It was turning out to be a horrible day.

Not only was Dist in Franz's-err, Peony's-palace, but he was tied up, gagged, and left behind said blonde's throne. As a "gift to Jade" apparently. Gift, indeed. Dist was sure that he would be gutted and skinned by the days' end. Certainly not the way he wanted to go.

Struggling with his bonds proved futile, as Dist realized after trying to free his hands for the umpteenth time. And the gag tasted horrible. Upon reflection, he thought that it was probably used to wipe the rappigs after a bath. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of the stupid creatures - Aslan by the looks of it - and he knew that the emperor and that long-haired conniving… well, Jade would be here soon. Dist sullenly hung his head. My time is up, he thought, I'll probably end up as a rug on Jade's floor. Never cleaned, just doused in perfume every so often to keep the smell of my rotting corpse at bay. Oh, Yulia… Oh, Lorelei… Oh… I suppose Professor Nebilim will also be in the afterlife.

And while Dist was pondering all of this, Peony and Jade had walked into the room.

"Why do I need to be here, your Highness? It's my birthday, and I would be much happier drinking wine in the privacy of my own home," Jade said dryly. Honestly, Peony was a good friend and all of that malarkey, but he could be as eccentric as Saphir when left to his own devices.

Peony rolled his eyes. Jade could be such a downer sometimes. "I went far out of my way to get you a gift. At least find out what it is before you run off to drink," Peony snorted.

By this time, the lowly God-General had noticed the pair's arrival. He felt the urge to start a dramatic inner monologue, but decided against it since no one would hear it anyway. It would have been one for the ages, he assured himself.

Jade looked around the room and shrugged. "I see no present, unless you're thinking of abdicating," he stated in his classic sarcastic tone, "and by that observation, I think I will take my leave now."

Before Jade could turn even half of the way around, Peony had grabbed his shoulder. "Leave now and I will be forced to send my entire army after you to bring you back here or kill you, whichever they prefer," he growled.

Pausing to look the other man over, Jade asked, "well, where is this amazing present, then?" Peony grinned. "Right behind my throne," he informed the colonel.

Dist's heart raced. No, no, no! So soon? He should leave and drink himself sick. A fine idea! I suppose I could use one… He shook his head and forced his train of thought to get back on track. …I don't want to be a rug! My beauty won't be appreciated! Then, he noticed a shadow on the floor.

Jade observed his "gift". Was this it? Really? Frowning, he knelt down and tilted Saphir's head up to get a better look at the idiot's face. Terror danced in his eyes. Good. As it should. Still, Jade didn't want him. What use could he really have? Other than teasing him, there wasn't much he wanted to do with him. It might be fun to burn those ridiculous frills, though…

"So!" Peony chirped, "do you like him?" Jade stood up. "I've never liked him," he answered.

The emperor sighed, "oh, come on! Think of the things he can do for you!"

As in…? Jade pondered. "I suppose he could clean. And I could beat him when I get angry," Dist emitted what sounded like a squawk at this, "I can't find much use for him, really," Jade admitted with a shrug.

"You're so dense sometimes, Jade," the blonde said in a motherly tone. "What do you mean…?" Jade asked slowly. "Obviously, Jade. You could use him for sex!"

Silence engulfed the room.

"No."

"Jade! It's a great idea--!"

"No."

Dist stiffened. Sex? He would be Jade's personal whore? Never, no, not in a million years. He wiggled uncomfortably. Maybe… if Jade was going to beat him if he didn't submit… but he wouldn't enjoy it! Nope. Not a bit.

Even completely silent, Jade could tell what was going through Saphir's slightly crazed mind. Pathetic.

Peony decided to speak up again, "well, if you don't want him," he began, grinning at Jade.

"You'll throw him in the garbage? That is where he belongs, you know."

"No. I'll gladly take Saphir off of your hands," Peony chirped again, advancing towards a wide-eyed Saphir.

For some reason, the thought of Peony touching Saphir like that irritated him. Really, it shouldn't even phase him, but oddly enough… "I'll take him," Jade announced rather loudly.

The other two looked at the brunette, back at each other, and back at Jade who, at this time, was feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I knew you would come around," Peony informed Jade, walking towards him to pat him on the back. "Yes… of course." "Oh, wow. Don't hurt yourself with all of that excitement, Jade," Peony said, rolling his eyes, "untie him or something."

Jade frowned and made his way over to Saphir. He looked the God-General over and took the saliva soaked rag out of his mouth. After several moments, Jade pinched Saphir's cheek. "Say something, idiot."

"Don't call me that! My name is Dist," he commanded, looking up at the taller man and shaking slightly, "and stop pinching me." Dist talked big, but when it came right down to it, he was completely helpless. Especially now.

The colonel smiled an evil smile. "No," he began, slowly, "Your name is Saphir, and you will call me Master Curtiss. If you want to live that is." Oh, this would be fun. Not that he would ever go out of his way to kill his old "friend", but Saphir didn't know that.

Dist…Saphir shivered. This couldn't be happening. In fact, it wasn't, so there. Why Curtiss, anyway? Saphir had always preferred Balfour. "W-What about Master Balfour?" he asked, trying to sound cocky, but he just sounded frightened and hopeless.

Without a moment of hesitation, Jade backhanded Saphir across the face, hard. "Master Curtiss, if you please, Saphir," he said, utterly calm.

The force of the blow made a small amount of blood exit Saphir's nose. His face stung and he felt like crying, but he held in his tears. I'm weak enough, Saphir decided, there's not need to give him the satisfaction of crying. But, Lorelei, it hurts… He took in a weak, shuddering breath, "Yes, Master Curtiss."

"Jade, was that really necessary?" Peony butted in, concerned.

"Not at all. Although, it worked like a charm," Jade stated, smirking at his prisoner.

A horrible day, indeed.