Love a pet or force a slave? (Ghost_kitty x AfterNight)

The nation was divided in a feudal era that had been going on for years, a dominant power was the province of Redspur that had the great wolf ruler Lord Kevin. The years had changed the balance of power within the anthromorphs of this land as 'predator' species ruled whilst keeping the 'prey' species down under thier thumb. During these times it was customary for the great lords and those in power to have thier own little pets, prey species who were raised up to become the slaves. Lord Kevin was ruthless, selfish and unkind with many sons whom he had raised to follow in his footsteps. His youngest, Prince Kevin II, seemed to show a difference in this trend by going out and playing with the slave children as a youngster...much to the disappointment of his father and brothers as it brought great shame and embarrassment to thier great province.

Lord Kevin had a plan though...he wanted to toughen the boy up and make him learn what it was like to have power and control over the prey species. To give him his first taste of authority...as he got to his 19th birthday he would recieve a gift from his father that would change his life forever. A young lapine was brought before him, a male rabbit with misty grey fur and creamy highlights on his face, stomach and paws. His hazel eyes looked nervously round the room as a high guard dragged him in on a violet collar and leash...it was clear he was afraid and he wasn't willing to accept his fate so easily as he pulled back on the leash. Even showing signs of a scuffle from where he fort the wolves putting the collar onto him.

Most days, Prince Kevin could get away with leaving court shortly after the afternoon meal. It wasn't _technically_ speaking permitted, nobody in the Court was permitted to leave without their Lord's approval... but he'd been doing it since he was a pup, back when nobody cared as much, and as long as he wasn't a jerk about it Father didn't really mind. It wasn't like he had any actual _functions_ at Court, he was just _there_. In principle he was supposed to be learning the intricacies of leadership, but it wasn't like Father's leadership style _had_ much in the way of subtle intricacies; he'd pretty much gotten it all down by the time he was 14, and truthfully, it made him kind of ill to watch.

Today was different, though. It was his birthday, after all, and the afternoon meal had been held in his honor. He'd worn his dress uniform, a black and white thing that blended in with his husky-like coloration to the point where he practically seemed to be standing there in bare fur. He hated it, but it was the uniform, and he had to wear it. He'd had to give a speech. Nobody'd cared about it, it was all stock phrases written by the staff. But he'd had to give it. It was tradition. He'd been given gifts, which might have been OK except they too were circumscribed by tradition, and included nothing he actually liked. There'd even been a song written about him, which, again, showed not the slightest glimpse of original thought or creativity.

Those things were in short supply in Lord Kevin's Court. Not because his father didn't like them -- in fact, he complained bitterly about how boring and stagnant everything was, and made plans for another war to relieve the monotony -- but simply because there were more ways to anger him than to please him, and clever courtiers had long ago done the math and figured out that experimenting with new ideas simply wasn't worth the risk. The ones who just _had_ to be creative had all fled, or wound up crippled or dead, years ago.

But apparently there was one more gift for him, which had been brought out amidst much pomp and circumstance after everything else had been taken care of. A gift from his father. Now _that_ was novel.

And then he saw the guard. And the leash. And the... rabbit.

The rabbit didn't want to be there, that was obvious. It gave Kevin a sense of connection to this strange slave... Kevin didn't want to be there, either. But neither of them had a choice.

The leash was delivered to him, and he held it, not quite sure what to do. Or, well, no, he understood what he was _supposed_ to do... this was covered extensively in his training. At diplomatic gatherings he was to keep his hands behind his back, and his slave's leash tucked into his belt as it knelt a step behind him and to the side. But that rule was meant to cover his visits to other domains, where the slaves in question were long-standing advisors. But this was his _own_ court, and the slave was clearly untrained.

_Very_ untrained, he realized, as the rabbit pulled on the leash that Kevin was holding only loosely, and it slipped out of his hands, amidst much general laughter at his expense, and a pained expression on his father's face.

The guard retrieved the leash... eventually... and returned it to him with a completely featureless expression, which Kevin read as equal parts contempt for him and terror for what might happen if he made the Prince look bad... again. So he took the leash firmly, and before the rabbit could pull away he yanked it hard enough to choke. "Come HERE." he commanded, in the strict voice they'd taught him to use with recalcitrant slaves. "SIT."

Now it was clear to the lapine, he was going to be given as a permanent gift to this young wolf lord which felt worse than just being a sex toy for a night or two. He was going to be permenantly stuck this way and there was no escape...or so he thought as the young lord took the leash. Why did he seem reluctant? It was as if he didn't want this gift or he wasn't confident enough...it was an opportunity. The lapine yanked on it as he darted around like some crazed pup being allowed outside for the first time as he caused somewhat of a ruckus, had he a weapon he'd send a clear message to all these lords by now.

It was all in vain though, the guard caught him and held him in his place...shit there was definitely no excqpe from this now. As a child Skye lived in the slums with his family, playing in the streets when they could in between visits from the lords when they commanded thier parents to work or the children to learn about thier 'high and mighty lord whom must be worshipped and appeased'. As he grew older he felt more rebellious as he begun to get a reputation as a troublemaker for the guards...and now they got thier revenge, placing him into the hands of a lord to learn his place.

He was tempted to make another break for it, but Prince Kevin II had a tighter leash with his orders barked out deeper...clearly Skye had embarassed him and now he had a point to prove before everyone which could mean the lapine had just made things worse for himself. For now he thought it best to be a good lil slave and obey as he slinked over towards the young lord, his body yearned to break free and burned with rage of how he was degraded. He sat whilst looking at the ground and doing his best to surpress the fury upon his face.

Belligerent as he'd seemed at first, the lapine slave had complied readily enough once commanded firmly, and Kevin breathed more easily once that became clear... _especially_ when he saw the surprised glances of approval among the guards and courtiers who'd been laughing at him just moments earlier. Even his father seemed content enough.

On the other hand, they couldn't _smell_ the slave. For all the obedient body language, it was obvious to Kevin once the lapine had come closer to him that he was anything but compliant. Which made this situation a ticking time bomb... sooner or later that defiance would manifest itself and Kevin would look once again like a fool who couldn't control his own slave. Fortunately, the ribald comments that his keen ears were picking up from the edges of the audience chamber reminded him that this "gift" had given him an excuse to leave early that was perhaps not _proper_ but not altogether _objectionable_. He stood up, head bowed slightly, as befitted a Prince. "Father, my gratitude knows no bounds. With your leave, I will retire and finish my new pet's training, teach it proper behavior before the court."

This raised no end of tittering among the court, as they traded obvious comments about just what exactly Prince Kevin intended to do with his new pet. Kevin didn't allow himself to feel embarrassed, knowing that would show. Instead he concentrated on just what he was expected to feel... gratitude and lust.

The latter, at least, wasn't difficult. Watching the fit, naked lupine slink towards him, sit before him at his command, that was certainly arousing. Knowing that the wooly-backed creature was _his_, even more so.

Eventually, his father nodded, and Kevin said "Come" before leaving the rooom, keeping his new toy on a short leash.

This was humiliating, Skye having to bow down and act all obidient for thier 'lords' who wouldn't know honour if it hit them in the face...if only. The room seemed to have a different attitude now whereas it was one of mockery to the young lord things seemed calmer as if they now approved. The lapine glanced up as he could tell the wolf was still hesitant in his execution...perhaps he was different from the rest of these sick fucks, still it was something which could prove useful for the slave. Even if he wasn't looking he could tell everyone had thier eyes on him, on his bare naked body with his fur scuffed from the rough 'capture' and dirtied from being dragged around like this.

Now they were going to leave the room, this would be a great time to take in the layout of this place as well as judge the hesitant young prince more...perhaps map out and escape? Perhaps convince Prince Kevin II to let him go? Either way he slinked along behind him like a pet that was 'just following' thier master but having no will to do so. He gave a final look around at everyone looking at them both as he continued forward with his head down.

Thankfully, his new pet continued to behave himself as they made their way out of the royal audience chamber... didn't pee on the floor or bite anyone or anything.

Not that that was common behavior for the lupines he'd met, admittedly... actually, growing up they'd all been much more civilized than he was. But then, they were all of the court, and although Kevin lacked the social awareness to realize that what he thought of as "civilized" was mostly somewhere between obedient and frightened, he at least understood that court protocol was _different_. And this one was new to the court, and more than a little wild, and, so, anything was possible.

Which was actually kind of exciting, if he was going to be honest.

So his stomach was tied up in several different kinds of knots as he dragged the reluctant sheep behind him, praying that no further embarrassment would manifest. Which prayers, thankfully, were answered.

Once they were out of the immediate presence of the Lord and his courtiers and walking down the far-less-crowded corridors that ultimately led to his private chambers, Kevin stopped and hissed at his new pet. "Could you _please_ stop acting like a six-year-old being dragged to a bath? It's _embarrassing_!"

Skype kept analysing this place, it was a lot bigger than he imagined...then again he was brought in bound and blindfolded so he could hardly tell that at the time, and his mind was fearing death then. He noticed his master seemed a little different, he had sensed hesitation before but he couldnt read him right now as if Prince Kevin II was conflicted in himself. As they got to the private chambers, Skye was half expecting some form of sexual induction or getting beat...his master response wasnt unwelcome but it still wasn't easy to hear.

He glared up at the lupine as he winced in disgust "A thousand apologies sir" he begun sarcastically "Being forced from my family, taken by guards who stripped me and collared me like some animal. Then I was presented like some object before lords who deserve to burn in thier own beds...I must've forgot my manners" he jerked his head as he tugged on the leash again, still his inital rebellious self.

"Well, _I_ didn't do any of that," Kevin responded huffily. "I don't even know your family."

It wasn't fair, really. Kevin understood that some of the nobility treated their slaves badly... beat them, even whipped or cut them. He'd even visited the slave wing of the palace hospital once or twice, when slaves he knew had been injured that way. And that was awful. But _he'd_ never done that, so why was his pet taking it out on him? It was completely unreasonable.

But he prided himself on being a forgiving Prince... not like his father. "It's all right," he replied, magnanimously accepting the apology despite the distinctly unreasonable and unmannerly way his pet had delivered it. After all, he was right, he'd been through a lot recently, Kevin could forgive some grouchiness. "You're a good boy," he added, stepping in to close the distance between them and grabbing his collar with one articulated paw, scratching the top of his head with the other. "You'll do fine," he murmured reassuringly, "I'll help. I know this must be pretty overwhelming, huh?" He kept running his fingers through his pet's wooly coat, enjoying the sensation, careful to keep his claws sheathed as he worked his way down the neck and spine.

"We just need to teach you how to behave in Court, is all. There's protocol." He slid his paw down his pet's flank and began rubbing his belly enthusiastically. "Like, you need to keep your head low, and your posture... well, it's really easiest if you're on your knees," Kevin explained, pulling him down to the ground with the paw in his collar.

The young prince did have a point after all, he wasn't in a position to issue any commamds or orders so how was he to control what was happening to the slaves. He was so distracted by what he was thinking he didnt realise Kevin had got closer to him and begun scratching the top of his head. He may of been holding the collar a little sternly and standing over him but the affectionate feeling upon his head and the soothing words of understanding begun to settle his inner anger. He remained there stroked and scratched by the wolf as the atmosphere between them changed to a more friendly dynamic "Yeah...it wasn't something I was expecting to happen today" he spoke in a calmer tone.

As he was pulled to his knees, he still felt resistant but Skye understood this informstion could well help him in future as he went to his knees and kept low. His tail was unintentionally swayed upwards due to its short, lighter build than other animals tails "Am I doing this right?" He questioned, hoping to pull this off correctly for his master. Maybe they could help one another.

"Y-yeah," Kevin replied, a little short of breath all of a sudden as the room suddenly filled with the lapine's scent. "Yeah, you're doing great. Good boy."

He continued to scratch the wooly head and shoulders distractedly, trying to remember what he'd intended to say next. He couldn't focus... the private odors revealed by the raised tail were making him acutely aware that his pet was decidedly male, and fit, and physically mature, and actually rather attractive. Not to mention he smelled good. Sweaty, dirty, yes... but good just the same. Damned good, in fact, and Kevin could feel himself getting rock-hard because of it.

Under other circumstances, he'd feel embarrassed. Sure, he'd messed around with slaves when he was younger, all the kids had, but he was an adult now... not just that, a Prince! He was supposed to set an example and stuff, find a lover of his own caste and social stratum. But, well, the truth was he found most of the "appropriate" candidates around the Palace at once intimidating and boring as hell, and had no interest in any of them. And, well, they didn't seem to have much interest in him, either. And, besides, whose business was it what he did with his own slave, anyway?

Though he wasn't really interested in a _dirty_ slave. Well, OK, that was mostly a lie, he totally was, but there were limits to how much he was prepared to indulge his shameful perversions. "Come on," he said abruptly. "You could use a bath."

One of the luxuries attached to the Prince's chambers was an insulated tank of hot water he could use for washing. It was kept filled by household slaves and kept hot with stones from the kitchen, though Kevin himself was mostly ignorant as to the mechanics of it... all he knew was that a valve in his bath dispensed hot water, and another dispensed regular water. He showed his pet how the valves worked, and the drain-stopper. "Fill the tub about halfway, at the temperature you want," he directed, before pulling a less fancy outfit out of his closet and starting to remove his court garb.

'Good boy' he thought to himself...he enjoyed being called that and the way he was stroked. He wasn't a slave and he wasnt some wild animal yet he couldnt help but get some satisfaction from all this. He glanced up to Kevin, for a lord he did have the predator features but for a wolf he seemed kinda cute, he wasnt being chained up and raped but told he was a 'good boy' and stroked caringly. This private moment was one he would remember for a long time.

And now a bath, a nice hot soothing relaxing bath would just make things a little bit better...least clean out his fur and get rid of all the scuffs from where he was dragged through the palace. He had been so used to a huge cold metal tub and water heated separately in little containers, where he lived in the slums you'd have to move fast or the water would be cold by the time the tub was filled. But this was luxury and he wanted to indulge...but then he saw Kevin begin to disrobe "Erm...wha-what are you doing?"

"Hm?" Kevin looked up from where he'd laid out his court tunic at his pet's question. "Changing clothes," he replied matter-of-factly. The question puzzled him initially, but after a moment he decided it wasn't unreasonable... slaves didn't wear clothes, after all, so all the rituals around fashion and laundry and so forth were probably confusing. That he might be afraid of Kevin sexually assaulting him didn't even occur to Kevin.

"What I'm wearing are Court clothes," he continued in a condescending tone, as though explaining to a child. He wasn't trying to be insulting, but he'd been raised all his life to consider lapines his inferiors in every possible way and that attitude shone through clearly. "They're not very comfortable," he clarified further as he unlaced and removed his boots, stretching his large grey lower paws out with a relieved sigh. "Aaah, that's much better," he announced, before looking skeptically at his claws. "They need trimming," he decided. "I'll show you how to do that later. Anyway, as I was saying," he continued, starting to undo the complicated lacings that held his leggings together, the task made more difficult by the erection that strained against the fabric, "we have other clothes for everyday -- Damn it to Hell!" he swore as he accidentally tightened rather than loosened a knot.

"Come here, help me with this."