Ezra exhaled slowly as his master approached, turning his face to receive the man's gentle touches with the damp cloth. He had forgotten about his stained face, the smeared tears that marred his exquisite beauty, and offered no protest as Reis set about cleaning him up. The silence between the two as Reis tended to his face was easy and comforting. The Asha settled well, smiling gently and closing his eyes in contentment. Reis gave him a mild warning before he began focusing on the burn on Ezra's back. The pet hissed, the tight muscles of his ass clenching and his body tensing momentarily before the cool, soothing attributes of the salve penetrated the deep burning in his skin.<br/><br/>"The shadows..." Ezra began, licking nervously at his lips as Reis massaged the salve into his back. "Asha who sleep alone are vulnerable to them. They cause horrible dreams to plague the lonely Asha, all over they see blood, death, savage beasts with gnashing teeth. They awake weakened, their bodies drained of energy.<br/><br/>"When I was a youngling, there was another male, older than me. His name was Jona. He was always oddly tempered. Quick to react aggressively to things. I heard the keepers talk about him, say he was unsalable because he did not behave right. They made him start sleeping alone, in a solitary hut. They would tie him so he couldn't get out. Jona would cry at night, at first, but eventually he stopped. After about a week, Jona's skin turned an ashy gray color, and after another, he looked as if he had lost a lot of weight. His ribs stuck out where they didn't before. During the day, he would sit alone, staring out onto the ocean. If you asked him what he saw at night, he would just start crying.<br/><br/>"After a third week, Jona escaped his ties, but he did not retreat to another hut. He walked out into the ocean and drowned himself. His body was found washed up on the beach. The shadows make you want to die."<br/><br/>The story had made Ezra sad, and the pet tittered awkwardly for a moment before calming himself, focusing on the movement of his master's hands. Reis' next question, however, upset the pet further. How was he to explain to Reis what had happened when he wasn't to speak ill of family?<br/><br/>"I did not burn myself," Ezra replied stubbornly. "I was not going to leave my room. I was trying to be a good Asha. I even opened my legs and let him touch, like I was supposed to. It felt strange, but good, and my cock began to grow like when the mature Asha mate. But he instructed me to leave, and I didn't want to because I thought leaving would upset you, and I do not want to upset you, Master. Reis." He scrunched up his nose, angry at himself for messing up again.<br/><br/>"I was under the desk. This upset him. He said, 'You will do as I tell you. I am your superior in every way. It is not your place to tell men like me<i>no</i>. Reis is not here so you will defer to me,<i>in all things</i>.'" Ezra's memory was sharp, recalling each moment with Andras as if it were a film reel playing over and over in his mind. His voice was shaky and hurried as he spoke, but he paused after repeating Andras' words. Accusing Andras of burning him, although it was true, would be bad. Reis said so.<br/><br/>"Mister Andras was very angry. I did not burn myself."