Yours to Command

[Armand Temi]

As the verbal insults were piled upon the Princess, Thais's head tilted quizzically over the characterization of the Imperial Governor as a client. Healthy supply of slaves to Her Majesty's mines… well, she certainly didn't want anything to interfere with that, although she did have another slaver contact, unbeknownst to Mr. Meriet.

Overall, she was satisfied by the King of Indupar's performance in the matter and by the sight of Crix Meriet groveling on the floor. Not addressing her courtier or the Chiss, she turned to Xander and said, "My dear, he will apologize in time. It's only a matter of how long he wants to draw this out."

She turned to Crix on the floor. "An apology now will put all of this to rest. An apology later… and I will assure you, Mr. Meriet. You will be punished in some way shape or form for each day that you do not say you're sorry," she seethed.

"Your Highness," she said, more subservient to Xander than when they were in the Crystal Rose together. "You may do your worse them them. I care not what happens." Thais, being the nascent Force user she was, had no idea as to the power of the Yslamari to render Darth Vizios's powers unusable. She just assumed that as a Sith Lord he would be able to swiftly curb both of the men in the room.

So with that said, she whirled out of the room, her gown rustling behind her, not wanting to subject herself to whatever ghastly penalty the Sith Lord was about to inflict.

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Crix Meriet"] [member="Darth Vizios"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

While Cryax appreciated the respect in the Sith Lord's tone as he addressed him by his title of Imperial Governor, the Chiss didn't give a flying feth about royalty. Nobles were just pompous asses who were only good for siphoning credits. The Sith obviously knew who he was. Cryax decided to make him sweat a bit. Glowing red eyes flashed with irritation.

“I want your name,” he demanded, jabbing a blue finger in the pompous Sith's direction. Then his head snapped back as he dismissively turned back to his secret lover. While the pot shots lobbed at Crix's aggressors made him giggle, the other man's imploring eyes tugged at Bane's usually cold heart. Crix was deeply embarrassed by the whole spectacle. Cryax nodded somberly, an acceptance of his lover's wishes.

"If I must go, darling, I will, but I'll leave Nailgun here for you and come back for him later." He glanced over at the Ysalamir's terrarium. Now that the shouting had subsided, the Ysalamir yawned sleepily, contently digging its claws into its nutrient wood, preparing for an afternoon nap.

He let out a long dramatic sigh and as there was no time to dress, grabbed a waffle robe from a nearby hook. With a frown he kissed Crix one last time and fled the room. He'd come by later when the deed was done, and perhaps bring a medical droid. Or three.

[member="Darth Vizios"] [member="Crix Meriet"] [member="Thais Kallisto"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Mr. Bane if you think I am foolish enough to give you my name so you can run off to your brother and complain that I beat up your boy toy, then you are quite the fool. I assume you are not that foolish, so let us leave it at this. I am certain your brother would be of the opinion that Crix deserved it, or he would not care."

Xander remained quiet until all had left the room. Now they were alone, Xander looked at the courtier and frowned. The weakness he displayed should be ended, and death swift. However, Xander found no fun in this. He was not a sadistic monster all the time. The Sith was a strategist after all, and [member="Crix Meriet"] offered quite an opportunity.

"You do not have to like me, and as far as I'm not the ruler of Isis, you do not have to respect me. The princess requires a delicate touch. Should you wish to make yourself indispensable to her you must not let her think you dislike her. I do not care she tried selling your lover, and I don't care you retaliated. I care you did it violently. She attempted to take something of yours, so be like the rest of her courtiers and take something of hers. Courtiers steal, it is what they do. I am sure you already use her enterprises for your own gain. This is as it should be. Play the game the way it is meant to be played."

The sudden departure from the violence was not unlike Xander. If he could not kill the man he was not going to hurt him further. Though, he felt he needed to sell it.

"Now here is my dilemma. I don't wish to beat you further, but you heard the princess... She wants me to hurt you more. Your insults did not help you, sir. Shall I beat you, or will take a stumble down the stairs. It will hurt less if you control it yourself."

[member="Thais Kallisto"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix watched with some bemusement as [member="Thais Kallisto"] stormed out in a huff. Damn schutta thinking she was the hard done by one ... she wasn't she brought all her suffering upon herself and then asked for secound servings, She spoke of how he would be punished for each day he didn't apologies. That almost sparked a laugh from the slaver and he had to nuzzle against [member="Cryax Bane"] to mask it. It was an empty threat from an empty whore She couldn't have him beaten every day nothing would get done and the rebels would arise once more. He supposed she could tell Toby all the hurtful things she had swimming around up in the candyland that was her brain but she could only do that once for where she to tell Toby then a nasty accident would occur to her royal person ... such long dresses where a devil on the stairs.

THen his blue announced he too was stepping out of the room as Crix had wanted ... well less wanted than needed. It was an unpleasant thing though he needed his degradation to be private but he also needed a supporter to get him through. None the less his pride was the most important so blue had to go for a time. He savoured his Chiss boys kiss , the last welcome touch he would be receiving in a while ... He missed his Toby.

Then the room was left to just those two ... Crix never thought he get the king in the closet alone. He rolled his head back and pulled the sheet of the bed, His feet were getting cold now and the rest of him was swiftly following. Then he closed his eyes to listen to yet another spiel from the new royal love maker. Only it was less self righteous than the others indeed it was much the same advice as he would give a new courtier ... minus the stealing part. "So this is the real king, you're more likable now than when you were claiming I was a useless scrounger ... how Ironic that your sage advice now is that I should be robbing the Princess to get my due for her actions" He chuckled at that, wondering just what Thais would say if she could hear. "The only problem ,My king, is that the princess has nothing of equal value to Toby ... we might not be lovers but he means more to me than anything else" He and Toby were not lovers, they were more than that 'Lovers' made the relationship sound perishable and intransient and that just wasn't the case. He could think of one thing that thais had that he wanted ... her head ... but alas he would need to wait for that. "So your majesty I will not be stealing from the princess, Like I said I'm not like the other courtiers you have met, you want me to stay in line when she inevitably karks me over again stand by with gifts to make the pain go away ... you keep faith in me I'll keep my hands off of her"

He was beginning to hate this man a little less, this genuine side of [member="Darth Vizios"] was slightly less antagonizing than the standard fare. However then the sith pushed indirectly for Crix to absolve him of the blood that would lie on his hands before the end of day ... that was cowardly.

"With respect Majesty cut the moral crap ... we both know beating me was your idea; you wanted this, you picked a time when it would have maximum effect and you set about putting me down with glee. You can't now make like you are an unwilling participant" He shook his head "If you want absolution you will need to find it elsewhere ... with that said let's finish this " He pushed the sheet aside and slowly pushed himself to stand " Princess Thais will want me in a bad state now that you've put the idea in her head so rough me up first then I'll get dressed and take a tumble " This was not going to be pleasant.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"As you wish," Xander said as his fist curled and knuckles collided with Crix's stomach.

Xander spent the next five to ten minutes strategically beating the man so it would hurt, but not damage anything vital. He had made a mistake in assuming Xander was trying to absolve himself of the blood which he now had on his hands. Xander was a killer, and one that did not care. He would kill the courtier if it wasn't for the fact his alliance with Thais was not complete. The Sith knew no one was indispensable, as much as Crix thought he was. His arrogance would be his end. Xander only hoped the man came to his senses before it was too late. The King was empathetic at least.

"You will bruise, and be sore the next few weeks. You will not need that tumble now I assure you. Never assume my motives, man. You cannot possibly know them, so do not try. Play these games the way they are meant to, and perhaps I will like you, eventually. Your Toby, he is worth enough for you to play as you should. Thais may have been out of her league when she tried to use him as a tool to make you behave. I can assure that I am not. These are dangerous games we play Mr. Meriet, and they will impact those closest to us. How long we keep it at bay depends on our willingness to play the roles we have assumed."

It was a threat, yes, but one with little substance, and one which would do more to educate than harm. Xander was certain the two had come to an understanding, so he turned on his heels and walked out the door. His aim was to return to the ship and find Thais. They had alliance to seal, and an heir to produce.

[member="Crix Meriet"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Thais Kallisto"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix had not expected to be hit so soon and so hard. It knocked the wind out of him and he was driven to the floor rather more quickly than he'd hoped, falling awkwardly on his ankle as pain shot up his leg and spread like fire up his spine as more blows rained down on him. Then Xander began again speaking on topics that he didn't fully understand. His relationship with thais had revealed many skeletons in the closet and if the weed that was the Native rebels and their boon companion the elected government heard of these skeletons then they would strangle Thais in her sleep ... or perhaps more likely just behead her in the solar , Like mother like daughter. Talk of armour made from the skin of the natives, Orchestrated accidents that led to massive loss of life in the slave towns ... The blackmail of a sitting governor. The secrets Crix held for Thais would make even a Lord of the old empire blush. Of course Crix looked Naive in his assertion that he was more important than he looked if one didn't know all the facts.

One thing was for sure Xander was good at his Job and by the time he was done Crix was bloodied and bruised. He still had all his teeth though which was a saving grace. He was sore though, coughing to regain his breath he pulled himself back into a seated position and listened to Xander. Where he not in too much agony to stand he would have reacted violently to the threat the king in the closet made against his darling slave. Perhaps most luckily for crix however he was in no state to react, so he could only seethe as he tried to regain his breath. "Tell ... Princess ... I'm sorry ... " He struggled out as Xander left, No doubt the king will have heard whether he told [member="Thais Kallisto"] or not was his own business he would apologize again if asked to. For he was not repentant for hurting Thais, he was sorry he hadn't killed her when he had the chance. That said he'd learnt his lesson no more physica anger ... apparently he should just rob the Schutta, He really wished he had a recording of [member="Darth Vizios"] saying that no doubt thais would love to hear it.

Once the King was gone Crix dragged himself over to his bag lent against the dresser, he needed a cigarette. He hoped [member="Cryax Bane"] Hurried back, He needed TLC now and only Toby could satisfy him in that regard but he needed some help getting dressed and cleaning up so Toby didn't catch on to the dalliance or the fact that he'd been punished. He crawled back over to the bed, lacking the strength to get back on it he just lay against the frame, one day he would see the whore and her king on the executioner's block ... He would see them dragged low or die trying.

 

[Armand Temi]

The Chiss came out of the room, glaring at Thais, but strode down the hallway, presumably to complain to the Neskroff governor about her treatment of him. Still in the hotel corridor, Thais put her ear to the door to see if she could hear anything. Finally, she noticed what sounded like someone being beaten, presumably Mr. Meriet. She listened with a mix of horror and satisfaction. She then heard silence, and the slaver faintly coughing. The violence was over.

When Xander flung the door open, the Princess straightened up with a sheepish look. He would be able to tell she had been eavesdropping, but instead of dwelling on it, she fell in beside his confident gait, walking with him.

"That was a quiet punishment, Your Majesty," she said. "While I imagine you are an expert at stealth, please tell me how he fared. Does he need a bacta tank?" she asked. She didn't dare gaze upon the violence as it wasn't befitting for her to view, but she certainly wanted to hear the details from the Sith Lord. Thais also was hoping she would hear that he was bruised and bloodied but not disfigured. She certainly didn't need anyone in the court who was ghastly to look at.

The Princess grasped his arm as they walked back towards the hotel entrance, where a shuttle would be waiting to take them to the Crystal Palace.

[member="Crix Meriet"] [member="Darth Vizios"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

So that was Princess Kallisto. The Chiss smirked. It was cold comfort but at least he felt a tiny bit of vengeance knowing that he and Crix christened the shiny new sheets in her Highness bed on her ship. Cryax lounged in the hotel sauna until his fingers and toes pruned, but it wasn't at all relaxing. He couldn't stop worrying about Crix's well-being during whatever punishment he was being made to suffer. Although it wasn't the most ideal relationship, in that Bane begrudgingly put up with being secreted away like the man's stash of spice, he didn't want anything to happen to such an exquisitely skilled lover, even if the russet-haired slaver was a bit eccentric sometimes.

The chrono on the wall told him it had been an hour, so wrapping his bathrobe tighter, he took the turbo lift upstairs to Crix's room. He input his room key, the door hissing open.

"Oh Crix," he said sadly, frowning deeply at the wretched creature crumpled against the bed frame, a man so bloodied and bruised, he was hardly recognizable. The Chiss rushed to the slaver's side and gingerly tried to help him up without further aggravating his injuries. There was a deep crease in his brow as he studied the damage on the bed. He gave him the tenderest of kisses, careful not to put too much pressure on his swollen lip. It enraged him to see his lover in such a pathetic state.

"I'll get you a med droid, darling. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix looked over to Cryax as he entered eyes softened in pain but also cold, far colder than Cryax would likely have seen. Gingerly puffing on what remained of his cigarette. Everything hurt however he still forced a smile when his Blue entered. He was not broken, he wouldn't allow that "Good ... evening ... dear ... I ... had ... a ... little .... fight .... with ... a ... rugged ... tramp ... of ... a man" He forced out breath still ragged with as much of a smile as his split lip would allow " He ... He ... still looks ... worse ... worse ... Than me" He continued trying to laugh but ultimately descending into a fit of sputtering. He spat a glob of blood and spit onto the floor as his Blue rushed to his side.

He tried to put on a brave face as the Chiss helped him up, but he was in agony, he couldn't help from whimpering as his weight was forced onto his Ankle, he leaned on cryax more than he'd care to admit but eventually and with a great deal of pain and perhaps a few drops that could be misinterpreted as tears he did eventually find his way back into bed. That was better, he could breathe easier from here and free from the hardness of the floor his pain had a slightly lesser bite. He was still in a great deal of pain however, his chest was tight, his right Ankle was in agony and his left wrist throbbed in tune with the pulsing in his head. That was not to mention the miscellaneous bruising that blemished his body. He must have looked a state.

He winced as his lover Kissed him before sighing as that particular pain was smothered. His brow furrowed at his bit on the sides question, he needed his Toby but he couldn't go to his love like this ... Curse it all he couldn't think when he was in this much pain. Weary eyes met Cryax's "I dunno Blue ... I can't think straight ... too much pain ... is distracting ... I want that b**** dead and I want the pain to subside ... but beyond that I dunno" He lay back he hated being so bloody weak "Give me a hug ... then hurry back" He finally sighed. A hug might help a hug and a cold flannel for his screaming ankle.

Kark the queen

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Most of the punishment involved a lecture as to how he should have gotten even with you. These games courtiers play are tolerable if done correctly. Crix clearly has no regard for how it is to be done. His beating faired to be far worse than I had intended because in the end he made the mistake of assuming my motives. He is not disfigured, and I did not touch his face. Target strikes which produce effective damage will ensure he does not forget the recourse of harming you physically."

Xander all but admitted he advised Crix to seek his revenge in other forms, but it was the way of things. One could not expect a courtier to behave flawlessly when the royal was not looking, especially one such as Crix. Thais would learn how to tolerate certain thefts, or other things which the courtiers would do to her, as long as she maintianed the upper hand. Xander's sense from the encounter, however, was she currently did not have the upper hand. This needed to change.

"His attitude concerns me," Xander said as he offered his arm to Thais. "He apologized in the end, likely it was not sincere, but rather motivated by something else entirely. I get the impression from him that he thinks he has you in a corner, and the fact you asked me not to take his life makes me think this is the case. If we are to make an alliance of the kind we have been discussing, I will need to know everything. What skeleton's are in your closet, Princess? Whatever they are, we must deal with them, and put you in a seat of power."

Xander lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the top of it. His blue eyes shifted to hers, and he grinned.

"I am sorry you had to be present for this. Unless you are Hapan, or a Dathomir Witch, it is best to not be present for such things. You can much better maintain your grace and poise without these things weighing on your mind. Perhaps, we should see to the rest of your education, to take your mind off of these recent events?"

Steppting into the shuttle, Xander offered another smile. With his throne secured, and Crix punished, it was time for them to retreat to the palace, and make preparations to finalize their alliance.

[member="Thais Kallisto"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"Oh I'm not leaving you like this," he said, then used the voice command on his ARC's to Holocall the hotel's medical staff. After speaking with a rather disgruntled-looking Rodian nurse, two med droids were on their way. He turned back to Crix, glowing red eyes full of compassion for the beaten and bloodied man. Rummaging around in the freezer, he found an icepack and carefully drapped it over the other man's swollen ankle. Then he poked around in the hotel cabinets until he found a small medicine kit containing such supplies as wound glue and some Pleezer, a mild euphoriant. He frowned. Crix was going to need something stronger than Pleezer.

The lucky thing about being with a man like Cryax Bane is that the man was a walking pharmacy. Bane flipped through his luggage until he found those painkillers that Kiber Dorn once sold him, the ones that were harder to find than a snowball on Tattooine. A few of those and Crix would be flying. Bottle in hand, he carefully curled up next to Crix, his hands patting the man until he could find a spot that didn't hurt. Once he did, he brushed the other man's skin with gentle caresses. With sympathetically knitted brows, he held the bottle up in front of Crix.

"Take some of these, my love. They'll make all the pain go away. Trust me."

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix half smiled at Cryax's assurance that he wasn't going to leave "Thank you" He replied watching with bemusement as his Blue fussed over him. He liked being fussed over, he didn't catch what Cryax was doing his head still swimming but he appreciated the intention and he was flattered, he almost felt bad for only wanting his Toby at present. He met his mans eyes all the same the usual fire replaced by the smoulder of compassion, He hoped his blue wasn't falling in love that would make matters difficult. Concern about deeper feelings dissipated at the noise of rustling from the freezer and the successive soothing as and ice pack was laid carefully over his ankle. He hummed as the ice cooled the fire in the joint. That was better.

Then his blue left him again looking the cabinets and indeed his own suitcase before returning with a bottle of pills. No doubt illegal but Crix was unphased if they helped. He grunted a little as Curled up next to him, the shifting on the bed was uncomfortable but it did allow him to lay his head of Cryax's shoulder as the chiss gently caressed him wherever crix could stand it. It was nice, then came the pressing to take the pills. Crix nodded and took what he was bid. Then put his head back on the blue shoulder of his companion and closed his eyes.

"Thank you My Darling, can I trouble you just a little further ... I want to go home ... " He wanted Toby "But I can't go back like this ... will you help me make myself presentable again"

 

[Cryax Bane]

"Sure, ch'eo ch'acah. I'll help you get cleaned up."

As the door hissed up to let two med droids in, the Chiss padded to the refresher and wet a cloth with warm water. As the droids tended to the battered slaver, Cryax cleaned the blood off of him. His eyes were dark with vengeance as he dabbed the cloth to the other man's swollen lip.

"I think that I'll be discontinuing my business with Princess Kallisto from now on." he stated, then cocked his head, as a very devious thought occured to him. As Crix was patched up, he put his arms underneath the other man's armpits to help him to his feet. "You know Crix, the central computer that controls Kallisto's mine was safeguarded by my own slicers. Passwords. Administrative codes. I have access to all of it."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked at Crix as he began to gather up their things. "Would be a crying shame if Princess Kallisto suffered from some kind of cyber attack, wouldn't it?"

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

Crix smiled softly his head still on his Blue's shoulder. Boy he was tired "Thank you" He mumbled.

He would have fallen asleep had the hiss of opening doors and the subsequent departure of his Chiss boy not stirred him from sleeps soothing embrace. He had been displeased to be eased off of [member="Cryax Bane"] . His blue was a touch more comfortable than the pillows on the hotel bed, he didn't have the strength to do anything other than comply with Cryax. Soon the Medical droids got to work and he was distracted, first a scan no broken bones but ... oh that was troubling ... he hoped Cryax didn't see that ... who had given that to him? ... then came a bitter blue pill and poof the 'side issue' was gone. Then they set to work doing what they could for his main problems, bacta gel and bandages, it wasn't perfect but it helped. Then his Boy o' Blue returned to help him clean up his face. He hummed as the warm cloth was dabbed over his cut lip, the warmth soothing the sting a touch.

"Darling our Business with that whore has just begun " Crix replied "Continue to work for her I need you to help me ensure some secret data goes to the wrong hard drive and such things" Crix was going to ruin Thais and it would be glorious "Would your brother be willing to help as well?" Crix asked, trying to focus his mind on revenge not the dull pain he was in. A dull pain which fast became successive shots of agony as he was pulled onto his feet. More of that suspiciously tear like substance appeared and Crix nuzzled into Cryax's shoulder until the pain dissipated, it was ok when he was still. Then he leant against the bedside table to allow the Chiss to gather their stuff "The keys to my speeder are on the dresser but I can't drive in this state, I'll ring for a driver from the palace" He asked, they would come if he asked.

He smirked back as cryax mentioned cyber attacks "It would be a crying shame, just don't get noticed , data mine but don't shut it down ... that harms me more than her" Afterall he ran the mine's workforce and would likely get the blame if the mine encountered turmoil.

He had kissed Cryax could by when his car arrived "We are still on for my place next month, I'll message you" He had whispered as his driver arrived at the door "Thank you again Mr. Bane who knows what those criminals would have done had you not intervened ..." He said as he limped over to the driver, couldn't have the palace staff knowing there was disorder in the ranks could they. He would make calls to the governor telling him of how a violent Pro-abolition gang had attacked him, the driver would tell his higher ups who would relay the message to [member="Thais Kallisto"]. She ought to demand an example be made.

For the night though he was just focused on getting to Toby. He had arrived back to find Toby ready and waiting to carry him upstairs to a warm bath and dote upon him as if he were a broken little Duckling and that suited Crix fine. It just meant double the kisses, countless cuddles and limitless random undemanded massages, he just needed to lie down looking sore and Toby would go super-nurse without the need for instruction and Crix loved nothing more than being made to feel precious. Was it exploitative? Perhaps but he was nothing if not selfish.