Erik nodded and looked away, allowing the awkward silence to pass. “Grunblak has a veritable personal army. This one is going to take a lot of skill, and a lot of people. I'm not entirely sure it can be done, even with all this information,” he commented out of the blue. “Apart from that, a lot of this stuff might change as the marks begin to see what's going on and go into hiding. I imagine this Elsa Selan person might just be killed by her own slaves. There's a lot of variables that we can't know, and there's no way to run upwards of eighty missions in a few days.” The vampire stood and started pacing. “Sorry, I'll figure it out.” Alexi once more lifts his head, watching Erik pace. Before he really thinks about it he replies with his best guess, “He has a weakness for “self help” things, like products that make one better than human. They have never really been proven, but he is always willing to give a product a try, once he has confirmed it is not poison. This may sound cliche, but you could likely get a few agents into the house that way. I know a few humans that could pass the magical detectors. They should be in one of the files. . . .” He glances over at the desk once more. “Is he really going to be focused on idiotic supplements after the world is going to hell? I mean, that's ridiculous,” Erik pointed out, glancing back at Alexi. Alexi looks back at the vampire, dead serious. “Obsession does weird things to people, and I think the state of the world shifting would make him even more desperate for some way to enhance himself. He may think of it as the only way to survive.” "Interesting. Ridiculous, but interesting. We could use that then. You know, he considers you a friend, right? If we do this soon enough, we could get you and one of the humans you mentioned both on the inside, maybe take him and some of his lead guards out before he even notices that there's a problem. Of course, we could only use that trick once or twice before your allegiance would be obvious, but it could work," the rebel leader suggested. Letting out a slight yawn Alexi nods. “That sort of thing would work, for a while at least.” He rolls on to his side before slipping off the bed to stretch. [i]'He is not wrong, that would work, if I were around to do it. As it is, he will have to find someone else on the list'[/i] Looking over at Erik he smiles. “Care to play a game? If not I can play by myself, I just thought I would offer since I need something to do with my hands besides worry my bedspread.” Meandering over to his closet he begins rummaging around for what he wants. “Sure, why not?” the vampire replied, looking over at his roommate's rummaging. “And I notice that that's not an agreement to do it, Alexi,” he pointed out, more to let the human know that he could see through his evasion than expecting a direct answer. “I'm not going to fault you if you don't want to, but I'd like a definitive answer as soon as possible, so that I can plan accordingly. I recognize a couple of the names from the list, two of the black market traders. I'm actually impressed at how well Crow has evaded suspicion from the law, sly bastard.” Alexi smiles, carefully removing the Go board from it's place in the back of his walk-in. He keeps a lot of clothes in here as well, but for the most part it's taken up by hobbies. “I can honestly say I do not think I am the right person for that particular job Erik, I am sorry.” he calls over his shoulder, hauling his Go board out. It is shaped more like a small wooden table than a game board, but it is very much and ancient Go board that was dug out of an abandoned village in the east. Setting it next to his coffee table he heads back into the closet to grab the small wooden containers with the Go Stones before switching off the light and closing his closet door. Taking a seat on the floor on one side of the board he motions for Erik to take a seat opposite. He smiles, grabbing a throw pillow from the couch and tossing it to Erik before grabbing one for himself. “Crow, I seem to recall her doing some pretty tricky deals in one of my factories. I almost had to shut down for a day because one of her suppliers was being foolish. . .That and I have done my best to keep dealing on my grounds to a minimum. . .” Once he is settled in Alexi looks over at Erik with a calm smile. “So, ever played Go before?” The vampire groaned as he took his pillow and sit down on the floor with the captor who was slowly and surely becoming a good friend. “Yeah, more than I'd like. Old Leader Zanri forced me to sit down with her and play both Go and Chess. She said it would help me to work on tactics and psychological understanding. It was also meant to take time away from some of my... other recreational activities that she did not exactly approve of. I also think it was because she enjoyed beating my arse at it. Anyway, it was a popular game to keep around the camp because the rules were simple and it was easy to make our own boards out of garbage. We just needed some scrap wood or cardboard.” Alexi can only guess what these “Other activities” might be that would have a rebel leader dragging one of her underlings away from them, however the fact that he's played before is enough to have the man smiling with delight. [i]'It is rare for me to find someone who’s even heard of this game, let alone play it. Since chess is considered the “gentleman’s” game, most of those in my station play that, never minding about other games that may be more enjoyable and less headache inducing. Not saying I hate chess, but Go is far more enjoyable to me'[/i] He lets out a soft sigh, he smile still in place. “Well then, as you have likely played against someone more than I, I think I will take the white stones. Most of the games have played were against myself. . .” He lets out a half laugh, grabbing the right container and after a moment, he lays his first stone. “Playing against yourself? How depressing,” Erik commented as he laid down his first black stone in a traditional starting spot in the upper left hand corner. “Why not with your brother or one of your slaves?” Alexi can not suppress a chuckle when Erik mentions the depressing matter of playing games alone. “You are just now noticing that my life is depressing Erik?” He murmurs rhetorically. Setting his next stone he looks back up to answer the man's question. “Father was. . .Very strict with Mois when we were young, as he was set to take over, and one of the thing “gentleman” learned and did often, was play chess. He was forced into it almost daily, and after that he lost his taste for boardgames, and I would not like to stir up such memories.” He shrugs, “As for my slaves, the ones who like me are far too busy, and the ones that fall outside that circle are terrified of me for the most part.” He offers a sad smile. “Yet another disadvantage to the role I have had to play as a hardened slave owner.” “No, I noticed before. It's just hard for me to get past your wealth, to remember that money, even this absurd amount of money, is not the same thing as happiness. Logically, I know that to be the case, but emotionally, I can't imagine being depressed if I had everything at my beck and call like this. I was born a slave, you know. Most of the problems in my life have been from lack of food or resources, not companionship, so its hard for me to truly understand your life,” Erik explained, looking down at the board. Alexi's gaze follows suit and there is silence for a while. The human can understand what Erik means, but at the same time his wandering mind begins to travel to Erik's life, wondering at it, trying to imagine it. He tries so hard to imagine having a companion, even for a short time. . .But sadly, his mind draws a blank. Finally, in a hushed, harsh tone he murmurs, “Wealth is the murderer of this world, creating only want and poisoning the need. Discarding it, trampling it, until all that is left is want, the soul behind the money crushed and broken, its needs far beyond reconciliation, and the want a sickness that consumes its host. . .” He looks up into the vampire's eyes, his own an odd mix of angry and sad. “I do not expect you to understand this Erik, I just hope that one day your own heart with realize the truth of it. . .Do not envy my gold. . .” He know no one uses gold any more, but it is still a common enough knowledge that he's sure Erik might get the point. Erik paused for a moment and allowed the wave of anger and sadness to wash over him, though it was less of a wave and more of a ripple. “You misunderstand me, Alexi. I don't want to be rich, not really. I don't care about luxury. I want the security of knowing I can feed the hundreds under my command without scrounging. I want to be able to provide my soldiers with the best in weapons and armor, rather than watching people get needlessly injured because we didn't have a bulletproof vest in their size. And yes, perhaps I would love to supply us with more computers, or a few more linens and supplies to make clothes and toys for the young ones. I don't envy your gold, and I certainly don't envy the kind of company you have had to keep to obtain it. I envy the security it represents,” the vampire replied, looking up to meet Alexi's eyes. “That being said, you are correct. The envy is pointless.” Sighing, he placed another of his pieces. Letting out a soft sigh Alexi murmurs, “I envy. . .I envy those who can make things. I envy those who have talent and skill and can make things with their hands.” He glances up for a moment from the board. “I envy a lot of things. . .” He looks back to the board and places his next piece. About the time it becomes abundantly clear that he's going to lose Alexi cracks half a smile and simply murmurs, “Interesting. . .” Erik smirked slightly. "Leader Zanri made it clear that if I wanted to keep my position, I would have to play against her. So, I figured that while I was stuck there, I would at least work on getting better at it," he explained, placing another stone and waiting for Alexi to pass. The semi triumphant look on the vampire's face sends a light tingle through the human, that small touch of confidence that has been lacking since he arrived bringing him a faint joy. [i]'It is good to see that spirit flaring for some other reason than his anger, or resentment. . .'[/i] He waves his hand and mutters pass before saying, “She sounds like a good woman. What was she exactly? If you don't mind my asking of course.” He adds that last part gently, not sure if this touches the boundaries of the rebellion information he's not suppose to ask about. “She was a sky fairy, of all things, wings and all. They have a reputation for being very kind and passive, but she was one of the most aggressive people I've met,” Erik responded a little sadly. “I don't mind you asking. It's not classified anymore. She's dead. She and two others died on a mission. I was not on it, but I was devastated when I heard the news. I even spoke at her funeral. Then I took over the Leadership.” The vampire looked far away for a moment, before pulling himself back. Alexi would feel echoes of the pain of loss, but they would not be overwhelming, for the loss was long ago, and Erik had since come to terms with it. “Pass. Game over.” Alexi lets the throb of emotion from the other male press into him, pushing again his own meager understanding of the emotion of loss, and does his best to take it in and understand it better. True, both of his parents are dead, and in most eyes that would be a loss, but given his relationship with them, and the fact that he doesn't feel things for long, the linger pain over something that has passed seems to escape him most of the time. However, having it here, present, inside him, but someone who has long worn in on his soul, despite it's now muted presence, Alexi somehow feels like he “gets it” just a little bit better. Alexi offers up a sad smile, no words coming to mind save for the ones Joseph use to use with him when he was a child and that did not seem right for someone he hardly knows. Instead he smiles and holds out his hand. “Good game Erik, thank you.” He says this honestly, without looking at all disappointed at the fact that he didn't win. Perhaps we can play again some time, if you are up for it.” He smiles a little wider as he thinks of a fairy fighting. “I have a few fairy in the garden, and I have seen them get quite prickly when someone accidentally knocks over a pot or steps on a flower during a rousing game of chase with a particularly adamant pursuer.” He chuckles at the memory. “Well, I think she was a little more calm as a child. But she was she was one of a few survivors from her village. Humans raided it when she was young, killed several, sold most of her family and friends as slaves. She found a Resistance cell after that, started fighting for them,” Erik replied sadly. “As far as the game, thank you. I enjoyed it. And you're not half bad for only ever playing against yourself.” The cool grip of the vampire feels less than familiar, having touched very few people in his life that he'd care to remember touching, and most were greasy humans. He feels slightly sad, hearing of the death of the magicals, but he is more pleased that Erik enjoyed himself. “Why thank you Erik, that is most kind, however I still feel I fell woefully short of a challenge for you.” he says with a chuckle before moving to put the board away. Looking over at his bedside clock he notes it's almost time for Mois to come home. ~*~*~*~*~ Said brother had actually come home a little early. Having sliced his hand open on a hunk of metal and not telling anyone about it for a good hour they sent him home once the now dirt encrusted wound was inspected. He did not want to go to a hospital, much preferring Joseph to tend to such simple wounds, the vampire's gently hand far more inviting than the cold efficient ones of an unknown doctor. He knows it's kind of funny to consider a human's hands colder than a vampires, the irony is not lost on him, but in truth Joseph's hands have never felt cold to the older Vandros. On his way into the mansion he text Joseph that he'll be in Alexi's first floor study, not wanting to make Joseph walk all the way out to his house when dinner is just around the corner. Heading to the room Alexi met the new slaves in he notes the fresh paint and new carpeting and is once more impressed with how quickly repairs to the house are undertaken. [i]'I did not even know this room needed it. One of the new slaves must have gotten rambunctious'[/i] Looking upward in the general direction of his brother's room he waits patiently for Joseph to arrive. Erik watched the human put away his ancient board and grimaced. “The fact that you could not beat me in a game is irrelevant. You beat me in the real world, and that counts for a lot more,” he muttered, as he stood and put the pillows back where Alexi had found them. ~*~*~ Joseph received the text and brought his first aid kit, knowing that Master Mois's admission to needing “a little doctoring” was probably in reference to a larger injury than it sounded. He was not overly worried, however. Master Mois was not quite as cavalier about injuries as his younger brother was, and he had been able to drive himself home, so the problem could not be terribly life threatening. Stepping into the study, he bowed and greeted his elder Master before sitting him down tending to the wound on his hand. “I wish you had cleaned and wrapped it sooner, Master. You'll be fine, but it was foolish to risk infection. You are up to date on your tetanus shots, so that's not so much of a concern,” the head slave mused as he cleaned the wound. Despite his mild chastisement, he cleaned the wound as gently as he could muster, trying to avoid causing his master unnecessary pain. His eyes trail over to the head slave as he enters, a rare half smile gracing his lips at the tone in the man's voice. It takes a lifetime of knowing him, but both he and Alexi can tell when he's lovingly chastising them. [i]'I kept it wrapped as I worked. It's not like I was grinding it in there on purpose, there was just so much work to do. . .'[/i] “Sorry Joseph.” he murmurs softly. The body count was a lot less today, and Mois was only around for a few, but he still felt the drive to keep digging, that list of names labeled “Missing” driving him to do his very best so their families could at least let them rest in peace. He does not mention any of this however. It's not his way. Just as Alexi speaks his mind, monologues, and always seems to have an opinion, Mois holds his tongue on most of his troubles, only speaking when it's for others if he can help it. [i]'Besides, Joseph already knows why I came here instead of going to a doctor. . .I hate doctors. . . .'[/i] ~*~*~*~*~ Alexi can not help but rolls his eyes. “You are as bad as Joseph sometimes, you know?” He calls over his shoulder while settling the board back in place.” He walks back out with a slightly furrowed brow. “You can not seem to accept the compliment when it is presented to you. . .Is that a vampire thing, or am I completely missing even more social skills than I thought?” Joseph smiled just slightly at the apology. “No need, Master,” he muttered. “However, you do need stitches. It's a deep cut, and you are fortunate that you did not sever a major blood vessel.” He took out the supplies and began stitching up the cut. ~*~*~ “I have no trouble accepting compliments, Alexi, at least normally. Part of my role is to project confidence that must border on arrogance to those around me, regardless of how I feel. But, as I said, they will never let me lead them again, not now that I've failed them so badly. So, perhaps, I am enjoying the luxury of telling you what I truly think, rather than projecting a false veneer,” the former Leader replied as he sat down on his bed. Closing his closet door he simply stares at the man for a second before collapsing on to his own bed. After a moment he curls on to his side, looking at Erik past the foot of his own bed. “You do realize that has nothing to do with accepting a compliment?” He stretches and huffs. “And besides, I have gotten everything I wanted thus far, are you really going to insist that I am wrong in what would be the saddest way? I mean, I have gone through a lot of trouble to make sure you get your post back, and I mean a lot of trouble. . .” He looks at Erik with shiny, rather childish eyes. ~*~*~*~*~ Mois nods vaguely, catching the faint smile out of the corner of his eye. [i]'Lucky, yes, that is what I am'[/i] “So still over working yourself? Or has Alexi finally grown some sense and forced you to be reasonable with yourself?” He gives Joseph a sideways glance at this. [i]'Normally, I wouldn't say such things, but as he is to be free soon, he needs to start thinking about these things. About conserving energy, and only doing what he can handle. Some days, I swear, he double books himself just to drive himself mad'[/i] His eyes are genuinely concerned, even though no other part of him shows this concern. Erik rolled his eyes. “Every plan has losses, Alexi. This is one that I will gladly accept, to accomplish what you mean to do.” There was a little unconscious sadness that could not be hidden from the human, but otherwise, the former Leader seemed resolute. ~*~*~ Had Joseph not been so practiced at this, his hands might have shook and messed up the stitches. But he took a deep breath and focused on the work. Master Mois did not mean to insult him, and Master Alexi had approved his actions, but he still felt embarrassed to admit that he had reduced his workload. “I asked some of the new employees to take over my chores that someone else could accomplish. I do not consider myself above such work, obviously, but I wanted to make my time more available to yours and Master Alexi's request in these busy days,” the head slave replied, not once removing his eyes from the elder brother's hand. [i]'Yes, every plan has losses, and in this plan, I already have the losses planned out, and your station is not one of them'[/i] He muses silently, the feelings coming across between them acting like the straw that broke the camel's back. He curls in tighter, hiding his face from the other as a wave hits. In the quiet of the room, the mad man deals with the feelings the only way he knows how; letting them pass. ~*~*~*~*~ “You do not deserve the strain you put upon yourself Joseph.” Mois says softly. Unlike the adoring, admonishing tone Alexi has when saying this, Mois sounds more like he is simply stating a fact, his voice devoid of his feelings. Now that the truth is out to Joseph, Mois no longer sees the need to keep his opinions from the soon-to-be ex-slave. With a soft sigh he glances at the injury being tended. In a soft voice he murmurs, “Since I am no longer exiled from there, I would like to take dinner with Alexi in his room tonight after our run.” Erik looked upon the human who now shared a piece of his heart, and he felt a certain pity. He took deep breaths and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself of any emotion, for he knew that was the easiest way to stop Alexi from suffering. ~*~*~ It was just as Mois spoke that Joseph finished with the stitches and cut off the thread. [i]I already explained why I do, Master. But it is not my place to disagree with you, even on this,[/i] he thought sadly. But he simply said, “Of course, I will deliver all three meals there then. Do you have any special requests for supper?” The wave passes surprisingly quickly and he is able to relax after only about a minute. Once uncoiled he smiles at the vampire. He takes a moment, a mere heartbeat in time to simply observe that pale face, one only slightly paler than his own. The small scars here and there, that unkempt hair framing strong, weathered features. He lets his eyes rest, for but an instant, on that small moment of calm he can see in that face, before calling out quietly, “What brings you peace Erik?” His eyes a gentle and curious, his expression as relaxed as he can make it given how suddenly eager he is to hear an answer to this question, to test a theory he prays he's right one. “What in this tormented, war torn life of yours gives you that touch of kindness that would otherwise been rend from a lesser man's soul?” ~*~*~*~*~ Mois pulls his hand back, looking at it while flexing it gently, before giving it back to Joseph to bandage. He shrugs, but then seems to re-think things. Looking once more towards his brother's room he murmurs, “Whatever -he- likes. . .” Erik's eyes widened, surprised by the poetic question. He thought for a long moment before speaking. “Peace is a very fleeting thing for me. I think that you know that well enough, by now. But the things that give me those fleeting moments... music, friends, good memories. As far as my kindness... what minuscule bit of it I have... I guess it's just that I know I can't forget what I'm fighting for, freedom from tyrrany. And I have to keep a shred of kindness, put limits on the things I will do, or else I risk becoming just as cruel as the worst of your police forces.” ~*~*~ Joseph nodded and bandaged the hand, noting a hint of inherent dislike in the elder brother's tone. “He has not expressed many preferences to Master Alexi or myself, thus far. I do not think he is accustomed to having options in what to eat,” he commented. Alexi shifts around so he is laying on his stomach, facing Erik, his eyes wide, intense. “And, can you simply think back on them, recall the feeling, feel it again, even if just for an instant?” There seems almost to be a slightly plea in his eyes, going beyond curiosity into and almost need to know this answer. ~*~*~*~*~ Once the hand is bandaged he once more pulls in back. His voice is soft as he replies. “Alexi will know.” He has no doubt on this, knowing his brother as well as he does, he can tell they have begun to speak on such things. [i]'Alexi no doubt has been pressing questions here and there, weaseling out information and secreting it away in the back of his mind for later use. He's good at that, and with someone as different and fascinating as that fellow, I am sure he's almost aching to learn as much as he can safely. . .'[/i] With a nod to Joseph and a murmured thanks he heads out of the room. He intends to head to his hut and change clothes so he's ready for the run in half an hour. “Well, yes. The effectiveness can depend on my current mood, but overall, I'm able to do that. Aren't most people?” Erik replied, wondering why Alexi was so fascinated by this common phenomenon. ~*~*~ “I will ask him and his guest within the hour,” the vampire replied. He bowed as Master Mois left and resumed his duties, reminding himself to ask Master Alexi for their requests before the brothers went on their run. Alexi seems to ignore the vampire's question and instead asks, in a soft whisper, “Could you. . .Could you do it now?” Alexi feels he has no right to ask this, no right to ask Erik to share his in his peace, but a part of him is almost desperate now it find out if he even can. Erik could feel a faint sense of need and desperation, and he quickly recognized it as foreign. It was still not anywhere near what one would consider a “normal” level of emotion, but it was certainly a higher spark than he could usually feel from the eccentric man. “You really want this, don't you,” the vampire commented aloud, looking into Alexi's eyes from across the room. “At least, as much as you are able to want anything.” Alexi's feelings begin to fade, and his gaze drops. Somehow he feels as if he's being rude, as if he's asking for something he does not deserve. [i]'I was put in this world the way I am, and if this is my punishment for all the things I have had to do to get what I want, to live this life full of evils, then I should not be asking to invade him like this. I should not try and make him feel just to satisfy my own longings for a touch of what it is like to be able to feel. . .Like others do. . . .'[/i] These thoughts and feelings are new to him, and he realizes it's likely Erik's own feelings about men in his position spurring them on, but it really doesn't matter. He agrees. He's never asked a slave to do magic for him for his amusement, and asking Erik to do this for him seems no different now. “Never mind. Forgive me.” He murmurs softly, still looking at his bedspread. Barely a heartbeat passes after those words leave his mouth before he's up and heading into his bathroom, the sudden need lessen the weight of his own skin overwhelming for his simple heart. “No, Alexi, I wasn't insulted. I'm just trying to understand you, that's all.” The vampire sprinted up to his friend and touched his shoulder, trying to replace his concern for Alexi with something good, more peaceful to feel, but he was having trouble controlling his thoughts that well. “Come back and sit down with me, on your bed. I will try to do as you ask.” The touch on his shoulder brings the human to a stop, though his eyes remain down. Reaching up he touches that hand on his shoulder gently, shaking his head. “No Erik, this is no different than asking someone to perform magic for me just because I can't do it myself. These are your feelings, and asking you to feel something for such selfish reasons is no different than asking a dog to do a trick. . .” Erik's face hardened slightly at Alexi's words, and his left hand almost subconsciously traced the collar he still wore. But he shook off the feeling, and his face and heart softened. “Alexi, I am not your slave. I am not doing this because you have ordered or coerced me. That's the difference. You are giving me something that I never thought I'd live to see, the one thing I truly want. Let me at least try to give you, the man who has almost everything, something in return. I want to give this gift to you, my friend.” Alexi can not help but pull a humorless smile. A feeling stirs inside him, and he recognizes it as the pure disgust one has for another they find detestable. For himself it has always been his fellows, slavers or no, but from Erik, it was pure, unrefined, and powerful, and directed directly at Alexi. A remnant from the first dose. Looking up at Erik his eyes are narrow. “And how many favors does that excuse afford me, hm?” His voice isn't exactly his own as he steps back and waves at the room. “I already have you locked in a cage, a man I admire like no other, collared, putting up with every selfish little thing from wearing the clothes I buy him to using a headlamp so I can sleep at night!” He can feel a bitter taste in his mouth, and for a moment his own madness feeds into the anger. “And thanks again for reminding me that the only reason you are here is because I am forcing it upon you and bribing you. Thank you for once again pointing out that without this gift to you and my own evil action you would be perfectly content to slit my throat like any other common slave master and not lose a wink of sleep over it.” His hands suddenly curl into fists over his stomach and he doubles over, the madness and anger passing all at once leaving him feeling only nauseous. Clapping a hand over his mouth he races to the bathroom, making it to a toilet just in time. Gripping the rim tightly a part of him feels vaguely glad that he hasn't had dinner yet. “Damn you, Alexi,” Erik raged quietly, as Alexi's emotions mixed with his own, and he strongly considered decking the man. Instead, he resorted to punching a pillow on the bed in frustration. He took several deep breaths and calmed himself, then strode into the bathroom, to find Alexi vomiting in the toilet. Still suppressing the remnants of the anger, he lifted the billionaire's hair and waited for him to finish. Once Alexi was finished, he gently dragged him over to the sink and began to wipe his face with a soft cloth. “Is that really what you still think of me? That I still hate you, that I'd still kill you?” he asked quietly, as he worked. But before Alexi could answer, he spoke again. “You might actually be right. If I didn't know how well your slaves were treated here, if I didn't know what you are doing for us, then yes, maybe I would still want to kill you. I'm a terrorist, a criminal, and a murderer, and I never pretended to be anyone different. You have projected an image to the world of the kind of human I am sworn to despise. But I am learning. I am beginning to trust you, maybe even to understand you, in as much as anyone can. Am I not allowed some credit for that? I did not say those things to anger you. I said them in a, clearly misguided, attempt to be kind. Nothing I said before has changed. I will not pretend this this friendship is a normal one, and I will not pretend to understand why you will not tell me everything at this point. But I am trying to trust you, Alexi Vandros. I don't see this working any other way.” Cool hands slide over his neck and it takes him a moment to realize that Erik is there, holding his hair for him. The gesture brings an honest smile to his lips for an instant before the last heave followed by some coughing wipes it from his face. After spitting a few times he moves to stand, only to be hauled up and dragged around like a rag doll. His shoulder twinges painfully at the motion but the hurt does not show. He lets the vampire tend to him, even though a part of his mind rings with the words he spoke not minutes ago, [i]”I'm not your slave. . . .”[/i] He sighs gently. [i]'It is a good thing I will die after the slaves are freed. I do not think I would live long enough to learn to tend to myself, spoiled brat that I am'[/i] He listens quietly, forming his answer slowly as he waits, giving the man the time it takes to voice his full thoughts. His honest smile returns when Erik admits the truth of what he said about killing him without the knowledge he currently has for the slaver, butt his time the feelings do not surge and he is able to be amused at the admission, and not hurt. His voice, a bit rough from the vomiting, cracks slightly as he begins speaking. “No, no, not misguided Erik. In truth, I initially planned those first few words as a joke.” Pushing himself a little more upright he looks at the rebel leader, looks into his eyes so he can see the man is telling the truth. “I know you do not feel that way for me any more, and I am very grateful for that. No, these feelings, this outburst, it was brought about by us agreeing on something.” He lets out a half laugh. “I despise slavers, though perhaps for more complex reasons, and that mixed with the first feelings you ever gave me, and perhaps even a bit of my crazy distrust of people, lead me to say those things.” His smile softens and he looks at the vampire fondly. “I fear by the end, you may be the only person I will trust, and only because I am cheating.” He chuckles again, looking to the floor. “You are kind Erik, and if you wish to do this for me, I will gladly accept yet another kindness from you. . .” Erik nodded and smiled at Alexi, “You are a tweaked one, you know that? But, perhaps that isn't so bad,” he replied, gently leading the human towards the bed. “For all of that effort, I am not even sure that I can do this on demand, but we shall try.” Smiling slightly he crawled onto the bed and crossed his legs, gesturing for Alexi to join him. “Maybe I'm talking out of my ass – sorry – arse, here, but I think touch might make this stronger. Mind taking my hands?” Alexi glows in the face of that smile and silently follows Erik back into his room. His eyes glance over the clock and he notes that there is very little time to see if this works. The human joins the man sitting on his bed, his own random thoughts about this being the first person in his bed he's not related to making him giggle on the inside and flush ever so slightly on the outside. Settling in he nods and without a word hold his hands out, his eagerness to find out something about these feelings returning, though much dimmer than they were before. He settles his warm fingers into that cool, slightly damp grip, and waits quietly, his eyes never leaving the man's face. Erik closed his eyes and searched for a memory, a time when he had been truly happy, truly content. [i]Ahh, that's a good one,[/i] he thought, and focused on the feeling. Alexi would feel a surge of pride and a mild thrill of victory. “The first time I beat Leader Zanri at Go,” he explained, opening his eyes a bit to see the look on Alexi's face. But soon enough, he closed them again and began to dig back into his memories. Another surge of pride, although this one was followed by that familiar sting of loss. “The day that I was sworn in as Leader. I was proud, and... and Pyrra was by my side, but I was still mourning Zanri's death.”