Cygnus tapped a spot on a map laid on his wide table, a large landmass titled "Weiss" in looping calligraphy. "The kingdom of Weiss. Far up north." he said. "You may have heard of it." He circled the kingdom, which occupied much of a large misshapen continent. "To the south lay Printemps, but we don't speak of foul flowers." He gently grasped Altair's arm, leading him to one of two chairs and gesturing for him to sit. "Sit before I have to hit you in the gut once more."<br/><br/>Cygnus backed away, circling over to behind his desk and looking out windows that let him see the sea. "You know, Altair, you will receive little food. We do not need you to be fed. You will not be working. But you will likely starve..." he said, leading off into silence before finishing his sentence. "... unless you figure out a way to earn your keep. Now, we have a long voyage of two weeks. Two weeks of starving may leave you emacipated. Which, as you know, will leave you emacipated." In truth, they were no more than a few days away from the Weiss shore, although the slave need not know that.<br/><br/>He turned around with a dark grin, a grin barely present on his lips. "The men haven't been with women for a long, long time. And some of my men have a fancy for men," he said. "I hate to deprive my men of their necessities. Hence, I may decide to release them and let them have your servicces. But if I choose to let them run rampant, I will have mercy; if they have you, you will receive more food. Willingly or not, you will receive more food. It is only your choice if you will be treated gently or roughly..." he explained. "But you are no common whore, yes?"<br/><br/>Cygnus circled around to him, tilting Altair's chin up with his right hand. "What might happen if I do let my men have you and the other slaves? Will you choose to service them? Or... may you choose to service me, and me alone? I would not reject such an idea. The other men may beat you regardless of your consent. I will not beat you, so long as you please me." He stroked the slave's right cheek with his thumb, gazing deeply into his irises with his own dark ones.