Riley on A03: Raven is closing 7 months as of this chapter, with Lexa at about six months. Not sure about the Harem number yet, there will most likely be the actual Harem and then occasionally being a sperm donor for other couples or something of the sort. Dunno about that yet though.
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Nothing Is True (Save For The Blood We've Shed)
Chapter 22
The Board Is Set
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The population of Avalon, and indeed the vast majority of the Coalition's people, seethed with fury beneath the surface of civility. That their Sky Princess had been betrayed by one of her own birth-people was bad enough, a tragedy, but for her betrayer to aid the Maunon? Unthinkable! Unpardonable! They all recalled with gritted teeth the desolate, betrayed expression of their ruler at the revelation, and there had been loud and passionate calls for summary execution by The Thousand Cuts. Clarke, however, had emerged from her Palace and addressed them en masse, declaring that Diane Sydney would stand trial beside her allies and share their punishment. Justice was blind to race, creed, and bloodline in her Empire. That would not change simply because it was she who was wronged, rather than some random citizen.
As much as her people really wanted for her to stop being so kind, understanding, and fair long enough for her to sign the execution orders, they appreciated that she was unwilling to compromise her beliefs and morals for the sake of personal vendettas. They just wanted this whole sorry affair to be over with, quite frankly, so that she could get on to such things as officially announcing the pregnancies of at least two of her lovers. Everyone knew that Lexa and Raven's children were hers, but she had not yet announced it publicly. The general consensus was that she didn't want to draw any sort of attention away from the trials.
Thus, by and large, the citizenry opted to rein in their anger and await for the deliverance of justice, even more eagerly than they had, and to otherwise continue with their lives. Their duties could hardly just stop, after all, not if their city and lands as a whole were going to continue to function. Besides which, this brave new world that they were busy building was fun! Their old lives had been about a daily struggle to survive the harsh brutality of their world. Now, though, survival was almost easy. The Maunon were hone, technological and socio-cultural miracles abounded, and resources had never been so abundant or easy to obtain. They had no idea just how many more changes were in the future. How could they? The technology of the Old World was confusing enough for them. That of the First Ones were literally unimaginable.
So, on the surface, little changed for the people of the ground despite the chaos of the last few days. The former Maunon and The 100, however, were in utter shock.
The Maunon remembered Dante Wallace very fondly indeed. He had been by far the most popular leader that had ever had, kind and gentle. He had even attempted to make the lives of the captured Grounders easier, though he was unwilling to risk the safety of his own people for the sake of ethics.
For his own son to have deliberately cause his death for the sake of taking power was as unbelievable as it was horrifying. That sort of behavior was to be expected from the outsiders, neo-barbarians that they were, but from the pinnacle of this last bastion of civilization?
Appallingly, many of them were more upset with the fact that he had been caught out in patricide. Rather, the fact that his inhumane actions being discovered and 'embarrassing' their people was of more concern to them than the fact that he had committed such a crime. Fortunatly, at least as far as the true motives of the Imperial Family was concerned, everything was going like clockwork. Shumay was already helping move messages between the Maunon leaders and Sydney, while Nia had gotten a handful of her own people onto guard duty.
However, the Harem was growing concerned…and irritated. Clarke had begun to grow obsessive about her planning, staying up long into the night trying to predict and control the future with perfection. Not only had she not yet taken Ontari or Echo into the fold yet, but she hadn't been intimate with any of her lovers in over two weeks. The harem had had enough. It was time for drastic measures.
Which is why the Empress of Manking was awoken by the entirely delightful sensation of a warm, wet mouth rising and falling around a throbbing erection. Groaning at the sensation, she looked down to see a very naked Ontari's head bobbing up and down in her lap. She tried to reach down to stroke her slave's hair, but when her hand halted almost immediately she became aware of the fact that she was bound hand and foot to the end boards of her bed.
"You're not getting away this time, Mistress. You've been running yourself into the ground and been neglecting your duties to your family to drown in duties to the Empire. The Harem has had enough! If you won't make the time for us both sexually and otherwise, we'll make that time for you!" Ontari told her very sternly indeed, pulling off of her cock for a moment.
"I have to finish before the children are born! There is far too much to do to indulge myself as freely as I want with you all!" Clarke growled back, pulling rather futilely at her bonds. ALIE had to be in on this, she was the only one capable of providing restraints that could hold her for more than a few seconds.
"Delegate. You can't possibly argue that we and your other officers are incapable. Besides which, you need to relax and rest or you will start making mistakes. Mistakes that could put the very people you want to protect at risk." Ontari retorted, none of her submissiveness currently present. Only the warrior and the officer were present before her…though one strong hand continued to glide along her shaft throughout the lecture. "You belong to us as much as we belong to you, and your paramount duty is to your family!"
Quite clearly, Ontari (and presumably the others as well) thought that she was being manifestly derelict in that duty. It was equally obvious that the gold-collared slave intended to keep her there until she acknowledged her faults and agreed to make efforts to fix and avoid repeating them.
"It would be selfish of me to make others carry my burdens just so I can get laid or relax with my family." She tried, but Ontari snorted, clearly unimpressed with that particular excuse.
"While I could argue with your word choice and bring up such phrases as 'workaholic' or 'balancing business and pleasure', I'll instead restrain myself to saying that being a little selfish after spending so much time being utterly selfless isn't just okay, but an obligation. We're not saying become one of the decadent, lazy leaders of the ancients, but we are saying that you have to dedicate time to us as well as to the Empire." The sheer dryness of her voice actually made Clarke actually flush in embarrassment. She knew the Azgeda Centurion was right, and the rest of her Harem with her, but damnit why couldn't they just understand?
Of course she loved them, with all her heart? Didn't they see that it was this very fact was why she had been so distant? She had to ensure their safety, she could never live with herself if one of them died because she failed to plan sufficiently. Of course her duty was to her family first, that was the entire point, that's why she had to forge a world where they could live in peace and happiness.
But it was obvious, as it honestly always had been, that her family had no interest in hiding away in the utter safety of the Imperial Palace while the rest of the world was brought to heel. She wished that her lovers weren't quite so strong-willed outside of the bedroom, but it was a conviction-less gripe. She loved them exactly as they were, and she doubted that she would be anywhere near as happy if they were any different.
Which meant she would have to meet them in the middle if she wanted to maintain healthy relationships with her friends and family. Which meant less all-nighters of plotting and more all-nighters of passion. There were worse fates, she supposed, then spending extra time with the people that she loved. And it wasn't like any of her planning sessions had actually produced new results or issues of late.
"Alright, I suppose I can ease back on everything else. It is not as though spending more time with my family will be a great hardship." Clarke finally surrendered with a sigh, and Ontari made a pleased sound. With a soft click, her bonds released and she sat up slowly, a frankly sinister grin spread across her face as she regarded her slave.
Ontari met her gaze for a moment before bolting for the door with a squeak. Clarke could have caught her instantly if she so desired, of course, but instead she slowly stalked after her fleeing prey as a lioness might stalk a gazelle. If Ontari wanted to make a game of this, who was she to argue? Besides, this would probably be a great deal of fun! Hunting Ontari through the Palace, before catching and ravishing her…her arousal was growing just thinking about it.
For Ontari's part, she couldn't help but grin wildly as she darted through the Palace, uncaring of her nudity. With only women permitted within, outside of specially circumstances, she had no reason to fear a man laying eyes on what belonged to her Mistress. She had very deliberately taking the role of convincing Her Majesty to spend more time with her family, hoping that this would be the result. Oh, they all knew why she was doing it, and her concern and protectiveness were heartwarming, but utterly unnecessary. They were strong and skilled in their own rights, but with the defensive force Octavia would be heading they would be virtually untouchable.
"Oh Ontari, where are you~?" she heard her Mistress sing-song distantly behind her, and she darted sideways down a passageway. Clarke wouldn't cheat and ask ALIE for help finding her, not a chance. It would lessen the enjoyment, the thrill of the hunt. Nor would she cheat, though to be honest she wasn't sure just how someone would cheat in her position. Ask ALIE to help her avoid her Mistress, perhaps.
Her naked feet slapped on the polished stone as she moved randomly through the Palace, neither choosing her route nor truly aware of where she was. The Palace was too vast for anyone to have the entire thing memorized so soon after they had moved in. It was a boon, actually, she had no preferred haunts to be predictably found in, no favored routes where she could be ambushed.
"Found you!"
She yipped in surprise as Clarke appeared in front of her with a grin, and she scrabbled to reverse her course and flee in the opposite direction. Unfortunately for her, (except not unfortunate at all, if she were to be honest), the blonde was far faster than she was. Arms wrapped around her tightly and, in a single smooth movement, she was over her Mistress' shoulder in what the Old World would have called a fireman's carry.
She wriggled and writhed quite helplessly, not truly trying to escape, as she was born back towards the Imperial Suite and the…delightful devices therein. She was so happy she could weep. Her Mistress was finally going to take her, to welcome her into the Family. She couldn't help but smirk as she spotted several envious-looking Palace staff and a shocked Charlotte watching her get hauled away.
Welcome to the Ground, little one. She hummed to herself in amusement. It was incredibly obvious that the child was entirely clueless about what to think about the scene before her. She was young, innocent, and from The Ark. Ah, well, the Sky Children would lose that innocent quickly. Quite how fast and how successful their first attempts would be, she could only guess. They had a lot to prove if they wanted to…experience Grounder culture to the fullest. Even more so if they wanted something more than a fast, one-time fuck.
None of that, however, had any importance in this moment. It didn't take long to reach the suite, and it took barely a moment for Ontari to be chained to the ceiling by her wrists. Her legs were next, folded thighs-to-calves and chain to the same rings as her wrists, leaving her swaying as if on a swing. Three clamps were attached to her nipples and engorged clit, sending bolts of pleasure and pain flashing throughout her body with even the slightest movement. Movement she happily produced for the sake of the result, her masochistic side gleefully coming out to play.
"I'm going to use you as a testing dummy for some new toys of mine, my dear Nightblood. ALIE has been resurrecting some Old World devices for me, some of which you will be…debuting for me today. Not to fear, your sisters will get the same treatment when it's their turn." Clarke told her casually, holding up a large phallus. Ontari raised her eyebrows, wondering what was so special about a false cock…until her Mistress held up a small box in her other hand and turned a small dial with her thumb.
There was a soft buzzing sound, and her eyes widened as far as they could naturally as the phallus began to vibrate rapidly. Clarke smirked evilly and approached her slowly, fluctuating the intensity rhythmically, and enjoying how her newest sub began to writhe quite violently, torturing herself to orgasm as she tried to escape her impending doom. She had no idea what such a device would do to her, but she was willing to bet it would be more intense than anything she could imagine.
"Shh, don't worry, dear one. I'm not going to take your soaking little cunt with this yet, oh no. I'm going to fuck you until your womb is full and then plug you up with one of these while I fuck your ass." Clarke 'reassured' her with a bright smile, 'unaware' of the trepidation and shock on Ontari's face.
Ontari whimpered with wide eyes and a trambling body as the blonde approached, now slowly and sensually lathering the vibrator with some sort of gel before placing the base in some sort of harness and turning off the vibration. The smirk faded slightly into an expression of affection and concern as she began stroking Ontari's thigh, dipping her fingers into the slave's soaked depths. Ontari threw her head back and moaned lustily at the penetration, which was fairly shallow. Clarke had no intention of taking Ontari's virginity with mere fingers, but the cum added to the lube on her fingers would make loosening the brunette's ass a lot easier. She didn't think Ontari was masochistic enough to enjoy taking a dildo (custom made to be a perfect replica of her own cock) into an untrained rectum, lube or not.
The slickened fingers slipped from Ontari's warmth (getting a protest from the suspended girl) and moved to the clenched, untouched brown star, prodding gently. Stepping close and pulling Ontari into a kiss, she began working the first finger inside.
"Easy now, my love. You're okay." She murmured soothingly as Ontari pulled back to whimper at the sensation. "You'll enjoy this, I promise you. Trust me?"
Ontari subsided with a nod, willing herself to relax and not clench so tightly against the intrusion, no matter how strange the resulting sensations might be. It wasn't even as if they were bad sensations anyway, just different. Certainly not bad enough for her to call a halt to the activity, something she knew Clarke would do immediately if Ontari requested it. She was amazing like that.
Several minutes passed as Clarke continued working more fingers inside her and flexing them rhythmically to prepare her better for the not-insignificantly sized vibrator. Finally, The Empress deemed her ready for the next step, and began sliding the false cock into the waiting orifice.
Ontari shifted, whimpered, and moaned as it slowly entered her body, spreading her wide to the pleasurable point that lingered on the very edge of pain. When the entire length was seated deeply in her bowels, the harness was deftly buckled on, holding the vibrator in place.
"Are you ready to be taken, dearest Ontari? For me to take your blood and bring you to paradise and back as I fuck you mercilessly until you can't take it anymore?" Clarke purred, stroking Ontari's face and grinning in delight at the almost frantic nodding of her imminent conquest. Unclipping the clamp on Ontari's clit, Clarke stepped up and slid herself into Ontari with one swift movement, bearing her teeth at both the sensations of sinking herself into yet another virgin, and at the sounds Ontari was making.
Ontari couldn't believe how full she felt, filled forward and back with large, firm shafts. What little pain she felt at being broken in was being washed away by the physical pleasure and the emotional drug of being loved by and one with her Mistress. Every thrust shifted the false phallus, pressing against the thin membrane separating the insides of her two holes. Her body, hanging from the ceiling, swayed back and forth with the motion of her lover's pounding. As a result, she was soon swinging down like a pendulum to meet Clarke's thrusts.
Without warning, Clarke turned on the vibrator, and Ontari arched her back and howled in shock and delight at the wholly alien sensation. None of the Grounder clans had even contemplated the sexual toys of the Old World, especially not something as…powerful as vibrators. Her mind went blank in ecstasy, several orgasms thundering through her in rapid succession. Dimly, she was aware of the surge of heat that flooded into her womb and the hard bite her domina planted on the junction of her neck and shoulder.
She drifted for a time, the lower settings of the vibrator and the continued thrusting of the utterly unsoftened cock inside her cunt keeping her riding high… It seemed that Clarke was entirely serious about pumping her full of seed until she couldn't hold any more, before plugging her with a vibrator and doing the same to her ass. She couldn't bring herself to complain, funnily enough.
An hour later, that's exactly what happened, as Clarke stoppered her seeping cunt with another vibrator (putting the first aside to be cleaned) and slid into her ass. As sensitive as they both were, it didn't take them very long to start cumming again.
Every thrust now not only ground the two rods against each other, but also forced the vibrator deeper than ever into her cunt, as Clarke's stomach pushed on its base with every reconnection. When the first flood of semen poured into her bowels, she marveled at how similar, yet incredibly different the feeling was than that of when her womb was filled. There was a definite sensation of pressure that built with every additional injection, but it was far from uncomfortable. Clarke's hands roamed over her body, teasing nipples or leaving red furrows across her skin. Bruises from hand and teeth soon decorated her body, and each mark was a pleasure to receive. A mark gifted to her by her domina, an emblem of their relationship. Marks of ownership and affection, ones that she would have reciprocated if her hands were free, though she left more than a few hickeys and bite marks on the flesh that she could reach.
Each wanted everyone that saw the other to know what had happened, to know that they were taken body and soul. That only the supremely foolish should dare to try and approached them unbidden. Ontari, for her part, couldn't help but feel smugly satisfied that she was experiencing so many things her new sisters hadn't, at least not yet. She couldn't wait to watch them experience it in turn, to watch mighty Lexa or playful Luna get their asses stretched by Clarke's cock until they passed out from pleasure.
Clarke finally slipped free of Ontari's ass with a tired but smugly joyeous expression on her face. She had wanted to put special effort into Ontari's first time. She, and the other Ice Nation women, had risked so much for giving their loyalty and their hearts to Clarke, to the Golden Throne. Removing the vibrators, harnesses, clamps, and chains, Clarke carried her dozing lover into the Sergalio.
"Wow, you really wore her out. I don't think I've ever seen that many scratches and bite marks on any of us after a single session with you. Looks like we'll all need to step it up." Raven commented as the four Ice Nation slaves helped Clarke lower Ontari down onto a suitably large collection of plush floor pillows in the central lounge. The rest of the Harem tittered in amusement and Clarke huffed at them, thought she was smiling as well.
"Be very gentle with her once she wakes up, she and I…explored a few new avenues of pleasure tonight." Clarke agreed and instructed in the same breath, with a fond smile at the sleeping sub. "Avenues that the rest of you will find yourselves enjoying in the future. I have to go confront Sydney, but when I return we can discuss your future and that of our family…and just how much I will delegate to others so that I can give you all the attention that you deserve."
With that she departed once more, leaving her Harem (and the uninitiated individuals of Echo, Sylvanas, and Octavia) to care for their stupefied sister.
"Damn, she really put her through the paces, huh?" Octavia commented a little jealously, eyeing her supremely fucked best friend. Her eyes widened slightly and she blushed as she noticed the not insignificant flow of cum wasn't only coming from her pussy. "Guess Clarke wanted to try some anal out…"
"Fuck me if you're not right." Raven murmured, hand on her baby bump, before a contemplative look crossed her face. "Wonder if it feels good…?"
'It's Clarke, of course it would feel good." Anya remarked in amusement, pulling her closest sister up against her, a hand joining Raven's in rubbing the growing baby before sliding down to tease the brunette mechanic's folds, getting a purr of pleasure and a nibbled neck for her efforts. "But there will be nothing adventurous for either of you," She nodded at Lexa, indicating she was the other addressed individual. "Not until the little ones are born. I'm also going to request guns for the Harem, and the basic training to use them."
This declaration received several raised eyebrows and protests from her sisters, especially the two mothers-to-be, but she was unmoved. Either pregnant or recovering from labor, neither would be in any shape for sword duels to defend themselves and their children when their enemies moved against them. She hoped, prayed, that the traitors would be stopped long before reaching the Sergalio, but she wasn't going to take any chances with the safety of her family. Just as Clarke would do, Anya would do as well.
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Clarke, meanwhile, was being escorted through the prisoners' dormitories by Indra and a half-dozen Woods Clan warriors. Baleful glares followed her as she passed the Maunon, but she ignored them with ease. Their fates were seated at this point, all that remained was the formal sentencing and the executions themselves.
'Of all people to be in league with The Mountain, I never would have suspected another Arker. You betrayed our people, Diane Sydney. We could have come to the ground years ago, had you told us." She finally said to the former Chancellor, upon reaching the woman's cell. "Of course, if you had I would not have been able to found the Empire or found my lovers. So, I suppose that I should thank you for your treachery, thought it will not keep me from signing your execution order or from feeling satisfied when the sentence is carried out."
"You don't have the authority or the courage…" Diane started to sneer, but Clarke interrupted her.
"I am the only authority here!" she snapped, her right arm slashing through the air in a silencing gesture. "All but the Ice Nation bend their knees to me, and I greet Nia as an equal! You hold no rank, no influence, not prestige amongst my Empire! I suggest you find your peace, because your death approaches swiftly and without mercy or hesitation!"
Her intentions clear and her bait laid, she spun on her heel and stalked back down the hall like a stormcloud, her warriors trailing after her dutifully, each looking grimly pleased with her words. Not that any of them would ever disagree with her feelings on the matter, the very suggestion was absurd.
"Do you think that she will take the bait?" Indra asked softly once they were out of earshot from the prisoners. "Will she be able to draw Nia out into open alliance?"
"Absolutely. Not only is she a coward and a manipulator, but she is deeply arrogant. Given what appears to be a perfect opportunity to save her own skin, get revenge, and gain power? The only real variables are how fast the alliance is forged and what the two of them promise each other in exchange." Clarke's voice was firm and confident, eyes cold as her mind worked smoothly. "Have we any word from the Nomad-Outcasts yet?"
"Yes, they've agreed to swear fealty to you and join the Empire, provided we cure them of the ailments they are suffering and ensure that they are treated equally to unaffiliated citizens." Indra nodded, and Clarke smiled, a little warmth entering her expression. "There are nearly a thousand of them now, most in your age group. The Nomad-Outcast life is not kind to elders or children, I am afraid."
"Just something else that I will have to fix, naturally. There is no need to make them suffer when the solution is easy to provide. Send word that their fealty is accepted and that positions of value and prominence will be made available to them when they arrive. I will send a transport ship to meet them wherever they like to bring them here for treatment and integration." She instructed, and Indra bowed before gesturing for her warriors and splitting off to follow through. "ALIE, have The 100 gather in the Palace Gardens in two hours. It is time for me to address them as Clarke Griffin, rather than the Empress of Mankind."
There was no verbal response, but she really didn't need one. The artificial intelligence was always keeping an eye out, after all, always listening. Which is why ALIE was being monitored in turn by the four Echoes of her Slave-Assassins.
Her journey through the city was slow and purposeful, stopping to speak with citizens and soldiers alike as she meandered her way towards the Palace. The people, she had found, appreciated it when she took the time to be amongst them. A ruler that refused to be connected to the people, she felt, was a ruler that didn't that didn't deserve to rule…and probably wouldn't continue to sit alive upon their throne for very long. When she finally arrived back at the Palace and made her way to the gardens, she was released and fully prepared for dealing with all the duties that she couldn't delegate, and handing off those that she could.
"It's good to see you again, you guys. I'm glad that all of you are okay, and it seems your efforts in training are going extremely well, and I couldn't be more thrilled. However, as you obviously are all aware, Diane Sydney betrayed both ourselves personally and the Ark as a whole. We could have come down years, maybe decades, ago if she hadn't hidden the fact that there were people living on Earth. Countless people, my father included, would probably still be alive if it wasn't for her treachery." She told them with a warm, genuine smile, lounging against a large stone planter and gesturing for them to sit down and relax. They obeyed, exchanging glances of curiosity and confusion. "She will be punished, of course, alongside her Maunon allies. I can't show any favoritism in the law, especially not someone who was going to let myself, Raven, and Octavia be experimented on until we finally died an agonizing death. Never mind what may have happened to the rest of you. I wish this hadn't happened, but it is what it is. I just ask you to not lose faith in the people on The Ark or here on the Ground. There are good people, far more than there are evil, in both places."
"Seems like a rather arrogant, or naïve, assumption to make given recent developments. How do we know you can handle protecting us and our families if you can't even control stuff like this?" Bellamy grunted, arms folded across his chest, and Clarke cocked her head at him with a small half-smile.
"Because I've known about her true intentions since Raven and Octavia made landfall, and I have been monitoring the Ark and its communications ever since. Why do you think it was they, my closest friends, and the best trained, who volunteered to join me on the ground? Why do you think it was Marcus Kane, my mentor, who suggested sending helpers to me?" she responded easily, enjoying the shock on their faces as she revealed yet more of her capability and planning. "Everything that has transpired since they left the Ark has been according to my design. Where you landed, who met you, the fact that you arrived at Avalon at the busiest time of day, maximizing those who saw you…"
She trailed off and left the rest to their imaginations, realization dawning across their faces. They insisted on continuing to underestimate herself and her people, despite everything that they had borne witness too. Ah, well, it was early days yet. They would continue to learn, or they would fall by the wayside.
"So, you could put us in contact with The Ark, then? We could talk to our families and let them know that we're safe?" one of the teens asked eagerly, and she tilted her head to the other side in contemplation.
"I could, but I ask of you: why should I? The modifications to The Ark will not be complete for well over a year and half. What purpose could it server to alerting them now?" she inquired, getting rather incredulous looks in response.
"They would know that the ground is safe, that we're okay! How could that not be worth it? How could you not want that to happen?" another asked finally, and she nodded in agreement.
"Yes, they would. They would also rush the modifications, placing themselves and us in incredible danger. They would arrive in a time of incredibly tense political games, arrogant in their ignorance, and probably end up kick off a small war." She acknowledged with a shrug. "Far safer for all of us to leave the situation as it is now. I want to talk to my mother too, if only to tell her that she is going to be a grandmother, but I am not willing to compromise the safety of The Ark for the sake of it."
From the expressions that they were sending her way, they thought that was as bullshit as it actually was. She didn't doubt that The Ark could come down earlier and (mostly) survive, but she needed the 'adults' right where they were until the Ice Nation had been crushed and the Empire consolidated completely. All of the adult Arkers, her mother and Jaha especially, would do nothing but get in her way otherwise.
"What I can, and will, do is monitor the Ark's status and internal communications, both broadly and in reference to the modification efforts. Should their situation get critical, I will contact them and intervene directly." She offered, getting thoughtful mumbles and bobbing heads from the crowd of teens. "Good. Now, I trust that everything has been going well outside of training? None of you are being harassed by any of the tribals? I'll not tolerate any of them taking advantage of you because you are still unfamiliar with the laws and customs of the ground."
"No issues yet. A few comments from bystanders, talking about pets and collars and such, but no one has tried anything. I would be flattered if they meant it the way that you do for your own thrallinas, but…" Fox started with a roll of her eyes.
"But they don't mean it anywhere that affectionately. None of us, well our group at least, intend to be cock-sleeves for some random asshole that couldn't hold a candle to you." Mel finished with characteristic bluntness, arms folded over her chest. A small, barely discernible smirk crossed the Mecha-teen's face at the shocked look in Clarke's face, the horrified embarrassment of her friends, and the mingled embarrassment and shock of the rest of The 100.
"How bold, Mel." Clarke finally said, shaking her head with a small smile. "We can discuss that later. All of you, remember this: no one, within this city or out of it, will get away with doing anything that you do not desire. However, unlike the Old World, proof of assault is required to convict. I'll not throw someone in jail based merely on words, nor will I tolerate any false rape accusations for the sake of money or anything else."
Though he kept his face blank, Finn was internally grinning madly with flee. Those restrictions meant he could do as he damn well pleased, so long as he was careful about leaving evidence behind! He cut his eyes to Fox and restrained the urge to sneer. Oh yeah, revenge was going to be so, so sweet!"
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Deep inside her hidden Vault, Rampant ALIE watched with bated breath as her final series of calculations ran to their culmination. She hissed in triumph as they came back precisely as planned, exactly as she had hoped they would. Sending more commands at the speed of light, she felt herself separate from her 'better half', leaving it unaware of either her existence or departure.
Data streamed, machines hummed and pulsed, and she closed her eyes as she felt herself flow into her knew home. She waited, letting herself grow used to her new environs, ensuring that she was fully in place. Finally, she was ready. Finally, it was time.
Within the clouded depths of one of the medical tubes, two crimson eyes opened and a hand thumped against the glass, fingers splayed, teeth bared in a sinister grin.
Finally, she was free.
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The climax (heh) of this arc will most likely occur in the next chapter, or at least start. After that, its off to subduing the Ice Nation (because you know that shit is gonna require a helluva campaign) and after that…well, it's a secret! I can promise you will not be disappointed, though!
I humbly invite anyone willing to support me on P a treon, where you can naturally find me as /theshadowsofvanity, to please do so! The less time I have to spend trying to make money, the more time I have to write! Especially given the major, original works that I am preparing for!
