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This one was, complicated. Short version? This was all one big long slog of inspiration after something else hit the fan. It wasn't planned, but it demanded. I want to note now that it may get edits later, mainly to spruce up character visuals. not sure I'm happy with them.\n\nThis is part one of a two, maybe three part series. As before it's set in the 'By Right/By Design' setting and even though it is not part of either series proper I have opted to use the by right tag because it's optimistic which, technically that is the more optimistic of the two.\n\nThe tags are going to suck, so feel free to suggest. There is NO sex in this. All plot. Sorry about that.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "GAHHH! This one was, complicated. Short version? This was all one big long slog of inspiration after something else hit the fan. It wasn't planned, but it demanded. I want to note now that it may get edits later, mainly to spruce up character visuals. not sure I'm happy with them.

This is part one of a two, maybe three part series. As before it's set in the 'By Right/By Design' setting and even though it is not part of either series proper I have opted to use the by right tag because it's optimistic which, technically that is the more optimistic of the two.

The tags are going to suck, so feel free to suggest. There is NO sex in this. All plot. Sorry about that.", "writing": "Necessity\n\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\tTwin oak Junction didn't feel like the kind of place Brinna should be. It was a rather typical shopping center. A large cylinder of shoebox shops spreading out at a fifty meter radius with four different stories to it. Not atypical as malls went, save for how clean everything seemed to be.\n\n\tShe felt out of place. Wrong. Her eyes glancing nervously at the sea of fur and faces smashing together and wandering on their way. It evoked, or rather she made it evoke, images of atomic interactions taken with the lab sensors at her school. Those grainy black and white images drawn from painfully outdated materials as they watched what happens when you agitate elements like carbon and germanium with a current. It actually made her chuckle, thinking of how most of her now former classmates probably spent that time thinking of their own local mall.\n\n\tGods she was so out of place here.\n\n\tThe brown furred girl arched herself up on her boots and looked down at the tips as she leaned her back against the railing surrounding the big empty cylinder running though the middle of the shopping center. In a relative sense it was her usual place to hang out when she did go to the mall. The spot she always stood when the people got too overwhelming and she had to brace for the combination of walking and lifts which would get her home. In theory it should have been a place of comfortable familiarity. It was not.\n\n\t``Brinna?''\n\n\tThe voice made her jump out of her skin. The freshly combed and straightened bundle of hair that normally fell behind the poor dormouse quickly frizzed and ruined from her near collapse, stopped only by a strong arm grabbing her shoulder and steadying her. She looked up at the face of the man who had caught her. The source of the voice she only now was able to register as familiar.\n\n\t``Gene?'' The name was as wrong as anything here. It felt so wrong on her lips, so distasteful and somehow vulgar. Yet still spoken with notes of nervous disbelief. She gripped at the railing, tugging herself up slowly and trembling a bit. Brenna looked into those piercing blue eyes and trembled as her body started to go limp. An inconvenient reality as she had already all but buckled under herself and was really only propped up by the mans strong paw and her tenuous grasp on the railing.\n\n\tHe smiled at her a moment. It was the first time she could put a face to a voice, and Brinna wasn't quite sure what to do with that. He slowly pulled her up to standing and crooked his thumb into the faux leather trousers he wore, scanning her a moment over the thick plastic frames of his glasses.\n\n\t``Oh, S-sorry. Sorry I didn't mean to. I mean I shouldn't, I mean. gosh'' she winced as she looked up at the man and curled her toes in frustration. What was she supposed to do? She had to correct herself. Should she kneel? Should she stand at attention? She looked down at the thick work boots he sported, clean but far from trendy. Brinfna bit her lip hard wondering if she should lick them, or kiss them. That wouldn't' be so bad. It might show how sorry she was. It'd be kinda hot too. She tried to cast her eyes upwards, over the mans thick legs, over his thick, not unpleasant, almost arc typically ursine chest. That bit of a belly which could so easily hide a thick six pack. The hints of a big barrel chest under the shirt. Gods he looked better than she thought! \n\n\tHer eyes got about to his neck by the time she felt a finger curling under her muzzle and titling it up. Looking into those sharp blue eyes the Dormouse could feel her whole body going limp again. Her mind all but blanking.\n\n\t``Just Gene. For now Gene is fine, girl.'' he said with a little laugh. It was warm and sweet and condescending all at the same time.\n\n\t``Alright, Gene, sir.'' Brinna muttered, then winced as the word left her mouth. She looked away only to feel him patting her shoulder softly. He didn't' say anything. She was grateful.\n\n\tThe silence only lasted a few minutes. For all she knew maybe only a minute. She was too scared to check the little HUD readout in her vision and seeing. It felt long, and awkward, and served only to stir the guts of the brown-furred girl as she poked her simple little silver lip ring with her tongue and gripped her hands into awkward fists of frustration.\n\n\tMercifully she felt one of those strong paws pushing against her fingers, opening her paw, a bigger, stronger hand sliding into hers and gripping it firmly. ``Come on.'' Gene chuckled ``We'll be late if we don't get in line. I mean unless you want to skip the film.''\n\n\t``What?'' Brinna blinked a bit and shook her head frantically. She found herself squeezing his hand hard. Trying to will all of that tension and terror and anxiety into it, as if this new, strong presence was the only thing keeping her from collapsing under her own weight.. ``No! I mean, no, that's fine. That's more than fine. Really. Sorry Sir, I mean Gene, I mean'' she sighed and shook her head as they just walked along. Through the crowd. The mouse finding herself pushed up against her date almost instantly. Only blushing harder as she awkwardly realized just how pushy and weird and wrong she was being.\n\n\tThe worst part was, all it seemed to do was make the man chuckle. How was she supposed to take that?\n\n\tThe two got in line for the Holo. It wasn't long. Not really. About a dozen people were in front of them. Enough that she knew the two of them were going to be stuck out in the relative `open' for a while. Brinna felt herself gripping that hand even tighter than before. Finding it increasingly difficult to keep herself calm. The sensation of Gene squeezing back was... odd. Something she couldn't explain, and certainly couldn't put her finger on.\n\n\t``So'' The bear smirked as he looked down at her, examining her with all the care of a paramedic doing triage ``I got your latest picture.''\n\n\tBrinna looked up and gripped his arm a bit tighter now. Her muzzle slipping open, dumbfounded. ``You did, Sir?'' she asked nervously.\n\n\t``I did'' he smirked ``And I told you, the is not needed. Not yet at any rate. You're not really used to doing this kind of thing too much, are you?'' He teased.\n\n\tBrinna shook her head a tiny bit and leaned away from the man, then against him, teetering nervously as she tried to look him in the eye and failed miserably. ``Well I have. I mean sure I have. I've sent you pictures before after all, haven't I? They weren't too bad were they?''\n\n\tGene shook his head and laughed ``I never said it was bad, any of them. That said'' he tapped her data jack softly. The poor shaken Dormouse opened her eyes and looked at the little file he had sent. It wasn't hard to guess what it was. A picture of her. Poor, pathetic, small chested dweeby Brinna. Her hair flowing out behind her as best she could get. One of her typical, over baggy geek culture shirts stuffed into her muzzle to awkwardly show off her less-than-desirable lack of a chest. The same ratty, baggy cargo shorts she had on now, complete with the barely functional LED stitching patterns. The zipper was undone just enough to show off a bit of the painfully plain white and green striped panties she'd tried to make seductive. Her whole torso and pelvis heaved out awkwardly in offering with legs spread apart clumsily on the `Starlight soldier Brigid' Bedsheets. Oh gods she was going to college in six months, why was she still using anime bed sheets?\n\n\tBefore she even knew what was happening the poor brown-furred dormouse found muzzle buried hard against Genes side, muzzle pushing into the cutoff flannel shirt he wore over his own admittedly geeky `Battlers of Elysian' Tee as she let out a high pitched squeal into the surprisingly comforting material. The furry little mouse tail thrashed about a moment nervously before finally it found something firm and instinctively wrapped around it. It wasn't until the line moved forwards that she realized she'd snared Genes boot. By then it was simply too late.\n\n\t``So, that battler, custom job?'' Gene asked. He pulled the motted grey jacket she wore back up over her shoulders and let out a small sigh. It slipped and threatened to fall again almost insanely.\n\n\tBrinna sniffed and bucked her muzzle a bit to reseat the glasses on her face. She looked into his sidelong glance for a long moment, swallowed, then smiled.\n\n\t``Yeah.'' she nodded ``I had to use a tunnel rat set to get most of the parts the way I liked em. I was really into cyberpunk and cyberdecks back then. I kinda had to cannibalize the handbag and slate computer off an old Secretary Rati doll to make it look right.''\n\n\t``Gahh Hope you didn't regret that later.'' Gene said as she shook his head\n\n\t``Are you kidding? I never liked Rati. Well, not when I was a kid anyways. Newest concept show rebooting her is... okish'' she said as she smirked a bit. ``I haven't played the game in years but I got a good hacker powerset down back when I was twelve. Even won Thursday nights a few times'' she beamed proudly. Brinna allowing herself all of ten seconds to smile before slumping her face back into his chest and whining anxiously.\n\n\t``Yeah. Been forever. I remember mom got us all a set for Solstice one year. I was the one who had to teach the squirts how the game was played. Neither one seemed too interested honestly. Doesn't matter how far into the stars we go you give a kid a toy, hell give em a stick and I guarantee you they'll find some way to make use of their imaginations'' He laughed a bit and wrapped an arm around Brinna protectively. ``Of course fifteen years ago me was too stupid to get that. Just kept getting on their cases about playing the game right. Gods I needed to mellow out.''\n\n\tThe Dormouse giggled and squeaked softly as she shifted on her feet again. The line moving up once more. The storms of anxious thoughts floating though her head pushed back violently, only ebbing back into place slowly as they made their way towards the ticket counter. \n\n\t``So, was that the biggest thing you noticed?'' Brinna whined nervously as she looked up at Gene and bit her lip ring softly with one of those big front foreteeth. ``I mean I don't want to pry. Well, I guess I do. Kinda. I was just wondering because''\n\n\t``Because I brought up the centerpiece in your nice big collection of models, minis and hardcopy, rather than your cute A cups and the adorable attempt to figure out what size chip bag clip should go on them?''\n\n\tHer ears folded flat as she once again buried herself in the crook of genes arm. She felt one arm wrapping around her and the other petting along her thick dark black hair. Slowly stroking and soothing the anxious trembles out of her.\n\n\t``Sorry, sorry.'' Gene laughed ``I'm not here to make you nervous, Brinna. Well not past the point where I find it cute anyways.'' He gripped her muzzle again and tilted it up slowly. Looking into her eyes.\n\n\tBrinna looked back and swallowed hard. Her heart thumping, her legs quivering weak once more. She could feel herself slowly overwhelmed. Confused nervous emotions stirring and twisting as she sank slowly into those deep cool blue eyes. She felt trapped, powerless. Wonderfully so. A high of conflicting emotions that scared and enervated the dormouse to her very core. He leaned in slowly. Her eyes watching his in slow motion as his warm lips pushed against her. Every muscle fiber in Brinnas body caving in. The energy seemingly sapped away as he firmly pushed his tongue down against hers. Cupping the back of her head and holding the mouse tight. Holding her together. Holding her melting body and withering soul firmly in place while his presence subsumed her. While the twisting stroke of his strong tongue slowly and gratefully conquered the poor scared dweeb down to her very core.\n\n\t``Next.''\n\n\tIf Brinna had been more in control of herself, she'd probably be waiting for the Corpsec guards. The simple call pulling Gene away from her left the awestruck rodent slumped. Her yearning heart warmed by the strange and sudden new affection felt an energy and a life it had never quite felt before. Yet her first cognizant thought was a desire to turn that energy into a weapon and use it to smite the pimply-faced kid behind the ticket booth.\n\n\tGene was far less phased. He allowed his date to slip from his grasp and walked up to the counter. Nodding politely to the teller. ``Two tickets for `the Matchmaker' and just stick the concession printer on my card if ya would, pal'' he said with a proud little nod. The teenager, probably at least two years Brinnas junior, giving the bear such a horrible glair of detached irony. \n\n\tBetween that and the broken kiss it was only down to the presence of Gene himself stopping her from leaping though the admittedly tiny cred scanner in the window to throttle the loser. That and her size. And the people around who would call Corpsec. And that ass. Brinna couldn't help but blush as she realized just how oddly nice Genes ass was. Strong, plump, heavy. She wasn't even really an ass girl. And yet...\n\n\tOnce again Gene seemed to be merciful, turning around, which fortunately happened slowly enough for Brinna to look away before he caught her checking him out. Or worse before she had a chance to seem like she was drooling other assets he may or may not have. He simply walked back and put an arm around his date as he led her into the theater. All the poor girl could do was sigh softly and bury herself against him hoping at some point tonight that she could stop screwing up.\n\n--------------------\n\n\t``I can't stop believing in you. My heart knows just what to do. Oh, If you ever were there for my love, I tell you now it's all I dreamed of youuuuu!'' Brinna pushed the back of her palm against the battered frame of her apartment door. It slid open with a hard thunk allowing the girl to continue her off-key warble as she pranced awkwardly though into the small living room area. A man in his mid forties sat in the small armchair that took up a third of the rooms bulk. Slumped back into it as the half dead Holo projector sprayed out the remnants of some twenty year old sitcom for the umpteenth time.\n\n\t``You're home.'' Brinna winced as she heard her father hiss the words with the less than pleased tone.\n\n\tYeah.'' Brinna nodded as she started to her room slowly.\n\n\t``Sit.'' the older dormouse snapped\n\n\tBrinna complied. Slumping down and leaning back into the worn cheap fabric of the sofa, casting her eyes on the Holo. She always hated this stupid show.\n\n\t``You're home early.'' The man muttered.\n\n\t``Yeah.'' Brinna nodded\n\n\t``Very early.'' her father said, tone a bit pointed\n\n\t``Not that early.'' Brinna protested.\n\n\t``Early enough.'' The man sighed as he slowly stood up. Brinna slumping back as she felt her father gripping at her muzzle, running a hand though her hair, looking her ear over. Even swiping the glasses off of his daughters face and starting to look them over carefully. He tossed them into Brinnas lap and walked back to the armchair, all but collapsing into it.\n\n\t``He didn't like you.'' The man finally muttered\n\n\t``I don't know if I'd go that far'' Brinna whimpered.\n\n\t``So then what were you doing all night?'' he snapped\n\n\t``Well we went to a show.'' Brinna whined ``And dinner. Well, Kinda dinner. Well, dessert and pizza in the food court.''\n\n\t``And then?'' The harsh old dormouse muttered as he narrowed is eyes.\n\n\tBrinna looked down into her lap. She gripped her hand into a hard fist. The same hand that had felt so safe, so warm. Not even an hour ago. ``Nothing.'' She sighed ``We just, talked.''\n\n\t``Talked'' the man laughed \"I should have figured. Why would you do anything else?''\n\n\t``Dad, he didn't...''\n\n\t``Three years now. Three years we've had you on that site. Three years of fees paid up and this is the first real interest anyone has ever shown, and you're already blowing it.'' The man growled and pulled a can from the table between the sofa and arm chair, taking a hard drink of the acrid, cheap fluid.\n\n\t``Mom doesn`t like you drinking, dad'' Brinna muttered in protest\n\n\t``She'll like the money we wasted on you far less, missy. I knew this was a mistake. I tried to tell her. You just don't' have what it takes.''\n\n\t``Dad, please.'' Brinna whimpered\n\n\t``Even after letting you go the first year with `straight' on the profile. As if you can afford to be picky considering everything we've gone though.''\n\n\t``Dad don't, I-''\n\n\t``When they wanted dirty pics, she insisted it was better if you decide how to do them. She said I shouldn't coach you for any messenger sex sessions. About the only thing the woman got right was to keep an eye on the message inbox, because gods only know you wouldn't have gotten this far without one of us reigning in your incessant childish rambling.''\n\n\t``Yeah? Well it just so happens he liked those, Dad.'' Brinna yelped. ``He and I are into a lot of the same things I'll have you know.''\n\n\t``Bullshit.'' the man snapped ``You expect me to buy that someone with enough clout and importance to have a household, to have his family name recognized by the station, is going to care about your stupid little action figures and hologames?'' The older mouse shut his eyes and sighed. The slate grey irises looking tired and worn. He took a few breaths and a deep swig of his can before leaning forwards again and looking his daughter in the face.\n\n\t``Brinna, this isn't something you can fuck up here, kid. We didn't' pay all this money, spend all of this time just so you can meet some other nerd and nerd out. Your mother and I work our fingers to the bone seven days a week. The only reason we can even make a living is because they pay us so little it's still cheaper than feeding a slave after subsidies. You want to go to school? Want an education? Brinna we're one step better than the fucking trash out on the rim and if one of us dies or gets laid off that's right where we'll be.'' He bit back a moment before the rising tone of his voice turned to screaming. Taking a few deep measured breaths to calm himself. ``I've tried to be lenient with you, Brinna. But we're out of options here. You really think whatever fifth rate school we could maybe send you to would matter in the long run? You think people are willing to ignore your shitty school? The fact you haven't had one shred of gene treatments or upgrades? That' you're a Class III citizen?''\n\n\tThe older mouse sighed and finished his beer, tossing the can over his shoulder and into a wide plastic trough he used to collect printer recycling. ``I love you, Brinna. We both love you. But gods damn it the only way you're gonna get somewhere in life is with a collar around that neck of yours. At least then you know you'll have some shot of being provided for. At least if someone has a household they gotta do something to treat you ok if only so they don't have all their rich little friends overreacting. But you really think a guy who can buy some hunk of barrens meat and shove it into a pod in the mall to make some ideal slave is gonna give a fuck about you? About some scrawny girl who likes to spend half her free time reading fucking mineralogy reports from the incoming freights?''\n\n\t``Gemology.'' Brinna corrected weakly\n\n\t``See? That's what I'm talking about! Nobody the fuck cares. Unless it's around your neck you ain't ever going to get any gemstones, or crystals, or metals, or drone parts to play with, or any of the other shit you keep focusing on.'' The man ran his fingers though his own dark black hair, gripping right where the bald spot around the crown started and taking a few deep, very angry breaths. ``I'm not.. Trying... to be mean, Brinna.'' he muttered. As much to himself as to her. ``I'm not trying to hurt you. But you make it so fucking hard sometimes, kid. I don't know what you think is going to come along for you.''\n\n\t``I don't know.'' Brinna sighed. She had to fight hard, so hard, to keep the tears out of her eyes at this point. ``I guess I just figured he might like me. That he might want me for me. That maybe, maybe he could love me.''\n\n\tThe old mouse sighed and stood. He walked over to his daughter and put a hand on her shoulder, kissing her forehead ``I know, princess. That's what most people want. That's what the Holo tells us we want. But love ain't that easy. It's not some magic pill that makes everything all better. It sure as hell isn't something people like us can afford.'' he looked down at her and closed his eyes a moment ``Well I guess we can, but only if we're willing to waste away one step from the slums. This is the first chance you've had. This guy has enough to go around on a dating site looking to add to his household, then he's gotta have enough to keep you fed. Make sure you're warm. Keep you from ending up some drugged out ganger whore. Hell, maybe he'd even want you to get some kind of education down the line.'' Even as he said it the notion seemed bitter on the mans face. Like some half remembered pipe dream, too beautiful and too impossible to comfortably fixate on.\n\n\t``Just promise me you're gonna try next time, Brinna. Ok? This is important. I don't give a fuck if your mom and me get laid off and shipped out. But you gotta make this guy happy. It's your only shot. Alright?''\n\n\tBrinna nodded softly and waited for her dad to slump back into his seat before slowly standing and walking into her room. It was small, barely big enough for a bed and her carefully set shelves of nerdy crap. A small desk setup and computer bank laid in to one wall gave her rather clunky access to the more primitive of public network systems. There were about a dozen tabs open. Portals to various sites. The new gemology reports from the asteroid excavation that came back from Sirius, a few paused and half finished holo streams, some now mostly superfluous erotic stories and holos. She'd actually felt rather good having something flesh and blood stuck in her mind to get her going tonight instead of the cold, cut rate digital sensory input. The operative word being `had'.\n\n\tThe poor girl let her despondent body collapse into the lumpy old foam of her mattress. She slowly hooked the tip of her right boot against the heel of the left, wriggling and struggling lazily until the still fastened footwear popped off revealing the long striped knee sock underneath. She'd worn them for him. He had said he found them cute. Found her cute. Did he? Outside of the kiss she couldn't recall a single move he'd made all night. Not a grope, not a squeeze, not even some sly little predatory glance.\n\n\tShe tried to rationalize that all away. After all she'd been scared. Nervous and confused. Stumbling though the whole thing. Overwhelmed, and admittedly a bit attracted. Ok very attracted. Ok it was likely she was too busy thinking up awkwardly overcomplicated and convoluted erotic scenarios in her head to even bother seeing if he was checking her out. How could she know? She hadn't even questioned it until her father put the idea in her head.\n\n\tHe had though, hadn't he? It was there. Huge and looming. Creeping though her thoughts like some dark growing cancer. Consuming every good thought she had about the night and casting it into a sea of doubt. It was entirely possible that Gene didn't like her. More to the point, her father was right that it very well didn't matter. At least in the romantic sense. Being some little prize of a harem pet was probably more than most girls in her situation could hope for.\n\n\tSo then why did it hurt so much?\n\n\tShe looked up at Codette, the old battler he'd found, or seemed to find, impressive. Brinna hadn't really paid the toy any serious attention in years. Just leaving her to stand on her charge pad that dad had slotted into the cheap printed shelf. With a mental command Brinna activated the toy. A small slender rat dressed in an eclectic mix of archaic, centuries old looking stylized cyber interface gear and 17th century street urchin fashion. The little doll blinked, looked around, and seemingly without a word spoken quickly hopped off the shelf to run up and hug the dormouse on her fuzzy, relatively well groomed tail. \n\n\tBrinna curled that tail up close to her face, stopping only long enough to scoop up Puff, her beloved plush ankylosaurus, and hug her tight. Reaching down to pull the sheets and blankets over herself. Too hurt and scared to do anything more than sleep.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tIt was a dreamless sleep. It almost always was for her. For the life of her Brinna couldn't figure out just why she so rarely dreamed. She had fantasies, sure. It'd be a filthy lie to claim she hadn't had them while laying there last night dreaming of Gene. \n\n\tShe didn't know why. Much of the time spent between waking and sleep the night before was simply an attempt to puzzle the older man out. He wasn't her type, for one. At least not to the point that she should feel so weak in the knees around him. Up until that point the men dancing around in Brinna's dreams had always been more toned and fit. Athletic. Not necessarily the kind of guy you'd see leading the team at a track met. But maybe the kind of Bishi Moe samurai that would sweep in and save the priestess with a slick one line and sharp, swinging katana.\n\n\tThat was not the man she'd met last night. In fact if she was pressed to be honest with herself there were quite a few things which should, objectively bother her about Gene. He was too nice for one. At least from the interactions she'd had. Sure he was kind of a dick the way he announced to the world that she'd sent him dirty pics. But even that was just so light hearted and carefree. Something just so painfully off for a man who could very well have a whole herd of girls and boys at home and simply consider her an easy diversion.\n\n\tExcept she then had to wonder why she was now standing at the top rung of the same mall complex, waiting for her date to arrive once more. If date was even the best term for it. Much as she hated the idea it might have actually helped if her parents had coached her though this part. When she woke a mere three hours ago to the request flashing on her old holo projector she was almost convinced that she had to be dreaming. It seemed like the kind of thing she'd dream up. After everything her dad had said it seemed like a dream was the only way she'd get a second shot with Gene. Yet here she stood in almost the exact same condition as the day before. Only the `Bot Wars' shirt she now sported giving any indication that she'd even been home or changed. Then again for all Gene knew she had no home. There were probably a ton of desperate homeless girls who used sites like ``My Collar'' to land an owner who would provide for them and remove the existential threats of life in exchange for fawning and sex.\n\n\tIt all sounded kind of disgusting until she realized she was doing just that. Worse, it was succeeding. It shouldn't be succeeding. She was such a horrible person because it was succeeding.\n\n\tIt was only the timely intervention of strong arms wrapping around her and pulling her in close that stopped the dormouse from yet another existential nosedive. She looked up, seeing Gene look down from above. His well groomed mop of dark brown hair with those bangs framing his face. The powerful, assuring blue eyes looking down at her affectionately. He wore the same smile he had when he left her on the lift platform the night before. Oh how Brinna hoped against hope that smile was real.\n\n\t``I keep you waiting long?'' He laughed softly.\n\n\t``No. I mean, no sir.'' Brinna muttered sheepishly\n\n\t``I told you, the Sir isn't needed. Not yet, anyways.'' Gene said with a smirk ``You really need to work on your memory.'' His arms shifted a bit as Gene slipped something into the rodent girls grasp. It was familiar. The composites of a type and texture that were seared into her brain from a much earlier age. \n\n\tHesitant as she was, Brinna took a half step back. Enough to look down at the cover of the box. Her eyes widened a bit, her jaw dropping. ``You didn't.''\n\n\t``Sure I did.'' Gene chuckled ``Why not?''\n\n\t ``1/100th scale Aurora Buster Perfection. Alpha grade. With the reprint code! This isn't even in print anymore!'' She whined loudly. \n\n\t``Out of print doesn't mean unattainable. Besides I saw those bed sheets. Am I right in guessing I got your favorite?''\n\n\t``Well yeah, but.'' Brinna swallowed hard. She just looked at the model kit in shock. Her eyes taking in the sharp lines of the mech. The scape of burning stars and fighting ships behind the figure. The near photon perfect capture of what had to be one of the coolest mechs ever dreamed up at an art table, in her not so humble opinion at any rate.\n\n\t``This had to cost a ton.'' She finally muttered out.\n\n\t``Eh, no more than the date last night'' Gene shrugged\n\n\t``Yes more than our date.'' The poor rodent insisted ``Yes much more. Like four times more. At least. Probably closer to.'' A peck on the lips was all it took to silence the protest. Brinna once again blushing furiously and wavering on her heels as she let herself be corralled into his strong, safe arms and led along, clutching the new prize to her chest. \n\n\tThe whole walk there Brinna could feel herself struggling to stay standing. Part of it was simply the newness of it all. The rush. Being pampered like this. Spoiled, if she had to put a word to it. It was new, and it was nice. It was amazing. It was also wrong.\n\n\t``So, have you ever been to a dive arcade?'' Gene asked. He was all but bouncing with excitement as he did so, eyes fixed on her face. Curious. Eager. Watching her eyes just light up. It actually took quite a bit more strength than it probably should to keep the girl from falling over herself. Actually having to lift her up off of her feet at one point. ``Ok there miss you, slow your damn roll'' he chuckled ``The game isn't going anywhere.\n\n\tShe looked up at him and gave the bear a handful of smooches right on the cheek. A relatively new holo was one thing. Full immersion, full sensory input, custom AI run role play gaming? And with commercial level processing power? It was about a half-dozen dreams come true!\n\n\t``Oh, hey. Hold on a sec.'' Gene sighed ``Work. As usual.''\n\n\tThe bear lumbered off a moment, leaving his date standing there. Not that Brinna minded. She felt herself tingling with a sort of twisted excitement just at the thought. Between the shockingly extravagant gift, and the chance to test out her skills in something really high end. The pizza. The ice cream. That kiss. The thoughts just kept swirling around in her head as she moved up in line. Gene off to one side. The wheat furred rodent slumping more and more as her place moved up in line.''\n\n\t``Sorry about that'' Gene said as he put his arm around her. ``They really can't do anything without me. That's not me bragging by the way. I honestly wish they would do more without me but they flat out refuse. I'm getting kind of sick of it. Just let us enjoy ourselves, you know?''\n\n\tWithout warning the model box was shoved into the bears chest. Brinna running with breakneck pace down though the crowds, bouncing off of people like a pinball as she fumbled her way through he rows of shops and kiosks, finally ducking into the ladies room and panting. This was stupid. This was a mistake. It was all a mistake. She needed to fix it, needed to clear her head. Needed something. Oh Gods if she only knew what.\n\n\tThe poor girl slumped down against the bathroom privacy wall, tucked away from the world, more or less, as she just tucked her head between her knees and took long, slow breaths. It all happened so fast, and without the full consent of her own mind. Events playing though her head over and over as she grappled with the sequence of events.\n\n\t``Uh, Hey.'' A familiar voice echoed from the other end of the wall. ``Brinna? Are you ok?''\n\n\t``Go away'' she yelped as she tucked her head in a bit further.\n\n\tThe man grunted a bit and sighed ``Can I at least ask what I did wrong first?''\n\n\t``Nothing!'' she snapped instinctively ``please, just go.''\n\n\t``Look I'm going to go, but really I'd at least like to know what I said, or did. Come on. Just give me that much, please? I thought it was going well.''\n\n\tBrinna looked up to see the roundish bears face peeking out from behind the wall, looking in. those big, blue, damnably dreamy eyes so full of concern. ``Hey! You, you can't be in here!'' she yelped as she sprang up ``No boys allowed!''\n\n\t``But you're not coming out, and it sounds like you're crying. I'm worried Brinna.''\n\n\t``Yeah, well you can't...'' she sighed and grabbed the scruffy grey tee he wore, dragging the bear along without thought to how absurd the two looked. Her legs frantically pulling them around until she found a relatively empty shop full of various pseudo cultural artifacts and crystals. She ducked in with him and tucked them in next to one of the display windows as if it would provide cover for the impending outburst. \n\n\t``So, can I hear what I did wrong now?'' Gene asked, a note of dejection finally hitting his voice.\n\n\t``Nothing.'' Brinna muttered\n\n\t``Ok, well if I didn't do anything wrong, is there something I can do to ma-''\n\n\t``Nothing. You did nothing. That's the problem! Don't you get it? First you stick me with lots of embarrassing but ultimately harmless tasks on our My Collar messages, and when we first meet in person you tease me. Then you take me out, buy me gifts, show concern. I'm a whore! Don't you get it? That's what the site is all about. I'm meat. I'm a friggin sex doll that you can tell a cute story about to your snooty rich friends. You're supposed to humiliate me. Degrade me. Treat me like meat. I'm a worthless third class little bitch and you claim me because it's cheaper than buying something attractive. Make me kiss your boots in public. Hit me. Inspect me like I'm on the darn auction block right in the middle of the store for crying out loud!'' The rage filled screams ate up every shred of energy she had. Brinna gazing up into the bears eyes with her nostrils flared. Fire burning. Arms sticking out behind her with fists clenched in impotent rage. Glairing him down with every shred of intimidation her form could conjure.\n\n\tAnd then it passed\n\n\tAnd then she was left bare, quickly glancing off to the side and clinging her arms around her body, trembling at the sudden emptiness the rage dump had left.\n\n\tThe two were quiet for a long time. Neither moved. Neither spoke. The nervous tension simply growing in the air.\n\n\t``Is that what you want?'' Gene asked rather flatly\n\n\t``No. Kinda. Well yes, some of it.'' she muttered. Brinna pulling her jacket up tight around her. Suddenly feeling very cold.\n\n\t``That's not a real answer.'' Gene sighed as he cupped her muzzle again under the crook of his index finger. She tried to look away. But she couldn't. She didn't want to and she was too spent to make herself resist.\n\n\t``It's... I like what you've done for me so far. I like it a lot. I admit that. But it's wrong. I'm not... I'm not a girlfriend. I'm not someone you have to like. You don't have to care, Gene. You know you don't.'' Brinna felt the finger drop from under her chin and sighed. She looked down at the faux wood flooring and ground her boot tip into it, shivering softly. ``I'm not a princess. I'm not special. You don't have to work hard to get me. We both know that.'' she sighed ``You need only say the word and I'm yours. I don't have options.''\n\n\tShe felt him move away from her. Even the absence of his body heat, or maybe just of him, made her feel colder. She hugged her jacket tighter around herself and rubbed the hems of her shorts together as if the friction would produce some kind of useful warmth. Or perhaps just for something to do.\n\n\tBrinna listened half heartedly as the hustle and bustle returned to the shop. At first expecting that things were over. Yet the sounds were odd. They made her curious. Almost curious enough to look up. Finally Gene returned, standing before her. He took one of the cheap wall hanger knives and started to poke a couple holes into what looked to be an overly ornate fake leather bicep band. Something gaudy and covered with fairies. Fastened with snaps. Yet clearly the extra large size at least. Gene shoved a small fastener from some other random knickknack though the hole he had made and then picked up two items from the small barrel of semi-worthless semiprecious stones these sorts of shops seemed to keep around since time immemorial.\n\n\t``Here.'' He said, a bit of determined frustration in his voice. Look at this. Tell me what it is.''\n\n\tShe blinked and looked at his open hand A scintillating multi colored shard of polished hexagonal crystal resting in his palm. ``Rainbow Beryl. It's a crystal that forms in sheets during fusion engine production. Basically Beryl doped with the random chemical slurry used to help dope the components.''\n\n\t``and is it pretty? Does where it comes from make it any uglier?''\n\n\t``Well, yeah it's pretty.'' she said as she shook her head. ``I mean that's why they sell it here I guess.'' He put a piece of the stone into one of the little metal holders used to sell the false gems as necklaces. This was then attached to the arm band, which he proceeded to unceremoniously fasten around the shocked rodents neck. Snapping it firmly into place with wonderfully little consideration for how it just barely bit into her neck flesh.\n\n\t``Brinna Kelley. You are now under consideration of my household.'' He said matter of factly. ``From this time, until I either claim or release you, you are expected, by honor and by law, to behave as mine. In all things. Your obedience, your loyalty, your self, belongs to me. Do you understand?''\n\n\t``Y-yes'' Brinna muttered. She didn't. Or rather she was still about ten seconds behind in the practical overload of processing. Barely able to do more than nod.\n\n\t``Yes what?'' Gene asked sternly\n\n\t``Yes Sir'' she whined. The word did taste surprisingly good.\n\n\tOnce again her muzzle was tilted, and the man whom she had spent the past two days obsessing over pushed his laps against hers. Kissing her firmly, deeply, holding the stunned girl oh so very tight. ``I want to make this clear now, Brinna. This stops when you say, or when I finally collar you properly. I know what I want, and I don't give a damn what people say. If you are the kind of girl I suspect, then that is what I want. But I don't plan on taking you simply because I can. I can buy a toy, Brinna.'' he growled ``What I want is far more precious.''\n\n\tShe couldn't fight back the tears. She tried. Gods be damned she tried. The poor girl finally collapsed into that warm waiting chest and let the arms prop her up once more. Out of words, out of worry, out of everything but need. A need. Sobbing, blubbering, pushing herself up against him oh so hard as if she could simply sink into him and disappear.\n\n\tBy the time it was done she simply looked up at Gene, feeling him petting her hair and holding her oh so tight. ``Feel better, pet?'' he asked. His voice hadn't changed. Not one bit. But the authority in it. Now it simply made her tingle. ``Yes, Master.''\n\n\t``Yes Sir.'' he sighed ``You aren't owned by me properly, not yet.''\n\n\t``Yes sir'' she corrected herself.\n\n\t``Now, do you still want me to take back the model kit?''\n\n\t``Oh, no. No no nope nope nope. No way in Heck are you taking that back. It is mine... Sir'' she said with a playful, exhausted giggle. She smiled up proudly at Gene, up until the point where a small noise of pounding and cheering caused her to jump. She looked out the display window to see the assembled crowd. Men, women and children, all applauding and cheering. A few even wiping tears form their eyes.\n\n\tBrinna was quick to hide herself away in Genes arms. Shivering like a leaf as she sought shelter from the social storm. Feeling the terror, but for once also feeling a final grain of peace.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Necessity

By TerraMGP

\tTwin oak Junction didn't feel like the kind of place Brinna should be. It was a rather typical shopping center. A large cylinder of shoebox shops spreading out at a fifty meter radius with four different stories to it. Not atypical as malls went, save for how clean everything seemed to be.

\tShe felt out of place. Wrong. Her eyes glancing nervously at the sea of fur and faces smashing together and wandering on their way. It evoked, or rather she made it evoke, images of atomic interactions taken with the lab sensors at her school. Those grainy black and white images drawn from painfully outdated materials as they watched what happens when you agitate elements like carbon and germanium with a current. It actually made her chuckle, thinking of how most of her now former classmates probably spent that time thinking of their own local mall.

\tGods she was so out of place here.

\tThe brown furred girl arched herself up on her boots and looked down at the tips as she leaned her back against the railing surrounding the big empty cylinder running though the middle of the shopping center. In a relative sense it was her usual place to hang out when she did go to the mall. The spot she always stood when the people got too overwhelming and she had to brace for the combination of walking and lifts which would get her home. In theory it should have been a place of comfortable familiarity. It was not.

\t``Brinna?''

\tThe voice made her jump out of her skin. The freshly combed and straightened bundle of hair that normally fell behind the poor dormouse quickly frizzed and ruined from her near collapse, stopped only by a strong arm grabbing her shoulder and steadying her. She looked up at the face of the man who had caught her. The source of the voice she only now was able to register as familiar.

\t``Gene?'' The name was as wrong as anything here. It felt so wrong on her lips, so distasteful and somehow vulgar. Yet still spoken with notes of nervous disbelief. She gripped at the railing, tugging herself up slowly and trembling a bit. Brenna looked into those piercing blue eyes and trembled as her body started to go limp. An inconvenient reality as she had already all but buckled under herself and was really only propped up by the mans strong paw and her tenuous grasp on the railing.

\tHe smiled at her a moment. It was the first time she could put a face to a voice, and Brinna wasn't quite sure what to do with that. He slowly pulled her up to standing and crooked his thumb into the faux leather trousers he wore, scanning her a moment over the thick plastic frames of his glasses.

\t``Oh, S-sorry. Sorry I didn't mean to. I mean I shouldn't, I mean. gosh'' she winced as she looked up at the man and curled her toes in frustration. What was she supposed to do? She had to correct herself. Should she kneel? Should she stand at attention? She looked down at the thick work boots he sported, clean but far from trendy. Brinfna bit her lip hard wondering if she should lick them, or kiss them. That wouldn't' be so bad. It might show how sorry she was. It'd be kinda hot too. She tried to cast her eyes upwards, over the mans thick legs, over his thick, not unpleasant, almost arc typically ursine chest. That bit of a belly which could so easily hide a thick six pack. The hints of a big barrel chest under the shirt. Gods he looked better than she thought!

\tHer eyes got about to his neck by the time she felt a finger curling under her muzzle and titling it up. Looking into those sharp blue eyes the Dormouse could feel her whole body going limp again. Her mind all but blanking.

\t``Just Gene. For now Gene is fine, girl.'' he said with a little laugh. It was warm and sweet and condescending all at the same time.

\t``Alright, Gene, sir.'' Brinna muttered, then winced as the word left her mouth. She looked away only to feel him patting her shoulder softly. He didn't' say anything. She was grateful.

\tThe silence only lasted a few minutes. For all she knew maybe only a minute. She was too scared to check the little HUD readout in her vision and seeing. It felt long, and awkward, and served only to stir the guts of the brown-furred girl as she poked her simple little silver lip ring with her tongue and gripped her hands into awkward fists of frustration.

\tMercifully she felt one of those strong paws pushing against her fingers, opening her paw, a bigger, stronger hand sliding into hers and gripping it firmly. ``Come on.'' Gene chuckled ``We'll be late if we don't get in line. I mean unless you want to skip the film.''

\t``What?'' Brinna blinked a bit and shook her head frantically. She found herself squeezing his hand hard. Trying to will all of that tension and terror and anxiety into it, as if this new, strong presence was the only thing keeping her from collapsing under her own weight.. ``No! I mean, no, that's fine. That's more than fine. Really. Sorry Sir, I mean Gene, I mean'' she sighed and shook her head as they just walked along. Through the crowd. The mouse finding herself pushed up against her date almost instantly. Only blushing harder as she awkwardly realized just how pushy and weird and wrong she was being.

\tThe worst part was, all it seemed to do was make the man chuckle. How was she supposed to take that?

\tThe two got in line for the Holo. It wasn't long. Not really. About a dozen people were in front of them. Enough that she knew the two of them were going to be stuck out in the relative `open' for a while. Brinna felt herself gripping that hand even tighter than before. Finding it increasingly difficult to keep herself calm. The sensation of Gene squeezing back was... odd. Something she couldn't explain, and certainly couldn't put her finger on.

\t``So'' The bear smirked as he looked down at her, examining her with all the care of a paramedic doing triage ``I got your latest picture.''

\tBrinna looked up and gripped his arm a bit tighter now. Her muzzle slipping open, dumbfounded. ``You did, Sir?'' she asked nervously.

\t``I did'' he smirked ``And I told you, the is not needed. Not yet at any rate. You're not really used to doing this kind of thing too much, are you?'' He teased.

\tBrinna shook her head a tiny bit and leaned away from the man, then against him, teetering nervously as she tried to look him in the eye and failed miserably. ``Well I have. I mean sure I have. I've sent you pictures before after all, haven't I? They weren't too bad were they?''

\tGene shook his head and laughed ``I never said it was bad, any of them. That said'' he tapped her data jack softly. The poor shaken Dormouse opened her eyes and looked at the little file he had sent. It wasn't hard to guess what it was. A picture of her. Poor, pathetic, small chested dweeby Brinna. Her hair flowing out behind her as best she could get. One of her typical, over baggy geek culture shirts stuffed into her muzzle to awkwardly show off her less-than-desirable lack of a chest.  The same ratty, baggy cargo shorts she had on now, complete with the barely functional LED stitching patterns. The zipper was undone just enough to show off a bit of the painfully plain white and green striped panties she'd tried to make seductive. Her whole torso and pelvis heaved out awkwardly in offering with legs spread apart clumsily on the `Starlight soldier Brigid' Bedsheets. Oh gods she was going to college in six months, why was she still using anime bed sheets?

\tBefore she even knew what was happening the poor brown-furred dormouse found muzzle buried hard against Genes side, muzzle pushing into the cutoff flannel shirt he wore over his own admittedly geeky `Battlers of Elysian' Tee as she let out a high pitched squeal into the surprisingly comforting material. The furry little mouse tail thrashed about a moment nervously before finally it found something firm and instinctively wrapped around it. It wasn't until the line moved forwards that she realized she'd snared Genes boot. By then it was simply too late.

\t``So, that battler, custom job?'' Gene asked. He pulled the motted grey jacket she wore back up over her shoulders and let out a small sigh. It slipped and threatened to fall again almost insanely.

\tBrinna sniffed and bucked her muzzle a bit to reseat the glasses on her face. She looked into his sidelong glance for a long moment, swallowed, then smiled.

\t``Yeah.'' she nodded ``I had to use a tunnel rat set to get most of the parts the way I liked em. I was really into cyberpunk and cyberdecks back then. I kinda had to cannibalize the handbag and slate computer off an old Secretary Rati doll to make it look right.''

\t``Gahh Hope you didn't regret that later.'' Gene said as she shook his head

\t``Are you kidding? I never liked Rati. Well, not when I was a kid anyways. Newest concept show rebooting her is... okish'' she said as she smirked a bit. ``I haven't played the game in years but I got a good hacker powerset down back when I was twelve. Even won Thursday nights a few times'' she beamed proudly. Brinna allowing herself all of ten seconds to smile before slumping her face back into his chest and whining anxiously.

\t``Yeah. Been forever. I remember mom got us all a set for Solstice one year. I was the one who had to teach the squirts how the game was played. Neither one seemed too interested honestly. Doesn't matter how far into the stars we go you give a kid a toy, hell give em a stick and I guarantee you they'll find some way to make use of their imaginations'' He laughed a bit and wrapped an arm around Brinna protectively. ``Of course fifteen years ago me was too stupid to get that. Just kept getting on their cases about playing the game right. Gods I needed to mellow out.''

\tThe Dormouse giggled and squeaked softly as she shifted on her feet again. The line moving up once more. The storms of anxious thoughts floating though her head pushed back violently, only ebbing back into place slowly as they made their way towards the ticket counter.

\t``So, was that the biggest thing you noticed?'' Brinna whined nervously as she looked up at Gene and bit her lip ring softly with one of those big front foreteeth. ``I mean I don't want to pry. Well, I guess I do. Kinda. I was just wondering because''

\t``Because I brought up the centerpiece in your nice big collection of models, minis and hardcopy, rather than your cute A cups and the adorable attempt to figure out what size chip bag clip should go on them?''

\tHer ears folded flat as she once again buried herself in the crook of genes arm. She felt one arm wrapping around her and the other petting along her thick dark black hair. Slowly stroking and soothing the anxious trembles out of her.

\t``Sorry, sorry.'' Gene laughed ``I'm not here to make you nervous, Brinna. Well not past the point where I find it cute anyways.'' He gripped her muzzle again and tilted it up slowly. Looking into her eyes.

\tBrinna looked back and swallowed hard. Her heart thumping, her legs quivering weak once more. She could feel herself slowly overwhelmed. Confused nervous emotions stirring and twisting as she sank slowly into those deep cool blue eyes. She felt trapped, powerless. Wonderfully so. A high of conflicting emotions that scared and enervated the dormouse to her very core. He leaned in slowly. Her eyes watching his in slow motion as his warm lips pushed against her. Every muscle fiber in Brinnas body caving in. The energy seemingly sapped away as he firmly pushed his tongue down against hers. Cupping the back of her head and holding the mouse tight. Holding her together. Holding her melting body and withering soul firmly in place while his presence subsumed her. While the twisting stroke of his strong tongue slowly and gratefully conquered the poor scared dweeb down to her very core.

\t``Next.''

\tIf Brinna had been more in control of herself, she'd probably be waiting for the Corpsec guards. The simple call pulling Gene away from her left the awestruck rodent slumped. Her yearning heart warmed by the strange and sudden new affection felt an energy and a life it had never quite felt before. Yet her first cognizant thought was a desire to turn that energy into a weapon and use it to smite the pimply-faced kid behind the ticket booth.

\tGene was far less phased. He allowed his date to slip from his grasp and walked up to the counter. Nodding politely to the teller. ``Two tickets for `the Matchmaker' and just stick the concession printer on my card if ya would, pal'' he said with a proud little nod. The teenager, probably at least two years Brinnas junior, giving the bear such a horrible glair of detached irony.

\tBetween that and the broken kiss it was only down to the presence of Gene himself stopping her from leaping though the admittedly tiny cred scanner in the window to throttle the loser. That and her size. And the people around who would call Corpsec. And that ass. Brinna couldn't help but blush as she realized just how oddly nice Genes ass was. Strong, plump, heavy. She wasn't even really an ass girl. And yet...

\tOnce again Gene seemed to be merciful, turning around, which fortunately happened slowly enough for Brinna to look away before he caught her checking him out. Or worse before she had a chance to seem like she was drooling other assets he may or may not have. He simply walked back and put an arm around his date as he led her into the theater. All the poor girl could do was sigh softly and bury herself against him hoping at some point tonight that she could stop screwing up.

--------------------

\t``I can't stop believing in you. My heart knows just what to do. Oh, If you ever were there for my love, I tell you now it's all I dreamed of youuuuu!'' Brinna pushed the back of her palm against the battered frame of her apartment door. It slid open with a hard thunk allowing the girl to continue her off-key warble as she pranced awkwardly though into the small living room area. A man in his mid forties sat in the small armchair that took up a third of the rooms bulk. Slumped back into it as the half dead Holo projector sprayed out the remnants of some twenty year old sitcom for the umpteenth time.

\t``You're home.'' Brinna winced as she heard her father hiss the words with the less than pleased tone.

\tYeah.'' Brinna nodded as she started to her room slowly.

\t``Sit.'' the older dormouse snapped

\tBrinna complied. Slumping down and leaning back into the worn cheap fabric of the sofa, casting her eyes on the Holo. She always hated this stupid show.

\t``You're home early.'' The man muttered.

\t``Yeah.'' Brinna nodded

\t``Very early.'' her father said, tone a bit pointed

\t``Not that early.'' Brinna protested.

\t``Early enough.'' The man sighed as he slowly stood up. Brinna slumping back as she felt her father gripping at her muzzle, running a hand though her hair, looking her ear over. Even swiping the glasses off of his daughters face and starting to look them over carefully. He tossed them into Brinnas lap and walked back to the armchair, all but collapsing into it.

\t``He didn't like you.'' The man finally muttered

\t``I don't know if I'd go that far'' Brinna whimpered.

\t``So then what were you doing all night?'' he snapped

\t``Well we went to a show.'' Brinna whined ``And dinner. Well, Kinda dinner. Well, dessert and pizza in the food court.''

\t``And then?'' The harsh old dormouse muttered as he narrowed is eyes.

\tBrinna looked down into her lap. She gripped her hand into a hard fist. The same hand that had felt so safe, so warm. Not even an hour ago. ``Nothing.'' She sighed ``We just, talked.''

\t``Talked'' the man laughed "I should have figured. Why would you do anything else?''

\t``Dad, he didn't...''

\t``Three years now. Three years we've had you on that site. Three years of fees paid up and this is the first real interest anyone has ever shown, and you're already blowing it.'' The man growled and pulled a can from the table between the sofa and arm chair, taking a hard drink of the acrid, cheap fluid.

\t``Mom doesn`t like you drinking, dad'' Brinna muttered in protest

\t``She'll like the money we wasted on you far less, missy. I knew this was a mistake. I tried to tell her. You just don't' have what it takes.''

\t``Dad, please.'' Brinna whimpered

\t``Even after letting you go the first year with `straight' on the profile. As if you can afford to be picky considering everything we've gone though.''

\t``Dad don't, I-''

\t``When they wanted dirty pics, she insisted it was better if you decide how to do them. She said I shouldn't coach you for any messenger sex sessions. About the only thing the woman got right was to keep an eye on the message inbox, because gods only know you wouldn't have gotten this far without one of us reigning in your incessant childish rambling.''

\t``Yeah? Well it just so happens he liked those, Dad.'' Brinna yelped. ``He and I are into a lot of the same things I'll have you know.''

\t``Bullshit.'' the man snapped ``You expect me to buy that someone with enough clout and importance to have a household, to have his family name recognized by the station, is going to care about your stupid little action figures and hologames?'' The older mouse shut his eyes and sighed. The slate grey irises looking tired and worn. He took a few breaths and a deep swig of his can before leaning forwards again and looking his daughter in the face.

\t``Brinna, this isn't something you can fuck up here, kid. We didn't' pay all this money, spend all of this time just so you can meet some other nerd and nerd out. Your mother and I work our fingers to the bone seven days a week. The only reason we can even make a living is because they pay us so little it's still cheaper than feeding a slave after subsidies. You want to go to school? Want an education? Brinna we're one step better than the fucking trash out on the rim and if one of us dies or gets laid off that's right where we'll be.'' He bit back a  moment before the rising tone of his voice turned to screaming. Taking a few deep measured breaths to calm himself. ``I've tried to be lenient with you, Brinna. But we're out of options here. You really think whatever fifth rate school we could maybe send you to would matter in the long run? You think people are willing to ignore your shitty school? The fact you haven't had one shred of gene treatments or upgrades? That' you're a Class III citizen?''

\tThe older mouse sighed and finished his beer, tossing the can over his shoulder and into a wide plastic trough he used to collect printer recycling. ``I love you, Brinna. We both love you. But gods damn it the only way you're gonna get somewhere in life is with a collar around that neck of yours. At least then you know you'll have some shot of being provided for. At least if someone has a household they gotta do something to treat you ok if only so they don't have all their rich little friends overreacting. But you really think a guy who can buy some hunk of barrens meat and shove it into a pod in the mall to make some ideal slave is gonna give a fuck about you? About some scrawny girl who likes to spend half her free time reading fucking mineralogy reports from the incoming freights?''

\t``Gemology.'' Brinna corrected weakly

\t``See? That's what I'm talking about! Nobody the fuck cares. Unless it's around your neck you ain't ever going to get any gemstones, or crystals, or metals, or drone parts to play with, or any of the other shit you keep focusing on.'' The man ran his fingers though his own dark black hair, gripping right where the bald spot around the crown started and taking a few deep, very angry breaths. ``I'm not.. Trying... to be mean, Brinna.'' he muttered. As much to himself as to her. ``I'm not trying to hurt you. But you make it so fucking hard sometimes, kid. I don't know what you think is going to come along for you.''

\t``I don't know.'' Brinna sighed. She had to fight hard, so hard, to keep the tears out of her eyes at this point. ``I guess I just figured he might like me. That he might want me for me. That maybe, maybe he could love me.''

\tThe old mouse sighed and stood. He walked over to his daughter and put a hand on her shoulder, kissing her forehead ``I know, princess. That's what most people want. That's what the Holo tells us we want. But love ain't that easy. It's not some magic pill that makes everything all better. It sure as hell isn't something people like us can afford.'' he looked down at her and closed his eyes a moment ``Well I guess we can, but only if we're willing to waste away one step from the slums. This is the first chance you've had. This guy has enough to go around on a dating site looking to add to his household, then he's gotta have enough to keep you fed. Make sure you're warm. Keep you from ending up some drugged out ganger whore. Hell, maybe he'd even want you to get some kind of education down the line.'' Even as he said it the notion seemed bitter on the mans face. Like some half remembered pipe dream, too beautiful and too impossible to comfortably fixate on.

\t``Just promise me you're gonna try next time, Brinna. Ok? This is important. I don't give a fuck if your mom and me get laid off and shipped out. But you gotta make this guy happy. It's your only shot. Alright?''

\tBrinna nodded softly and waited for her dad to slump back into his seat before slowly standing and walking into her room. It was small, barely big enough for a bed and her carefully set shelves of nerdy crap. A small desk setup and computer bank laid in to one wall gave her rather clunky access to the more primitive of public network systems. There were about a dozen tabs open. Portals to various sites. The new gemology reports from the asteroid excavation that came back from Sirius, a few paused and half finished holo streams, some now mostly superfluous erotic stories and holos. She'd actually felt rather good having something flesh and blood stuck in her mind to get her going tonight instead of the cold, cut rate digital sensory input. The operative word being `had'.

\tThe poor girl let her despondent body collapse into the lumpy old foam of her mattress. She slowly hooked the tip of her right boot against the heel of the left, wriggling and struggling lazily until the still fastened footwear popped off revealing the long striped knee sock underneath. She'd worn them for him. He had said he found them cute. Found her cute. Did he? Outside of the kiss she couldn't recall a single move he'd made all night. Not a grope, not a squeeze, not even some sly little predatory glance.

\tShe tried to rationalize that all away. After all she'd been scared. Nervous and confused. Stumbling though the whole thing. Overwhelmed, and admittedly a bit attracted. Ok very attracted. Ok it was likely she was too busy thinking up awkwardly overcomplicated and convoluted erotic scenarios in her head to even bother seeing if he was checking her out. How could she know? She hadn't even questioned it until her father put the idea in her head.

\tHe had though, hadn't he? It was there. Huge and looming. Creeping though her thoughts like some dark growing cancer. Consuming every good thought she had about the night and casting it into a sea of doubt. It was entirely possible that Gene didn't like her. More to the point, her father was right that it very well didn't matter. At least in the romantic sense. Being some little prize of a harem pet was probably more than most girls in her situation could hope for.

\tSo then why did it hurt so much?

\tShe looked up at Codette, the old battler he'd found, or seemed to find, impressive. Brinna hadn't really paid the toy any serious attention in years. Just leaving her to stand on her charge pad that dad had slotted into the cheap printed shelf. With a mental command Brinna activated the toy. A small slender rat dressed in an eclectic mix of archaic, centuries old looking stylized cyber interface gear and 17th century street urchin fashion. The little doll blinked, looked around, and seemingly without a word spoken quickly hopped off the shelf to run up and hug the dormouse on her fuzzy, relatively well groomed tail.

\tBrinna curled that tail up close to her face, stopping only long enough to scoop up Puff, her beloved plush ankylosaurus, and hug her tight. Reaching down to pull the sheets and blankets over herself. Too hurt and scared to do anything more than sleep.

--------------------

\tIt was a dreamless sleep. It almost always was for her. For the life of her Brinna couldn't figure out just why she so rarely dreamed. She had fantasies, sure. It'd be a filthy lie to claim she hadn't had them while laying there last night dreaming of Gene.

\tShe didn't know why. Much of the time spent between waking and sleep the night before was simply an attempt to puzzle the older man out. He wasn't her type, for one. At least not to the point that she should feel so weak in the knees around him. Up until that point the men dancing around in Brinna's dreams had always been more toned and fit. Athletic. Not necessarily the kind of guy you'd see leading the team at a track met. But maybe the kind of Bishi Moe samurai that would sweep in and save the priestess with a slick one line and sharp, swinging katana.

\tThat was not the man she'd met last night. In fact if she was pressed to be honest with herself there were quite a few things which should, objectively bother her about Gene. He was too nice for one. At least from the interactions she'd had. Sure he was kind of a dick the way he announced to the world that she'd sent him dirty pics. But even that was just so light hearted and carefree. Something just so painfully off for a man who could very well have a whole herd of girls and boys at home and simply consider her an easy diversion.

\tExcept she then had to wonder why she was now standing at the top rung of the same mall complex, waiting for her date to arrive once more. If date was even the best term for it. Much as she hated the idea it might have actually helped if her parents had coached her though this part. When she woke a mere three hours ago to the request flashing on her old holo projector she was almost convinced that she had to be dreaming. It seemed like the kind of thing she'd dream up. After everything her dad had said it seemed like a dream was the only way she'd get a second shot with Gene. Yet here she stood in almost the exact same condition as the day before. Only the `Bot Wars' shirt she now sported giving any indication that she'd even been home or changed. Then again for all Gene knew she had no home. There were probably a ton of desperate homeless girls who used sites like ``My Collar'' to land an owner who would provide for them and remove the existential threats of life in exchange for fawning and sex.

\tIt all sounded kind of disgusting until she realized she was doing just that. Worse, it was succeeding. It shouldn't be succeeding. She was such a horrible person because it was succeeding.

\tIt was only the timely intervention of strong arms wrapping around her and pulling her in close that stopped the dormouse from yet another existential nosedive. She looked up, seeing Gene look down from above. His well groomed mop of dark brown hair with those bangs framing his face. The powerful, assuring blue eyes looking down at her affectionately. He wore the same smile he had when he left her on the lift platform the night before. Oh how Brinna hoped against hope that smile was real.

\t``I keep you waiting long?'' He laughed softly.

\t``No. I mean, no sir.'' Brinna muttered sheepishly

\t``I told you, the Sir isn't needed. Not yet, anyways.'' Gene said with a smirk ``You really need to work on your memory.'' His arms shifted a bit as Gene slipped something into the rodent girls grasp. It was familiar. The composites of a type and texture that were seared into her brain from a much earlier age.

\tHesitant as she was, Brinna took a half step back. Enough to look down at the cover of the box. Her eyes widened a bit, her jaw dropping. ``You didn't.''

\t``Sure I did.'' Gene chuckled ``Why not?''

\t ``1/100th scale Aurora Buster Perfection. Alpha grade. With the reprint code! This isn't even in print anymore!'' She whined loudly.

\t``Out of print doesn't mean unattainable. Besides I saw those bed sheets. Am I right in guessing I got your favorite?''

\t``Well yeah, but.'' Brinna swallowed hard. She just looked at the model kit in shock. Her eyes taking in the sharp lines of the mech. The scape of burning stars and fighting ships behind the figure. The near photon perfect capture of what had to be one of the coolest mechs ever dreamed up at an art table, in her not so humble opinion at any rate.

\t``This had to cost a ton.'' She finally muttered out.

\t``Eh, no more than the date last night'' Gene shrugged

\t``Yes more than our date.'' The poor rodent insisted ``Yes much more. Like four times more. At least. Probably closer to.'' A peck on the lips was all it took to silence the protest. Brinna once again blushing furiously and wavering on her heels as she let herself be corralled into his strong, safe arms and led along, clutching the new prize to her chest.

\tThe whole walk there Brinna could feel herself struggling to stay standing. Part of it was simply the newness of it all. The rush. Being pampered like this. Spoiled, if she had to put a word to it. It was new, and it was nice. It was amazing. It was also wrong.

\t``So, have you ever been to a dive arcade?'' Gene asked. He was all but bouncing with excitement as he did so, eyes fixed on her face. Curious. Eager. Watching her eyes just light up. It actually took quite a bit more strength than it probably should to keep the girl from falling over herself. Actually having to lift her up off of her feet at one point. ``Ok there miss you, slow your damn roll'' he chuckled ``The game isn't going anywhere.

\tShe looked up at him and gave the bear a handful of smooches right on the cheek. A relatively new holo was one thing. Full immersion, full sensory input, custom AI run role play gaming? And with commercial level processing power? It was about a half-dozen dreams come true!

\t``Oh, hey. Hold on a sec.'' Gene sighed ``Work. As usual.''

\tThe bear lumbered off a moment, leaving his date standing there. Not that Brinna minded. She felt herself tingling with a sort of twisted excitement just at the thought. Between the shockingly extravagant gift, and the chance to test out her skills in something really high end. The pizza. The ice cream. That kiss. The thoughts just kept swirling around in her head as she moved up in line. Gene off to one side. The wheat furred rodent slumping more and more as her place moved up in line.''

\t``Sorry about that'' Gene said as he put his arm around her. ``They really can't do anything without me. That's not me bragging by the way. I honestly wish they would do more without me but they flat out refuse. I'm getting kind of sick of it. Just let us enjoy ourselves, you know?''

\tWithout warning the model box was shoved into the bears chest. Brinna running with breakneck pace down though the crowds, bouncing off of people like a pinball as she fumbled her way through he rows of shops and kiosks, finally ducking into the ladies room and panting. This was stupid. This was a mistake. It was all a mistake. She needed to fix it, needed to clear her head. Needed something. Oh Gods if she only knew what.

\tThe poor girl slumped down against the bathroom privacy wall, tucked away from the world, more or less, as she just tucked her head between her knees and took long, slow breaths. It all happened so fast, and without the full consent of her own mind. Events playing though her head over and over as she grappled with the sequence of events.

\t``Uh, Hey.'' A familiar voice echoed from the other end of the wall. ``Brinna? Are you ok?''

\t``Go away'' she yelped as she tucked her head in a bit further.

\tThe man grunted a bit and sighed ``Can I at least ask what I did wrong first?''

\t``Nothing!'' she snapped instinctively ``please, just go.''

\t``Look I'm going to go, but really I'd at least like to know what I said, or did. Come on. Just give me that much, please? I thought it was going well.''

\tBrinna looked up to see the roundish bears face peeking out from behind the wall, looking in. those big, blue, damnably dreamy eyes so full of concern. ``Hey! You, you can't be in here!'' she yelped as she sprang up ``No boys allowed!''

\t``But you're not coming out, and it sounds like you're crying. I'm worried Brinna.''

\t``Yeah, well you can't...'' she sighed and grabbed the scruffy grey tee he wore, dragging the bear along without thought to how absurd the two looked. Her legs frantically pulling them around until she found a relatively empty shop full of various pseudo cultural artifacts and crystals. She ducked in with him and tucked them in next to one of the display windows as if it would provide cover for the impending outburst.

\t``So, can I hear what I did wrong now?'' Gene asked, a note of dejection finally hitting his voice.

\t``Nothing.'' Brinna muttered

\t``Ok, well if I didn't do anything wrong, is there something I can do to ma-''

\t``Nothing. You did nothing. That's the problem! Don't you get it? First you stick me with lots of embarrassing but ultimately harmless tasks on our My Collar messages, and when we first meet in person you tease me. Then you take me out, buy me gifts, show concern. I'm a whore! Don't you get it? That's what the site is all about. I'm meat. I'm a friggin sex doll that you can tell a cute story about to your snooty rich friends. You're supposed to humiliate me. Degrade me. Treat me like meat. I'm a worthless third class little bitch and you claim me because it's cheaper than buying something attractive. Make me kiss your boots in public. Hit me. Inspect me like I'm on the darn auction block right in the middle of the store for crying out loud!'' The rage filled screams ate up every shred of energy she had. Brinna gazing up into the bears eyes with her nostrils flared. Fire burning. Arms sticking out behind her with fists clenched in impotent rage. Glairing him down with every shred of intimidation her form could conjure.

\tAnd then it passed

\tAnd then she was left bare, quickly glancing off to the side and clinging her arms around her body, trembling at the sudden emptiness the rage dump had left.

\tThe two were quiet for a long time. Neither moved. Neither spoke. The nervous tension simply growing in the air.

\t``Is that what you want?'' Gene asked rather flatly

\t``No. Kinda. Well yes, some of it.'' she muttered. Brinna pulling her jacket up tight around her. Suddenly feeling very cold.

\t``That's not a real answer.'' Gene sighed as he cupped her muzzle again under the crook of his index finger. She tried to look away. But she couldn't. She didn't want to and she was too spent to make herself resist.

\t``It's... I like what you've done for me so far. I like it a lot. I admit that. But it's wrong. I'm not... I'm not a girlfriend. I'm not someone you have to like. You don't have to care, Gene. You know you don't.'' Brinna felt the finger drop from under her chin and sighed. She looked down at the faux wood flooring and ground her boot tip into it, shivering softly. ``I'm not a princess. I'm not special. You don't have to work hard to get me. We both know that.'' she sighed ``You need only say the word and I'm yours. I don't have options.''

\tShe felt him move away from her. Even the absence of his body heat, or maybe just of him, made her feel colder. She hugged her jacket tighter around herself and rubbed the hems of her shorts together as if the friction would produce some kind of useful warmth. Or perhaps just for something to do.

\tBrinna listened half heartedly as the hustle and bustle returned to the shop. At first expecting that things were over. Yet the sounds were odd. They made her curious. Almost curious enough to look up. Finally Gene returned, standing before her. He took one of the cheap wall hanger knives and started to poke a couple holes into what looked to be an overly ornate fake leather bicep band. Something gaudy and covered with fairies. Fastened with snaps. Yet clearly the extra large size at least. Gene shoved a small fastener from some other random knickknack though the hole he had made and then picked up two items from the small barrel of semi-worthless semiprecious stones these sorts of shops seemed to keep around since time immemorial.

\t``Here.'' He said, a bit of determined frustration in his voice. Look at this. Tell me what it is.''

\tShe blinked and looked at his open hand A scintillating multi colored shard of polished hexagonal crystal resting in his palm. ``Rainbow Beryl. It's a crystal that forms in sheets during fusion engine production. Basically Beryl doped with the random chemical slurry used to help dope the components.''

\t``and is it pretty? Does where it comes from make it any uglier?''

\t``Well, yeah it's pretty.'' she said as she shook her head. ``I mean that's why they sell it here I guess.'' He put a piece of the stone into one of the little metal holders used to sell the false gems as necklaces. This was then attached to the arm band, which he proceeded to unceremoniously fasten around the shocked rodents neck. Snapping it firmly into place with wonderfully little consideration for how it just barely bit into her neck flesh.

\t``Brinna Kelley. You are now under consideration of my household.'' He said matter of factly. ``From this time, until I either claim or release you, you are expected, by honor and by law, to behave as mine. In all things. Your obedience, your loyalty, your self, belongs to me. Do you understand?''

\t``Y-yes'' Brinna muttered. She didn't. Or rather she was still about ten seconds behind in the practical overload of processing. Barely able to do more than nod.

\t``Yes what?'' Gene asked sternly

\t``Yes Sir'' she whined. The word did taste surprisingly good.

\tOnce again her muzzle was tilted, and the man whom she had spent the past two days obsessing over pushed his laps against hers. Kissing her firmly, deeply, holding the stunned girl oh so very tight. ``I want to make this clear now, Brinna. This stops when you say, or when I finally collar you properly. I know what I want, and I don't give a damn what people say. If you are the kind of girl I suspect, then that is what I want. But I don't plan on taking you simply because I can. I can buy a toy, Brinna.'' he growled ``What I want is far more precious.''

\tShe couldn't fight back the tears. She tried. Gods be damned she tried. The poor girl finally collapsed into that warm waiting chest and let the arms prop her up once more. Out of words, out of worry, out of everything but need. A need. Sobbing, blubbering, pushing herself up against him oh so hard as if she could simply sink into him and disappear.

\tBy the time it was done she simply looked up at Gene, feeling him petting her hair and holding her oh so tight. ``Feel better, pet?'' he asked. His voice hadn't changed. Not one bit. But the authority in it. Now it simply made her tingle. ``Yes, Master.''

\t``Yes Sir.'' he sighed ``You aren't owned by me properly, not yet.''

\t``Yes sir'' she corrected herself.

\t``Now, do you still want me to take back the model kit?''

\t``Oh, no. No no nope nope nope. No way in Heck are you taking that back. It is mine... Sir'' she said with a playful, exhausted giggle. She smiled up proudly at Gene, up until the point where a small noise of pounding and cheering caused her to jump. She looked out the display window to see the assembled crowd. Men, women and children, all applauding and cheering. A few even wiping tears form their eyes.

\tBrinna was quick to hide herself away in Genes arms. Shivering like a leaf as she sought shelter from the social storm. Feeling the terror, but for once also feeling a final grain of peace.

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