The Challenge (Subtle Trouble & Verse)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Verse on 13-04-2011, 04:41:09</h2>
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				Title: <strong>The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>13-04-2011, 04:41:09</strong>
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				The cold air of the Guild House was hardly noticeable on his skin now, night falling outside the window in his room. He was too focused on staring out the window, a million miles away from such thoughts as the immediate room provided. The house was tense tonight and it was obvious why, if one payed attention to the Guildmaster. Despite the rumors of his growing inability to maintain his post, the Guildmaster was still enough of a respected force in the halls to warrant such tension from the more experienced members of the guild who had built themselves up as part of it. Tonight was the night his final judgment on who would succeed the title and control of the guild between the two candidates. Whoever won this contest the Guildmaster had decided to push them into would obtain the title; and far more.<br><br>Part of him understood the additional term, that the defeated would be forced to the control and domination of the victor. If he had allowed himself such thoughts as losing, he might have found the idea to be the dominated somewhat distasteful, but in his mind he was focused on the woman opposite him. He had his doubts she would find it any more tasteful than he would to be so bound to someone she obviously disliked. The few and impersonal times he had met the woman in question they had never even gotten to the point of learning each other's names. He found the idea of 'dueling' someone very...Strange, as well.<br><br>To put their craft into the context of a battle felt so alien and wrong to him, so unnatural to the entire idea of what he enjoyed that he had debated admitting his resignation from the contest. He would not mind the loss of those who followed his methods and practices, but he would mind the possibility of losing his place here. He had been privately told that such a weak-hearted gestured would be more than enough reason for others to seek his dispelling from the guild. That had kept him silent on the matter without fail.<br><br>Now he simply waited. He was keeping his gaze on the drifting skyline and the moonlight already ghosting over the edges of the open window in his room. He was alternating mentally between certain of himself and displeased at the Guildmaster for putting him through such a night. He was not going to enjoy much of this, he suspected. He looked over to the wall now and sighed, shifting to get onto his feet and get dressed for this. Almost an hour until he had to go find what they would prepare for this night...
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>13-04-2011, 17:24:46</strong>
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				Micah paced her own antechamber nervously, strong, white teeth pulverizing her bottom lip. She'd done this before, but it had never been forced. But against him? Blue eyes followed the seams of the wall, as she paced. She couldn't leave. Here was protection. Here was everything. But here was the man who terrified her to the bone. The one man she would always refuse to duel, though she'd beaten many of his subordinates. It had been three years that she managed to avoid this, and now Erik had to go getting senile. <br><br>There was not much preparation for her to do. Bind long, raven locks back into a French braid, drink, and eat some, though not enough to endanger her of having to void her body of waste. The rules were simple, the first person to submit lost. The first person to lose control of them-self, or orgasm lost. Of course, she was at a disadvantage. Many men had tried simply pinning her and forcing a vibrator onto her. She'd learned long ago, however, to writhe away, to drop her mind into a place where it was protected from any recollection, from having to face...<br><br>She doubted she would be able to do it tonight. He looked too much like... Every time they had met, she deliberately left as soon as possible, never met his eyes and never gave him an inch. He looked so much like Him. Even the sound of his voice was similar enough to send her heart pounding, her palms to get clammy and her knees to grow weak. That sort of terror she couldn't avoid, and she couldn't force her mind away from. Every passing glance fooled her into believing it was Cameron, and every time she had to fight herself from running. There was no fight, only flight when Cameron was concerned, and now she had to face his doppleganger, allow him to touch her and try to remind herself that she was better.<br><br>She had to, because there was no way in the seven hells that she would allow him control over here for a year and a day.<br><br>A soft cough at the door drew her attention, and her eyes settled on a young woman, Anna, that she'd worked with. "Miss, the duel will begin momentarily. Your presence is requested." She said softly.<br><br>"Thank you, Anna." Micah dismissed her, heart beginning to race. She couldn't run, Cameron was out in the world, and she couldn't stay, or else she would have to face the next worse thing. Shaking her head, she sighed, and began to walk toward the door to the viewing chamber, where she would meet her hell. At least it was the lesser.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>13-04-2011, 19:06:46</strong>
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				It didn't take much for him to dress, his knowing that things in their duel would not require much in the way of dress. His hands moved over the black dress shirt he'd purposefully buttoned loosely and made sure it covered him, ensuring the same with the equally jet dress pants he'd chosen for the night. The Guild had certain standards and he doubted that Erik's senility had extended to the level he would allow him to escape them. Everything he wore had to be classified under the heading of 'dress' clothing.<br><br>His neck length brown-tinged-red hair was left loose about his head, falling mostly over the sides of him and leaving his face clear save the scarce bangs that passed over his eyes, though he did it at least the justice of attempting to comb it in some manner while it stubbornly resisted such taming. He was in he middle of that when the sound of knuckles on the wooden doorway roused him and he turned his head, gaze landing on a man he hadn't seen before. But the red shirt underneath the black suit top and tie told him it was one of the Guildmaster's personal assistants.<br><br>"Sir? Mathew, sir?" the man said, Mathew's head lowering as he sighed out his disdain privately before standing straight in front of the mirror and nodding his head, turning around to face the attendant. "I'm ready and on my way. Please express my gratitude to the Guildmaster for this honor." he said, stepping out of the room. It was dark inside and he barely bothered to close the door behind himself. He didn't let the attendant lead him in a procession either. The only thing Mathew had seen fit to pull out of the room with himself was a long white silken scarf which he flung over his shoulders and about his neck. It was more for decoration and purposes in the duel than for warmth, but he wore it as much as he could...The effects of a visual mnemonic were not to be underestimated.<br><br>Interestingly, Mathew couldn't hear many of the sounds that usually accompanied walking through the Guild at this hour. While it was not always so full of the usual sounds, he expected to at least hear a few. Perhaps the night had been held back by the Guildmaster and his attendants as to not allow the tension of it to harm the submissives...Either way, Mathew turned his mind off from the others in the building and focused as he saw the doorway ahead, stepping into it and pushing apart the dark curtains that served as doors. He was focused only on his challenge...<br><br>The light of the room would bring his more prominent feature to bear, however. The light in the room was not bright, but it was enough to let his eyes shine briefly...His acid-green eyes that held a slightly steeled gaze now.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 17:16:30</strong>
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				Micah always stood opposite him in the chamber, a bed, St. Andrew's Cross and a spanking bench lined up to the left, vibrators, plugs and insert-ables on a table next to the bed, and across from the spanking bench stretched a table with more paddles, canes, straps, single tails and floggers than she could count. The last table was covered in ropes, cuffs, shackles, and blindfolds. The room was empty of people, other than the man opposite him, with a huge panel of mirror stretching along the right wall. One-way mirror so they could pretend they were in a private place. <br><br>Blue eyes met green silently, as she pulled herself up to her full height. Withe the boots she wore, she gained four inches of height, a black leather corset covering her upper half, with an artfully pleated black skirt covering her upper thighs. She stood square, feet shoulder length apart. Everything about her stance screamed power. Se wanted him to be intimidated, to think she was better. If she had his mind under control, the rest would be easy.<br><br>Normally, Micah let her opponent make the first move. But her opponent normally did not send her into a terror. Her eyes skittered away from his, as she strode forward, closing the gap between the two, before hesitating, nostrils flaring as she stopped, not two feet from him. "Surrender." She suggested, forcing her voice to be strong. He wanted to be here lust as little as she did. She could tell from the way he stood, the small tightening around the corners of his mouth. He'd risen through the ranks by slow progression, she'd done it by beating everyone she could in the dueling room.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 19:32:12</strong>
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				It was not a surprise to see her there already, he had suspected she would arrive far earlier than him in anticipation. He took a look over the room as she took a moment to steady herself and his mind was already wrapping around every object on those tables, mental scenarios of their uses playing out behind his eyes. But all at once he felt her gaze on him strongly and he met it as his eyes hardened slightly against her gaze. He could see the look behind them already and as always, he picked up the lingering overtones of distaste and disgust burning in those sapphire blues. He had to wonder, offhandedly; Did she really hate him so much?<br><br>She looked strong as she approached him, her outfit the image of dominant beauty but there was something off, the way she stepped brought him no outright uneasiness. Only curiosity as she stopped in front of him, averting her gaze from him then. His own pose was somewhat more relaxed, somewhat less forced and stiff. His shoulder were down and his hands were curled at his sides, his clothing loose but still covering all of him it needed. His feet were close, but not defensively so. He was calm, despite his own distaste for this situation.<br><br>Her call of surrender sent a soft and stiff jolt into his mind, but he fought it down. Her voice was strong and his thoughts of something being wrong faded. Where she had experience in beating others in a battle of domination, Mathew had experience in being able to take his time and mentally plucking at his partners. He had no doubt he would win, because it only took him seconds to piece her together. Shifting, Mathew calmly stepped forward and just as it seemed he might stop in front of her, he drifted by her side.<br><br>His shoulder brushed hers softly, his scarf catching on her arm and dragging over the skin. It was silk and finely mended so even that brush was like a wave of fingertips brushing over the spot as Mathew spoke. "Surrender? Why would you ask that of me? Haven't you won every encounter in this room by struggle and power?" he asked softly. His voice was strong, but he kept it's tone low and he tried to keep the direction it came from entirely behind her, turning his head and moving his lips to make it as hard to place his direction as possible. Once he was behind her, he turned around on her.<br><br>One hand reached up towards her hair now and more than likely she'd feel the tips of his fingers but a hairs distance away from her braid. So close, yet not touching as his hand trailed down it. "I wonder why you would even offer...You're so used to winning by your own hands, doesn't it make you uncomfortable to think you can beat me just with a single word?" he asked, now his voice brushing over her hair as he watched the back of her shoulders. He was waiting to see any signs of discomfort. "Or is it that you're so disgusted at the thought of me even touching you that you're hoping...Praying I'll just bend my knee to you? So your followers won't have to hear how their magnificent, empowered Lady shivered out of her opponent's touches..."<br><br>He was striking every nerve he could. He wanted her unnerved, he wanted her to begin fearing his touches as he said. Because the next thing he did was wrap his fingers around her french-braided hair firmly. He wasn't hurting her, merely making it hard for her to pull out of his grasp. And his thumb was running over her hair now, stroking it. "I won't even ask for your surrender. Because I don't need it...I know I can make you bend to me. I'm not afraid of your touches or your presence. I won't ever look into your eyes with disgust or contempt." he said now, his voice raising an octave at a time until the word 'contempt' was spoken at a tense, heated level.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 19:52:52</strong>
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				Micah knew, from the moment she couldn't hold his gaze an instant longer that he'd won. She was doomed. The rest was just a dance, a fight for posterity, and desperation. She stood still, as he began to circle, a shark in the water, tasting blood. It was all she could do to force her muscles to remain relaxed, breathing deeply into her confined belly, and watching him out of her peripheral vision. She couldn't let the adrenaline rule her, couldn't let panic usurp her desperate hold on control. As that silken fabric brushed against her arm, her jaw clenched. He was good. He was playing with her as she'd done so many challengers in the past. His words, though the voice was disconcerting, gave her something to focus on. She refused to turn, to give him the satisfaction of following. Instead, she watched him in the mirror, keeping her features smooth.<br><br>Her nostrils flared as she watched his hand rise, ghosting over her braid, eyes narrowing only a fraction. It took every ounce of willpower she possessed not to tense her shoulders, not to shiver, step away from him, not to swing a fist into that horribly beautiful face. And then his hand wrapped around her hair, taking control of her head, and she felt her ass clench. How often had Cameron taken her hair like that? Made her do things she never thought possible, never thought she would sink low enough to do. And then she did perhaps the most difficult thing she could. She laughed.<br><br>One hand rose, to grab his wrist, the pad of her thumb digging into the pressure point on the underside of his wrist in an attempt to make him release her. "I always offer the courtesy to those who will kneel to me. If it's voluntary they often find it more pleasant." Bravado, and nothing more fueled her words, and yet she would not kneel, she wouldn't go down without fighting tooth and nail. Finally, she turned, whether his hand still had possession of her hair, ignoring the pull, and brought her free hand up, scraping her nails lighty over his neck as she imitated his hold, fisting her hand deep in his hair to gain possession of his head, It was a standoff. Each had control of the other.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 21:21:00</strong>
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				Her laugh was the part that caught his attention. She, until that moment, had remained composed. Her laugh was not one of victory or true humor however, there had been nothing he'd said worth that response. She was trying to remain in control, trying to put up the front of relaxation in front of him. Enjoyment even. But while he'd never been in this room before, he'd been in darker places. He'd seen and heard all the walls and barriers someone would put up. It was the advantage he had of his methods against hers.<br><br>Her hand rose up and she grabbed at his wrist with pressure that made him flinch but not relax his grip on her hair. He shifted his wrist in her grasp and held back the hiss of pain that threatened to escape him, not trying to pull free of her but simply making his wrist more comfortable in her grasp. He didn't betray a hint of pain. But his eyes did move immediately to hers as she turned in his grasp, his hand going over her shoulder now with the turn and as she brought her hand up he found the position interesting. Arms over each other, staring into each other's eyes. It was a pose classic of lovers but in this instance, it was a mistake for her. He felt his skin bite at the touch of her nails, felt his hair grabbed and instead of letting her remain in control, he moved.<br><br>Just as she did, he ignored the tug in his hair but he strained against it, the pain giving him no pause as he focused on her eyes. "A courtesy, you say?" he asked softly, his face inches from hers. His breath held a faintly dry scent to it, like some sort of herb he enjoyed. His eyes moved down from hers, overlooking her body in a way. She was beautiful, but the look was for show. The hand not holding her had reached out and was centimeters from touching her hip until it began to trail up her side. It was slow and more air pressure touching her body than him. But it was there. "Your body is beautiful, I'll admit. But your eyes give you away far too easily for me to take joy in submitting to you." he suddenly said, his hand moving from her side to brush over the breast of her corset as she had done to his neck and instead grasping her chin. "Do you even know why you hate me? What about my touch makes you want to close your eyes and pretend I don't exist?" he asked, still pulling at her hair to look into her eyes more closely. "Or is it that you're just afraid you'll lose if I get too close?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 21:37:22</strong>
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				Micah stared at him, refusing to break eye contact, her back tense as he leaned forward, hand ghosting against her, brushing past her breast to claim her chin. Her thumb dug harder into his wrist, other hand tightening in his hair. Her nostrils flared again, anger beginning to show at the corners of her mouth - it was anger or break. "I know why." She replied simply. "But you never will." She added, face twisting momentarily in a look of hate, before she yanked at his hair, attempting to pry his head back, thumbnail biting into the flesh of his wrist simultaneously. She wanted release, she wanted breathing room. His smell was clouding her judgement, he was too close. She could feel his body, millimeters away from hers. He was an artist at picking at the weaknesses in her walls.<br><br>She had nothing more to say to him, and nothing to do. She needed away or she would break, he would say something and shatter the marzipan defenses she'd built. It was too close. The way he held her face. How many times had Cameron held her like that, bleeding, blaming her, telling her how worthless she was. He'd damn near destroyed her. Her heart thundered as she felt her eyes begin to prickle, that horrible feeling of tears welling. She'd lost her focus for a second, only just let it fade, and she'd been back there, begging for forgiveness, crying, weak. And here she was, slipping, losing. As soon as a tear fell, the competition would be over, and she would belong to this man.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 22:06:43</strong>
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				He felt no victory at the pain increasing in the places she held. He felt no satisfaction at the hatred echoing across her face and instead of letting her yank him aside his presence only seemed to magnify. He wasn't giving an inch, not a single inch of ground to her. She'd begin to feel hair slipping into her fingers at her violent yanking and though his hair was long for a males, she would find it moved him only enough that his head was no longer ready to practically lean in and kiss her. Her words however made his eyes subtly light up. There really was a reason for this hatred...? Now he was curious.<br><br>His lips twisted in a subtle smile as he felt the pain welling up in his nerves. She was practically piercing the skin on his wrist with her nails and he could feel the roots of his auburn hair slipping free of him, but as before he found himself able to ignore it as he found the words to say. "I will know." he said softly now, tilting his head in her grasp as he forced his face closer and closer, finally yanking it free of her hand with one swift tug and putting his face next to her ear. "Because after this is over, I'll make you tell me." he spoke softly, whispering it against her neck practically as he used his grip on her hair to move her neck. And there, between her shoulder and collar, he put one faint kiss.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 22:18:47</strong>
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				It was enough. As soon as she felt him slip from her grip, it was over. Her eyes closed tightly, twin tears slipping down pale cheeks, as he asserted that he would know. She cringed, as his lips brushed the tender skin of her shoulder, and her hands dropped, a mask of resignation descending over her face. She could always run, if it came to that, but Cameron would eventually catch up to her. Her head ducked, averting her face from him, as she waited. It wasn't long before the door once again opened, and Erik, and his closest submissive stepped from the viewing room. <br><br>"Micah, you have lost. You belong to Matthew for the duration of a year and one day. Matthew, congratulations. As of tomorrow I will begin training you to succeed me." He was abrupt and to the point. A soft 'Yes, Sir' sounded from Micah, and after a moment, the two left. "I understand you have some priorities with your new Slave, Matthew. Treat her well." Erik tossed back, as his boy opened the door for the Guild Master, and left the two alone,
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 23:55:23</strong>
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				The feeling of her submission was nothing compared to that he'd gotten in the past. When he'd gotten others to submit it had been a power rush, a feeling of control that he wasn't getting here. She hadn't submitted, she had absolutely given up. He'd hit her in the weakest points he could find to end this as quickly as possible and it had not been enjoyable in the least. He pulled back as soon as she stopped resisting and he looked into her eyes for a moment. The tears did enough that for once, it wasn't her eyes leaving his. He looked away just as Erik stepped into the room and declared his victory.<br><br>"Thank you, Guildmaster." Mathew replied as he looked to the man, staring quietly as the man spoke. His talk of priorities was the only thing that made Mathew look to at Micah's face for a moment, for he certainly had a lot of them now. He knew that this room would be his for the night. Erik left them alone and quiet tension filled the room.<br><br>Breaking the silence, Mathew reached up to his face gently and brushed the hair from his eyes that had rattled free during the struggle. "...Your name, slave." he asked quietly, turning his head to face hers with a sort of rattle to him. Now that there was no need for the hard set to his face, Micah would get to see the man reach up to his neck and run his hand over the wound. His fingers slipped into his hair and he brushed the stray hairs from his neck that had fallen loose when he had yanked from her grip.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 00:27:53</strong>
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				As the door closed behind the two, Micah winced, her jaw clenching. With a deep breath, she steeled herself, and a hand brusquely wiped her tears from her cheeks. She stepped away from him, pacing as far as she could without exhibiting any disobedience. "Micah." She replied simply, her stomach contracting at the title. She did her best to avoid looking at him at all, as she cast her eyes around. She was lost, suddenly with no defenses except what she could scrape together in a second. Her arms wrapped around her stomach, as she watched him carefully, protecting herself. All she wanted was to be alone, to pack and leave the guild and never come back. Leave the country, find somewhere that she could live undisturbed. She didn't dare tell him why she was so opposed. It would do no good. For all intents and purposes she was his property, and if he did not at least maintain the power dynamic, he would be looked upon as a failure. <br><br>Truth be told, he would likely be a very good guildmaster. Probably better than she would be. she would have been perfectly happy ceding the title to him if it didn't place him in control of her anyhow, and it didn't undermine everything she had worked for. Why couldn't he have looked different? Sounded different, or at least have different mannerisms? Every time she saw him it was Cameron. She'd had nightmares for weeks when she first came and saw him. Hell, when she first came she was so near broken it had been terrifying. Only one woman knew of her before she truly joined the guild, and she had long since retired.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 00:59:36</strong>
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				Her name was actually quite beautiful, Mathew realized. But when she spoke it to him it sounded as if it took something far more than simple words to say. Shifting a bit, he looked to the table laid out along the walls and the floor, the tools upon it. He was expected to take her under his hand and at least subject her to discipline or some kind of scene. This room, however, was not the place to do what he intended to do. His face set hard again as he turned, looking at her and then stepping close to her...Once more however the man breezed past her only this time it was entirely cold and brisk.<br><br>"Follow me now, Micah."<br><br>That was really all the warning he gave her before he pushed open the curtain to the room rather sharply and he waited absolutely no longer than necessary for her to follow. Just as she suspected, he knew what was expected. He knew the visual display of power would satisfy all but the most extreme of those in this place and the ones who would not be satisfied would have to be dealt with later, in some way. He was not going to dance for their amusement however, especially as guildmaster.<br><br>Once he was clear of the curtains he turned his head an inch to make sure she would follow before he moved away from the room, towards the hall he'd come from. His private chambers. Considering she was to be his submissive and he was to control her, it would not seem out of place to take her to his room. Enclosure, surrounded by him, would make her more pliable. That was not his plan however.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 01:33:07</strong>
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				It was all Micah could to not to wince away as he moved close, breezing past her. A sigh of relief escaped her, as he beckoned her after him, and she turned, following silently, her eyes on the floor. Eventually she could sleep. At least then she could escape, if only in her dreams. She'd often escaped that way with Cameron. It worked then, and it would work now. Her boots clicked with every step, as she followed him, lagging slightly behind, careful never to seem disobedient. She would do everything he demanded and not a letter more. She would submit to him on the surface, it was useless to consider leaving, bu she would never let him take her, never let him into her mind. She would not give him an inch of ammunition against her. He had her name, and unless she had no choice, she would give him no more.<br><br>As he turned down the unfamiliar hall, toward his chambers, her eyes dropped again. Her things would go into storage for the year, she assumed. She would likely be made to live with him, cater to his every whim. She hated herself, hated that she'd let him win. She'd been so good at getting away from any sort of chance that a person would own her again, and all she'd had to do was resist longer. But she couldn't. Now she had to pay the price.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 02:46:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The hall Mathew led her down was was not quite private, but it was more along the lines of reserved for his side of things. He doubted Micah had been here often or if she had, it had been brief visits. The hallway was a simple open corridor with many curtains and doors, yet as they walked she'd notice the stares on her. A few people had peeked out of their places when Mathew had begun returning and though Micah might have been subjected to their comments and jeers, Mathew's eyes cast most of his followers aside in a sense. He did not look like he was in the mood to deal with such things and it showed. To them, it looked as if he was getting ready to punish her.<br><br>The end of the hall twisted a few times in a jagged pattern resembling a zee before they finally stepped in front of a large black curtain that Mathew swept aside. "Inside." he called as he waited for her to follow his command and once he did, he stepped in behind her.<br><br>Mathew's room was not quite as expansive as one might have expected, as there were larger rooms available for someone of his and Micah's status. It was a simple parlor design with three doors at the right side of the room. The curtained 'door' was on the bottom left side of the room. The room was made of polished wood and white plaster walls with little decoration. Two small windows adorned the wall in front of them and curtains were drawn over one displaying the cool night air. There was only empty space here, however. A few small chairs sat in a corner, a few pillows laid on the floor...The hardwood floor was covered by a black carpet.<br><br>As soon as he entered, he ignored Micah and turned to the door. "Edward!" he called softly, the sound followed by a door opening quickly and one of the men arguably referred to as Mathew's assistant came bursting through the curtain. He was a bit shorter than Micah was, with red hair and muffled green eyes. He didn't even get to ask Mathew what he wanted before he was spoken to. "Go to the Guildmaster and tell him that tomorrow I wish to inspect Micah's things. Anything I deem useful to her breaking will be left in my care and the rest can be done with as he wishes." he said, Edward moving without any more command needed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 03:00:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Micah followed him silently, gaze proud, and frontward. She didn't bother to give those that would stare or jeer a response. She may have been under Matthew, but she could still beat any of them down if she chose. Hell, she would likely still be allowed to assert her dominance over them. She was only below Matthew and the Guidmaster until otherwise informed. As he swept his curtain back, and ordered her in, she walked through, back tense as she stepped into his chambers. Silently, her eyes scanned the room, before she found a small patch of carpet that was slightly more plush than the rest of his carpet. Unbidden, she knealt and removed her boots, before moving to the carpet, and kneeling, as her slaves had been expected to do, and as she had been taught so long ago. <br><br>Her ass rested on her heels, back straight and breasts presented, with her hands folded silently in her lap. She used to kneel like this for hours, and though she was out of practice, she doubted it would take long for her to get back into it. She tensed, as Matthew gave the other man, Edward, his instructions, her jaw clenching. She didn't want him going through her things, and though she never really kept anything personal, it was still an invasion. She would have much preferred if it was all packed up and sent into storage.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 03:59:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Edward was gone now and Mathew finally relaxed, letting out a sigh that was quiet and yet unhinged. In private quarters, he could relax just a little bit more...<br><br>Turning to Micah, he wasn't surprised to find her on her knees already. He stepped towards her now with slightly less menacing steps than he had used in the dueling room and reached out as he got close, sliding his hand behind her hair to the french braid. And then his fingers trailed down it once more, as if intending to once again use it like a leash to control her...Until his fingers slipped into the braid at the end, loosening what she used to keep the braid together and then reaching down with both hands to slowly untangle her hair. It was not rough or yanking, but it was not precisely tender either. More patient than anything.<br><br>Once he had, Mathew stood up and moved over to the small desk in the room, near the back wall. He reached into it and opened a drawer, pulling free a wooden brush that looked much like the ones that some Masters used for punishment. "Micah." he said suddenly, sharply as he turned around and stepped over towards her. "Lower your head." and this time, he spoke softly. He was...brushing her hair.<br><br>"Speak quickly if there is anything you want from your effects...Otherwise I'll choose for you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 04:14:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Every muscle in her body tensed, as he stepped toward her, jaw clenching as he trailed his hand once again down her hair. Her eyes closed, waiting for the yank, before she felt him remove the elastic. She frowned slighly to herself, as he carefully un-weaved her hair, functionally and quickley. Of course, when he retrieved the brush, she again tensed, her head ducking forward obediently as she waited, always anticipating pain, or horror. But the brush simply began to slide through her jet locks. her hair fell to mid-back, with long layers and a small amount of wave to frame her face. She held herself rigidly, as he spoke, looking toward him without moving her head. Did she want anything? <br><br>"There are two photographs in my nightstand and a flute on my bookshelf." She replied simply, swallowing nervously. Those were the only possessions she owned from before, and the only thing she had of her family. They were worth the risk. <br><br>Micah didn't understand what in the world he was playing at. What self-respecting dominant would brush the hair of his freshly-acquired slave? Why would he offer her items. Why was he doing this? His kindness only made her trust him lest, and every fibre of her being was trained on him as a response. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 05:24:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There were lines that Mathew did not cross in private. Conducts the Guild might endorse though not quite enough to make them required. The mistreatment of a submissive, a slave, was one of them. Despite how he would have to break her, he was setting up a sanctuary already for her. However he would treat her outside it's walls, his room would be someplace safe for her. He would bend her in the year to come, but he was not so cruel as some of the guild. The slaves who passed through it's walls might be fodder for other treatments but Micah was a member of it, despite her loss. He would only go as far as he would need to keep up his power for this year. That was how he had decided to treat those under his care.<br><br>As she spoke of the items she wanted, his mind had already crafted how he could explain the want of them. Two pictures of someone close to her to use as tools to break her and an item of value to use against her.<br><br>"You may call me Mathew here. But outside, Master." he said, carefully brushing out the coils of her hair and satisfied with his work, he stood back up and moved over to the desk to set the brush aside. He reached up to his collar and began to undo the shirt he was wearing. "Tomorrow I'll begin the first of the Guildmaster's teachings and I imagine you will be subjected to me practicing them upon you. Prepare yourself for it." he said now, looking at his desk with some reluctance. Admitting this to her was quite...Silly. It sounded so cliche and stupid to speak this to her. She was another guild member and another dominant in this guild...<br><br>He turned to her once more and watched her, debating with himself what to do. "...You understand, of course, that I can't just let you free? Even if he is to retire, Erik's rule is law. Even as Guildmaster I wouldn't be able to let you free. Not without repercussions."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 05:50:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Micah still kept her eyes down. The guild could be harsh, depending on the person one worked with. She had always been kind to her submissives, finely tuned into their reactions, and most of the people she associated herself with were just as careful, but many other members were far more sadistic. They had joined the guild for themselves, and nothing else. Micah had joined for safety and to treat subs the way she believed they should be. With respect and dignity. She would be calling him nothing, she thought contemptuously, unless she absolutely had to. As he finished with her hair, she sneaked a peek at him, glancing away as he began to undress. She had to prepare herself for tomorrow. Erik's teachings. A shudder ran up her spine, unbidden, and she clenched her jaw. She didn't want those teachings. Though from all she'd heard, Erik was a good man, he was far too perceptive, and far too likely to use everything she had against her.<br><br>And who knew, Matthew would likely follow suit laughing the whole way.<br><br>It was still early in the evening, by her count. Perhaps sometime for dinner, but there would be no escape to bed yet. What if he wanted her tonight? To fuck, or to service him? again, her jaw clenched as she thought of the potential disaster that could be. She no longer trysted anything but Lady Amika. She was the woman who had brought her in, who had helped to bring her back to sanity, helped her to face most of the fears she'd had. But Amika could have done nothing against her fear of Cameron, his face. She didn't trust Matthew because simply put, his face spelled sadist to her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>15-04-2011, 14:09:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It wasn't as if he had expected reactions. Gratitude, anger, fury, even terror at the prospects, Mathew didn't really think she was that type of woman. In this situation however she seemed to just shut down, in a way he had very rarely seen before. Very few submissives were as quick to throw up this many walls and barriers with so little reaction. If it had been a normal situation, he would have taken her to one of the rooms and used methods to try and get past those barriers....Which he still might, all things considered. Thankfully for her, his methods tended to not be very violent.<br><br>He decided that she was not going to be very cooperative this night and if she had her way, every other night. She did not like this role and though he hardly blamed her, there was nothing at all he could think of to do. If he tried to free her, it would show weakness and be enough of a reason for Erik to deny his claim to the guild; At best. At worst, it would be reason enough for Erik to completely bar him from the guild or force slavery on him, himself. If he left he would most likely be followed and she would most likely be forced to another's side as a slave. Call it what you would, but after years in the Guild he had seen how things worked.<br><br>His shirt was removed but that was all and the man carefully set it aside on the desk. Now he had to find a way to reach out to her. He looked to the clock on his wall and noticed the time, dinner fast approaching. He'd usually have his meals sent to his room instead of dining in any of the various public quarters of the Guild. Which he would continue tonight. He had no desire to see anyone tonight and more importantly, he had no desire to let Micah starve or have to parade her for the others of the Guild.<br><br>The man sighed as he stepped over to Micah once more and this time, he didn't stand over her. Satisfied no one would bother them for a bit, he found his way in front of her and shifted a bit, his legs folding underneath him as he sat down in front of her. He looked at her very quietly for a moment and then looked down to the floor. "If you don't wish to speak to me, then I understand. But I've no desire to be forced to pry every answer from your lips in one of the chambers out in the guild." he said softly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>26-04-2011, 21:29:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Micah's eyes remained on the floor before her as he sat down, listening silently to his words before she shook her head nearly imperceptibly. "I will answer what is prudent and relevant. I will serve you, as well where is prudent and relevent. I will not, however, bend to your private whims." She lay her stance before him without raising her eyes, voice steady and strong, even as she knelt in a submissive pose. "That is the cooperation I offer, and if you decide you want more, or want to break the strongest Domme the guild has to offer, I will reist you with every breath."<br><br>It was the best comprise she could come up with and she hoped to the powers above that he would accept it. She would have given alternate circumstances. But then, she held much more contempt for his visage than he did hers. Only after she fell silent did her eyes meet his, unwaveringly, her face set in the mask she usually wore hen faced with a disobedient submissive. "You may ask any question you choose to. I will decide whether or not to answer them."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>27-04-2011, 01:40:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was only respect that kept Mathew's face quite stoic in this moment, his eyes closing as he seemed to consider the way she spoke to him. She wasn't exactly offering servitude herself, merely allowing him the guise of it in a sense and punctuating that offer by reminding him of her former status. That made Mathew's eyes fall a bit as he searched his new submissive's body as she looked towards him, his eyes traveling her until he met hers with something of a strange look. It was like the visual approximation of tense, displeased silence and it was quite annoying to be faced with by most anyone. At least he was looking at her like another person.<br><br>He shifted now as he decided on his response though he kept his hands to himself as he had the strange urge to take her face and force that mask off with touch rather than voice.<br><br>"Perhaps formerly you were the most resilient of the dominants. That title is gone and you'll do well to remember that it's only because of my displeasure for this circumstance that you're allowed to even speak to me like this." he said now, his voice growing low as he pushed at her defiance, hard. His acid green eyes looked into hers now and a slightly startling aggression was visible within as he found the heat building under parts of his skin. "In private, I will treat you humanely. That does not mean, however, I will not explore my new submissive. I expect you to remember something though, for when that look you just gave me crosses your mind again." and at this he moved, pushing himself so that he leaned forward into her.<br><br>His eyes in front of hers. His breath inches from her skin, washing over her as he sat there facing her. There and not there all at once. "I am trying to be a friend and Master inside these walls. I am confidently capable of my ability to take you right now with nothing more than my scarf and a brush to a private room and come out of there knowing the things I want to know, or convincing you to do what I tell you." he said now, him leaning even closer until his forehead was actually inches from hers.<br><br>"It's your voice. You can hold onto defiance and risk me taking it and dignity from you, or you can preserve your dignity and treat me with respect, as I am attempting to do you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>27-04-2011, 19:32:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Micah's eyes flickered as he leaned in close, delivering her his ultimatum with no chance for argument. Her nostrils flared, as his breath washed over her, and her back tightened, carefully keeping herself still. She'd broken her composure once today and she had no intention of doing it again. Her face was still set in her expressionless norm, as she forced herself not to react, ignoring the way her stomach clenched, his face mere inches from hers. She had no doubt he could make her break again, with only his scarf and a brush. But not without a damned fierce fight.<br><br>"Ask your questions." She finally said, refusing to budge on any of the other issues they'd insofar mentioned. She would obey only as far as she deemed was prudent on both sides. She was pinned by her own stubbornness and his insistence on being so close. To sway forward would be to accept him, which she was certain would never happen, and to move back would show weakness. Even if she head butted him it would only end up worse for her.<br><br>She had her own reputation on the line. If she could not at least appear to accept her consequence gracefully she would be no better than the lowest sort of brat, or worse. So she waited, forcing her breath slow, her back aching from it's tense straightness, her toes falling asleep. She was unused to kneeling, it would take weeks to get used to it again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>27-04-2011, 19:54:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once she had given in, even only an inch to allow him such an honor as asking her question, Mathew released a faint sigh of relief at not having to take her to a room. It was strange how very much he seemed to feel in control even when he was not acting like it, how surprisingly powerful he could act without actually demanding from her or worse, breaking her. On his end he was trying to push away some urge to temper her resistance with words but he eventually decided to simply save that for a later, if necessary, date.<br><br>He didn't hesitate once she'd told him to ask his questions without adding anything more to that, simply leaning back once he had centered his mind on a question. He needed to understand what he had done to her to make her so adverse to his presence..."Tell me what I've done to so frighten you, Micah." he said, watching her eyes as he picked apart what he had learned this night about her and how she had reacted to it. As an experimental thing, his hand reached up and he softly pushed fingertips against her skin until his palm eventually settled on her cheek, holding her face.<br><br>"You hate me. At least that much is obvious to me. But I have never spoken to you or harmed you; Indeed, how could I? Every event and meeting had you fleeing me before I could even attempt to." and now his grip faded, moving his hand to her neck instead and here, he gently placed his thumb on the side of her neck, the pad of his thumb pressing softly into her pulse now as he seemed to explore her skin a bit.<br><br>It was simple truth and deduction. She loathed him so openly it was actually disheartening; He could have withstood hatreds of his methods, of his attitude, of his person. He could have forgiven her a hatred of their new roles and even attempted to atone a small slight that had fled his mind. This simple and illogical disgust she seemed to hold for him not only made it impossible to look past, but rather removed any enjoyment he might have. "Were it not so, I might even enjoy the next year. Even if I will not force you to bend to my whims, even if I intend to treat you humanely, you are beautiful as well as sensual. But what is the point of it for me?" he asked, his voice getting slightly smoother as he complimented her and spoke of his intent, though it faded a bit.<br><br>"Even the most beautiful face is admonishable with such a scowl. Even the most expressive of eyes turn my gaze when they look so full of distaste. The most appealing, alluring voice in the entire guild, choked with restrained terror and fear? I should think myself sick if I could even pretend I would lay a finger on you so long as they exist."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>27-04-2011, 20:08:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her nostrils flared as his first question was voiced, and she had to bite her tongue as his hand reached her face, sliding down as he continued his diatribe, taking hold of her neck, thumb pressing int the pulse she had no hope of slowing.. Fear curled in her gut, and she barely restrained the urges to lash out, pull back. Run as far and as fast as she could. Instead, she remained still, waiting for him to say his piece before replying, her eyes meeting his strongly. He'd given her a weakness. He told her the key, and she knew he would not use her for his own as long as she despised him, and she would not bend on that front.<br><br>"You? Nothing. It's your face that I hate." She replied honestly. Let him take it as he pleased, as a simple 'your face' joke, or as the truth. She offered no details, only giving him exactly what he asked for. If he continued to pry she may or may not answer. Micah wondered what would happen if she refused to reply? Would he take up his brush and scarf? Maybe, but that would just reinforce her hate.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>27-04-2011, 20:31:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As much as he'd handed her such a key, he knew his own limits. He could, perhaps even would, still be able to do more than take her even if he would not force his body on hers in such a way. As long as she hated him, the only thing she was safe from was being used like a whore or a toy. Beyond that, even he wasn't sure where his limitations lied there.<br><br>It was the look in her eyes as she replied to him that told him it wasn't precisely a joke or a lie and that left him with more than a few thoughts on the matter. The simple ones were cycled through first, leaving him with only a few options as to what she meant by this...None of them sounded particularly good though, so he decided to toy with her response a bit now.<br><br>His body shifted and at first, it seemed as if he might finally leave her be as he stood and stepped behind her out of view, but she would have no such luck. Instead, he walked over to the desk and picked up his scarf, dragging it over to her and once more sitting but this time, behind her. His legs went out around her and he reached around her face, scarf over her vision as he pulled it tight. It was thick enough to quite heavily cloud her vision, though she'd be able to make out the movement of shapes as he bound the scarf tightly over her eyes. Robbing her of the bulk of her vision.<br><br>Once that was done she'd feel his hand as he reached up to her hair, stroking it very softly as if to ease her as he leaned against her. Body pressed to hers and now voice in her right ear as he leaned over her shoulder. "And now that you cannot see my face?" he asked, his tone amused almost. He was mocking her narrow wording as much as he was asking her another question. "What do you hate now that you cannot even see me?" he teased a bit. The hand continued to stroke her hair and fingers disappeared into it, smoothing her scalp as he waited.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>27-04-2011, 20:49:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he stood, her shoulders lowered a fraction of an inch, relaxing as she listened intently to him, before he settled behind her, and his scarf obscured her vision. Again, she tensed, though her head bent, perhaps ten degrees forward, her jaw clenching as he fingered her braid, sinking his fingers into her wealth of obsidian hair as he teased. Fury mingled with fear, tasting like copper in her mouth. She didn't want him touching her, and she hated that he'd robbed her of such an important sense. But she was not without defense. Every fibre of her being was focused on him, now, listening though he was pressed against her, smelling him, watching him with everything but her eyes. She didn't bother replying. He was trying to poke fun at her, and she wasn't about to humor him.<br><br>She still knew what his face was like, and though the timbre of his voice was different, and he pronounced things slightly different, it was still similar enough to set her on edge, especially with that teasing tone. It was so like that condescending tone she'd learned to hate. He smelled different, too, more like leather and spice than Cameron had, but they looked so much alike, they moved with the same lazy grace. She always thought of a large cat when she saw the way they moved. <br><br>Still, she refused to move, to bend to his will. To relax. It was true that her lack of sight made her more pliant, like any falcon on animal, but she was far from being submissive, or easily controllable. Even if she couldn't see.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>28-04-2011, 04:17:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her lack of response was confined only to verbal retorts; Her body was like a mess of reactions and nerves. She didn't want him even touching her, her natural response was to simply pull away and curl into her mind's own protection. Whatever she was afraid of, it wasn't just him. His eyes could be unsettling, his voice could be offputting but his very skin being somehow repulsive to her? That was not something he expected to just occur out of thin air. Something was wrong here and he needed to fix it before he had any hope of continuing this relationship. How exactly did he intend to do that, though...<br><br>He had dealt with submissives who had aversion to touch before, but those were limited to the men and women who's minds and bodies had been torn apart by something sinister. Micah did not seem the type to be recovering from abuse however. But he supposed he could try the same tactic...Though in her case, he would have to be careful not to put too much demeanment on her. He had promised to treat her as a person, had he not?<br><br>She wouldn't be able to see him look to the clock and sigh a bit, dinner was still some time away...He would have to be patient. He wouldn't figure this out overnight but it was highly difficult and almost crucial he got her over it faster...The lessons he would have to be taught by Erick were going to be significantly worse for her if she dreaded his very presence like it was the most horrifying visage she had witnessed in her life...<br><br>He stood now, quietly, and with him he took the scarf he had used to tease her so much. He looked down at her for only a few moments before he reached down, nudging her shoulder with the back of his hand now. "...There is a bathroom attached to my bedroom and if you're so inclined to dress, night robes in my closet." he said now, neither telling her to nor technically granting her permission. But by doing neither, he hoped to reinforce the idea that this place was less strictly about that...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Subtle Trouble</strong> on <strong>28-04-2011, 04:40:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her eyes opened as the scarf was removed, and her head rose once again, as he nudged her lightly, delivering to her the information before she carefully stood, slowly, so she did not pass out from the rush of blood becoming reacquainted with her feet. She stepped lightly, pacing away and ignoring the pins and needles that fired up her calves. It was enough of an instruction that she could conceivably argue that he'd told her to if he wanted to trap her, though she knew it was a gamble. But she could use it as a gauge. True, he could be attempting to lure her into a false sense of safety, to make destroying her even more influential, but she had no intention of giving him the satisfaction.<br><br>In the bathroom, she washed her face, and drank greediy from the tap, having locked the door behind herself, before she sank to sit on the toilet, and again cradle her face in her hands. She was silent as she cried for her plight, wanting nothing more than to crawl into Lady Amika's bed, and curl up with the compassionate older woman. Amika had never demanded more than was necessary, and had somehow managed to coax her from the feral feat she'd been caught in after years of torture. <br><br>Micah didn't let herself cry for long, and eventually tore her hair from the braid he'd woven into her hair, before she stood and impulsively began to search for a pair of scissors, a straight razor. Anything she could use to shear the locks, but came back with nothing. Instead, she twisted it into a french twist, and secured it to the back of her hair, ending up with something that looked like the handicapped child of an alcoholic bun, before she finally opened the door, and walked to the closet, selecting the largest, thickest and most unattractive robe she could find. She sniffed once, not bothering to glance at her reddened and swollen eyes before returning to her kneeling position from before, waiting for his next set of instructions. She would toe the line of protocol for now, but she would fight him tooth and nail if he tried to touch her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Challenge (Subtle Trouble &amp; Verse)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Verse</strong> on <strong>03-05-2011, 15:03:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mathew didn't wait for her to finish in the sense that he sat there but instead, he gave her the privacy he felt she deserved and he stayed in the parlor proper as he waited. His timing wasn't exactly a coincidence though, it gave him time to think about what in the name of God he was going to do. He had dealt with burned submissives before, he'd dealt with the pain and suffering that the lifestyle imprinted on your soul at times. He'd seen men and women who saw the lash and curled up on their side, screaming and sobbing just as many times as he'd seen people who kissed the lash before they left. It was always shaking to witness the ones who were so hurt by it. Instead of relying on his training and experience however, he was at a loss with Micah.<br><br>Never before had he hurt someone like this and to know it was his fault she was so out of her depth with this left him feeling rather...Lost. He didn't know how to correct it, no amount of tenderness or bite could make her trust him and while he didn't expect it to happen in ten minutes, he certainly hoped that he'd find a way to help this before a year was over. If he couldn't, he certainly didn't deserve his title as Guildmaster any more than she did.<br><br>Another facet of sending her off when he did was that when the curtains parted and the young man entered with dinner, Mathew didn't have to keep up any pretenses of Dominant and submissive. "Sir, dinner." the young man called, waiting for Mathew to motion him to the small sitting table on the floor before he actually stepped in. Mathew didn't even really pay attention to him as he sat there, staring at the wall and looking towards the window after a few moments to gauge the time. Stars rich in the dark blue sky and he shook his head slightly as he looked to the bedroom door. It was going to be a long night.<br><br>The man who'd taken in dinner had disappeared and Micah stepped out not ten minutes later. Mathew was sitting in one of the small chairs and as she kneeled, he took one glance at her. The red was all he saw and he immediately forced his eyes back to the windows. "Eat. Then you're going to bed." he simply said, leaving her to draw whatever conclusions she wished from that.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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