An estranged meeting: 4694-024
My lungs have been heavily bothering me for days and so I stayed home today. Raoul is busy trying to clean up the mess after Dr Hannoh's death and he isn't really in the mood to care for company business now that a noose has been placed around his neck. The media is hounding him day and night and the last thing on his mind is working with science development. Events like this make the stocks go down (I heard they had fallen) and the company looses its financial position. I bet he is losing millions by the day. I somehow feel sorry for him, but I have to agree with Papa in that this trafficking has to stop. I am however, curious as to just how deeply Raoul is involved. Since I can't work on my programming, I will continue with the files in a chronological order.
It is another real time recording, but this one is not coded like the one before. Before I play it I need a cigarette. I can't even think straight without them anymore.
This is pretty strange. It is only parts of a recording from Lord Khemani's gathering a few years back. I remember this, but I don't remember this particular event recorded. I know this, for I was there to deliver a grand pet to Khemani on behalf of Iason. It was a most exclusive Pet, and yes, I do remember Raoul being in a foul mood that day. I understand now why it was so.
This recording was from a nearby room in Khemani's grand residence. I see this young Blondie again. He is arguing with Raoul about something. He hardly reaches Raoul to the shoulders, but he is pretty as a golden morning, and he has an attitude that matches it. As I understand from the arguments Raoul has blocked the only source of communication to Aelthreics' customers; namely his Sozerian account. Here are the interactions, Artemisia.
"Lord Am, you know I've never been the kind of person who acts from the shadows when there is something I don't like about another person. I hand out reprimands as well as take reprimands when I truly have deserved it. As a direct person, I do encourage people to treat me the same way. Now..."
Aeltheric takes out a whip from his belt and unfolds it until it reaches its entire length. It is made out of genuine oxen hide and its sting cuts through the air with a fierce snap that rings in the ears long after the whip rests on the floor. He provokes Raoul, saying; "Take it!"
Then he backs away from Raoul while unbuttoning his own shirt. The garment ends up on a nearby chair. Shoes are kicked off and the buckle around the waist is undone. Within seconds a naked young man leans over the surface of the ebony desk in the study. The light from the lamp surrounds him with a glowing halo and his skin shimmers like velvet. His voice is steady as he turns his head and says; "Next time you wish to punish me for some reason, do it more directly instead of tampering with my source of income. That's not honest, besides you enjoyed the offerings of my profession as well, haven't you? You know, what goes around comes around and things might return to you too when you least expect it. After this, you can't say I wasn't able to take your disapproval as a man. How many lashes do you think you'll need to still your anger towards me? Ten? Fifty? A hundred?"
I see as the young lad grabs on to the ebony desk and shuts his eyes with a final demand.
"Go ahead. Do as you please..."
Raoul is not so pleased though. He looks upon the oxen whip. It was thrown on the table as if it was a piece of trash. I know he has never liked causing pain, but at times he has been playing for fun. Never to the same extent as Iason. Raoul has always had too empathy for that. I guess that's why he was only second in command. He is very smart and cunning at times, but never blunt. I think Jupiter never really thought Iason would fail his duties and therefore she dared to appoint Raoul to succeed the great Lord Mink. Raoul, however, declined when the time came. It didn't surprise me. He has never been fond of politics. He is too smart for that… and at times, far too decent. He seems unable to appreciate the beauty of the whip at this time, and he seems confused and angry; a torrent of emotions is released.
"Take it? And do what with it, Aethelric? Fulfill your wants and desires for punishment by the great Lord Am? Bah! I refuse. It is of no surprise to me that you have done your studies… anything to further yourself along and embarrass the privileged. To have knowledge of the only time I agreed to play with an oxen whip took some digging on your part, for THIS is not public record."
Raoul stops behind Aethelric on this note and violently grabs the hair of the boy! Pulling the Blondie's' head towards his chest as he growls like an animal.
"You have lost your clothing, my dear inamorato. Perhaps a whipping is not what you really had in mind? You are very beautiful, my darling, this is something you know already. Correct?"
This young lad makes an effort to turn but Raoul holds him close and continues (but I can see that he is burning for the lad although he denies it).
"No, stop precious, don't say a word, let me talk. I adore the whip." Raoul's grip tightens again. "I am the master in the field. I love the sound when the tip tears into the flesh of another. There is nothing like the screams coming from the guilty because their blood is flowing freely. Do you know what it does to me? DO YOU?"
He is lying. Raoul hates the blood and pleasure mixed together. He is just playing. I know it, but he is a good actor. If I hadn't known him this well, I would have believed his every word. I see at this point, Aethelric has realized that he has miscalculated the actions of this man and uncertain about this discovery, he tries to break free. Struggling, kicking, spitting accomplishes nothing, except the laughter from Raoul.
"Where were we? Oh yes, the tearing of flesh from the whip. Oh, dear Jupiter, such lovely thoughts. After this, you can't say I wasn't able to take your disapproval as a man? I believe those were your words. I just want to tell you that a pet can take 100 strokes easily and karma is nothing but a fool's belief. Another thing my princess, I plan to do as I please, whenever I please. Who is there to stop me?"
What surprises me is that Aethelric stares back and though it's evident he has miscalculated Master Am, he still replies in a way that managed to tame the hatred out of Raoul.
"Lord Am." He begins with a meek voice. "You can spit insults into my face all you want. Humiliating me, belittling me, and you are right, no one will stop you."
He looks so innocent, Artemisia, and those big eyes are devouring your soul when you look into them. He is so different from the other Blondies. I wonder where this boy comes from? Well, in any case, he continues as his voice grows increasingly steady.
"I am used to all that, by now. My greatest crime among Blondies was being created the way I am. I am sure you went through your Academy years with your Headmaster without any greater extent of trouble. I, on the other hand..."
Oh, my goodness, Artemisia, this kid is nuts! He just picked up a letter-opener, stabbed it into his hand and slashed across it. The blood is freely flowing from the wound and as a few drops seek their way to the very tip of the fingers, he brings his hand to the perfectly shaped lips of Raoul. With a gentle touch, he traces the contours of the lovely mouth (yes, I have to admit, Raoul looks stunning in that dim lighting and with his soul exposed like that) leaving behind a trail of red as he continues.
"I am used to pain. In fact it's been my only companion for years. You have had the privilege too feel the warmth of a touch... but not everyone is as libidinous as you are, my Lord. My behind is off limits to everyone unless I invite that kind of thing."
HAHAHA! That kid has nerve. I am surprised it has been three seconds since he said that and he is still alive. I've never EVER heard anyone put Raoul into place like that. Not even Iason. Way to go Aethelric! I have to look this kid up for he seems like a fascinating person. I reckon he knows the Blondie nature too well and knows exactly what button to push and how often. But I must say, Artemisia, Aethelric looks very bruised as well – in his soul. He has something in his eyes that I cannot discern from the recording and the dim lighting in the room although I have tried to remove all background noise from the feature. I have increased lighting on the screen, but it is still very dark in the room. So far, this little lad looks to me like he is a bit of a rogue amongst his own. Now he steps boldly up to Raoul, grazing lightly the delicate fabric of his bodysuit over the bulging crotch (that is obvious that even I can see it on the screen – yes, Raoul is fairly well-equipped). But as far as I can see, Aethelric isn't completely untouched by desire. Raoul remains frozen like a statue but his firm gaze anchored into the youthful eyes as Aethelric speaks.
"So when you stare at me smiling like that, it doesn't make me feel ashamed. Come on, Lord Am, you don't need to stare at it so bluntly. I am sure you've seen an erect manhood before... and please, before you speak another insult, let me counteract you by saying I am aware of your wish to comment the size just to feel that you have the upper-hand. No need. You have the upper-hand already, which is quite obvious of how my body reacted despite the fact that I didn't want it to. I admit my defeat this time; you've won. Is that what you want to hear... besides... is this the handle of another whip in your pocket? Oh wait! I forgot that Blondie suits don't come with pockets. Is it really only me searching for fulfillment? You miss it too, don't you... just like the desert misses the rain."
Well what do you know; the boy is poetic in his ways, but he is brave enough to reach for the lovely face that focuses on him with a displeasing frown. I love when Raoul is mad. I've seen that so many times, Artemisia. You know, when he is angry he gets a slight twitch in his face, and tiny, yet adorable wrinkles appear on the bridge of his nose – like that on a little pup. Even in his devouring anger, he is exuding a captivating beauty; that's Raoul in a nutshell. But Aethelric doesn't seem to back off. He is really talkative.
"I assure you that pain doesn't do it for me. The whip you are holding in your hand is the one that put me through years of agony and taught me about the Blondie race... and I've kept it to remind myself of where I belong. But if you say it is one of your fetishes, then it is also most likely the language you speak best. So talk to me, and if a hundred words are not enough... shout at me as many times as you want if that is what you want to still your anger. So repeat yourself until the message sinks in.
That boy is unbelievable, Artemisia. What else can I say? I would be as stunned, I am as stunned as I see Raoul is on the screen. Surprisingly, Raoul doesn't make any sudden moves and he doesn't even raise his hands against that boy. He walks up to the armchair where Aethelric's clothes are and he throws the heap of fabric to the lad ordering him to get dressed. Aethelric seems to move almost with automatic motions as if getting dressed in that tangling, folding and complex outfit was as easy as a heartbeat. For me it would take hours.
NO! You can never believe what happened. Oh, I wish you would have been more human to actually witness these sudden changes in the course of events as they happen. Well, Artemisia, Raoul walked up to the lad saying; "You have extended your time long enough, Aethelric and I now wish for you to be gone… out of my life."
As a response the boy throws himself into Raoul's arms and kisses him deeply. And the most delicious part is, I see Raoul fighting at first, but then giving into it. He is motionless even if he is not an active player; Raoul cannot break free from this young Blondie. Prostitute or not, someone with such seductive power deserves respect. I really want to meet this guy.
Finally, Raoul manages to break the kiss, but he is not angry. Lifting his forehead from his chest, Raoul asks of him; "Aethelric, no, no no… no need to apologize." Kissing his bottom lip, Raoul continues. "I really have to think about this. I have to go… I have an important meeting tomorrow. I'll keep in touch. Keep checking your mail."
Well, Artemisia, there is no more happening on the screen and there are no letters in chronological order from Raoul to Aethelric following this event. I guess he lied to the young lad, for the next email is dated two weeks later and it's between Iason and Raoul. I'll go through those tomorrow. I am really tired and my lungs are acting up again. I have this strange metallic taste in my mouth, but I haven't coughed blood. Kangyee at work has contracted a virulent disease last week. He hadn't noticed anything for months but last week he started urinating blood. I checked up on this virus and it seems like it hits the kidneys as much as it hits the lungs, but it's often either or. I will have to get some pills and it will pass. Kangyee's cousin is a pharmacist and he will give me a prescription for three weeks. He says it will pass then.