The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Jessica on 12-09-2010, 09:24:36</h2>
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				Title: <strong>The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jessica</strong> on <strong>12-09-2010, 09:24:36</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: gaze;" class="bbc_font">The Rings That Bind</span></span></strong> <br></div><strong>Oxfordshire, England</strong><br><br>Emily Williams sat on her bed, her legs hanging off the side, crossed and jiggling nervously as she stared at the small, open box in her hands, containing a small silver ring engraved with the word 'Williams' on the inside. The ring was set with a small but immensely beautiful blue sapphire. The ring was one of two, the other belonging to David Branston. David... Emily sighed, closing the box and setting it aside. David and this ring were the two reasons her stomach was filled with butterflies that would not go away.<br><br><hr><br>The Williams and Branston families had a very close relationship with one another, spanning nearly five centuries. Members of the families had been lovers and very close friends, but none had ever married, an enigma the younger heirs of the families often questions.<br><em><br>"Family stigma"</em> had been the stock answer they received, nothing more, nothing less. It was just the accepted way of things.<br><br>David was the current and only heir of the Branston family. Though he had been brought up to be a perfect young man in his parent's and grandparent's eyes, and had received a private education few children were lucky enough to get, he craved human company. Or at least, he would have. Barely two weeks after his birth he had 'met' Emily, the latest child of the Williams family, born barely a week after David.&nbsp; <br><br>The two had grown up together, playing games when children, going out for walks when they were teenagers, and having dinner at restaurants when young adults. Emily provided David with a friend he could talk to, confide in, provide him with the human company he so desperately craved when she was not around. His parents suffocated him, and it was only Emily who offered him the kiss of life. In time, their relationship blossomed from that of a brotherly-sisterly one to that of friendship, and slowly that to evolved into romance. Yet, despite all the freedoms both families offered the pair when they were together, both families denied their respective heirs the chance to consummate. When asked why, the infuriating answer <em>"That's just the way of things" </em>did little in the way of offering explanation.<br><br>Yet both David and Emily respected their families, and the pair never made love. Kisses, hugs, cuddles- they forged a relationship founded on these acts, but never the ultimate act of love making. Both came to accept that, for one reason or another it was not allowed, but were both happy they could be together. On the day after Emily's 24th birthday, everything changed.<br><br>For the two families were more than just close. The Williams, for generations, had served as&nbsp; slaves and maids for the Branstons. In return the Bransons, many more times richer and powerful, offered the Williams family protection and financial security. At the age of 21 each Williams family member was 'bound' to a Branston, if there was one alive. That Williams lived to obey and serve that Branston family member until death, and in return the Branston family member offered their 'servant' protection. Servant was a word often used, but slave fitted more aptly- a Williams family member had no option but to serve whoever they had been paired to. Though some Williams' had suffered at the hands of a Branston, the relationship between the bonded pair often existed peacefully, each 'partner' happy where they were. Now Emily had been told she was to be bonded with David.<br><br><hr><br>Emily had shook when she had been told the tale of the two family's long history and true relationship, and had almost collapsed when told, quite plainly, she was to be bonded with David. She was to serve him as his slave and personal maid in any way he saw fit. They were now able to consummate, but marriage would never be permitted, and neither would children. Emily had looked down at her stomach as she had been told. It was perfectly flat, but she didn't <em>want </em>it to always be flat. She wanted her belly to be swollen, to carry his children for the man she loved, to raise them with him and to love and to care for them. She had felt her dreams shattered in a single swooping blow as she was handed a box containing a ring- she and David had a week to make the bond, or else she would be offered to another family, maybe even abroad. They had left her alone to straighten her head out.<br><br>She sat back on her bed, legs cuddled close to her body. She felt so mixed up. She wanted to be with David- she loved him and wanted him with her 24/7. Yet... to be with him 24/7 in this manner, as his slave, not his equal, felt so wrong, so unusual. It was a cruel twist of fate that she had finally been offered to live with the man she had always wanted, yet at the cost of her very freedom. She needed David to be here, to hold her close and tell her everything was going to be OK, and that they'd sort it all out. But part of her knew it wasn't going to work out like that. David, if he had been told the news at the same time as she had, would be equally confused, and looking for the same support she craved. She buried her head between her knees, her soft brown hair splaying over her legs. She felt hot tears of confusion drip down her pale cheeks as she cradled herself on her bed.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>rocknrolla</strong> on <strong>12-09-2010, 18:16:34</strong>
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				David nodded, letting the news sink in slowly. <em>Nothing lasts forever...</em> he thought and he couldn’t help but feel angry; angry at his society, angry at the way things had to be different for him and his beloved, angry because in the pit of his stomach he knew no matter what he did, there was no way he can rectify what they were going to do to him and her. <br><br>David Branston, a charming gentleman of much renown felt hopeless for the very first time in his life. His uncle paced about slowly in the room. It was a march of the victorious – one that people boast about in moves and novels. <br><br><strong>“Is there no hope?”</strong><br><br>“There’s always hope, David. Besides what’s the big matter? I appreciate your feelings lad but to make a huge deal out of this is preposterous!”<br><strong><br>“She is my friend, uncle and a very dear one at that.” His voice was steady – the last thing David wanted was to lose composure and <em>really</em> make a huge deal of it. He knew he had to be strong for both their sakes, but no one remembers a gallant charge that leads straight to one’s doom. He was a Branston and a diplomat at that.<br></strong><br><strong>“Besides when did we start caring about appearances, uncle? Isn’t it right for one to do what the heart sayeth and worry about shenanigans later?”</strong><br><br>“Are you calling our family customs shenanigans now, David?”<br><br><strong>“No Sir.”</strong><br><br>“It’s in place for a reason! A William is to serve a Branston till death, which is why they are offered the same benefits – those befitting lords of our nature! I will not have you desecrate what has been around for so long... what defines us!”<br><br><strong>“Say for the sake of my <em>family</em> I agree to put up with this old... tradition.” He paused, it wouldn’t have helped his cause to call it a charade. “I am very adept at putting up appearances... nobody else need to know whether she is a wife, or a servant... please, I implore you.”</strong><br><br>“This discussion is over, Master David.” His uncle began to walk out. “You have a week to decide. Should you not have any need for Emily, she shall be sold off to a family of befitting stature to perform her duties.” He stormed out. <br><br>It was now David’s turn to pace around the room, who could have guessed their fate was to be decided by those who didn’t know them at all. He was lost in thought, toying with a cufflink – The idea of never being able to see his darling again was too much to bear, so that part was out of the question. The onus was on him to perform admirably to their expectations until he can come up with an idea of his own... but before he could give his answer he wondered if he could see Emily again, see what she thinks... mayhap have a moment with her alone. He knew that was too much to hope for.&nbsp; There was a ball to be held in the evening and he wondered if she’d make it. There was a chance he can pass along a message through one of the Williams’ servants (though he seriously began to doubt if <em>servant</em> was even the right word for it anymore), finally deciding to make do on his idea.<br><br><strong>“Burton?”</strong> He called out. The Williams male chauffeur should be standing attentive downstairs, and much to his expectation came upstairs, a look of surprise on his face.<br><br><strong>“Can you please ask Emily... Miss Williams to entertain me this evening please? I have a few errands for her and some chores albeit not personal before the dinner?”<br></strong><br>The chauffeur looked up at him; he was clearly trying to find the words. <br><strong><br>“I assure you it’s in regards to the upcoming ball.”</strong> He laughed softly, an artist through and through David knew how to get the message across. <br><br>The chauffeur nodded, taking his leave. David sat down again; it was a waiting game now, and one sadly he was not too good at... but he knew for Emily’s sake he will have to stay strong. <br><br><strong>“I love you... “</strong> He whispered, and tried to distract himself.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jessica</strong> on <strong>13-09-2010, 21:27:54</strong>
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				Emily hadn't been left alone for more than fifteen minutes before her father peeked his head about the door.<br><br><em>"Emily, David sent on a message,"</em> he said, checking down through his spectacles at the scribbled words he'd written down. <em>"He says that you're to report to him to receive some errands and chores to complete before tonight's ball, during which you will be keeping him..."</em> He looked again at the paper, rechecking the word<em> "entertained,"</em> he finally finished, putting away the paper. He really wished David had picked a better word.<br><br>Emily blinked, mouth opening slightly. David was- David was giving her an order? She looked up at her father, a look of confusion spreading across her face.<br><br><strong>"He's giving me orders, father?"</strong> she asked, disbelieving.<strong> "I didn't think the bond was made?"</strong> Her father rubbed his chin, pulling out the note again. <br><br><em>"Well, as soon as the announcement was made to both of you the bond was formed, and he has every right to use- command you, as he sees fit,"</em> explained her father, wincing as he accidently used the word use. That word would do little to comfort his daughter. He continued on, more slowly this time.<em> "In fact, I'm afraid we don't have much of a choice in the matter. We as Williams' can discuss the bond with our paired Master or Mistress, and it's very much encouraged, but they have the ultimate say in the matter. The only thing they can't do is force the ring upon us."</em> He held up his own ring, a ruby sparkling in it. <em>"If a week goes by and one or both people haven't put the ring on and forged the bond, the Williams family member sold off to another family."</em> Emily balked at the idea, her pretty brown eyes widening.<br><br><strong>"Sold off? But what if- What if he-"</strong> Her thoughts only grew more turbulent, forming one confusing sticky mass in her head, a few tears welling up in her eyes. Her father sighed, walking over to her to rest his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her.<br><br><em>"Don't worry Emily. I've worked for David's uncle nigh on thirty years now, and I've known David for all of his life. I know how you two get on, and I know David isn't about to let you go if he knows everything I've just told you as well. Look..." </em>He sighed again, his tone softening a little. <em>"This is always a confusing time, and it's always worse for our family. Truth be told you've taken the news better than I had anticipated. Your mother almost threw a fit when she found out. Now if I know David, he didn't send you this message to boss you about, and if he did it was only because he was ordered to by family. Go and talk to him. I order it of you."</em> He chuckled quietly, trying to lighten the mood. The truth always shocked, even hurt at first. He didn't like to say it, but his daughter had been lucky to be paired with David. At least he knew she'd be looked after. <br><br>Emily rubbed her eyes, clearing away the tears that had begun to form in the corners of her eyes. <br><br><strong>"Thank you, father,"</strong> she said, offering a weak smile, standing up to embrace him. <strong>"I'll change and go now."</strong><br><br><hr><br>Emily arrived at David's ancestral home thirty minutes later in a midnight blue spotted dress, carrying with her only the silver ring, still stored safely in her pocket. Burton opened the door, smiling at her politely.<br><br><em>"Ahh, Miss Williams, the young Master David did ask me to send for you. Please come in, he is just up in his main bedroom and asked that you come up to meet him."</em><br><br>Emily entered, her heart sinking. Miss. Williams? The young Master David? Usually Burton addressed them as Emily and David alone... Awful visions of her entering David's room, of having him demand she bow before him and address him as Master Branston, filled her head. She knew it was stupid- she knew David would never do that, he cared for her just as much as she did him... and yet, the terrible thought and fear persisted. Soon she stood outside of his closed bedroom door, too terrified to just burst in on him. She knocked timidly on the door, speaking up.<br><br><strong>"D-David? Are you in there?"</strong> she called out, unable to keep the tremor out of her voice.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>rocknrolla</strong> on <strong>13-09-2010, 22:35:01</strong>
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				<em>I love you... </em> The words kept echoing in his head; ricocheting off those invisible walls he had set up in his mind to imprison him from the world. He had no doubts, he will be strong for him and Emily – However he was still grieving, letting the news sink in completely so his emotions can put on a mask of a negotiator to process it, and then become a diplomat; someone who can take care of this nonsense, so then he can become himself and give her the proper title he has always dreamed of; his wife.<br><br>He walks to a drawer and sliding it out, grasps the small purse tightly. He promised himself he would not dare but he needed it; just a slight peek to affirm his faith in his love. To hold it in his hand and feel it before he will have to put it away, until he can play with it again. Until he can slip it on her finger.<br><br>It was a ring befitting a duchess, or a woman or paramount importance whose man loved her very much. Adorned with gems and plated in gold, he once <em>stole</em> Emily’s ring to have this crafted, and would have bent down on one knee by now if these grave turn of events had not met him first. He looked at it for what seemed like an eternity and then sliding it back in the pouch, began to pace around the room again. Now was the time to make a proper plan. <br><br>He held the bonding ring, kept passing it from one hand to another as if it would make it disappear by doing so. There were a million things he had in mind, but he kept coming back to the same resolution; he’d have to discuss things with her first... and it was not long before he got his chance.<br><br><em>”D-David? Are you there?”</em> It was not difficult to make out her voice, he was glad she was able to come up to him with all the commotion going on downstairs. David was fond of parties and family functions, but tonight he was in no mood to entertain those elements of grandeur who were there to bask in the fine granules of lies and bigotry. <br><br>He opened the door and filled her in his arms, hugging her tightly. He didn’t mutter a word for several moments, and when he did it was a whisper, and a barely audible one at that. <strong>”My dear, are you alright? How are you doing?”</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jessica</strong> on <strong>13-09-2010, 23:13:43</strong>
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				She heard footsteps approaching the door- David was there, and he was coming to answer the door. As the handle turned, a brief, fleeting image of him ordering her to kneel at his feet flashed across her vision. The door opened, and-<br><br>He embraced her firmly in his arms, the same grip she knew and felt safe in. Her own shaking arms held him close, and she burst into tears. It was her relief, her fear, her confusion, all the emotions that she'd been experiencing and bottling up since she had been told the news. They were all welling up to the surface and exploding outwards, streaming forth uncontrollably to try and relieve her tension. She was mixed up, her emotions and thoughts as shattered as a pane of glass hit with a wrecking ball, but David, David hadn't changed. He was still here. She held onto him tightly for a few moments as she rode out her wave of tears, wanting nothing more than to simply stay where she was and never move again. <br><br>She sniffed, coughing a little as she started to compose herself again, her cheeks a rosy red and tearstained, eyes slightly redrimmed. She swallowed a lump in her throat, taking a slow, steadying breath as she lifted her head from his shoulder, trying to offer him a small smile.<br><br><strong>"I'm... I'm sorry David..."</strong> she said, her throat dry. <strong>"I just.. I feared you'd change... I'm so sorry, I just.. just..."</strong> she struggled to find the right words for him. <strong>"I just don't know quite what to think anymore."</strong> She looked up into his eyes, unable to stop herself from voicing her last, stupid concern.<br><br><strong>"You didn't... you didn't bring me here to give me orders, did you?"</strong> she asked, her gaze wavering. She felt like she was betraying him, admitting she didn't have confidence in him- but she was so confused right now, she didn't know what was true and what wasn't. Everything downstairs had been so lively and light-hearted- was everyone so ignorant to the plight she and David were now experiencing? Did no-one care she had to cope with being no more than a slave for the rest of her life?
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Rings That Bind (RnR and Jessica)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>rocknrolla</strong> on <strong>16-09-2010, 13:11:58</strong>
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				He held her close to him – allowing her the much needed reprieve he knew was amiss back when she was on her own. This was the least David could have done for her, and being a man of honour he knew he won’t be letting her down now or ever again. What he would ask her would be to ensure that they can be a couple when the time comes. Indeed, it shall take its toll on both of them – and mayhap they might never recover fully from that bond, but as long he had faith in her – and she had faith in him – they can teach each other how they used to be, when all is said done. <br><br>He wiped her tears, planting his lips softly against the back of her neck where his head rested. One hand slowly caressing her mane. <strong>“I can never change, Emily. Please have faith in me, and our <em>true</em> bond that you’ll only be subservient to your honour and respect, never to my whims – regardless of how we feel for each other.”</strong> He took her face in his strong hands and kissed her forehead. <br><br>Looking into her deep, sodden eyes he smiled softly, shaking his head. <strong>“No dearest, I didn’t call you here to give you orders. But to serve you with a proposition I deem to make it possible for us to truly bind us in a relationship we seek.”</strong> He didn’t mention another word, but kept looking at her – letting the words sink. David will take his time, and he’ll comfort his love, offer her support throughout this ordeal. <br><br><strong>“I fear losing you if we refuse to bond. That is out of the question – however if we bond the way they want us to now, I fear you losing respect for me. The only way out of this is for us to be patient, and for you to have faith in me Emily. I will conquer the world for you, snatch the stars... but I can’t do it on me own. We need to play their pathetic game if we are to have a future, you and I...”</strong> He smiled softly, still caressing the side of her face. <strong>“That is of course, if you would like a future with yours truly...”</strong>
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