Hello, again, readers! I'm going on vacation for a few days, so I decided to upload this chapter in advance, so that I won't have to worry about it over the course of the next few days. So, enjoy!
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I woke up the same way I always do, with Por- my slave- curled up next to me. I thought the same thing I always did, that she was much to far away for my liking, because, of course, it's cold in the room. I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer, her face burying itself into my neck. I briefly looked over to the small pallet she had laid out on her first day, and how unused it seemed.
Content with our usual position, I drifted back to sleep.
!
"Captain! We have reached la- oh." Jameza's voice rang out as he barged through the door a few hours later.
He seemed to take in the position my slave and I were in, and a knowing smile spread across his face. I was fully awake at this point, glaring daggers at him from across the room. I felt my slave try to burrow deeper into the covers, hiding her embbarassment.
"I will be out momentarily. Not a word, Jameza. Not. A. Word." I said. The large troll looked like he wanted to argue, but quickly turned on his heel and left, closing the door behind him.
I looked over to my slave. She was already standing up, heading over to the chest near the bed. I noticed a small mark on her shoulder, one that I hadn't
"Slave." I started. She halted in her tracks and turned around. I motioned for her to come closer.
When she reached the bed, I stood up, gingerly touching the spot, scrutinizing it. It was the size of a large coin (A/N: An American halfdollar. I figured that trolls from another planet wouldn't know what that was.), and was jade green.
I looked to her, asking her what happened.
"I-it was yesterday. When you left, I was frightened, and I accidently closed the chest on part of my shoulder." She said sheepishly. I rubbed the mark lightly with my fingertips. I felt like I was partially to blame for scaring the poor thi-
I quickliy jerked my hand away, catching my thoughts.
"Be more careul next time." I said, rushing to the chest, and dressing quickly before chaining her up and leading her topdeck.
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When I came up, the ship was close to shore. I sought out Jameza, and asked him about the coastal town that we were nearing, acting as if the scene earlier had never happened.
"Well, we don't know the name of the town, but by the looks of it, it's just a small fishing village. The trolls there seem peaceful, and it'd be a good place to stock up on supplies for the time being." He said, then flashed me a knowing smirk.
I went into his mind. I'd never taken control of his brain, out of respect, but I sent him a message.
NOT. A. WORD.
His smirked grew into a smile, and he thought back: Whatever you say, Captain. Though, I always thought you were a more, blackrom kinda troll. Guess not, though.
I glared daggers at him as I sent back: I. AM NOT. FLUSHED FOR HER.
He full on grinned at this point. Whatever you say. He repeated, walking back to the wheel.
I huffed and walked to the helm of the ship, practically dragging my slave with me. I pulled my eyepatch up, letting my better eye magnify the coastal town.
What Jameza said seemed to be correct. The townspeople looked to be normal, and the whole place didn't seem to be a trap.
"Full speed ahead." I ordered finally.
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The town was fine. It was a simple and uneventful affair, going in, exchanging jewels and gold for much needed supplies. I myself snuck away and bought a plentiul supply of moobeast blood, and gave it to Meulsa, swearing her to secrecy. Apparently, Jameza had already told her of the incident earlier, because she smiled knowingly at me, and winked. I growled at her, but she was unphazed.
I headed back to the ship alone, grumbling all the while. I had opted to leave my slave in my room, because I didn't think the townspeople would like seeing a troll chained up.
Since my mind was already on the topic, it seemed to wander to my slave. The way she walked, with a calm, yet broken demeanour, the way she talked, her voice melodious and sorrowful at the same time, her smile, which was rare when I wasn't forcing her happiness, but beautiful none the less.
I thought about her mentally, and how she can be so strong about losing someone she loved dearly, how she is smart and well versed when I allow her to speak freely, how she always takes it upon herself to make the other slaves feel a little better.
I stopped when I came to a sudden realization.
I'm flushed for my slave.
Shit.
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I boarded the ship and headed straight for my room. I opened the door and froze.
There before me was Dualscar, who'd pinned my slave to the wall and was screaming at her.
"You dare tell me your OPINION on something, slave?" he spat the word out at her, the venom dripping rom it enough to make me flinch from across the room.
"Let me tell you something. You are a pathetic slave. What you think, what you feel, doesn't matter. It never has. Now, I'm going to teach you some manners, you lowblooded filth." He said, holding her arms above her head with one hand, and unbuckling his trousers. My slave had a look of pure terror and utter despair on her face, and her eyes looked up to find mine, pleading silently to me.
"That's enough." I let my presence be known to my kismeisis, stepping into the room and closing the door.
He jumped, quickly letting my slave go and buckling his trousers again. She fell to the floor in a heap, still looking at me.
"What happened here, fish stick?" I asked, glowering at him. He shrunk a little before responding.
"Your slave here told me that she thought that I should get off of the ship. As if I didn't have a right to see my kismeisis." He finished, looking pleased with himself.
I said nothing, continuing to glare.
"Come here." I said finally, and my slave obeyed silently, giving Dualscar a wide berth as she did so.
When she got within arm's reach, I pulled her tightly to me, my hip in her stomach and her arms around me.
"Is it true what he says?" Dualscar looked indignant, but stayed silent.
"Y-yes Mistress." My slave responded, tears welling in her eyes. It broke my heart when I read her mind and found that she thought I was going to give her back to Dualscar.
Jealousy flashed through my eyes as I thought of him touching and holding what was mine. I tightened my grip on my slave subconciously.
"I no longer need you as my kismeisis, Dualscar. I," I took a deep breath and looked into my slav- Porrim's- eyes, as I finished my sentence.
"I have red feelings for my slave." I gazed into her jade eyes for a few minutes, realizing how true my words were. I searched her eyes for an indication that she felt the same, but found nothing. No hint of flushed feelings, no hint of disgust or anger. Just surprise and bewilderment. I searched her mind for an answer, but my emotions were making it hard to control my powers, and I instead turned back to Dualscar, never letting go of Porrim.
He had his hands at his sides, clenched tightly into fists, and shaking. His mouth was pressed tightly into a thin line, and he glared not at me, but at Porrim, who immediately came impossibly closer to me.
"Very well. If you wish to associate yourself with common filth, be my guest." And with that, he walked past me quickly, slamming the door on his way out.
I turned sideways and held Porrim in my arms, letting her bury her face in my coat. She started to cry after he left, the gravity of what could've happened had I not walked through the door finally hitting her.
I held her in my arms, stroking her back and hair as sobs wracked her body. I whispered how everything's okay. I'm here, nothing's gonna harm you. Until, finally, she calmed down enough to speak.
"Make me happy." She said, looking at me and sniffling.
I was confused for a moment, then I realized that she literally wanted me to make her happy, using my powers.
" I can't." I said, releasing her and backing away.
She advanced on me. "Why not? You've done it before. Please. I need it. It's the only way I can feel happiness again." She pleaded.
Then I realized that she'd become addicted to my mind control. My heart broke for the second time that night.
I broke and gave her what she wanted. I couldn't ever refuse her.
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I woke up around midday nuzzled into Porrim's neck. It was weird, being in that position, and even weirder calling her Porrim, but it made me happy, and I made her happy.
I felt a pang of guilt at that.
I silently stared down at the troll. She was beautiful, inside and out, and I truly felt red for her. I traced her jaw with my fingertips, ending at her ear and stroking her cheek. She woke up at this, and stared up at me. I began filling her mind with happiness, even though it broke me to do so.
Porrim smiled up at me, unaware of my sorrow. She stretched, then sat up, now eye level with me.
"Shouldn't you be asleep? It's only midday." She said. I shrugged, and she fell silent.
She thought for a moment, before putting on a serious expression.
"Did you mean what you said last night? About feeling red for me?" She asked, looking into my eyes, an unreadable expression on her face.
I tried to look away, but she grabbed the sides of my face and forced my gaze to her.
Eventually, I responded.
"Yes. I meant that. I can understand if you don't, what with how I've treated you and su-"
She cut me off with a kiss. It was tender and lacked hunger, but was full of passionand tenderness. Neither one of us deepened it, but enjoyed it for what it was.
When we broke away, our foreheads were touching.
"Good" She started "because I feel the same way."
I looked her in the eyes, and she smiled. I hoped to whatever gods were out there that her smile was genuine, and that she meant what she said.
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So that's it for this chapter! For those of you who think the story is winding down, it's not. I'm just getting started. There's a whole bunch of other shit that's gonna happen before I stop. So, I'll see you guys and girls after my vacation!
-Z