"Ari, can you pass the pears?" Laura asked the female chimp. After last night, Ari had invited Laura to her place for dinner. Her father's house was much bigger than Nald's, which made sense because he had Ari and several servants. Laura had yet to meet Senator Sandar though. Ari had told her he was very busy with getting things ready for the gala. It would seem she may have to wait until the event to meet him.

Ari passed the pears and Laura looked through them before picking out a juicy one and taking a bite. "You are very different from the humans I've met so far."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Laura replied with a big grin. Ari chuckled as a response and placed her chin in her hands. "So tell me, what will this gala be like?"

"I guess calling it a gala isn't really a correct term for it. It's mostly a way for other apes to get a say in our politics. The ones invited will get a chance to speak to the Senators and tell them their opinions on how things should be. The senators can choose to listen or not. Usually, they go based on numbers, whichever opinion they hear the most of they will take into consideration. Our city isn't so big that they can just do whatever they want without the general population figuring it out."

"What is the general opinion?"

Ari shook her head and sighed, "General Thade and some of the other Senators have done their best to spread fear of the humans among the common people. Senator Nald has done his best to curb the damage of their words, but there's only so much he can do."

Laura thought hard and placed her finished pear on her plate. "Then maybe, we need to change the Senator's views on my people."

Ari looked up at her and raised her brows, "I don't know how you think you can manage to achieve that."

"No idea really, I won't know what to do till I meet them and see the damage." She ran her hand through her hair and leaned back in her seat. "From what you're telling me, it doesn't sound very promising though."

At that moment they heard a heavy thump come from the balcony which wasn't far from the dining room table. "Why am I not surprised to find her here." The voice was gravelly and it made Laura smile as she realized right away who it was and she turned to face the balcony.

"Thade, there is a door," Ari said, her voice cool as ice as she stood up from the table. It almost looked like Ari was trying to shield Laura from his view.

"What is that human doing here Ari?" He demanded, his gaze shifting from her to Laura.

"I invited her, she is my guest," Ari replied crossing her arms. "Though I fail to see how its any of your business." Laura didn't hide her smile at Ari's way of shutting down his dominant act.

Thade narrowed his eyes and growled a warning, "She's rapid Ari, she hasn't been properly trained to be around you like this."

"You can speak to me directly you know," Laura snapped, finally deciding to cut in. She crossed her legs and got comfortable, "Then again, I guess you could always speak to me at the gala. It seems my master is insisting that I attend with him."

His gaze landed back on her and he took a step closer. "Your kind doesn't belong there. Our laws and politics don't concern you, human. The sooner the Senators come to their senses and allow me to exterminate your filth the better."

"Aw, you wound me," Laura replied mockingly as she placed her hand over her heart, "I thought after our lovely encounter you would have seen my charms by now. Especially when you pushed up against me, and in public no less."

The look of pure hatred that came over his face was enough to make Laura feel empowered. He looked like he was gonna launch himself at her, but Ari stepped between them and kept her gaze locked on the General. "What are you doing here Thade? You must have some business."

It seemed like he had to force himself to calm down before he replied, "I need to speak with your father, I thought he would be here."

"He's out, lately he's been very busy with the gala. You can find him elsewhere. I'll tell him you stopped by." Ari was hoping that would suffice. He let out a huff and cast a last glaring look at Laura before heading back to the balcony.

Once he was gone Ari turned on Laura, "Do you have any idea how much danger you are in right now," She sat back down and placed a hand over Laura's, "He will not rest until you pay for his humiliation." Laura didn't doubt her, but she had an ace up her sleeve and for now, she was gonna enjoy messing with him.

After a while, it started to get dark and Laura decided it was time to head back home. "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you? What if something happens to you," Ari asked looking out the door with worry written all over her face.

"Ari, I'll be fine. I'm sure the guards will keep the Senator's 'property' safe enough on her way back to him," Laura replied rolling her eyes at the notion of her being anybody's property. She then walked down the stairs and through the dark city. The guards were on patrol and no one really bothered her, even though there was a curfew for humans. Her collar probably already told them everything they needed to know. But once she moved further away from Ari's, she started to feel eyes on her and the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

She found herself getting nervous and looking around her, but she didn't see anyone following her. Laura rubbed the back of her neck and continued on her way. Until she heard something and she stopped completely. Whoever it was, they felt close, much too close for comfort.

"Human!"

Laura felt herself jump at the words and gasped loudly. It was just one of the guards. "Do you have a reason for being out this late and without your handler?"

Laura did what her master had told her to do if she got stopped by anyone. She produced a note from her pocket and handed it to him. He took it and read it quickly before giving it back to her.

"You had better get back quick human."

"Of course, I'll get back as quickly as possible." She replied politely before heading back down the road and towards Nald's. After the encounter, she couldn't feel eyes on her anymore. Her nervousness vanished and she told herself it had just been her mind playing tricks on her. That it had been nothing.

They should really put bells on those guards though. He nearly gave me a damn heart attack!

Once she was back she noticed Nald at the table doing some paperwork. He looked up and acknowledged her before returning to looking at his papers. "How was your visit?"

Laura walked over to him and sat down across from him. "It was good, nothing really exciting, we mostly talked about the gala." She had no intention of telling him that Thade had shown up.

The next day Nald informed her that he was heading into the marketplace to pick out her gala dress, and wanted to know if she cared to join him. She agreed happily and changed into one of her fine dresses while also donning her collar. While Laura was a bit excited about the event she was also nervous. How could she change the minds of apes that didn't even know her? It was going to take some real finesse.

Yeah, and I'm so damn good at that.

Once they arrived at the stalls, Nald turned to her, "Why don't you look around while I find something nice for you. I'm sure there's plenty here to entertain you. Just keep your wits about you, and if you run into any trouble make sure they get a good look at your collar."

While Laura was thinking of protesting, the thought passed through her mind that she might be able to catch a glimpse of Leo if he were there. She nodded at her master and walked in a random direction. For a while, she was optimistic about her search but all she found were servants and other apes. Throughout her search, she kept getting pushed and stepped on in the crowds. So when she saw an empty alleyway she dove for it and looked through the other side. Looking through the crowd she still couldn't see any trace of Leo at all. Laura swallowed hard and tried to keep the faith. Just as she was about to take a step out she felt someone grab her by the back of the neck and pull her back into the alleyway.

Laura let out a yelp of surprise and felt the air escape her lungs when her back hit the rock behind her. There was a hand pressed against her mouth and a dagger pressed against her throat. The general was looking down at her with a smug look and growled in her ear, "You should have stayed by your master's side human, maybe he should have kept you on a leash." Laura felt her heart racing in her chest and tried to stay calm. "What? No smart remark?" He pressed the dagger closer to her neck.

Oh, come on Laura why don't you just show him your collar!?

Laura closed her eyes briefly from the feel of the metal against her skin and felt her whole body shutter. Adrenaline shot through her and her breathing became rapid. Still, she looked at him with nothing but defiance, she refused to let him know that she was afraid of him. Thade stared at her for a moment through slit eyes before removing the knife from her neck. He replaced it by wrapping his hand around her throat and standing still as a statue.

She knew she couldn't really talk with his hand over her mouth, which made the situation even worse since she couldn't use the only ace she had against him. Somehow she was going to have to get him to remove it. The thought of just licking his hand came to mind, but when she went to do it she noticed that Thade wasn't even paying attention to her. His eyes were downcast and aside from his hand at her throat and the other at her mouth, It was like she wasn't even there.

His hand is still at my throat, but he's not applying any pressure. What is he doing?

When Thade suddenly looked back up into her eyes he seemed pleased with himself. "You can try and act brave all you want, but your heartbeat gives you away," He snarled at her and gripped her throat tighter, "You're afraid."

Well, no fucking shit! Who wouldn't be afraid of being dragged into an alleyway with a knife pressed against their throat?

There was no time for her to roll her eyes at him, she needed to get his hand away from her mouth. Frantically she reached for his wrist and tried to pull his hand away, but Thade only huffed at her in annoyance. He was much stronger than her, and he knew it. So it came down to only one choice. With an annoyed glare, she stopped fighting him, and her arms fell back to her sides. Thade gave her a suspicious look before his eyes suddenly went wide and he pulled back his hand from her mouth with a yelp. Laura had bit the palm of his hand.

The rage in his eyes when he looked back at her knocked the smirk off her face. Thade pulled his dagger out of his holster and started to come at her as he spat at her, "You shouldn't have done that human."

Laura slowly started sliding to the side, keeping her back against the wall. "You shouldn't be trying to kill me when you would be the number one suspect."

The General stopped in his tracks and glared at her. "What are you talking about?"

"Come on Thade, you really think you can threaten me in public and nobody is going to tell Nald about it? The fruit vendor told my master everything, and he wasn't very happy about it," Laura replied crossing her arms over her chest, "If you kill me here, Nald will know it was you. I don't know what he would do to you, but it probably wouldn't be pretty."

Thade turned his gaze away from her and seemed to be seething to himself. Laura sighed and uncrossed her arms. "Look, I don't think it's just about me. You are ignoring the fact that he is a Senator. I'm his 'property', you can't threaten me without it feeling like you are threatening him."

He let out a growl of annoyance and turned back to her. "Why warn me? Afraid to die just to punish me?"

Laura wanted to laugh at him for a moment, "I knew it could save my life if you came for me as you threatened. Don't think you are so important that ruining you would be worth my life," She explained as she moved away from the wall and wiped at the dirt on her dress. Hoping to herself that it wouldn't stain the fabric.

"I have never met a human as frustrating as you are," Thade growled, and Laura merely looked back up at him with a smile.

"Well, that's because you've never met a human like me General."

Thade clenched his jaw and fought the urge to launch himself at her and break her neck. Laura, of course, noticed the sound of his teeth grinding together and grew a devilish smirk. "Come on now don't take it so hard. I do so love our little get-togethers, don't you?"

That did it, as Thade charged at her and gripped her by the front of her dress, pulling her body up against his and his face close to hers. "Shut up human, or I'll shut you up myself," He snapped at her.

Laura wasn't impressed with his empty threat, but it gave her a prime opportunity to push his buttons. She looked him in his eyes before biting her lip and whispered to him, "Oh I wish you would," To make sure he caught her meaning her gaze shifted down to his lips.

Thade pulled away from her harshly before barking at her, "You're disgusting!"

Her laugh echoed through the alleyway before she replied, "Aw Thade that hurts my feelings, and just when I was going to help you get back on Nald's good side."

He looked in her direction clearly confused by her motives. "What do you mean?"

"You will take me back to Nald, and I will explain how I got lost. You found me and as a way of apology to my master, you brought me back to him," She explained as she started to head back towards the end of the alleyway.

He didn't seem happy with the plan she had given him but he walked towards her and snagged her wrist tightly. The force made her flinch and he smirked at her pain.

Dick bag.

He led her out of the alleyway and pulled her into the market place. "He's where the silks are," Laura directed him when he turned to her. He then pulled her after him and found Nald rather easily.

The minute he saw Thade had Laura by the wrist he looked like he was about to explode. "What is this?! You will release her-"

Before the senator could continue Laura stepped between them and stopped Nald in his tracks. "It wasn't his fault, it was mine!"

Nald's eyes widened at that and he placed his hands on her shoulders. "What are you talking about Dahlia?"

She looked back at Thade and gave him a pointed look before looking back at her 'master'. "I got lost in the alleyways. I thought I knew the market better than I really do. If he hadn't found me, who knows how long I would have been lost."

Nald seemed to think over her words before turning to Thade. "Is this true general?"

Thade looked at Laura with contempt before replying to Nald, "The alleyways are dangerous Senator, you should keep a closer eye on her in the future."

Nald looked at the General and then at Laura. She smiled at him and nodded. "Thank you for returning her to me. Maybe I was wrong to assume," Nald said with a strained voice.

He still didn't seem to trust the General, but it looked like things were better then they had been. "Come along Dahlia, I found what we came for." Laura nodded and watched as her master turned and started towards the path home.

When she went to follow after him she felt Thade grab her wrist again and she turned back towards him. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing-"

"That's exactly it though General, It is a game," Laura said cutting him off and pulling her arm back away from him, "A game I intend to win."

A few hours later Ari arrived at senator Nald's house. Apparently, she had wanted to stop by and talk. It made Laura realize that Ari may not have had many friends among her own kind. But Laura was happy to fill that gap.

"So how did your morning go?" She asked as they sat together on Nald's porch. Seeing as how Laura felt she could trust Ari, she couldn't help but tell her the truth. It was bottled up inside her and she needed to tell someone.

Ari was stunned and didn't seem to know what to say. "I know, I'm completely insane. You don't have to tell me," Laura said with a smirk.

Ari shook her head at her, "No it's more than that. You must know playing this game with him is dangerous in many ways. He will find a way around this obstacle as long as it means your death," Ari seemed to look away from Laura before continuing, "But I guess you are already in danger what with you going to the gala. Trying to change things has never been easy, or safe. Especially for your kind."

Laura shook her head, "I know that, but-"

Ari cut her off and took Laura's hand in hers. "You must try though, I will do what I can to help and you know Nald will as well." Seeing the look of hope on Ari's face she couldn't bear to show her friend her fears. It almost seemed to Laura that this meant more to Ari than anything. How could she let her new friend down?

"Alright, then I guess I will just have to try my hardest, won't I? There is going to be plenty I'll need to know. Would you mind helping me?" Ari smiled at her and nodded. Maybe this really could work.

Or I could wind up executed, only one way to find out.