AN: Gosh guys I am so sorry for the long wait for this update. My internet has been out so I haven't been able to post anything. But it's back finally, and I have written a couple chapters a head, so don't worry about more updates for now.

"They're becoming too pesky for my liking Sodmis."

"I apologize her Imperial Condescension."

"Your apologies are running thin. I should throw you to what is left of the subjugglators."

"P-please your highness, I am sorry for your displeasure! I can increase our research on the rebels, and i-increase our numbers! Maybe more severe punishments for crimes of t-treason! Please, just give me another chance!"

She growled quietly, crossing her legs, glancing back up, eyes shining with devilishness. "I think it is you, who is the problem. Take him to the gallows. I want Pyrope on his case. And she better not screw this one up. Her apologies are also running rather thin."

Sodmis' eyes went wide as guards seized him by either arm. He thrashed and screamed, begging and pleading for his life, as he was escorted from the room with the slam of a door.

"Soldier Urnali?"

"Yes, your highness?"

"Take Ampora to the lunch room. Don't let him eat though, just watch."

The blueblood nodded, walking over and unchaining the seadweller from the wall. She led him from the room, walking behind him, weapon ready.

"I hate goin' to this fuckin' lunch room to watch all these assholes stuff their faces and laugh at me."

"Trust me, I don't want to drag you there either Finny. When's the last time you ate?"

"Like I could even remember." The purple blood ran a hand through his overgrown hair. He was in desperate need of having it cut, having shoved a lot of it behind his fins so it didn't hang in his face, in the shaggy mess it was. Big bad, king of the sea Ampora, had been reduced to thin, ragged mess.

Urnali sighed, walking with him as his chains dragged on the ground, jingling lightly.

"Maybe I could..." The blueblood started and was shushed.

"Quiet, the w-walls have ears, 'member?"

She stopped, then nodded. "I should probably know that better than you..."

"Eh, you're a new-wbie. It's a'ight. Got a name?"

"Chrona. Chrona Urnali. How long have you been a slave?"

"Got it. Name's Eridan. Not quite sure. Time doesn't move normally here. Been a w-while."

"Yeah..."

"So, you do know-w w-we're w-walkin' the w-wrong w-way, right?"

"...God, I hate how big this place is... You lead."

"A mere slave leadin' 'round a guard? W-well ain't that pretty fuckin' ironic."

"Oh just shut the hell up and walk fishboy."

"Yer actin' like a fish outta water. No pun intended."

"Well, I an new here you know." She sighed, following the seadweller. "And a lot of the guards are indigobloods."

"Fuckin' blasted indies. Get on my every fuckin' nerve."

"Yeah, I agree. They all pretty much look down on me here.."

"That's because you're not even a fuckin' nobel class. They look dow-wn on everyone, higher than them or not really. Don't matter, they think they're superior even though I'm the one w-with royal blood flow-win' through my veins, they're just nobility. Each one is just as replaceable as the last."

Chrona pursed her lips. The seadweller, despite being stripped of his sign, home, and class, still acted like he was above others. It was shocking, and yet, Chrona couldn't look down on it. At least the guy wasn't wallowing in self pity. "So why are you a slave anyway?"

"That fuckin' piece of shit killed my moirail. So I fuckin' w-went after her."

"And it didn't end in your favor?"

Eridan scoffed. "Fef was dead, no matter how-w it w-would've ended, nothin' w-would be in my favor."

The blueblood was sure that was the most non-spiteful thing Eridan had said the whole time. Within minutes, they were in the lunch room.

"My cod, it smells so fuckin' good..." Eridan whined. The most he had gotten since being here was water with soggy pieces of bread in it, and it had been a couple days since he'd even gotten that. He could feel his stomach grumble, acid picking at his insides. It hurt, and he gripped his stomach, feeling his mouth start to water lightly.

"I'm going to get lunch." And with that, Eridan was left alone to watch other's eat, watch as food came so close, but out of his grasp. His eyes darted around, watching highbloods eat and converse, and he wiped his mouth, cursing himself for drooling. He needed to control himself. Ths is the exact reaction Condesce would want from him.

Then he felt something hit his forehead, never saw it coming. He was half blind without his glasses. By instinct, he caught it with his hands. It was partially wet, but it was a piece of bread, and before he realized what he was doing, he shoved it in his mouth. He glanced around, spotting the thrower. An indie, with a wry, patronizing smile plastered on his smug face. He broke off another piece, spat on it, and tossed it at Eridan, it landing on his open hands. Eridan wanted to slap himself.

Here he was, actually debating eating this spit-coated bread from this asshole. It took so much will power, but he pelted it back at the highblood. He turned his back as the laughter started. He growled, feeling sick, sick at himself, sick at the highblood, just sick at everything in general. He'd love to shoot so many of these fuckers in the face.

Chrona was walking back now, tapping Eridan's arm.

"W-what?" He turned, having a rather defensive tone.

"...We should go find a seat." Soldier Urnali returned, looking annoyed, but left no comment.

"Fine. You lead. Hopefully you can find your way around here."

She growled but didn't whine. Most of her lunch was going to this guy, he should be more grateful. They ended up at a table in the back, which was accustomed by a couple blue bloods, but was mostly deserted.

Chrona snuck him a piece of her sandwich, and he scarfed it down.

"I feel really fuckin' stupid stuffin' myself like this."

"Well you're hungry."

"Don't matter, still look stupid. Is anyone w-watchin'?"

She glanced around then slipped him another piece. "I want to go home.." She wasn't sure why she said it, but there was no undoing it after the words slipped out.

"Yer tellin' me."

"Do you have a numbered sentence or...?"

"'Til she finds a better use fer me, 'cordin' to her."

"That's hopeful."

"Sure is." His sarcasm was very thick, angrier sounding in his wavy accent.

Eridan reached for another bite and froze, as the light lit up red, and a nasal sounding siren blew deafeningly loud.