It may seem psychological, but the soft breaking potion is still working on his system, the way I've designed it at least, ant the initial hard breaking is still there as well, it's just dulled because it hasn't been renewed in forever. That is why simple requests do not trigger his chemical auto response, and why direct orders still do. *Sad smile* Alexi [b]will[/b] order him to take it if he has to. He won't want a slave around after all, he wants them all free, and if Joseph tries to defy him in that, Alexi will be forced to order him, which he will have to obey. He would never deny Joseph the right to continue serving, but. . . . .*Thinks of things that can not be said aloud* He can serve, but Alexi will not let him stay a slave.