my brother, and though you may think me crass for saying this, my slaves happiness and livelihoods for if I was discovered to have captured and housed a know killer rather than turning it over to the government as is required by law, I could very well have been stripped of everything I call my own and slaves that now live better than any I know would be sold off to other people, and I myself would have been dead in no time as my face would be plastered everywhere for the magicals who served with you to see.”

Looking back to his food he begins eating slowly again. “No Erik, it was not -easy-.”

Erik listened carefully, realizing the source of the insult long before Alexi was finished. [i]Right, calling it easy devalues the effort it took. I can understand that,[/i] he thought, but politely waited for the man to finish. 

“Well, I'm glad that I didn't make it that easy for you, then. And I'm glad that if I had to be taken down, it was by two people as well-funded, skilled, and resourceful as you and your brother. But that doesn't make it feel that much better for my pride. If you could have done it, so could anyone else who really wanted me. And they would have had an easier time without having to keep so many secrets. That's what scares me,” he paused for a moment and ate another bite of food. “As far as anything else, well, I would ask you why the hell you went to so much trouble just to capture a simple rebel like me, but I know you won't tell me until you're good and ready anyway. So what's the point?”

Alexi's gaze goes dead and he enters full pout mode. Without a word he sets down his spoon, stands, walks slowly over tot he bathroom door, opens it, and heads inside, locking the door behind him. He's no angry, he's not even really upset, but at the words [b]“If you could have done it, so could anyone else who really wanted me.”[/b] his brain had shut down. He didn't hear a single word after that. His pride took a hard hit and in his eyes Erik still does not appreciate what he and his brother went thought. His mind is blank and without caring that he's still wounded nor that he just ate, he makes his way over to the big pool and climbs in, fully clothed.

Erik rolled his eyes. “Sorry,” he muttered, looking to Joseph.

“It's fine. Master Alexi will be back in a few minutes. He just needed to calm down. I'll lay him out some new clothes,” Joseph replied, patting Erik's shoulder. 

“New clothes?” the younger vampire asked, but the ever-loyal servant refrained from explaining and picked out a new outfit that Master Alexi would appreciate. But Erik was not blind to the slightest hint of a smirk behind his eyes.

The hot water does it's job quickly and after only a few short minutes his ears are hearing again. He is more determined now than ever to convince Erik that he is no slouch. [i]'You are an amazing man Rebel Leader Erik, and whether you like it or not, I am going to prove it. The things I have been through and the things I have done are not in vain. I may have done this for my own personal reasons that you may never really understand, but at the very least I will convince you before I die that there [b]is[/b] a good reason I did all this to you, and it was not just some simple whim'[/i]

With a long slow breath his usual soft look returns. Climbing out of the tub he stretches. Feeling the heaviness on him he chuckles at his own silliness before grabbing a towel and wandering back into his room. Still in his sopping wet clothing he looks over at Joseph with a smile, spotting the clothing laid out for him. “Thank you Joseph.”

Erik was eating the last of his breakfast when Alexi came out of the bathroom, sopping wet. His eyes widened, but he just looked back at Joseph. [i]Impressive[/i], he thought, realizing that the elder vampire had anticipated Alexi's actions perfectly. 

“Are- Are you all right, Alexi?” the former rebel leader asked tentatively.

Alexi plops the towel on his head and gives Joseph a cute questioning look clearly reading 'dry my hair for me?' before seeing to his wet clothes. Popping the first few buttons he looks over at Erik serenely. “I am fine Erik. Thank you for asking.” Without offering any explanation he peels off his top and begins working on his bottoms.

Joseph nodded almost imperceptibly, took the hairdryer from the bathroom, and began working on Master Alexi's hair. Of course, Erik was just utterly confused by this point and simply watched.

It was a few minutes later when he finally tried to speak again. “So, what do you have to say about why you won't tell me? Or anything I said before?”

Alexi just gave him a blank stare. 

“Erik, he didn't hear you, ask him again,” Joseph explained.

“I mean, I guess it wasn't so much a question. I just... if it was so difficult, so risky, why bring me here at all? I know you won't tell me until you're ready. It's just, why was it so important that it was worth risking your own brother?”

Stripping out of the rest of his wet clothing Alexi shivers lightly, using the towel to dry while, with clear practiced ease, he keeps his head in the right place for Joseph to do his work. He smiles at the outfit picked out for him, shooting Joseph one of his award winning looks of delight. [i]'He always knows what I need to help me smile away the pain'[/i] While his own poutyness is gone, the affection he knows Joseph feels for him, and shows through his own little ways, helps him to recover in a completely different way than the hot water from the now pounding rush of Erik's emotions pressing into him with every breath.

He's just finishing the final fastening on his [url=http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e9/62/49/e962497d92780840258ff9278de89d4e.jpg]outfit[/url] when Erik poses ask about what he said before. His mind casts about for what to say, his gaze empty, when Joseph steps in for him and explains it quite simply. He wonders vaguely if Erik will take him serious, after all he had been there and was not deaf, but as Erik immediately just reposes the question Alexi feels a faint rush of joy. [i]'Despite all of his other doubts, at least he has come to believe just about any of my oddities. Perhaps there is hope. . .'[/i]

He focuses on the question, smoothing down the thin fabric as he thinks, shaking his head lightly to fluff out his hair when Joseph finishes. His gaze is on a point far away, somewhere only he can see as he tries to formulate how to answer the man. When at last he thinks he's ready he turns to look at Erik with a very gentle look. “You are willing to do anything, sacrificing even your own morality on the hope that I am not a lair, and will grant you your heart's desire. At this point you have this hope, you trust in your own judgment and have put your faith and desires on to me. As skeptical as you are, there is at least a small part of you that believes me without reason, and without any real proof beyond my simple words and actions.”

Moving over to Erik to stand beside the vampire, not even a pace between them he looks down at the man with a warm smile. “I may have had a lot more to lose bringing you here, but just as you would give anything to see your dreams come true, so am I.” Reaching out he gently cups Erik's cheek, his smile growing even wider, the soft sparkle in his eyes growing brighter for a moment. “In short Erik, there are some things whose value can not be measure on a scale, and my hopes for what I wish to accomplish with you is one of them. You are the only one that would work, the only one that called to me in that special way that has lead me my entire life to never falter. No matter how you view yourself, in my eyes, you are priceless and worth all the risks.”

On impulse Alexi leans down and kisses Erik's forehead the same way he kisses Joseph's when feeling particularly affectionate. As he leans back his hand slides off the vampire’s cheek and he turns to Joseph. “I think I am feeling well enough for that breakfast now.” He smiles brightly at the elder, tilting his head cutely to the side.

Joseph smiled at his master's reaction. Even without hard breaking, a master's approval of a slave could shine through the connection. Of course, Joseph's love for Master Alexi went far beyond that.

For his part, Erik merely listened, a state he was growing more and more accustomed to, seeing how much Alexi seemed to ramble on. But as he listened, his eyes widened and he looked away. He started to feel rather embarrassed, humbled by the value the human had placed in him. His own feelings were further enhanced by the wave of emotion coming from Alexi, this calming wave of complete confidence and hope for the future. He could not help but grin at the way Alexi touched his cheek and kissed his forehead, even if the happiness was mixed in with his own doubts and trepidation. 

And despite this new torrent of conflicting emotions, his mind could not help but distill Alexi's information from the poetry of his words, only to realize that behind all of the emotion, there was very little real answer to his question.

He stood and took Alexi's hand. “I appreciate the kind words, and I cannot help but feel flattered by the effort you have taken to bring me here, despite my embarrassment that you were able to do so. But Alexi, you're essentially telling me that you chose me on a gut feeling with little supporting evidence. And, I guess that's fine. I do wish you would tell me what I'm here for though, what purpose I am supposed to serve for you. But it's clear that you won't. So, once again, you leave me with no choice but to trust you blindly. A deal with a walking enigma, and one that I'm crazy to take. But I'll continue to do it anyway,” Erik replied, kissing Alexi's forehead in the same way that the human had kissed his.

Alexi stills as he feels his hand enveloped in Erik's cool fingers. Despite his comforts with slaves like Joseph, Uwin, Elaria and the rest showing their affection physically, on a very deep level something in Alexi realizes that Erik is something different. Something he's never had to deal with before, and something that he is mostly at a loss of how to react to. Alexi does not look down on slaves, but they are still slaves. He looks down on those who are considered his peers because they are on the whole contemptible people. And Mois? Mois is his family, he grew up with him, he knows how to be around his brother, how to react.

But Erik, he is a different story and for the life of him Alexi's mind can not place him. He has no idea what he's suppose to do around the vampire most of the time, even if he has had a lot of luck imitating the people he's read about that he admires in his ancient texts. Looking up from where their hands are joined Alexi listens quietly, ignoring his body's odd reactions to the contact and simply letting that's happening happen. When he is kissed however he can not completely ignore the funny color his cheeks turn and he looks away with a somewhat shy expression. However a moment later he looks back at Erik with a very bright smile.

“You will know one day, I promise, and I can only hope you are not too angry at me for keeping it from you for so long.” He nods sharply, not noticing as his hand tightens around Erik's. “You are right, from your eyes a gut feeling is not an answer, and I can understand that. As long as you understand that, for me, a 'gut feeling' as you call it is more likely to be right than all the research in the world. At least until the day I am wrong. I know I am not a god, and eventually everyone falls from their winning streak, but I have not failed yet, so I will continue believing I made the right choice.” His confidence has not waned and now as he looks up at the vampire, his smile wide and clear, there is a touch of that shyness creeping around the edges. “I am weird, and I hope you will not come to hate me for it.” He adds softly, his eyes closing in his smile.

As he worked on straightening up the room, Joseph could not help but notice his beloved master's reactions to Erik's innocent touch. [i]Damn. The first person who is not his slave, his employee, his family, or one of those selfish, wealthy, --- gentlemen --- that he has to spend his time with, and he has to fall in love with him. Why did it have to be someone in such a dangerous position, someone whose own damaged emotions already are hurting him. Master Alexi is unprepared for a relationship with someone like him. I sincerely hope he does not realize what he is feeling. I tried to encourage him to engage in more social activity as a child and as a teen, but now I suppose it might be better that he is not in touch with that side of himself. With any luck, Erik will be gone before Alexi realizes that he is attracted to him.[/i]

Erik felt Alexi's hand tighten around his own and nodded. [i]I suppose I cannot deny that. His intuition has brought him a lot. And it helped him outsmart me,[/i] he thought ruefully. “You are a remarkable man, Alexi,” he muttered. “I hated you when you were acting cruel to me, comparing me to a dog, and when you had me chained to that damn wall, pretending to be evil. I- I don't hate you now. Even if you do still have a collar around my neck. So do you really think I'd hate you just for being weird?”

Alexi opens his eye slowly, his smile shifting into a vaguely confused look. “My classmates did. My father did. Aside from my slaves and my brother, most people do not like me, and mostly because I am odd.” He laughs lightly, releasing Erik's hand. “Even those who pretend to like me do not. They simply want things from me.” His eyes close again but this time not in a smile. His hands come up and he presses the heels to his temples. “And they may not hate me, but many of my slaves are almost terrified of me.” His voice is soft, as if he's thinking hard and trying to work something out at the same time. He takes half a step back, delving into Erik's emotions lingering inside him. “If I felt like you, I would feel very lonely and sad I think. . .” His breath quickens as Erik's emotions begin sweeping over him again, however this time he manages to keep his feet. [i]'Eb and flow. I just have to make it through this flow'[/i] He thinks, wondering how long it will last.

“As far as people not liking you or being scared of you, that has just as much to do with your power and influence as anything else. But honestly, now that you know what it's like, do you truly want to feel like me?” Erik asked curiously. “I would trade my doubts for that unshakable confidence of yours in a moment.”

Coming out of the flow Alexi lets out a long breath and relaxes, letting his arms fall to his sides. A small knowing smile touches his lips but shifts into an honest one an instant later. “If I did not need my lack of passion to do what I plan to, I would trade my confidence for passion in an instant.” His eyes open and he look at Erik with a wicked grin, “But, selfish man that I am, I would rather have both.” He lets out a sigh. “I do not envy your doubts, but this intensity? I wish I could feel even half as strong as you can. . .” Looking back to his meal he realizes that despite his need for it, he's no longer in the mood to eat. “Yeah, having power can bring about those emotions, though in school it was always about something else. . . The kids found me creepy. . .And now those kids, like me, are in charge, and I still can no find it in me to care what they think as long as they stay out of my way. . .”

“I know this wasn't your plan, but maybe you can have both. If you can learn to live with this connection, then maybe you'll learn to expand your own emotional repertoire as well. Maybe you can have both, you selfish bastard,” Erik replied.

Alexi smiles at the thought and nods, “Maybe. . .” he says softly, looking towards the door. With a hug for Joseph and a wave at Erik the eccentric man flits out of the room and down the hall to see Riley before heading out to deal with the rest of his day. The little M'Tinak is happy to see him, showing off a whole new set of flowers blooming along one wall. He stays with the happy creature as long as he can before heading out to deal with more official business. His work is long, and after a quick lunch in his study while pouring over the information he will need for the meeting next week he an Uwin head to one of the local shops to see the manager about some misplaced inventory.

After getting back, the incompetence of the man who was at fault bringing on another wave from Erik's lingering emotions leaving him drained, Alexi heads to his private study and locks himself in, putting together a new set of documents Erik may find useful. As soon as that is done h collapses on his desk, pulling out his phone to text Elaria to ask about her progress. She promises him what he needs the following morning, having taken all she needs to her own work station in the garage and working on nothing else. He smiles at the plastic screen. “Such a good girl. . .” he murmurs with a smile. 

After resting on his desk for a good half an hour he finally drags himself to his feet and straightens himself up. After making sure he looks every bit the “master” he's always been he tucks the documents under his arm and makes his way out of his study and through the halls to his room. Once inside however Alexi sets down the folders on the desk and flops into bed, his clothes bunching and sliding up in the motion. However as soon as he's down, he stops moving completely, except to breath, his eyes closed, and his body completely still.

A strong pang of emotion flowed through Erik as Alexi left, as he wished that he could just walk through that doorway. Touching a finger to the collar around his neck, he sighed and strode back to the desk and its piles of paperwork. He could not help but grimace as he sat down to study the last stack of maps and read the last booklet of dossiers on top businessmen in the slave trade. 

Around lunchtime, Joseph came in to serve the meal and to finish tidying up the room. Erik, happy to do anything that was not more paperwork, jumped up to assist. They did not converse much until the very end of the hour, when Joseph was about to leave. 

“Erik, be careful around Master Alexi, please. He's a fragile man, and I don't want to see him get hurt,” the elder vampire requested softly. 

“What do you mean? I know he's a human and all, but I'm not sparring with him or anything. How would I hurt him?” Erik pointed out. Joseph simply sighed and nodded.

“I suppose you're right. I am simply overprotective I suppose. Do you need anything before I leave?” 

“The code to unlock this collar would be nice,” Erik retorted cheekily, but he was smirking. As much as he hated it and would continue to whine, his freedom really was a small price to pay for the freedom of millions. “No Joseph, I'm fine.” In truth, there were things that Erik was tempted to ask the elder vampire, but he did not want to overstep his bounds. Perhaps by tomorrow he would be able to formulate them in a non-invasive way. Right now, the conflicting emotions were making it difficult to think straight. So Joseph left the room with only a shallow bow and not another word. 

After a short swim, Erik had put his pants back on, along with one of the silken robes, and set back to work. He was just finishing reviewing the last of the documents when Alexi flopped down on the bed.

Alexi lay there for a good ten minutes, just focusing on all the muscle aches tugging at him here and there. Despite his distinct lack of activity today, all that sitting and repetitive action can take it's toll. When at last he feels able to move he flops on to his back, his gaze going to the still dutifully working vampire. “So, how was your day? You look wet. . .I forgot to get dry bandages this morning, and my shoulder aches. . . .It only got a little wet, but I think it was enough to mess the bandage a bit. . .Am I bleeding?” His voice is a little hollow, like he's not really sure where he is.

“Your bandages were changed, silly. I watched Joseph do it myself. What's wrong with you?” Hanging from one of the bedposts, he grinned. “I finally finished reading through all of that paperwork you gave me. I'm ready to actually start planning some missions now,” he announced proudly, radiating a sense of accomplishment.

Watching the male stand move closer Alexi smiles softly at how fine Erik looks in his borrowed clothing. [i]'Nothing like the ragged beast that was brought in not a week ago ready to rip my face off first chance he got'[/i] “I am simply brain dead from all the screen time I clocked today. My eyes feel like jelly. . . .”His hands come up to rub at them but not before he points at the folder sitting on the corner of the desk. “I brought you some fresh material. Mostly on specific coordinates of important facilities and a list of sellers who keep fresh stock overseas that you may want to get to you cells over there. . .”

Rubbing his eyes like a little kitten he stretches out on the bed, slowly crawling out of his clothing until he is left with just the silky pants. “Joseph should be able to see to your clothing needs soon, however I think you pull off the robe look surprisingly well. . . .”

Erik could not help but groan. “Thanks Alexi,” he replied, and he did mean it. This intelligence was highly valuable, and it was far better than having nothing to do. It was just that Erik wished he could have had a bit more of a break before getting even more papers to sort through. 

“I had something else to wear, and I could have asked Joseph for more. I just figured I would enjoy the pajamas look for today. It's not like I am going outside to see anyone.”

Alexi giggles at the groan, recognizing it from the many time he's made it in his life. “Sorry, sorry, I should have waited a bit on those.” He smiles warmly at the other male, kicking his clothes off the bed like a puppy clearing it's sleeping space. “You look good like that. You have the body for it, and the colors match quite well.” He grins like a fool, snuggling belly first into his coverlet. Looking at the vampire through one eye he adds, “Of my many hobbies, ancient fashion is one of the more frivolous ones, but as you may have noticed, it's one I engage in daily.” He chuckles. “Joseph should be up with dinner soon. . . .”

Erik looked at himself in the mirror, but turned away quickly. “It was just comfortable,” he muttered. “I'm not much of a fashion person myself. It's not a luxury I have the time or money for.” 

It was just then that Joseph entered the room, having worked all day on scheduling and management issues. As expected, he carried a large tray holding dinner for both of the rooms occupants. Silently, he began setting all of the food out on the table.

Alexi smirks to himself. [i]'Aww, he can be shy sometimes. Or at least bashful'[/i] His attention shifts however as Joseph walks in bearing food and the human slowly slithers off the bed to crawls over to the food. Staying on the floor he crosses his legs and settles in for the meal. Looking up at the elder vampire with a tired smile he thanks him before digging into his potatoes slowly.

~*~*~*~*~

Mois takes his meal in his room. He is once more covered from head to toe in grime but today the blow to his mind an body was somewhat lessened. Most of the bodies had been removed and only the occasional broken figure put bullet points on his otherwise pointless day. He was informed that the following day he would go back to his regular duties as it's time for the actual construction crews to begin their work in earnest but the man knows the bloodied bodies will not be so easily left behind. After a hot shower that left his bathroom quite a mess Mois settles in to eat, waving the young werewolf off who leaves with some haste. Mois has never been cruel to the slaves of the household, but neither has he gone out of his way to be kind as his brother has.

As he begins eating he looks over to his track suit, all laid out and ready for him for his after dinner jog and his first smile of the day comes to his lips. “Even in all the rush of all the crap he needs to get done Joseph still endeavors to make our lives easier. . .I pray Alexi's right and after this is over I'll be able to keep him from collapsing in on himself. . . .” With a long sigh he continues eating, hardly tasting the food as his thoughts turn dark and brooding.

“Alexi, may I ask you something?” Erik asked, eating a bite of food and glancing over at the eccentric billionaire.

Running his tongue over his lip to snag some stray gravy Alexi glances at the vampire and nods. “Always.”

“Why were you such an evil bastard when I first arrived? It was more than just capturing me, or even chaining me to a wall. You were rude, arrogant, dismissive, and downright insulting. Why go that far when it's not who you are?” Erik asked.

Alexi smiles softly, poking at his food. “Did you expect anything less?” He smirks, looking at Erik with one of his infuriating know-it-all grins. “I mean really, if I had been nice and accommodating I seriously doubt that a. I would have survived the night, and b. you would have ever listened to anything I had to say thinking me, and rightly so, simple wanting something out of you.” He scoops up another fork full of potatoes and downs it quickly. “And you, clever man that you are, would not have bought it for a minute, or so I could reasonably believe given I know you are no fool. You expected an evil human, so I gave you one, and let you slowly see the real me to get you accustomed to the idea of my not being some cruel overlord type.”

“So, in other words, you knew that I was expecting cruelty, so you gave me cruelty because I would have never believed anything else so soon after being captured. In other words, you basically played me like a violin,” Erik responded, shooting Alexi a smirk. “For someone who lacks the normal depth and range of emotion, your ability to understand them in others is impressive.”

Alexi's smile fades slowly, his fork poking at his meal distractedly. He is silent for a few seconds before responding softly. “Knowing how to manipulate emotions is very different from understanding them. . .”

“Still, it's a valuable skill, if an incredibly annoying one for those of us you use it on.” The vampire paused and ate in silence for a few moments. “I hope my Second is getting along well without me,” he muttered. “You've put a lot of pressure on my officers to take up my slack. Well, we both have. I still blame myself for letting your brother catch me.”

Nodding vaguely Alexi manages to convince himself to continue eating after a moment, glancing at Erik with a kind of far away expression. “Yes. . .You do. . .” He shrugs, doing his best to let the feelings roll back away from the front of his mind, dropping instead into some calculations for the next few days. The calculations ease his mind and out of the blue he asks, “What is your second like? I am not asking specifics of course, but. . .How does this second seem to you? Do they hold your values?”

Erik nodded. “Sadly, I can't tell you many specifics given that your brother is an officer. I'm not insane. But I will tell you that she's a brilliant woman. She's of the best people we have in hand-to-hand, and she takes her job as an officer very seriously. She was the best choice for Second out there, and honestly, if anyone can handle taking over my job, it's her.”

Propping his head up on his hand Alexi listens to Erik like he's a child and this is story time. “Are you two friends or was it strictly a business thing?” Alexi curiosity stems from his own lack of equal friendships and he's sure that any friends the vampire has must be closer to a normal friend arrangement than anything the entitled selfish brat has ever had.

“We are friends. You tend to become friends with people when you are putting your life on the line for them every day. But I am not much closer with her than I am with the others. I can't promote my best friend beyond an officer level. It would appear to be favoritism,” Erik replied easily.

Tilting his head to the side Alexi's expression becomes confused. “Really? I put people in places where I know they will work best, and any relation I have to them is no matter, so if I thought, if I had one, that my best friend would be best in a high ranking position, I would put them there. . .Because I would know that is where they would serve best.” He shrugs and looks to Joseph. “Would you be offended if I suddenly decided Elaria would serve better in your place, or made a whole new position above your head for her to serve in because I reasoned there was a need for it?”

[i]Yes, a little bit[/i], Joseph thought. [i]I would feel like you did not trust me, or that I had failed as your servant. It would hurt my pride.[/i] 

“No, of course not, Master Alexi. It is your choice to place your slaves as you will. I would gladly step down if anyone else could serve you more effectively,” the elder vampire replied simply. He focused on making sure that his face did not convey his tiny lie, and smiled slightly.

Alexi eyes his foster father intently and after a moment he sighs softly. “You are lying Joseph, I know your 'I do not want to disagree with you' face. You have used it since I was little, and I have learned to tell when you are using it.” He smiles and taps his nose. “You always seem so intent on keeping me happy, but never more so than when you disagree.” He chuckles, crossing his arms over the table and laying his head down. “I do not understand it though. Well, I should say, I have observed it and know how to use it, but I do not for the life of me understand why you would resent someone you know is better at something than you. Especially if you both are working towards the same ends. . .”

Joseph seemed almost trapped for a moment, before finally coming to a conclusion. 

“Master, may I be dismissed? I do not have the right to disagree with you, but I cannot change my opinions to match yours. I did not know until these past few days how easily you could tell when I not telling the truth,” Joseph requested carefully, turning away from Master Alexi. 

Erik, curious about this exchange and the relationship between the pair, chose to say nothing and watch the scene play out. He had opinions on the matter, but they could wait.

Watching Joseph go into fret mode Alexi turns around to look at the man, a soft look in his eyes. He smiles a little sadly and climbs slowly to his feet, feeling nothing but care for the older male. Wrapping his arm around the vampire from behind he murmurs, “You have every right I see fit to give you Joseph, and as of now, in this room, or when we are alone together, I give you every right to disagree with me, both in your heart, and from your lips.” Settling his forehead on Joseph's shoulder he murmurs, “Until the past few days, it was in your best interest that you believe you could keep things from me, and to tell the truth it is not an easy task, let me tell you. However now, it is in everyone's best interest that you become more independent as I will be delighted to hear your opinions without that constant worry that you will upset me.”

Joseph closed his eyes and took a deep breath for a moment before choosing to speak his mind. 

“Thank you for the permission, Master. I would be hurt if you replaced me, even knowing that the other person would be better at the job. I would say nothing and step down in an instant, but that would not change the pain. It would be a blow to my pride to know that I was not worthy of my role anymore.”

Erik's eyes glowed for a short moment at Alexi's words. [i]You give him “permission” to have independent thought, but you still insist on dictating his rights as ones you bestow upon him! Entitled bastard! He has the right to speak because he has rights as a sentient being, not because you 'oh so kindly' allowed it![/i] But despite his anger, Erik was no fool. He could see that this was a moment of progress for the slave, and a moment of kindness for Alexi. So, despite his irritation, he did not wish to ruin it.