Orison (Complete)

[Kuzo]

And this was what she had hoped to find a way to wreck vengeance with.

She was such a fool.

"I made you," she confirmed. "But that also gives me a responsibility to you. And when I have made a mistake, Samson, I will do my best to admit it and make amends. Always."

Hazel eyes moved to him finally.

She had made a mistake. But there was no going back on it now. While there would be some that could easily argue that the man sitting before her wasn't really a person, that he was a thing, and that she had every right to terminate this strange experiment if she so desired.... Irajah simply couldn't find it in her to take that road. Carach had been right perhaps, that she was weak.

But it was a weakness that she was unapologetic for.

"You're not a thing that belongs to me Samson."

She might have made him for the wrong reasons, but she could try to do better.

"You're a person, who deserves more than that."

​[member="Samson"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]​

Samson would have been very comfortable with being terminated.

Simply because while one loud voice might claim he was his own person and that this was the end of that discussion the clone knew better in this situation. It was written all into his genes and codes and mind: to behave, to obey, to never step one line out of the programming flash-burned into him.

It didn't pop up in his mind that there were ways to circumvent that kind of programming or even break free from it entirely, because... he was content this way?

Perhaps that would change in the future.

But in the moment Samson was happy to just be a touch amused at Irajah's assumptions and leave it there.

"I accept your perspective, Master." That did not necessarily mean that the clone believed in it or was going to change his mind around it, but that was all that she could truly get from him. Unless she was prepared to command him to change his view on the entire matter.

Which would defeat the point.

"Your coffee grows cold." He supplied helpfully without opening his eyes.

 

[Kuzo]

Mentally, Raj threw up her hands.

"You're right, it is," she said with a chuckle instead. "Thank you Samson."

****

She didn't exactly flee the galley, but after pointing out the extra berth and telling him to help himself to anything in the galley, she had beat a hasty retreat to her own cabin. Putting the full cup of caf carefully down on the floor, she turned to the bed.

And flopped ingloriously face down onto it.

She was muttering *something* into the mattress, though it was impossible to hear the words so much as the tone. Obviously she was having some sort of imaginary conversation with herself. It might have gone something like this.

Nice job Raj, that was really well done.

Your sarcasm is less than charming.

Your face is less than charming.

Yup, after this, I deserve that.

OH AFTER THIS I DESERVE THAT grow up.

Look you, I didn't ask your opinion so kark off.

Or maybe not. It was, after all, difficult to tell.

[member="Samson"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]​

Two minutes after Irajah left - fled - the room Samson opened his eyes again.

The frown was there again, but with some difficulty he managed to wipe it clean for the moment. The words had not fallen on deaf ears and the clone decided to go and search for something to eat. It was strange how his body seemed to need so much food, especially after he had already fed himself a while ago.

Someone with a better understanding of biology and physiology might have simply been surprised that with a frame like that that he didn't need an elephant every three hours. To sustain himself and his large form. But that did not seem to be necessary, just a heightened metabolism that asked a fair amount more than of the usual regular-sized individual.

At least he wasn't an Anzati.

Those things needed like 10 sentients every day to simply not die.

How any Anzati got anything done with that quota was anyone's guess, but that was none of Samson's business. Especially because he didn't even know what an Anzati is in the first place.

After a while the clone managed to locate a pretty looking box and it contained... cookies, the word suddenly floated into his mind and enforced the concept. He snatched one out and ate it whole. Then another one and another one, it took him a lot of focus and deliberation and negotiations with himself not to eat the whole box empty, the last thing Samson wanted was to throw up over the entire galley.

 

[Kuzo]

The rest of the trip to Blackwater Reach was uneventful- Irajah avoided [member="Samson"], and Samson ate cookies. It seemed like the best possible outcome, as far as she was concerned. The price of her favorite cookies seemed a small one.

If he had been impressed by the size of the little room on Maena, then Blackwater was going to stun him. In truth, Raj knew that the Manor she'd commissioned was smaller than most of the landed chose. As it was, however, the entire place was far too large for her alone. Irajah had grown up in a small house, and then chosen small apartments once escaping her homeworld. She was a deeply social creature, a woman of casual affection and with a need for voices around her.

So Blackwater, with it's too many rooms covered in sheets, it's echoing halls and it's skeleton staff, were deeply unsettling for her, but she worked hard to not acknowledge it. Or how lonely it made her feel.

"This is Blackwater Reach," she said, likely unnecessarily, as they approached the grounds from the landing pad up on the hill. "My home, and now... yours."

The main doors opened before they even reached the top step. Terin Amath, the Seneschal for Blackwater Reach, stood waiting for them.

While taller than Irajah, Terin was shorter than average. Slender and impeccably dressed, his long, nimble fingers pressed together as he offered the pair a bow and swept aside to welcome them home.

"Baroness, it is good to have you home," he said, genuine warmth in his voice as the pair stepped into the entry way. "And this is Master Samson of course. Welcome to Blackwater."

Irajah nodded slightly. "Samson, this is Terin. He is the only reason my household runs with the alarming efficiency it does. He deserves the credit for everything that occurs within these walls."

The man ducked his head slightly, smiling. "My lady is too kind by half. I merely make certain the cogs are well oiled and running smoothly."

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

Samson doubted it would ever be his home.

It was simply the place of residence that Irajah had assigned to him and he would live there for as long as she deemed it fit.

Perhaps she would ask him to move, perhaps she would tell him to stay, it mattered quite little to the clone as long as she was relatively pleased with everything that was happening. As long as she was pleased? He, too, could be said to be pleased. But it did look imposing, very large, and it made him wonder why anyone would need such a large place to live in.

But perhaps it was to simply show status.

Wasn't she the Master after all?

After a moment they entered the premise and a moment more the doors opened themselves. Out came a man, immaculate, energetic, there was something about his tread and posture that spoke of something.

But he couldn't quite place his finger on it right now.

"Master Terin, an honor." The clone responded in kind. Of course, he wasn't programmed or imprinted to call the Seneschal this way, but if Terin was to call him a Master, he wouldn't allow himself to be raised above his own position. The only diplomatic way seemed to be to raise him in kind, so they could at least be on equal footing in the matter.

That seemed fair.

 

[Kuzo]

There was a slight twinkle in Terin's eye. One that said 'Oh, my lady, I like him,' but that he would not voice aloud. It would be entirely inappropriate, and if there was anything that Terin was, at all times, was terribly appropriate.

"Not an honor, but certainly a pleasure," was how he responded instead, a small smile on his lips for a moment.

"My lady, I have prepared Master Samson's quarters as requested. Shall I accompany you?"

Irajah nodded, then shook her head.

"No, I have research I must transfer to the system here. Please show Samson around? I shall see you both again at dinner."

And with that, she was gone, hurrying up the main staircase toward her own rooms and private study. Terin watched her go, managed to stifle a sigh, and then turned back to [member="Samson"] with an apologetic smile.

"You'll find that she is often.... very busy," Terin said delicately. "Come, I will show you to your quarters."

They did not follow her up that flight of stairs. Instead, he led them to the north, down a long hallway. He pointed out the formal dining room, as well as the smaller 'family' dining room that was more typically used. The kitchen, and the way out to the gardens. They passed rooms that were furnished, but where everything was covered in white sheets. Despite the size of the house, it was clear that most of it was not in use. Most of the manor had an empty, lonely air to it.

Doubling back, they would move up a different flight of stairs from the main entryway, spiraling up.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

His smile smelled of apologies and the tone of his explanation suggested delicacy.

Almost as if Terin assumed that his Master's departure was something to worry about.

"My Master has many responsibilities." Samson simply responded after a moment. "I would not wish for her to ignore them for my sake, Master Terin."

That was as simple as it was for the Clone. He was made to serve Irajah at her pleasure, to do as she wished and follow her commands, but this did not mean that he needed her hand to hold his every moment of the day. In truth Samson simply required parameters and commands to give him purpose, once that purpose was met the clone would be satisfied.

They wandered, walked and in the meantime the Seneschal showed him some of the rooms.

The more he saw, the more surprised and astonished he became. Why would anyone need this amount of room and space? It didn't even look like any of it was in actual use.

So what was the point?

"Is the size of this place a statement, Master Terin?" Perhaps it was to remember his Master's enemies and opponents of her power?

 

[Kuzo]

Terin actually paused midstride, glancing up at [member="Samson"] with amusement dancing in his eyes.

"The Blackwater estate is the smallest of the local Baronys, Master Samson," he replied, the same amusement edging his voice as he continued back up the stairs.

"The Lady had a similar reaction when she first saw the Manor. She and the architect had..... words, shall we say.... but it was already built by that time and there was little enough to be done. He had not taken her requests for something small in the spirit with which she meant it, instead holding up the other castles and estates as reference. Needless to say, she received far more house than she desired."

Terin fell silent for a moment, as if considering something, before-

"I believe one of the reasons she spends relatively little time here is that the size and emptiness of the manor compound her loneliness."

It was a conjuncture on the outcome, but not about the fact that she was, indeed, lonely. Not much escaped Terin's notice, and that was too pervasive to even pretend otherwise. There was, of course, more to it than that. But it was irrelevant to this conversation.

"This is the tower wing," he said, changing the subject as they reached the landing. "This part of the manor has been set aside for your use."

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

Samson frowned, but otherwise did not respond to his observations.

In truth he did not know his Master well enough to make a judgement and beyond that the clone did not think he was in any position to make such judgement in the first of places. After all, she was his Master. If she was in need of assistance or aid, she would call upon him, if not? Then that was perfectly acceptable to him. It was not for him to judge the necessity of assistance.

It was quiet for a moment once they reached 'his' wing.

Mostly because Samson blinked and blinked again and blinked a third time, before coughing softly.

"I know I am a large person, Master Terin." He observed softly, while studying the large corridor and the various rooms that entered into it. "But I do think that this might be a bit much even for me."

What would he even do with all this... space?

The clone truly considered it likely that he'd lose his way here for the first couple of days.

 

[Kuzo]

Terin chuckled, gaze sweeping up [member="Samson"] for a heartbeat.

"Quite."

Stepping forward, he opened up the nearest door. A sitting room. There was also a small study with a variety of books, an arm chair and desk. What could only be described as a breakfast nook. And three seperate bedrooms, each with their own refresher attached.

"You'll do the same thing we all do, Master Samson. Adapt. If you choose which rooms you think you will use, I will put the others to bed, so to speak. All you need to do is request that they be aired out for use at any time and it will be arranged promptly. Might I recommend one of the bedrooms and the study as eminently useful? The selves in the study are only half full, so if you have any requests for books on certain topics, that can be arranged. Or anything else you desire, for that matter. The Baroness has instructed us that all of your needs are to be met without hesitation."

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

Eyes looked around as doors were opened over and over.

It felt like the supply of rooms would never end.... until they finally did. It was kind of a relief to see them run out after all, but Samson did not truly know why that was. All the rooms were beautiful, some spacious, some slightly smaller and all of them were properly furnished, like they were simply waiting for an occupant to arrive and take charge.

"I have lived in a metal box for my entire 'life', Master Terin." The quotation marks could almost be smelled. "Any advice you have for the best rooms would be appreciated."

Because Samson had no functional knowledge to know what would be the most pleasant thing to live in.

Or use anyway, he figured that with Irajah as his Master, he would presumably be quite busy executing her will and committing himself fully to the purpose she has in mind for him.

Whichever that might be.

 

[Kuzo]

Terin watched him for a moment before nodding curtly.

"The study then," he said firmly, "And might I recommend the corner bedroom? It's smaller than the others, but has a lovely view of the lake. I'll have the other rooms tucked in unless you decide you need them in the future."

Despite the quality of the nod, and the brisk way he responded, his voice was kind.

"You'll find everything you need in the wardrobe and refresher. Would you like company to go through it all?"

Terin didn't know if the big man needed company or solitude. In truth, he wasn't sure if [member="Samson"] knew himself.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Irajah Ven"]

Samson did not know, in fact.

But at the end of the day the clone did not consider his personal feelings to be remotely integral in the decision making process. Instead, he thought about it for a moment and then decided that Terin would have more important things to do than hold his hand through this entire thing. It wouldn't be fair to keep him here, when there was so much other things to do.

"No, that will not be necessary, thank you Master Terin." An inclination of the head followed out of respect, before he stepped through the door and left Terin alone in the corridor.

It would be best to make the decision himself after all.

Instead of immediately going for the refresher and the wardrobe he decided to simply sit down on the bed for a moment. His eyes closed and he fell back, the bed bouncy and comfortable, his muscles immediately relaxed. Samson had not even noticed how tense he had been, until this very moment that the soft fabric enveloped him and made him relax.