<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">Altair was going to Weiss, that Cygnus confirmed. Maybe not to the man he'd intended, but it at least sounded like he planned on parting with him there, once they reached land. That could come as a blessing, or a curse. Typically Altair feared the unknown, but in this case he was optimistic. He'd dealt with many different sorts throughout his life, none quite so displeased with him as Cygnus, but maybe this next master of his wouldn't share many of his qualities. Or he could be worse.<br/>
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He was expected another sort of punishment, maybe for Cygnus to choke him again when he wrapped the strip of linen around his throat, but he only covered his new wound. It was odd for the man who'd just split his flesh to be tending to it, but he doubted it was for anything more than preserving Altair's life. Or maybe trying to hide what he'd done from his gods, or the crew. Blood dotted through, but the bleeding had mostly stopped. Cygnus told him he'd be going up above deck, away from the other slaves. He wanted to laugh at him when he worried that they might follow in his path. Rather, if anything, Altair thought he set a good example of what not to do. Surely they didn't want to end up like Altair. If the pretty, cultured slave hadn't been spared mercy, they knew they certainly wouldn't.<br/>
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Altair was careful not to look at them. He didn't want Cygnus to turn his attention to any of them in some indirect way to punish them both, but he knew the older man's eyes were boring into him, frowning as he was pulled to his feet. No more questions, Cygnus had said, and that was fine. Altair thought it probably better if he didn't speak at all. Would that count as another form of defiance, and would it get him in more trouble than his words might? He couldn't trust himself not to say something that angered, or displeased Cygnus. He couldn't really trust his actions either.<br/>
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Altair struggled up as Cygnus directed him. His long limbs were shaky and he was slow moving, relying on the railing where he could. The crew avoided Altair like he was plagued, and they wouldn't look at him, though Altair didn't go out of his way to avert his gaze. He said nothing either, and tried to remain neutral. He didn't need Cygnus thinking he was going out of his way to be vengeful. That was his goddess' decision, not his own. He was on edge, wondering what Cygnus might be planning next. Something public, perhaps, to try and settle any unrest Altair had caused? Or maybe he'd just try to humiliate him, by making him suck him off as he'd pondered.<br/>
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Once Altair had reached the area he thought Cygnus might want him, a place that gave a good vantage point to any of those curious, or brave enough to look, Altair turned to the Captain and dropped to his knees. He looked up to Cygnus' face, the only indication that for all the violence, he hadn't been cowed entirely and he was still true to his nature. He was simply trying to anticipate what Cygnus might want. Perhaps a public display of subservience would save him another thrashing. At any rate, he was tired, and it was certainly easier to prostrate himself before this man when he was exhausted and aching. He only had to keep himself from gaining further injury and then he could be sold on, and Cygnus would hopefully take his vile ship far away from the cold kingdom of Weiss. Altair thought it might be a lovely place to live if only because Cygnus would not call it home.</span></span>