Author note: Peter will end up getting far more back story in this than Neal because for the most part Neal's life isn't all that different in this universe other than the fact that it's been easier for him to avoid the FBI without Agent Burke on his tail.
On another note I want to thank everyone for the positive response to this story! I have to admit I was a touch nervous about taking up lov-pb writing challenge to do a slave fic of any description. However I have to admit I've been having a lot of fun with it. I've been writing scenes for lov-pb's approval for over a month so I'm working on piecing them into some form of coherent narrative now. Thanks again for all your support! And a special thanks to lov-pb of course. Hugs!
Chapter Three
Peter stood over near the glass patio doors while Neal busied himself at a laptop computer. He assumed that Neal was looking up information on his kind, although all he really needed to do was ask. Peter had been offered a place at the kitchen table to sit near Neal but he was more comfortable standing as well as keeping his distance. He had failed to keep the distinct line between Animula and owner once and they were both paying the consequences of that now. With nothing better to do at the moment Peter became lost in thought as his mind drifted to the past.
Six years before Peter met Neal he followed his most recent owner down a richly decorated hall trying to determine what kind of man he was. Technically the high ranking manager wasn't his owner, his registration was in the company's name which dealt mostly in hedge fund and other investing management. This was the thirteenth company that he'd been sold to or in this particular case traded to. A corporate owner had its advantages since his 'Master' in this situation tended to just be middle management and had no real investment in him personally. That meant they didn't see him as a personal reflection of their own status the way a private owner did. When the work day was done Peter was usually free to do whatever he wanted within reason, with a private owner he was 'on the job' twenty-four/seven.
The main disadvantage to this set up was that he was very much just another piece of office equipment and it didn't take much to be sent back to auction or be tossed around during a merger. His last corporate manager that acted as his main Master also used to take out his frustrations with the stock market on him, expecting him to be able to predict the volatile market and punishing him severely when he failed to do so. Walking a few steps behind his new Master Peter was already nervous about this particular company since they had collared him instantly without even giving him a chance to prove his loyalty.
The thin black band was hidden under the collar of his shirt and although it barely weighed anything Peter was constantly aware of its presence. It had been years since he'd last worn the device that had been developed after a high profile CEO had been murdered by an Animula. At least it was the Animula who had been blamed for the death, even among humans there had been doubts of his guilt. However it had been enough to scare the corporate culture. Twenty years ago every Animula wore one, thankfully as time passed it became less common again. Collars falling out of favor entirely couldn't happen soon enough as far as Peter was concerned and he tried his hardest now not to scratch at it.
The manager who he knew only as 'Master Renner' that he'd been assigned to him hadn't spoken to Peter yet, so he had no idea where he was going or what he was expected to do. They got to the end of the hall and Renner knocked on the door but he didn't wait for an answer before stepping in. Hoping that he was meant to follow Peter did so and closed the door behind them. The large office held a breathtaking view of Manhattan, but Peter barely even noticed it. He had been taken by surprised by the woman behind the glass desk who had gotten to her feet to greet them both with a bright smile. Despite the supposed rise in the glass ceiling it still wasn't often that Peter saw women in high corporate positions.
"Mr. Renner, how are yo..."
"Elizabeth," Renner interrupted in a hurry to move on "this is...uh...Paul."
Peter rolled his gold tainted eyes slightly at Renner getting his name wrong. Elizabeth saw the quick look of frustration on Peter's face and flashed an apologetically smile at him. Peter failed to hide his shock that she had even noticed the gesture let alone given him a sympathetic look. People almost never looked directly at him, and it was rarer still that they noticed any of the expressions that occasionally flirted across his features. She certainly noticed that he was looking at her now and when she smiled brightly at him once more Peter dropped his gaze to the floor, uncertain how to interpret her reaction to him. He decided that she hid her nervousness by smiling.
"We just acquired him as part of the Walberg Corp merger." Renner explained, not having noticed the exchange between the pair. "I thought he might be able to help you on your current project."
"I'd certainly appreciate it." Elizabeth said sounding genuine.
"Do you have any experience working with Animula?" Renner asked.
"No, but I'm sure we'll do just fine together." Elizabeth assured as she stepped out from behind the glass desk.
"He's collared so if he give you any trouble the passcode is..."
Peter's eyes widened in fear that Renner was about to accidentally set off his collar. The 'correction' it produced only lasted seconds but it had never failed to drop him to his knees and it took hours to truly recover from it. He likened it to having molten sliver poured down his back and his nerves jangled irritably for nearly half a day afterward.
"Mr. Renner," Elizabeth interrupted quickly as she stepped closer to him "don't say it out loud, you'll set it off. He hasn't done anything wrong."
"Oh, right." Renner shrugged. "Here..."
Renner reached over and grabbed a sticky note off the desk and scribbled the passcode on it. Snatching the paper away irritably Elizabeth folded it in half and put it in her pocket without reading it. Renner didn't seem to care either way, he had other matters on his mind. He turned to Peter and snapped his fingers at him. Unsure of what the gesture meant Peter took a step closer and hoped for the best.
"Parker," Renner addressed Peter "this is Mistress Mitchell, you do anything she asks."
"Understood, Master Renner." Peter replied respectfully.
"Alright, Elizabeth, good luck with him." Renner said as headed towards the door. "He has had more owners than a rented mule, so I don't know if he's worth anything. Let me know if he doesn't work out I'm sure we can get something for him at auction."
"I'm sure he'll do just fine."
Renner didn't even hear Elizabeth's last statement, he was already out the door. Elizabeth walked over and closed the door that Renner had left open before she turned her attention to Peter. Peter automatically pulled his shoulders back to stand slightly straighter as he slipped his hands behind his back and turned his gaze back to the floor. With her standing closer Peter could smell the slightly floral tint to her perfume, something about it caused his heart to race. He had been around plenty of human women before, but none of them had ever given him a second glance so it was easy to ignore them in return.
Far from ignoring him Elizabeth stood in front of Peter waiting for him to look up at her. She didn't order him to look up, she just waited patiently until he risked glancing up at her. Once he looked up he found himself locked in her sky blue gaze. He almost never got a chance to look into someone else's eyes since they tended to look away from his unnatural golden stain the second any mistaken eye contact was made. Elizabeth didn't seem to have any difficulty looking at him and she smiled to encourage him not to turn away.
"I'm sorry about him." Elizabeth apologized for Renner. "This must be a difficult adjustment for you."
"Not at all." Peter assured despite the fact that it was a blatant lie. Transferring ownership was always stressful and the collar was making this switch particularly stressful.
"You're name isn't 'Paul' or 'Parker' is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, Mistress, it's Peter."
"Peter, I like that." Elizabeth said warmly. "Don't worry, Mr. Renner isn't trying to change your name, he's just too full of himself to bother to learn it. I'll use your name correctly around him and he'll catch onto it eventually."
"Thank you, Mistress Mitchell."
"I don't suppose there is any chance of getting you to call me Elizabeth is there? I've never been very comfortable with the whole 'Mistress'."
"It wouldn't be very proper." Peter admitted. "However, ultimately the decision of what you wish me to call you is yours."
"I don't want to get you in any trouble. Would it be wrong of me to request that you use my first name when we are alone together?"
"Not at all...Elizabeth." Peter hesitated to use her familiar name and found himself flushing after having done so.
Elizabeth blushed an attractive pink as well. He knew he wasn't supposed to find her beautiful, but that didn't seem to change the fact that she had an instant effect on him. If Elizabeth was nervous about being alone with him she certainly didn't show it. She suddenly held her hand out to him. Peter had seen the traditional handshake between humans thousands of times before, but no one had ever offered him their hand before. Uncomfortable with the idea of accepting the offer Peter kept his hands behind his back, he was already over stepping his bounds using her first name. Elizabeth smiled sadly and took a step back to keep from pressuring him.
"I suppose we should get to work." Elizabeth suggested.
"I would like that."
"What is your specialty?"
"Financial Forensics, but I can learn anything that you need me to."
"I bet you can." Elizabeth nodded. "For what it's worth, welcome to the company, Peter."
"I feel very welcome so far."