{ "submission_id": "1448247", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "199", "keyword_name": "bear", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "49831" }, { "keyword_id": "303", "keyword_name": "canine", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "192521" }, { "keyword_id": "8378", "keyword_name": "dormouse", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "269" }, { "keyword_id": "2490", "keyword_name": "drama", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "4621" }, { "keyword_id": "62", "keyword_name": "feline", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "152602" }, { "keyword_id": "123", "keyword_name": "female", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1094245" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1202663" }, { "keyword_id": "5317", "keyword_name": "molestation", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1971" }, { "keyword_id": "112", "keyword_name": "rape", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "31902" }, { "keyword_id": "909", "keyword_name": "romance", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "9150" }, { "keyword_id": "714", "keyword_name": "sci-fi", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "4761" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "2", "create_datetime": "2017-09-29 11:19:30.524204+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "29 Sep 2017 13:19 CEST", "last_file_update_datetime": "2017-09-29 11:14:29.873752+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "29 Sep 2017 13:14 CEST", "username": "TerraMGP", "user_id": "46355", "user_icon_file_name": "60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/60/60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/60/60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/60/60251_TerraMGP_terramg.gif", "file_name": "2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "300", "thumb_huge_y": "300", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "200", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "120", "files": [ { "file_id": "2045636", "file_name": "2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.doc", "mimetype": "application/msword", "submission_id": "1448247", "user_id": "46355", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "135eb09ee0fa84de53fffbbb6ba101a5", "full_file_md5": "135eb09ee0fa84de53fffbbb6ba101a5", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "5a24bd1db954f40e07dea2074bc5f99f", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2017-09-29 11:14:29.873752+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "29 Sep 2017 13:14 CEST", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2045/2045636_TerraMGP_aspiration.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "300", "thumb_huge_y": "300", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "200", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "pools": [ { "pool_id": "47516", "name": "By Necessity", "description": "A love between two people from very different walks of life. Getting past what they are to see if they can be the person the other needs.", "count": "26", "submission_left_submission_id": "1446456", "submission_left_file_name": "2043055_TerraMGP_necessity.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2043/2043055_TerraMGP_necessity.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2043/2043055_TerraMGP_necessity.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2043/2043055_TerraMGP_necessity.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "1448250", "submission_right_file_name": "2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2045/2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2045/2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2045/2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" }, { "pool_id": "64597", "name": "Great Tree Saga", "description": "An attempt at the chronological list for all great tree saga stories. Does not incldue side stories.", "count": "65", "submission_left_submission_id": "1448634", "submission_left_file_name": "2046169_TerraMGP_scars.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2046/2046169_TerraMGP_scars.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2046/2046169_TerraMGP_scars.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2046/2046169_TerraMGP_scars.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "1448250", "submission_right_file_name": "2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2045/2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2045/2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2045/2045640_TerraMGP_anguish.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "Using the By Right pic again because that's the most fitting one.\n\nThis is pat 2 of the story I started with 'Necessity'. I'll collect them in a pool later for easy access in case someone wants to read. Using the 'by right' icon because it's the most fitting one I have. But is the same setting. Just not the specific focus.\n\nAlso, fair warning. The tags here are not indicative of the type of tone they might normally be. Reader beware, this is not fap/shlick material. Just figured I'd give a heads up.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Using the By Right pic again because that's the most fitting one.

This is pat 2 of the story I started with 'Necessity'. I'll collect them in a pool later for easy access in case someone wants to read. Using the 'by right' icon because it's the most fitting one I have. But is the same setting. Just not the specific focus.

Also, fair warning. The tags here are not indicative of the type of tone they might normally be. Reader beware, this is not fap/shlick material. Just figured I'd give a heads up.", "writing": "Aspiration\n\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\tThis was all just way too overwhelming. It had all happened so fast. Brinna still wasn't sure what she was doing as she looked down though the simple clear composite of the display case and carefully weighed her options. It was a hard choice. Almost impossible really. It wasn't like Brinna had the kind of cash to go around getting people gifts, and she'd only known Gene, her Sir, for a month now. How was anyone supposed to know what their heart was trying to say when so full and clouded with this rush of new emotions? Especially since she hadn't really been in this kind of situation before.\n\n\tShe made her selection before even bothering to glance at her HUD and check the time. Five minutes late, and a bemused chuckle from behind her just seemed to make that point strike home a bit harder.\n\n\tA blush flashed over Brinna as she took the box from the shopkeeper and spun quickly. Her fuzzy tail wriggling nervously against the carpet where it lifted up and pushed in against the display case foundation. She'd gotten distracted again. Gods darn it she always got this way. Freezing up hard. Gripping the box tightly in both hands. She'd wanted to meet him back over near the food court. Somewhere he could see her waiting patiently and eagerly. Or maybe something adjacent to it. Maybe. If she could manage it. Not that it mattered now.\n\n\tStill, the dormouse felt she could try to salvage something from this. At least one thing she could try. She kept the small box tucked behind her back even as she attempted to kneel. Legs more dropping out from under her, head bowed as her long black hair cascaded over her face. She winced and shivered. Taking deep, nervous breaths as she tired to adjust herself. Attempting to get herself in what she imagined was a `proper' position before the man who now made her poor heart flutter. She leaned over slowly. The struggle to avoid falling over palpable. Her lips carefully pursed as the plain little rodent awkwardly landed a half kiss half faceplant against the tip of Genes boot.\n\n\tHis finger curled under her chin in response. Brinna feeling herself slowly drawn up. Standing, looking into those deep blue eyes. The slow steady heaves of his thick chest and simple hint of his musk draining almost every shred of strength she had as the poor dormouse basked in the radiant body warmth.\n\n\t``Brinna.'' Gene sighed softly\n\n\t``Yes, Sir?'' She muttered in a soft papery gasp\n\n\t``What the hell are you doing?''\n\n\tShe whimpered a bit as the spell of his presence broke enough to let the real world in. She'd wanted to try this. Thought about it. Even practiced it once. Hours of effort spent just for the courage to make that one grand gesture. Now that it was done she could feel eyes on her. The shop keeper, those who walking by the outside who might either be young and hormonal enough or sheltered enough to where this was worthy of being paid any mind. Perhaps one or two of the others in the shop. At most a handful of people. Yet with how badly her stomach bottomed out it may as well have been the whole station.\n\n\t``I-I'm sorry, Sir'' she muttered as she looked up into his eyes ``I just kidna thought, I mean well I figured you might.'' Silenced with a soft kiss. It cut the shameful string of blather she knew was coming. It also felt good. So very good. Brinna pushing herself up against Gene and just nuzzling nervously against him as he slowly stroked her hair.\n\n\tHe sighed a bit and shook his head ``You really don't need to worry so much, pet. I mean it. That said'' he kissed her nose tip and smiled ``It was really cute.''\n\n\tBrinna melted almost instantly at that and slumped softly eyes slipping closed a moment. She pushed up against her hopefully one-day Master and released every well practiced restraint she had to keep her from locking up in paralyzed fear out in public. Clinging to the bear like an anchor and only barely making the effort to move when he took a test step. She kept near him. Pressed up in her safe place against his chest. But even that seemed a bit of a strain.\n\n\tGene finally sighed and put his arm around her protectively. Holding his would be pet until she'd clamed down to the point of being communicative once more.\n\n\t``Better?'' Gene asked\n\n\t``Yuh huh'' Brinna sighed, her tissue paper whimper making it clear how far from `better' she really was. \n\n\t``Good enough to show me what you're hiding behind your back at least?'' He chuckled as he reached around and gripped his paw around hers. Squeezing her fingers into the simple plastic box.\n\n\tBrinna nodded and took a sheepish step back, she looked away and thrust her hand out hard. The limb trembling with the stress and strain of her now drained social reserves and clearly at least a bit of fear that her gift may be rejected.\n\n\tGene picked up the box, flipped it open and looked inside. It was a battler part. A cloak. Part of the new set that had come out recently. It was a deep royal blue, the color likely remaining from the last owner who sold it. A nice bright silver clasp resting where the cloak fastened and a baggy hood bunched up. Gene poked and prodded at the thing a moment. Tugging at the hood and checking the material. Fascinated they'd gone to this much detail.\n\n\tBrinna peeked out of the corner of her eye to see all of this. She shifted nervously on her foot and started to sway. One ear flopping down in terror as the other started to perk curiously. ``Do you... like it?'' she asked nervously\n\n\t``I admit it's rather nice. I heard they dropped a ton of new mechanics'' Gene chuckled as he looked the fake fabric over carefully ``''m shocked they can turn a profit on something this detailed.''\n\n\t``it's a rare.'' Brinna whined.\n\n\tGene tilted his head softly as he looked at her ``Hmm?''\n\n\t``It's a rare. The shop owner said, he said it was a rare.'' She nodded as she looked up into his eyes, vision wavering between his and the tacky carpeting of the shop ``I mean, I can check if you want. But it's nice. I figured it might be ok.''\n\n\tOnce again a small smooch stalled the pre ramble as Gene sighed and pulled her close. ``It's great. I admit I was curious'' he nodded ``Though I can't help but ask why.''\n\n\t``A-are you saying you don't like it?'' Brenna glared at him, an odd mix of fear and indignation in the question.\n\n\t``Well no, it's not that.'' he said, the man actually stumbling back a bit in surprise at her rather schizophrenic reaction ``But I'm the one who's supposed to be spoiling you a bit, remember? I mean I am the owner here. That's kidna my call to make'' he said as he set the part back in the cheap resale box and stuffed it into his pocket. Gene offered up his arm to Brinna who, rather than wrap her arm into it as a `proper' lady might, quickly ducked under it and nuzzled back up into his side. Letting the bear shelter her as they walked out of the shop. \n\n\t``But you're not mad, though. Right sir?'' she whined\n\n\t``Not mad at all.'' he sighed ``Confused, sure. Not mad. Does mean I may have to go digging around for where mom put our old stuff, though. That could be a pain.'' \n\n\tShe basked in his warmth a while as the two walked along. She didn't know where they were headed. Frankly she didn't care. Brinna watched as the two of them made their way out of the food court and out into the main roads.\n\n\tIt was a little scary. This was the first time they'd even left the mall together. But for once in her life Brinna frankly didn't care.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tShopping always felt like one of those deep oceanic excursions she saw in her geological documentaries. People in pressure suits moving from one work station to another. Coming up for air in little safe pods surrounded by a vast black expanse darker than space itself. Only able to make it though by managing herself from one mostly empty store front to the next or burying herself so deeply in distraction that it shut the rest of the world out entirely.\n\n\tIf there was one thing she hated more than that, though, it as public transit. The first time she'd shown up to that meeting it took about an hour of mental prep to get herself out the door and she only survived the ride in that cramped lift car because she had the foresight to download a few of her favorite shows in case network connection dipped on the ride. Which it naturally did. Access nodes for the slums really weren't a priority after all.\n\n\tUnsurprisingly, being tucked under Genes arm had a similar effect. He was a bit occupied. Tapping away at the air and muttering quietly. Clearly doing some work. Some small shred of her felt annoyed at that. That there was something eating up even a second of time with her Sir when she had to go so long without. It made her wonder if her parents ever felt like that with the long hard hours they both had to work. Brinna then felt a horrible little giggle slip past her lips as she imagined her father able to sit in his arm chair and move carbon steel slugs into the cold press over a can of beer and a bag of popcorn. Screaming at the rugby game while primitive hydraulics squished the metal into tapered cylinders ready to be fired.\n\n\t``Mmm, bored?'' Gene asked as he ran his free paw though her hair. His eyes darted around at remarkable speed taking in a wide array of input.\n\n\t``No sir, just had a thought.'' She giggled ``Sir, if I can ask, what do you do, exactly?'' She shifted herself a bit and nudged into his shoulder.\n\n\tThe bear turned himself away from the display a moment and glanced down at his to-be slave. ``Why, something wrong?'' he asked as his posture shifted a bit. The slight slump in his shoulders from his work vanishing quickly.\n\n\t``Nonono! Not wrong!'' she yelped ``But I mean the My Collar profiles don't really go into any of that.''\n\n\tGene smirked and shook his head ``Oh gods can you imagine if it did?''\n\n\tIt took a moment for her to get it, but when she did her eyes went wide ``Oh golly, that'd be a nightmare'' she giggled ``I just got it. Like, dozens of slaves all falling over themselves trying to impress the best owners. The second anyone remotely important joined up it'd be a feeding frenzy!''\n\n\t``Worse'' Gene laughed ``People already like to inflate the hell out of their job titles. I've known Janitors with enough Jargon backing their names you'd swear they were head of a subsidiary.'' He actually started to fight off a few harder snickers, clearly on the verge of cracking up ``Oh that could be hilarious. This whole huge swarm of men and women struggling to dump the full extent of their job profile into some little text box to keep up the virtual dick waving.''\n\n\t``And then all the girls and boys on the site would be rushing to grab on anyone they think sounds impressive. Worse, they'd be doing it with their horrible linguistic skills'' Brinna giggled and shook her head as she slumped down a bit. The guilty little chuckles still turning to full blown laughter as she just tried to picture how some of her classmates might react to that kind of situation. Some vapid bimbo like Alyson Riggs going for the absolute longest job title imaginable while the word `sanitation' escaped her. It was a horrible thought. But it was a good horrible. At least until she remembered her own situation.\n\n\t``I spose that doesn't really answer your question though does it?'' Gene asked\n\n\t``No Sir'' She shook her head ``Though you naturally don't have to. I was more just curious. Admittedly a bit more so now that I know about the huge elaborate jargon job titles.''\n\n\tHe shrugged a bit and gave her a sly grin. ``I'm a Manager'' he said as he shook his head.\n\n\t``A manager?'' She blinked ``That's it?''\n\n\t``Technically a project lead. Well, most of the time anyways. I do about as much of the Engineering and design work as anyone, depending on the project. Usually I just work on the code or the mechanical side of things. Occasionally I have to do the actual managerial stuff with paperwork. But really it's more like I'm just another team member. Except, you know, I can get final say on where the others are going with their work. Which is nice'' he smirked happily.\n\n\t``That does sound like it would take a ton of headache out of the job'' she nodded in agreement.\n\n\t``Oh you have no idea.'' Gene snickered ``Though that does make me curious. What have you been aiming for, job wise?''\n\n\tShe blinked and glanced away with another small whimper. ``Me?'' She muttered meekly.\n\n\t``Sure you.'' he nodded ``I mean you clearly aren't the type who sets out looking to be some trophy slave. No way your brain could sit still long enough'' he chuckled ``Come on, there has to be something you always wanted to do. What was it? Where does my little rock hound see herself in five years?'' he chuckled.\n\n\t``You mean if you don't take me?'' She asked nervously\n\n\t``I mean without me as a factor.'' He corrected. ``Future Masterness removed as a factor either way. Just Brinna in a vacuum... a proverbial vacuum we don't need you doing any space walks''\n\n\t``In five years?'' She smiled, then slumped, then sighed as her ears folded back ``Probably loading ingots.''\n\n\t``Do what now?'' he blinked\n\n\t``Nothing, I guess. I just, it's what dad does. Make rounds for combat rifles. Probably the best job I could hope for.''\n\n\tShe felt a small tug on her hair. Gene wrapping his fingers into it and giving a yank. Enough to hurt slightly, but nothing more, followed by soft, gentle petting. ``I asked what you wanted, pet. I won`t allow my girl to feel such a shallow limitation.``\n\n\tAll it took was those words to hit her ear and Brinna felt small. Well, smaller. Which was saying something considering both the wonderfully weak way his voice made her feel, and the sheer size difference. Gene had to have at least fifteen centimeters on her, and probably double her weight. Again, not that she minded. The dormouse was quick to lose herself in his warmth again as she buried her face into his chest. One ear slumping and going loppy as her tail twitched and swayed. About a dozen possibilities slowly going though her head. ``I'd want to design... things''\n\n\t``Things?'' he blinked\n\n\t``Things'' She nodded confidently\n\n\t``So, what. You want to decorate for political functions?''\n\n\tBrinna slammed her face into his chest and let out a loud, exasperated whine. ``Noooo'' she muttered ``I mean I want to design things, like, a lot of different things I'd want to make. You know, I could get like, an apprenticeship to a jeweler. Or cars, but like really high end cars. Like the stupidly overly engineered ones Kikawiy make that you legally have to leave at the track or in your garage. Or I could work for Brokkr and make really cool power armor. Or'' Each thing rattled off came faster than the last. The hyperactive rambling rolling like a tsunami. Brinna now on her knees on the seat and slowly leaning in closer and closer to her Sir without realizing it. Gripping his arm tightly and grinning a terrifying grin.\n\n\t``Or.... Things.'' She finally muttered with a dejected sigh. The rodent slumping back firmly into her place and slumping her head on her shoulder.\n\n\tGene simply sighed and stroked her hair again, gently lulling her head to the shoulder closest to him and pulling her close, giving the girl a small smooch on the crown right between her ears. ``So, things. Got it Sounds good to me''\n\n--------------------\n\n\tThe trip wasn't far at all, really. Far enough to make walking impractical, but only just. The two arrived at a platform Brinna had never been to before and got out to a rather thin crowd made up of kids with their various care providers, a few vets in casual fatigues and some people in a sort of `corp bohemian' look often prevalent in young hotshots working for the more extroverted subsidiaries.\n\n\tMost of these people broke off to one side or another right away. Heading to the smaller towers that outlined the area. She and her Sir, however, simply started right off into something surprising. A park.\n\n\tIt was quite lovely. Amazingly so, actually .Almost enough to make one think they were on-world. A slightly hilly expanse of green grass and flowers that spread out for acres. Dotted here and there were statues or small groves of trees. Most with some plaque denoting the person who donated or up kept the things. On had to pay homage after all.\n\n\tShe was getting a bit more curious about their ultimate destination. Enough to nearly ask as they started to walk down one of the many perfectly groomed and manicured pathways down the middle of the construct. She was only stopped by the sudden rush of what she had to imagine was fresh air. Real air. Not just the scrubbers pumping away, but whiffs of what happened when real photosynthesis took place. It was enough to knock her questions right out of her head.\n\n\t``Mmm, yes pet?'' Gene asked as he looked down at her.\n\n\t``Huh?'' She yelped\n\n\t``You went 'hmm'. you have a question?''\n\n\tShe blinked and stiffened a bit. Brinna hadn't recalled making such a noise, but obviously she had. Her mind scrambled a bit as she whimpered and whined trying to draw back her last train of thought. Sifting though them all as best she could. ``N-nothing sir. I was just wondering, you know. If you liked my gift.'' she muttered in defeat. Unable to recall her previous thoughts and too flustered to draw out any new ones\n\n\t``Yeah, it's nice'' Gene shrugged\n\n\t``So are you sure, absolutely sure, you like the gift?'' Brinna whined ``Because if you don't I can take it back later for you.'' A soft thwack on the muzzle and a small jolt of not unpleasant pain drew a yelp from the rodent girl as she slumped down and blushed furiously. She glanced at Gene and then down at her feet. ``Sorry, sir''\n\n\t``I told you it's fine.'' He laughed ``Stop worrying so much about it. I mean it. The gift was very thoughtful. It's just been a while since I bothered with this stuff. Been a while since I did a lot of fun things.'' the bear muttered the last part more to himself than her.\n\n\t``If you're sure, Sir.'' She said ``Because I can always. Ok ok'' she jumped and covered her rump hard as she saw his free hand twitch. Brinna letting out a small giggle and sighing gently. Her arms once again wrapping around his left bicep and forearm with all the strength she could muster. ``And my little outburst?'' She simpered the question, and then quickly yelped as she blocked her rear again ``Not that I'm like, saying I wasn't honest or anything!''\n\n\tGene sighed. He didn't try to swat her for that one, though he seemed pleased at her jitteriness. ``Mind elaborating, pet?'' he asked softly\n\n\t``Well I mean I know it's a lofty set of dreams for me. You know, considering pretty much everything.'' she muttered ``But I have to imagine you're used to more. I mean what did you want to do when you were my age?'' She winced even as she asked the question.\n\n\t``Pretty much this.'' Gene said, mercifully ignoring the implicit and very unintentional question that accompanied it. ``I mean it took hard work to get the skills but yeah I'm doing what I'd want to do anyways. Make stuff and have little oversight. The rest just works itself out'' he shrugged\n\n\t``That does make a lot of sense, Sir.'' She nodded\n\n\t``So, just how old do you think I am?'' Gene asked as he quirked his brow.\n\n\tBrinna tensed up and winced. The delayed gut punch almost making her stumble ``How old, Sir? Like honestly? ``\n\n\t``Yes like honestly'' he nodded\n\n\t``Well, I mean. I mean with all the factors considered, and if I had to give my absolute best guess. Forty?''\n\n\t``Forty?'' he blinked.\n\n\t``Well I mean it would make sense.'' She yelped ``You have a high enough job and enough clout to have a job where you have a degree of autonomy. That indicates likely at least a decade of labor. You don't have either heavy obvious cybernetic enhancement one would see on Class 2 researchers a decade ago or any of the `honor scars' from having it removed and replaced. So you logically can't be over sixty. Statistics indicate that upper level class 2s generally tend to get their first rejuv treatment by age thirty eight. Considering how you look now there's no way you had it any more than two years ago Meaning that the data would suggest you are between forty and fifty five. The clothing choices are fairly typical for people of our particular subculture and inclinations. However based on your band preferences and...''\n\n\t``I'm twenty nine.'' He said flatly\n\n\t``Wait, t-twenty nine?'' she blinked\n\n\t``Yep.''\n\n\t``S-so the lack of scars.''\n\n\t``Yep'' He nodded\n\n\t``And the horrible puns?'' She yelped and instantly threw both hands over her rump yet again only to jump at the swat on her inner thigh. Brinna just shaking her head and slumping against him once more. ``Sorry, Sir.'' she muttered.\n\n\tHe just sighed and shook his head. The smile on his face growing a bit bigger. ``So, I look twenty five to you, then?'' he chuckled\n\n\t``Twenty four would be my guess for physical age, actually'' she nodded. Though if It's really ok with you I'd like to maybe change the subject? I feel like I wandered into a really big mine field here.'' she sighed \n\n\t``Ok, then change'' he nodded\n\n\t``Me? Well'' suddenly the mine field sounded far more apt than a moment ago. She bit her lip ring softly for a moment, then looked up at him. ``Well then what did your sisters want to be at my age?'' She asked, following what seemed to be the safest line of questioning.\n\n\t``I donno'' he shrugged.\n\n\t``Wait you don't?'' she asked with a whimper.\n\n\t``They aren't.'' He laughed ``The older one is doing some work training right now, but if we're being all technical about age here, she's actually a month younger than you.'' He looked up thoughtfully a moment, then nodded `Yeah, Almost exactly a month actually. Wow.\n\n\t``A-and the other one?'' She asked, feeling a bit dumbfounded again.\n\n\t``Still on her studies, obviously'' he laughed ``Though to your other point, I can't say I honestly do know what either of them want to do. Hell I don't even know that they are sure yet. That's kind of the thing about the upper classes. We are Condemned to be free'' He looked around the park a moment and hugged her close. ``Though somehow that feels a bit wrong applied to this whole situation, doesn't it?'' \n\n\tThe two kept walking silently a bit longer. Gene occasionally humming out the bars to one of countless painfully cheesy love ballads that were popular back in his youth. Or to be more specific when he was about five. He stopped near one of the statues. She wasn't quite sure who. \n\n\t``Um, Sir? Why are we stopping here?'' Brinna asked as she looked at the statue of some random rabbit man in an old style pressure suit.\n\n\t``Because we're here. He said with a nod''\n\n\t``Here where exactly?'' She quickly bit her lip and looked down shaking her head as the snide words left her lips ``S-sorry. I just, This seems kind of, plain. To me anyways.''\n\n\t``Why? Were you expecting us to go somewhere specific?'' he asked\n\n\t``Well I mean isn't this, like, the part where you take me in to some high end slave boutique to get all sorts of shameful, embarrassing things and clothing to totally change around my style and thus personality so I serve as more enjoyable property? O-or maybe the part where you hand me over to some cruel dominant woman friend of yours who is intended to obliterate my native sexuality to the point where I accept my only purpose in life is to please you and I should be thrilled that I may suffer while doing so?''\n\n\t``What in Tyrs name are you blathering about, girl?'' he just gazed at her dumbfounded.\n\n\tBrinna shrank back from the gaze and sighed. Shuffling from foot to foot as she clasped her hands I front of her and played with the hem of her overly long shirt. ``I, well. I mean when you read stories like this. That's kinda how this is supposed to go, right?''\n\n\t``Stories'' he quirked his head a bit harder and just gazed at her. Gene moved up slowly and cupped her cheek. A small flash of sadism crossing his eyes as he looked down at her ``I don't know what kind of trashy stories you've been getting into, my little slave-to-be. But I think I'd like to hear some of them. In fact I think I'd like to hear one tomorrow. From a very mouthy little squeak. One I am sure will not mind showing her future Master how much she `enjoys' them''\n\n\tJust being around her Sir usually gave Brinna a tinge of a blush. Now? She could feel her cheeks burning. A loud, almost inaudible squeal leaving her lips. She mouthed about a dozen words. None of them having any real connection to her brain, or the situation, or anything at all really. Nothing more than anxiety soaked aphasia. Finally she got her tongue, and shifted her stance as best she could. Feet planted firmly and head bowed. Tail dropped flat behind her and ears back submissively. ``This one exists to serve her Sir. She is very happy to have the chance to suffer for his pleasure. It is the greatest honor such a creature could ever hope for.''\n\n\tGene cupped her chin again and titled her head up, looking her deeply in the eyes. ``That something from one of your stories?'' he asked\n\n\t``No, Sir'' she muttered meekly ``Just something I wanted to say'' He let go, and she felt a pair of strong fingers running over the ridge of her ear. The terrified dormouse suddenly melting once more as her nerves danced and jolted at his touch.\n\n\tSatisfied, the bear turned and sat in the park bench. His eyes never left hers. Brinna wasn`t sure just what she should be reading into the act. But she could read quite a bit. All of it something she knew more than ever that she wanted.\n\n\tShe stood for a long while. A few minutes at least. She knew she wasn't to move. She couldn't quite explain how. But the way he looked at her. The way her Sir eyed her made it wonderfully clear. She just stood there. Breathing as even as she could make it. Still and stiff in the same odd pose. Not some drilled bit of slave market formality. Nothing particularly shameful really. She just stood there, and he sat, and her heart kept fluttering to the point where it felt it would burst.\n\n\t``Sit, pet.'' he finally ordered. Brinna complied. It was a relief. Yet at the same time it almost felt like a disappointment. She crawled into the same place she'd kept herself tucked pretty much all day and pressed herself against him. One ear stayed folded back and safe. The other daring to open a bit. Taking in the odd sounds of the park. Birds. Bird song. Admittedly thin compared to those nature shows hardly anyone cared to watch, but they were there. \n\n\tHer HUD display started to call them up in the suggestions tab. Blue Jays and red winged blackbirds and finches, even a few of her own namesakes littered in. Unsurprising considering the culture of the station. She sent the little thought-command to her jack to turn off the searches. Turn off the HUD entirely. Instead she simply listened. Woodland creatures, token representatives of the nature their ancestors had sought to drag with them from the third planet so long ago. Climbing trees and running around making all sorts of awkward noise. Elsewhere she could hear kids yelling and playing. A near universal sound anywhere. The shouts of pretend games and silly fights over made up rules. Only now without the sirens and heavy thrum of deeper machinery to drown it out or taint it. \n\n\tShe could hear his heart. His breathing. Without the loud background of rails or lifts the simple sounds came though clear as day. A slow, steady, relaxing pace. Somehow far more deeply placid than anything she could recall in herself. She half consciously tried to replicate the breathing. The results clumsy and forced as she struggled to make her far smaller lungs keep up. The mere attempt made her feel a bit woozy and weird. But it still felt nice.\n\n\tBrinna let her boot tip trace slow careful patterns along the dirt on the sidewalk. Dirt. It seemed so odd. Looking down at the lush grass and clearly well cared for walkway plates of the park. All of that seemed to fit. Even if she'd never really been to a park this nice, and barely to a park at all come to think of it. You always thought of things like this with parks. Statues and plants, and with the nicer ones even water features like little creeks or fountains. \n\n\tIn the abstract it was all just part of station life. It was expected. The scrubbed clean, sterilized corridors of the spires and upper dwellings were expected. The dirt and grime and festering industrial muck of her own home sector was expected. This? The dormouse gazed for a long time at the lines she'd drawn in the clean, sandy stuff. She then glanced up a moment at the stars still visible though the polarized dome structures. \n\n\t``Why did you join up, Sir?'' Brinna muttered nervously.\n\n\t``Join up?'' Gene titled his head and scooted a touch closer to his girl.\n\n\t``The site. I mean, I'm not complaining obviously. It's working out great for me so far.'' she blushed.\n\n\t``Hey I'm not complaining.'' Gene chuckled ``Any girl can write that she's a dirty slut and send you the pic. Not many girls are willing to do the same with the periodic table. Especially not with penmanship like that''\n\n\t``That's not what I mean'' the poor girl whined as she squirmed back onto her seat. ``We both know why I'm here, or why I joined up at least. It's... not like it was an accident or something.'' She sighed and slowly snaked her tail around to him, curling tight around genes ankle and slumping her shoulders.\n\n\t``Not like it was your decision either.'' Gene noted\n\n\tBrinna flinched a bit and cast the bear a sideways glance. ``No. It wasn't. I didn't exactly have any high expectations either'' she sighed ``I guess that's why this is all so confusing still. Again I'm not complaining. It, just wasn't supposed to happen like this. Not at all''\n\n\tShe felt the statement fall as the air around them went silent. Brinna pulled her other knee up to her chest and slumped her chin onto it for a moment, just looking out at the carefully cared for slice of nature spread out before her. The slow and oh so very awkward pause needled at Brinna. It pecked at her brain as she tucked her face between her knees and just tightened the weak little grip of her tail, desperate to not let go. Whining a tissue paper whine ``Forgive me, Sir.''\n\n\t``My pets set it up?'' The words ran awkwardly over her apology. The statement was simple and matter of fact. Seeming to consume her anxious plea. ``A couple years ago now based on the account age. I didn't even know about it for the first year.''\n\n\t``Yeah?'' Brinna tried to make the question sound casual. She knew she failed.\n\n\t``Work has been kind of a bitch the past few years.'' Gene shrugged ``My mom keeps saying I need to learn how to delegate. I admit she might have a point. But it's not like you can trust people to do it right around here.'' he sighed ``It seemed kind of silly at the time. Kinda does still. But it's not like I'm complaining. Gene rolled his head back to look up at the sky a moment before casting his gaze back on her. ``I'm not going to lie, my little gem. If I take you, then there are expectations. I know what I want.''\n\n\tBrinna mouthed a small `no' that didn't seem to wish for any real voice behind itself. She let her hand move finally. Reaching up to the small, cheap bit of crystal hung around her neck. She rubbed her thumb against the smooth surface. Tracing one of the edges like an old, familiar habit.\n\n\t``You have other slaves, then.'' \n\n\tEvery fiber of her being ran cold. The words had escaped. Raw, naked. Dripping with emotions and feelings she didn't deserve. She looked up at him as the world went by in slow motion. Her mind trying to catch up with what she'd just done. What she'd just dared to say.\n\n\tBrinna quickly tucked her face back between her knees and wrapped her arms over her head to hide. Ears pinned down to shelter her from the inevitable fallout. She pushed her shoulder to her cheek in anticipation. Feebly pinning the cheap, makeshift collar under her pathetic strength.\n\n\tThe strength proved laughable. Brinna felt the familiar sensation of Gene, of her Sir, hooking a crooked digit under her chin. He guided her head up, slowly yet firmly. Brinna soon brought to meet those wonderful, soothing blue eyes. Half of her body was frozen in lock down. The other half small. That look he gave her quickly rendering Brinna little more than a puppet on his strings.\n\n\tOh Gods it felt good.\n\n\tHis free arm pulled the scrawny rodent girl in close. Enfolding her in his warmth. Gene didn't say a word. Leaning down and pressing his forehead to hers. Just holding it. His eyes shut. A small murr in his throat. His body enfolding and sheltering his pet as she felt the comforting pressure of his closeness and the soft nuzzles he brushed against her muzzle and cheeks.\n\n\tThey stayed close for so long. Quiet, Brinna didn't dare speak. She pushed herself up against her Sir once more. Slowly this time. Carefully. As if the slightest wrong move would see this all shatter and her cast down.\n\n\tYet in the end all Gene had for her was a sweet smile. A look of confident affection that withered her terrified little heart.\n\n\t``Oh wait, it's time'' Gene smirked as he leaned back into the bench and tilted his head up. Brinna was confused, naturally, but did likewise. Casting her eyes up to the sea of stars above. Watching them slowly growing brighter as station orbit slowly shifted them into their night cycle.\n\n\tAt first she had no idea what she was looking for. The stars were pretty enough, but she'd been seeing them well enough a moment ago. For a moment she wondered if they might be able to make out real stars here. Down below the light pollution could be so bad, and the view so obscured, that all anyone ever got were small dots of light against a raw sea of black. Brinna wasn't really one for astronomy, but in the arms of her Sir and with the slightly cool air of the park around her it didn't' seem like the worst thing in the world.\n\n\tThat was when her eyes caught it. Row after row of flickering lights. Blues and whites and violets. A sea of bright raw lights flickering and flashing as if with some great multi-layered pattern to them. She looked up at her Sir a moment. The man seeming more than a bit pleased at the light show. Simply pulling her closer and fidgeting with mild excitement.\n\n\tBrinna traced his eyeline to a set of blue pulsing lights. Long bars of it like liquid lightening dancing around dulled figures with vibrant rainbow light playing at one end.\n\n\t``What are they?'' She muttered curiously.\n\n\t``The SDF'' Gene noted ``At least the part which remains near the station proper. When it gets a bit darker you can start to make some of em out due to their running lights or the light from Dagrid hitting them. You only really get a few minutes each day to see them like this. Just engines and some faint shield glow, and the Bahamut Lances on the Helblades.''\n\n\tHad it been anyone else saying the words Brinna probably would have taken the whole thing a bit badly. While she knew the ships kept them safe, she never liked hearing about people glorifying the actual violence in the galaxy. Each one of those ships could end a small colony on its own. Most of the bigger ones a whole planet-based city. The smaller ones anyways. Still as she looked up Brinna could see flickers of colors she hadn't' dreamed of before. Little flashes pushing parts of the visual spectrum as they danced through the polarizing dome and its various partitions. \n\n\tBrinna slumped down into her seat and let out a contented sigh as she looked up at the man showing her the show. Content with all the thoughts and questions now drifting from her overactive mind.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tHUD based positioning systems were a godsend. The discomfort of the rail ride before clearly hadn't been lost on Brinna's Sir. There was no way he could walk her home even if he wanted to, and she'd been prepared to zone out on public transit to get herself back home. Eventually the two struck a compromise, strange as it was. He at least insisted he was paying for a cab pass so she could get back. Blue lines. The good company. The ones who bothered to touch up their paint and keep the seats relatively clean and vomit free. It was another dose of extravagance Brinna was woefully unequipped for. One she felt painfully guilty over.\n\n\tThe down side, unfortunately, was that the line ended at the cab station nearest the transition point. A fact she was quite sure her Sir didn't know, and one that found the brown furred rodent more than a bit upset as she fought with the cab stand dispatcher about needing a transfer. The good news was that it came without too much fuss.\n\n\tThe bad news was that she was now stuck, waiting for a Jiffcab on a street corner. Her HUD telling her that she was at the correct one, but also putting the cab she needed at about a half-hour away. Because of course it was. It was Jiffcab.\n\n\tConsidering how close they were to the lockdown walls, it was something of a revelation standing there. Brinna still had her headphones on. The big beefy high-end things pumping out some of the same `research material' she'd been chided by her Sir for earlier. She stood with her feet half on and half off the curb. Occasionally pausing the erotic adventures of the poor page girl learning to please the lonely old colony administrator to fire up some song that hit her mood or check back in on the perma-stuck cab.\n\n\tUnlike home, though, there were no homeless. The walks and buildings were clean. Litter was largely cleared and the street lights, well the street lights actually worked. Which meant that unlike home they hadn't all been pulled down and striped for scrap by local gangs.\n\n\tShe started to wonder if this was normal. Well normal for someone like her Sir. It wasn't a nice thought. The idea that this man she was falling for so hard could `provide' these things for her. That if she was his, when she was his, she might one day be able to walk the streets at night without fear, save the fear of other people. Decent sized homes. Decent food. Affection.\n\n\tHer guilt took a hard churn at that. All he'd done so far was show her affection. The gifts, sure. But taking her out, letting her all but cling to him like a barnacle. Ignoring the fact that she shoved both feet in her muzzle the second it opened every single time without fail. She had no right to think he wouldn't offer her such a thing.\n\n\tMore to the point, she had no right to think she deserved it. Pets. That's what he'd said. As in more than one. As in people, people who were not her. People who might demand a share of his attention and affection. It's not like she had any right to complain in any of this. This wasn't supposed to be about love. Heck it was probably a lucky break that it even lined up with her leanings and orientations. Sure she'd taken the same test every kid takes in grade 7 social studies. The now toughly debunked but painfully persistent test to see how dominant or submissive you are, complete with an explanation of the horrible and overly simplistic factors used to make the judgment. \n\n\tShed scored high in submissive. Like most rodents statistically would. Probably as she'd suspected before hand. It as something she'd had time to accept as a part of herself. But it was only years later that her parents signed her up for `My Collar' and she only found out when they brought her in to give some personal input on the profile.\n\n\tThis was all about getting her collared. Not love, not hope, not any sort of star crossed romance invariably associated back to a famous play about two dumb kids adapted and produced by some fifteenth century mole with a thing for the Italians. Master Gene could have demanded she perform the most debased, unpleasant, soul-crushing acts that Brinna might imagine, in public no less, and be in the right. Every shred of logic would demand she do so, and do so gratefully. But he didn't. It didn't make any sense. But gods if she didn't want to ride the high as long as she could.\n\n\t``Hey! You!''\n\n\tBrinna blinked and looked up from her line of thought, she turned and pulled the head phones back. The admittedly shoddy things thankfully recognizing that the words were likely addressed to the dormouse.\n\n\tOfficers. A pair. A man and a woman. The man, a rather nastily looking pug with a few scars, had his stun baton out already. Tapping it on the hardened glove of his light patrol armor. Little more than simple plates of light composites and ballistic cloth layers. The uniforms were actually clean and complete. But the pair looked no more friendly than those down in her home.\n\n\t``You, rat.'' The other officer, a Persian feline with a sharp crew cut under her hat, all but barked at Brinna ``back away from the curb. Back towards the wall.''\n\n\tBrinna squeaked loudly as she looked at the pair. She slumped back fearfully and began to back off of the curb. Even if she'd always tried her best to keep her nose clean, Brinna was a slums kid. She knew how you had to act with corpsec if you wanted to come out ok.\n\n\tThe two corralled her back towards the nearby wall. They half-flanked her. Wicked grins on their faces as they scanned her up and down slowly. \n\n\t``You know this really is getting to be a problem, Santiago.'' The pug growled as he brandished his weapon slowly ``I keep telling them they need to just keep the blast shields closed. Keep this kind of thing from happening.''\n\n\t``Now now, Bruce. Let's not jump to conclusions.'' The feline laughed ``You, girl. What are you doing out here? Don't you know what time it is?''\n\n\t``Better answer her, meat drone.'' The male officer laughed as he watched her wince at the slur ``Hate to have to run you in for lying to security.''\n\n\t``I, I was just on my way home.'' Brinna pushed her back up against the wall and used it to brace her weight. Focusing everything she had on remaining clam instead ``I was out with my Sir, and he has work in the morning.''\n\n\t``Sir?'' the woman asked as she quirked her brow.\n\n\t``Yeah! S-see? I'm under consideration. Look'' She tugged her collar a bit and craned her neck to show it off, displaying the item with a shocking little jolt of pride.\n\n\tThe pair seemed less impressed. The man walking up and gripping it. He tugged the material, running a thick, greasy thumb over it as he leaned in close. He spent a long and very uncomfortable moment examining the object before letting it go, and shoving her a bit as he did so. ``You expect us to buy that shit?'' he scoffed\n\n\t``It's true!'' she snapped, actually a bit more defensive than she realized she could be. Even stamping her foot at her declaration. ``I was out with him all night, and now I'm heading back home to my parents' house.''\n\n\t``Kid'' the woman sighed ``Having a pimp who likes to play at a household isn't the same thing as being owned .None of your kind could even afford to register you in the first place. Or is that why you're wearing those dumpster scraps you call a collar?''\n\n\t``Ya know disclaiming a collar is a serious offense girlie. Way worse than what you'd get just for trying to play streetwalker in our nice, wholesome jurisdiction. Most judges don't take very kindly to perjury that severe.''\n\n\t``It's not junk!'' She yelped loudly. Brinna stamped her foot again and reached up to grip the little charm on her makeshift collar tightly. Hand trembling as she looked between the two. She instantly regretted it\n\n\t``Say, Bruce. Why don't we humor this little dolly. Go on and run a scan while I do a quick weapons check.'' The officer leaned in and placed her hand on Brinnas inner thigh. She gave a few rubs, gentle at first, then harder and more aggressive when Brinna tried to pull away. ``What's the matter, brat? I thought you were a slave. Can't even sit still like a good girl?'' she teased\n\n\t``I'm not yours. A-and I don't like girls that way'' She said firmly\n\n\tThe woman purred and swatted Brinna hard. A far cry from the sensation she had felt not an hour ago. ``See you just keep digging that hole, bitch.'' she laughed ``Like I'm gonna buy that a slave thinks she can choose what she's into'' the woman pushed herself up against Brinna. Her ample chest pushed up against the poor rodents face as she tucked her paw in between those unsexy striped panties Brinna wore and the poor girls folds. ``See?'' She growled ``Wet''\n\n\t``It's from my Sir'' she muttered in protest. The poor trapped girl unable to wriggle free as the woman pushed a finger I slowly, almost nicking the fleshy barrier between those nether lips\n\n\t``Well now, What`s this?'' she laughed ``Well I guess checking for weapons here is pointless, huh you buck toothed lil slag monger? Then again can't be too careful with your kind now can we?'' she asked as she drew her digits back. A threatening, twisted grin on he womans face.\n\n\t``Oh Fuck'' The pug stood still. The weapon falling from his hand. ``Santiago. We gotta go. Now!''\n\n\t``The fuck, Bruce? It was just getting good!'' she growled\n\n\tThere was a familiar finger flick, a smattering of light hit the display contacts the feline wore. Her face twisted in terror. She dropped her club and began to sprint off the way she had come, her partner close behind. The pair running off like terrified gangers.\n\n\tBrinna finally collapsed into a heap against the wall She sat there gazing blankly ahead. Only able to move her shaking hand as it moved up slowly to clasp hard at the charm around her neck.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Aspiration

By TerraMGP

\tThis was all just way too overwhelming. It had all happened so fast. Brinna still wasn't sure what she was doing as she looked down though the simple clear composite of the display case and carefully weighed her options. It was a hard choice. Almost impossible really. It wasn't like Brinna had the kind of cash to go around getting people gifts, and she'd only known Gene, her Sir, for a month now. How was anyone supposed to know what their heart was trying to say when so full and clouded with this rush of new emotions? Especially since she hadn't really been in this kind of situation before.

\tShe made her selection before even bothering to glance at her HUD and check the time. Five minutes late, and a bemused chuckle from behind her just seemed to make that point strike home a bit harder.

\tA blush flashed over Brinna as she took the box from the shopkeeper and spun quickly. Her fuzzy tail wriggling nervously against the carpet where it lifted up and pushed in against the display case foundation. She'd gotten distracted again. Gods darn it she always got this way. Freezing up hard. Gripping the box tightly in both hands. She'd wanted to meet him back over near the food court. Somewhere he could see her waiting patiently and eagerly. Or maybe something adjacent to it. Maybe. If she could manage it. Not that it mattered now.

\tStill, the dormouse felt she could try to salvage something from this. At least one thing she could try. She kept the small box tucked behind her back even as she attempted  to kneel. Legs more dropping out from under her, head bowed as her long black hair cascaded over her face. She winced and shivered. Taking deep, nervous breaths as she tired to adjust herself. Attempting to get herself in what she imagined was a `proper' position before the man who now made her poor heart flutter. She leaned over slowly. The struggle to avoid falling over palpable. Her lips carefully pursed as the plain little rodent awkwardly landed a half kiss half faceplant against the tip of Genes boot.

\tHis finger curled under her chin in response. Brinna feeling herself slowly drawn up. Standing, looking into those deep blue eyes. The slow steady heaves of his thick chest and simple hint of his musk draining almost every shred of strength she had as the poor dormouse basked in the radiant body warmth.

\t``Brinna.'' Gene sighed softly

\t``Yes, Sir?'' She muttered in a soft papery gasp

\t``What the hell are you doing?''

\tShe whimpered a bit as the spell of his presence broke enough to let the real world in. She'd wanted to try this. Thought about it. Even practiced it once. Hours of effort spent just for the courage to make that one grand gesture. Now that it was done she could feel eyes on her. The shop keeper, those who walking by the outside who might either be young and hormonal enough or sheltered enough to where this was worthy of being paid any mind. Perhaps one or two of the others in the shop. At most a handful of people. Yet with how badly her stomach bottomed out it may as well have been the whole station.

\t``I-I'm sorry, Sir'' she muttered as she looked up into his eyes ``I just kidna thought, I mean well I figured you might.'' Silenced with a soft kiss. It cut the shameful string of blather she knew was coming. It also felt good. So very good. Brinna pushing herself up against Gene and just nuzzling nervously against him as he slowly stroked her hair.

\tHe sighed a bit and shook his head ``You really don't need to worry so much, pet. I mean it. That said'' he  kissed her nose tip and smiled ``It was really cute.''

\tBrinna melted almost instantly at that and slumped softly eyes slipping closed a moment. She pushed up against her hopefully one-day Master and released every well practiced restraint she had to keep her from locking up in paralyzed fear out in public. Clinging to the bear like an anchor and only barely making the effort to move when he took a test step. She kept near him. Pressed up in her safe place against his chest. But even that seemed a bit of a strain.

\tGene finally sighed and put his arm around her protectively. Holding his would be pet until she'd clamed down to the point of being communicative once more.

\t``Better?'' Gene asked

\t``Yuh huh'' Brinna sighed, her tissue paper whimper making it clear how far from `better' she really was.

\t``Good enough to show me what you're hiding behind your back at least?'' He chuckled as he reached around and gripped his paw around hers. Squeezing her fingers into the simple plastic box.

\tBrinna nodded and took a sheepish step back, she looked away and thrust her hand out hard. The limb trembling with the stress and strain of her now drained social reserves and clearly at least a bit of fear that her gift may be rejected.

\tGene picked up the box, flipped it open and looked inside. It was a battler part. A cloak. Part of the new set that had come out recently. It was a deep royal blue, the color likely remaining from the last owner who sold it. A nice bright silver clasp resting where the cloak fastened and a baggy hood bunched up. Gene poked and prodded at the thing a moment. Tugging at the hood and checking the material. Fascinated they'd gone to this much detail.

\tBrinna peeked out of the corner of her eye to see all of this. She shifted nervously on her foot and started to sway. One ear flopping down in terror as the other started to perk curiously. ``Do you... like it?'' she asked nervously

\t``I admit it's rather nice. I heard they dropped a ton of new mechanics'' Gene chuckled as he looked the fake fabric over carefully ``''m shocked they can turn a profit on something this detailed.''

\t``it's a rare.'' Brinna whined.

\tGene tilted his head softly as he looked at her ``Hmm?''

\t``It's a rare. The shop owner said, he said it was a rare.'' She nodded as she looked up into his eyes, vision wavering between his and the tacky carpeting of the shop ``I mean, I can check if you want. But it's nice. I figured it might be ok.''

\tOnce again a small smooch stalled the pre ramble as Gene sighed and pulled her close. ``It's great. I admit I was curious'' he nodded ``Though I can't help but ask why.''

\t``A-are you saying you don't like it?'' Brenna glared at him, an odd mix of fear and indignation in the question.

\t``Well no, it's not that.'' he said, the man actually stumbling back a bit in surprise at her rather schizophrenic reaction ``But I'm the one who's supposed to be spoiling you a bit, remember? I mean I am the owner here. That's kidna my call to make'' he said as he set the part back in the cheap resale box and stuffed it into his pocket. Gene offered up his arm to Brinna who, rather than wrap her arm into it as a `proper' lady might, quickly ducked under it and nuzzled back up into his side. Letting the bear shelter her as they walked out of the shop.

\t``But you're not mad, though. Right sir?'' she whined

\t``Not mad at all.'' he sighed ``Confused, sure. Not mad. Does mean I may have to go digging around for where mom put our old stuff, though. That could be a pain.''

\tShe basked in his warmth a while as the two walked along. She didn't know where they were headed. Frankly she didn't care. Brinna watched as the two of them made their way out of the food court and out into the main roads.

\tIt was a little scary. This was the first time they'd even left the mall together. But for once in her life Brinna frankly didn't care.

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

\tShopping always felt like one of those deep oceanic excursions she saw in her geological documentaries. People in pressure suits moving from one work station to another. Coming up for air in little safe pods surrounded by a vast black expanse darker than space itself. Only able to make it though by managing herself from one mostly empty store front to the next or burying herself so deeply in distraction that it shut the rest of the world out entirely.

\tIf there was one thing she hated more than that, though, it as public transit. The first time she'd shown up to that meeting it took about an hour of mental prep to get herself out the door and she only survived the ride in that cramped lift car because she had the foresight to download a few of her favorite shows in case network connection dipped on the ride. Which it naturally did. Access nodes for the slums really weren't a priority after all.

\tUnsurprisingly, being tucked under Genes arm had a similar effect. He was a bit occupied. Tapping away at the air and muttering quietly. Clearly doing some work. Some small shred of her felt annoyed at that. That there was something eating up even a second of time with her Sir when she had to go so long without. It made her wonder if her parents ever felt like that with the long hard hours they both had to work. Brinna then felt a horrible little giggle slip past her lips as she imagined her father able to sit in his arm chair and move carbon steel slugs into the cold press over a can of beer and a bag of popcorn. Screaming at the rugby game while primitive hydraulics squished the metal into tapered cylinders ready to be fired.

\t``Mmm, bored?'' Gene asked as he ran his free paw though her hair. His eyes darted around at remarkable speed taking in a wide array of input.

\t``No sir, just had a thought.'' She giggled ``Sir, if I can ask, what do you do, exactly?'' She shifted herself a bit and nudged into his shoulder.

\tThe bear turned himself away from the display a moment and glanced down at his to-be slave. ``Why, something wrong?'' he asked as his posture shifted a bit. The slight slump in his shoulders from his work vanishing quickly.

\t``Nonono! Not wrong!'' she yelped ``But I mean the My Collar profiles don't really go into any of that.''

\tGene smirked and shook his head ``Oh gods can you imagine if it did?''

\tIt took a moment for her to get it, but when she did her eyes went wide ``Oh golly, that'd be a nightmare'' she giggled ``I just got it. Like, dozens of slaves all falling over themselves trying to impress the best owners. The second anyone remotely important joined up it'd be a feeding frenzy!''

\t``Worse'' Gene laughed ``People already like to inflate the hell out of their job titles. I've known Janitors with enough Jargon backing their names you'd swear they were head of a subsidiary.'' He actually started to fight off a few harder snickers, clearly on the verge of cracking up ``Oh that could be hilarious. This whole huge swarm of men and women struggling to dump the full extent of their job profile into some little text box to keep up the virtual dick waving.''

\t``And then all the girls and boys on the site would be rushing to grab on anyone they think sounds impressive. Worse, they'd be doing it with their horrible linguistic skills'' Brinna giggled and shook her head as she slumped down a bit. The guilty little chuckles still turning to full blown laughter as she just tried to picture how some of her classmates might react to that kind of situation. Some vapid bimbo like Alyson Riggs going for the absolute longest job title imaginable while the word `sanitation' escaped her. It was a horrible thought. But it was a good horrible. At least until she remembered her own situation.

\t``I spose that doesn't really answer your question though does it?'' Gene asked

\t``No Sir'' She shook her head ``Though you naturally don't have to. I was more just curious. Admittedly a bit more so now that I know about the huge elaborate jargon job titles.''

\tHe shrugged a bit and gave her a sly grin. ``I'm a Manager'' he said as he shook his head.

\t``A manager?'' She blinked ``That's it?''

\t``Technically a project lead. Well, most of the time anyways. I do about as much of the Engineering and design work as anyone, depending on the project. Usually I just work on the code or the mechanical side of things. Occasionally I have to do the actual managerial stuff with paperwork. But really it's more like I'm just another team member. Except, you know, I can get final say on where the others are going with their work. Which is nice'' he smirked happily.

\t``That does sound like it would take a ton of headache out of the job'' she nodded in agreement.

\t``Oh you have no idea.'' Gene snickered ``Though that does make me curious. What have you been aiming for, job wise?''

\tShe blinked and glanced away with another small whimper. ``Me?'' She muttered meekly.

\t``Sure you.'' he nodded ``I mean you clearly aren't the type who sets out looking to be some trophy slave. No way your brain could sit still long enough'' he chuckled ``Come on, there has to be something you always wanted to do. What was it? Where does my little rock hound see herself in five years?'' he chuckled.

\t``You mean if you don't take me?'' She asked nervously

\t``I mean without me as a factor.'' He corrected. ``Future Masterness removed as a factor either way. Just Brinna in a vacuum... a proverbial vacuum we don't need you doing any space walks''

\t``In five years?'' She smiled, then slumped, then sighed as her ears folded back ``Probably loading ingots.''

\t``Do what now?'' he blinked

\t``Nothing, I guess. I just, it's what dad does. Make rounds for combat rifles. Probably the best job I could hope for.''

\tShe felt a small tug on her hair. Gene wrapping his fingers into it and giving a yank. Enough to hurt slightly, but nothing more, followed by soft, gentle petting. ``I asked what you wanted, pet. I won`t allow my girl to feel such a shallow limitation.``

\tAll it took was those words to hit her ear and Brinna felt small. Well, smaller. Which was saying something considering both the wonderfully weak way his voice made her feel, and the sheer size difference. Gene had to have at least fifteen centimeters on her, and probably double her weight. Again, not that she minded. The dormouse was quick to lose herself in his warmth again as she buried her face into his chest. One ear slumping and going loppy as her tail twitched and swayed. About a dozen possibilities slowly going though her head. ``I'd want to design... things''

\t``Things?'' he blinked

\t``Things'' She nodded confidently

\t``So, what. You want to decorate for political functions?''

\tBrinna slammed her face into his chest and let out a loud, exasperated whine. ``Noooo'' she muttered ``I mean I want to design things, like, a lot of different things I'd want to make. You know, I could get like, an apprenticeship to a jeweler. Or cars, but like really high end cars. Like the stupidly overly engineered ones Kikawiy make that you legally have to leave at the track or in your garage. Or I could work for Brokkr and make really cool power armor. Or'' Each thing rattled off came faster than the last. The hyperactive rambling rolling like a tsunami. Brinna now on her knees on the seat and slowly leaning in closer and closer to her Sir without realizing it. Gripping his arm tightly and grinning a terrifying grin.

\t``Or.... Things.'' She finally muttered with a dejected sigh. The rodent slumping back firmly into her place and slumping her head on her shoulder.

\tGene simply sighed and stroked her hair again, gently lulling her head to the shoulder closest to him and pulling her close, giving the girl a small smooch on the crown right between her ears. ``So, things. Got it Sounds good to me''

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

\tThe trip wasn't far at all, really. Far enough to make walking impractical, but only just. The two arrived at a platform Brinna had never been to before and got out to a rather thin crowd made up of kids with their various care providers, a few vets in casual fatigues and some people in a sort of `corp bohemian' look often prevalent in young hotshots working for the more extroverted subsidiaries.

\tMost of these people broke off to one side or another right away. Heading to the smaller towers that outlined the area. She and her Sir, however, simply started right off into something surprising. A park.

\tIt was quite lovely. Amazingly so, actually .Almost enough to make one think they were on-world. A slightly hilly expanse of green grass and flowers that spread out for acres. Dotted here and there were statues or small groves of trees. Most with some plaque denoting the person who donated or up kept the things. On had to pay homage after all.

\tShe was getting a bit more curious about their ultimate destination. Enough to nearly ask as they started to walk down one of the many perfectly groomed and manicured pathways down the middle of the construct. She was only stopped by the sudden rush of what she had to imagine was fresh air. Real air. Not just the scrubbers pumping away, but whiffs of what happened when real photosynthesis took place. It was enough to knock her questions right out of her head.

\t``Mmm, yes pet?'' Gene asked as he looked down at her.

\t``Huh?'' She yelped

\t``You went 'hmm'. you have a question?''

\tShe blinked and stiffened a bit. Brinna hadn't recalled making such a noise, but obviously she had. Her mind scrambled a bit as she whimpered and whined trying to draw back her last train of thought. Sifting though them all as best she could. ``N-nothing sir. I was just wondering, you know. If you liked my gift.'' she muttered in defeat. Unable to recall her previous thoughts and too flustered to draw out any new ones

\t``Yeah, it's nice'' Gene shrugged

\t``So are you sure, absolutely sure, you like the gift?'' Brinna whined ``Because if you don't I can take it back later for you.'' A soft thwack on the muzzle and a small jolt of not unpleasant pain drew a yelp from the rodent girl as she slumped down and blushed furiously. She glanced at Gene and then down at her feet. ``Sorry, sir''

\t``I told you it's fine.'' He laughed ``Stop worrying so much about it. I mean it. The gift was very thoughtful. It's just been a while since I bothered with this stuff. Been a while since I did a lot of fun things.'' the bear muttered the last part more to himself than her.

\t``If you're sure, Sir.'' She said ``Because I can always. Ok ok'' she jumped and covered her rump hard as she saw his free hand twitch. Brinna letting out a small giggle and sighing gently. Her arms once again wrapping around his left bicep and forearm with all the strength she could muster. ``And my little outburst?'' She simpered the question, and then quickly yelped as she blocked her rear again ``Not that I'm like, saying I wasn't honest or anything!''

\tGene sighed. He didn't try to swat her for that one, though he seemed pleased at her jitteriness. ``Mind elaborating, pet?'' he asked softly

\t``Well I mean I know it's a lofty set of dreams for me. You know, considering pretty much everything.'' she muttered ``But I have to imagine you're used to more. I mean what did you want to do when you were my age?'' She winced even as she asked the question.

\t``Pretty much this.'' Gene said, mercifully ignoring the implicit and very unintentional question that accompanied it. ``I mean it took hard work to get the skills but yeah I'm doing what I'd want to do anyways. Make stuff and have little oversight. The rest just works itself out'' he shrugged

\t``That does make a lot of sense, Sir.'' She nodded

\t``So, just how old do you think I am?'' Gene asked as he quirked his brow.

\tBrinna tensed up and winced. The delayed gut punch almost making her stumble ``How old, Sir? Like honestly? ``

\t``Yes like honestly'' he nodded

\t``Well, I mean. I mean with all the factors considered, and if I had to give my absolute best guess. Forty?''

\t``Forty?'' he blinked.

\t``Well I mean it would make sense.'' She yelped ``You have a high enough job and enough clout to have a job where you have a degree of autonomy. That indicates likely at least a decade of labor. You don't have either heavy obvious cybernetic enhancement one would see on Class 2 researchers a decade ago or any of the `honor scars' from having it removed and replaced. So you logically can't be over sixty. Statistics indicate that upper level class 2s generally tend to get their first rejuv treatment by age thirty eight. Considering how you look now there's no way you had it any more than two years ago Meaning that the data would suggest you are between forty and fifty five. The clothing choices are fairly typical for people of our particular subculture and inclinations. However based on your band preferences and...''

\t``I'm twenty nine.'' He said flatly

\t``Wait, t-twenty nine?'' she blinked

\t``Yep.''

\t``S-so the lack of scars.''

\t``Yep'' He nodded

\t``And the horrible puns?'' She yelped and instantly threw both hands over her rump yet again only to jump at the swat on her inner thigh. Brinna just shaking her head and slumping against him once more. ``Sorry, Sir.'' she muttered.

\tHe just sighed and shook his head. The smile on his face growing a bit bigger. ``So, I look twenty five to you, then?'' he chuckled

\t``Twenty four would be my guess for physical age, actually'' she nodded. Though if It's really ok with you I'd like to maybe change the subject? I feel like I wandered into a really big mine field here.'' she sighed

\t``Ok, then change'' he nodded

\t``Me? Well'' suddenly the mine field sounded far more apt than a moment ago. She bit her lip ring softly for a moment, then looked up at him. ``Well then what did your sisters want to be at my age?'' She asked, following what seemed to be the safest line of questioning.

\t``I donno'' he shrugged.

\t``Wait you don't?'' she asked with a whimper.

\t``They aren't.'' He laughed ``The older one is doing some work training right now, but if we're being all technical about age here, she's actually a month younger than you.'' He looked up thoughtfully a moment, then nodded `Yeah, Almost exactly a month actually. Wow.

\t``A-and the other one?'' She asked, feeling a bit dumbfounded again.

\t``Still on her studies, obviously'' he laughed ``Though to your other point, I can't say I honestly do know what either of them want to do. Hell I don't even know that they are sure yet. That's kind of the thing about the upper classes. We are Condemned to be free'' He looked around the park a moment and hugged her close. ``Though somehow that feels a bit wrong applied to this whole situation, doesn't it?''

\tThe two kept walking silently a bit longer. Gene occasionally humming out the bars to one of countless painfully cheesy love ballads that were popular back in his youth. Or to be more specific when he was about five. He stopped near one of the statues. She wasn't quite sure who.

\t``Um, Sir? Why are we stopping here?'' Brinna asked as she looked at the statue of some random rabbit man in an old style pressure suit.

\t``Because we're here. He said with a nod''

\t``Here where exactly?'' She quickly bit her lip and looked down shaking her head as the snide words left her lips ``S-sorry. I just, This seems kind of, plain. To me anyways.''

\t``Why? Were you expecting us to go somewhere specific?'' he asked

\t``Well I mean isn't this, like, the part where you take me in to some high end slave boutique to get all sorts of shameful, embarrassing things and clothing to totally change around my style and thus personality so I serve as more enjoyable property? O-or maybe the part where you hand me over to some cruel dominant woman friend of yours who is intended to obliterate my native sexuality to the point where I accept my only purpose in life is to please you and I should be thrilled that I may suffer while doing so?''

\t``What in Tyrs name are you blathering about, girl?'' he just gazed at her dumbfounded.

\tBrinna shrank back from the gaze and sighed. Shuffling from foot to foot as she clasped her hands I front of her and played with the hem of her overly long shirt. ``I, well. I mean when you read stories like this. That's kinda how this is supposed to go, right?''

\t``Stories'' he quirked his head a bit harder and just gazed at her. Gene moved up slowly and cupped her cheek. A small flash of sadism crossing his eyes as he looked down at her ``I don't know what kind of trashy stories you've been getting into, my little slave-to-be. But I think I'd like to hear some of them. In fact I think I'd like to hear one tomorrow. From a very mouthy little squeak. One I am sure will not mind showing her future Master how much she `enjoys' them''

\tJust being around her Sir usually gave Brinna a tinge of a blush. Now? She could feel her cheeks burning. A loud, almost inaudible squeal leaving her lips. She mouthed about a dozen words. None of them having any real connection to her brain, or the situation, or anything at all really. Nothing more than anxiety soaked aphasia. Finally she got her tongue, and shifted her stance as best she could. Feet planted firmly and head bowed. Tail dropped flat behind her and ears back submissively. ``This one exists to serve her Sir. She is very happy to have the chance to suffer for his pleasure. It is the greatest honor such a creature could ever hope for.''

\tGene cupped her chin again and titled her head up, looking her deeply in the eyes. ``That something from one of your stories?'' he asked

\t``No, Sir'' she muttered meekly ``Just something I wanted to say'' He let go, and she felt a pair of strong fingers running over the ridge of her ear. The terrified dormouse suddenly melting once more as her nerves danced and jolted at his touch.

\tSatisfied, the bear turned and sat in the park bench. His eyes never left hers. Brinna wasn`t sure just what she should be reading into the act. But she could read quite a bit. All of it something she knew more than ever that she wanted.

\tShe stood for a long while. A few minutes at least. She knew she wasn't to move. She couldn't quite explain how. But the way he looked at her. The way her Sir eyed her made it wonderfully clear. She just stood there. Breathing as even as she could make it. Still and stiff in the same odd pose. Not some drilled bit of slave market formality. Nothing particularly shameful really. She just stood there, and he sat, and her heart kept fluttering to the point where it felt it would burst.

\t``Sit, pet.'' he finally ordered. Brinna complied. It was a relief. Yet at the same time it almost felt like a disappointment. She crawled into the same place she'd kept herself tucked pretty much all day and pressed herself against him. One ear stayed folded back and safe. The other daring to open a bit. Taking in the odd sounds of the park. Birds. Bird song. Admittedly thin compared to those nature shows hardly anyone cared to watch, but they were there.

\tHer HUD display started to call them up in the suggestions tab. Blue Jays and red winged blackbirds and finches, even a few of her own namesakes littered in. Unsurprising considering the culture of the station. She sent the little thought-command to her jack to turn off the searches. Turn off the HUD entirely. Instead she simply listened. Woodland creatures, token representatives of the nature their ancestors had sought to drag with them from the third planet so long ago. Climbing trees and running around making all sorts of awkward noise. Elsewhere she could hear kids yelling and playing. A near universal sound anywhere. The shouts of pretend games and silly fights over made up rules. Only now without the sirens and heavy thrum of deeper machinery to drown it out or taint it.

\tShe could hear his heart. His breathing. Without the loud background of rails or lifts the simple sounds came though clear as day. A slow, steady, relaxing pace. Somehow far more deeply placid than anything she could recall in herself. She half consciously tried to replicate the breathing. The results clumsy and forced as she struggled to make her far smaller lungs keep up. The mere attempt made her feel a bit woozy and weird. But it still felt nice.

\tBrinna let her boot tip trace slow careful patterns along the dirt on the sidewalk. Dirt. It seemed so odd. Looking down at the lush grass and clearly well cared for walkway plates of the park. All of that seemed to fit. Even if she'd never really been to a park this nice, and barely to a park at all come to think of it. You always thought of things like this with parks. Statues and plants, and with the nicer ones even water features like little creeks or fountains.

\tIn the abstract it was all just part of station life. It was expected. The scrubbed clean, sterilized corridors of the spires and upper dwellings were expected. The dirt and grime and festering industrial muck of her own home sector was expected. This? The dormouse gazed for a long time at the lines she'd drawn in the clean, sandy stuff. She then glanced up a moment at the stars still visible though the polarized dome structures.

\t``Why did you join up, Sir?'' Brinna muttered nervously.

\t``Join up?'' Gene titled his head and scooted a touch closer to his girl.

\t``The site. I mean, I'm not complaining obviously. It's working out great for me so far.'' she blushed.

\t``Hey I'm not complaining.'' Gene chuckled ``Any girl can write that she's a dirty slut and send you the pic. Not many girls are willing to do the same with the periodic table. Especially not with penmanship like that''

\t``That's not what I mean'' the poor girl whined as she squirmed back onto her seat. ``We both know why I'm here, or why I joined up at least. It's... not like it was an accident or something.'' She sighed and slowly snaked her tail around to him, curling tight around genes ankle and slumping her shoulders.

\t``Not like it was your decision either.'' Gene noted

\tBrinna flinched a bit and cast the bear a sideways glance. ``No. It wasn't. I didn't exactly have any high expectations either'' she sighed ``I guess that's why this is all so confusing still. Again I'm not complaining. It, just wasn't supposed to happen like this. Not at all''

\tShe felt the statement fall as the air around them went silent. Brinna pulled her other knee up to her chest and slumped her chin onto it for a moment, just looking out at the carefully cared for slice of nature spread out before her. The slow and oh so very awkward pause needled at Brinna. It pecked at her brain as she tucked her face between her knees and just tightened the weak little grip of her tail, desperate to not let go. Whining a tissue paper whine ``Forgive me, Sir.''

\t``My pets set it up?'' The words ran awkwardly over her apology. The statement was simple and matter of fact. Seeming to consume her anxious plea. ``A couple years ago now based on the account age. I didn't even know about it for the first year.''

\t``Yeah?'' Brinna tried to make the question sound casual. She knew she failed.

\t``Work has been kind of a bitch the past few years.'' Gene shrugged ``My mom keeps saying I need to learn how to delegate. I admit she might have a point. But it's not like you can trust people to do it right around here.'' he sighed ``It seemed kind of silly at the time. Kinda does still. But it's not like I'm complaining. Gene rolled his head back to look up at the sky a moment before casting his gaze back on her.  ``I'm not going to lie, my little gem. If I take you, then there are expectations. I know what I want.''

\tBrinna mouthed a small `no' that didn't seem to wish for any real voice behind itself. She let her hand move finally. Reaching up to the small, cheap bit of crystal hung around her neck. She rubbed her thumb against the smooth surface. Tracing one of the edges like an old, familiar habit.

\t``You have other slaves, then.''

\tEvery fiber of her being ran cold. The words had escaped. Raw, naked. Dripping with emotions and feelings she didn't deserve. She looked up at him as the world went by in slow motion. Her mind trying to catch up with what she'd just done. What she'd just dared to say.

\tBrinna quickly tucked her face back between her knees and wrapped her arms over her head to hide. Ears pinned down to shelter her from the inevitable fallout. She pushed her shoulder to her cheek in anticipation. Feebly pinning the cheap, makeshift collar under her pathetic strength.

\tThe strength proved laughable. Brinna felt the familiar sensation of Gene, of her Sir, hooking a crooked digit under her chin. He guided her head up, slowly yet firmly. Brinna soon brought to meet those wonderful, soothing blue eyes. Half of her body was frozen in lock down. The other half small. That look he gave her quickly rendering Brinna little more than a puppet on his strings.

\tOh Gods it felt good.

\tHis free arm pulled the scrawny rodent girl in close. Enfolding her in his warmth. Gene didn't say a word. Leaning down and pressing his forehead to hers. Just holding it. His eyes shut. A small murr in his throat. His body enfolding and sheltering his pet as she felt the comforting pressure of his closeness and the soft nuzzles he brushed against her muzzle and cheeks.

\tThey stayed close for so long. Quiet, Brinna didn't dare speak. She pushed herself up against her Sir once more. Slowly this time. Carefully. As if the slightest wrong move would see this all shatter and her cast down.

\tYet in the end all Gene had for her was a sweet smile. A look of confident affection that withered her terrified little heart.

\t``Oh wait, it's time'' Gene smirked as he leaned back into the bench and tilted his head up. Brinna was confused, naturally, but did likewise. Casting her eyes up to the sea of stars above. Watching them slowly growing brighter as station orbit slowly shifted them into their night cycle.

\tAt first she had no idea what she was looking for. The stars were pretty enough, but she'd been seeing them well enough a moment ago. For a moment she wondered if they might be able to make out real stars here. Down below the light pollution could be so bad, and the view so obscured, that all anyone ever got were small dots of light against a raw sea of black. Brinna wasn't really one for astronomy, but in the arms of her Sir and with the slightly cool air of the park around her it didn't' seem like the worst thing in the world.

\tThat was when her eyes caught it. Row after row of flickering lights. Blues and whites and violets. A sea of bright raw lights flickering and flashing as if with some great multi-layered pattern to them. She looked up at her Sir a moment. The man seeming more than a bit pleased at the light show. Simply pulling her closer and fidgeting with mild excitement.

\tBrinna traced his eyeline to a set of blue pulsing lights. Long bars of it like liquid lightening dancing around dulled figures with vibrant rainbow light playing at one end.

\t``What are they?'' She muttered curiously.

\t``The SDF'' Gene noted ``At least the part which remains near the station proper. When it gets a bit darker you can start to make some of em out due to their running lights or the light from Dagrid hitting them. You only really get a few minutes each day to see them like this. Just engines and some faint shield glow, and the Bahamut Lances on the Helblades.''

\tHad it been anyone else saying the words Brinna probably would have taken the whole thing a bit badly. While she knew the ships kept them safe, she never liked hearing about people glorifying the actual violence in the galaxy. Each one of those ships could end a small colony on its own. Most of the bigger ones a whole planet-based city. The smaller ones anyways. Still as she looked up Brinna could see flickers of colors she hadn't' dreamed of before. Little flashes pushing parts of the visual spectrum as they danced through the polarizing dome and its various partitions.

\tBrinna slumped down into her seat and let out a contented sigh as she looked up at the man showing her the show. Content with all the thoughts and questions now drifting from her overactive mind.

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

\tHUD based positioning systems were a godsend. The discomfort of the rail ride before clearly hadn't been lost on Brinna's Sir. There was no way he could walk her home even if he wanted to, and she'd been prepared to zone out on public transit to get herself back home. Eventually the two struck a compromise, strange as it was. He at least insisted he was paying for a cab pass so she could get back. Blue lines. The good company. The ones who bothered to touch up their paint and keep the seats relatively clean and vomit free. It was another dose of extravagance Brinna was woefully unequipped for. One she felt painfully guilty over.

\tThe down side, unfortunately, was that the line ended at the cab station nearest the transition point. A fact she was quite sure her Sir didn't know, and one that found the brown furred rodent more than a bit upset as she fought with the cab stand dispatcher about needing a transfer. The good news was that it came without too much fuss.

\tThe bad news was that she was now stuck, waiting for a Jiffcab on a street corner. Her HUD telling her that she was at the correct one, but also putting the cab she needed at about a half-hour away. Because of course it was. It was Jiffcab.

\tConsidering how close they were to the lockdown walls, it was something of a revelation standing there. Brinna still had her headphones on. The big beefy high-end things pumping out some of the same `research material' she'd been chided by her Sir for earlier. She stood with her feet half on and half off the curb. Occasionally pausing the erotic adventures of the poor page girl learning to please the lonely old colony administrator to fire up some song that hit her mood or check back in on the perma-stuck cab.

\tUnlike home, though, there were no homeless. The walks and buildings were clean. Litter was largely cleared and the street lights, well the street lights actually worked. Which meant that unlike home they hadn't all been pulled down and striped for scrap by local gangs.

\tShe started to wonder if this was normal. Well normal for someone like her Sir. It wasn't a nice thought. The idea that this man she was falling for so hard could `provide' these things for her. That if she was his, when she was his, she might one day be able to walk the streets at night without fear, save the fear of other people. Decent sized homes. Decent food. Affection.

\tHer guilt took a hard churn at that. All he'd done so far was show her affection. The gifts, sure. But taking her out, letting her all but cling to him like a barnacle. Ignoring the fact that she shoved both feet in her muzzle the second it opened every single time without fail. She had no right to think he wouldn't offer her such a thing.

\tMore to the point, she had no right to think she deserved it. Pets. That's what he'd said. As in more than one. As in people, people who were not her. People who might demand a share of his attention and affection. It's not like she had any right to complain in any of this. This wasn't supposed to be about love. Heck it was probably a lucky break that it even lined up with her leanings and orientations. Sure she'd taken the same test every kid takes in grade 7 social studies. The now toughly debunked but painfully persistent test to see how dominant or submissive you are, complete with an explanation of the horrible and overly simplistic factors used to make the judgment.

\tShed scored high in submissive. Like most rodents statistically would. Probably as she'd suspected before hand. It as something she'd had time to accept as a part of herself. But it was only years later that her parents signed her up for `My Collar' and she only found out when they brought her in to give some personal input on the profile.

\tThis was all about getting her collared. Not love, not hope, not any sort of star crossed romance invariably associated back to a famous play about two dumb kids adapted and produced by some fifteenth century mole with a thing for the Italians. Master Gene could have demanded she perform the most debased, unpleasant, soul-crushing acts that Brinna might imagine, in public no less, and be in the right. Every shred of logic would demand she do so, and do so gratefully. But he didn't. It didn't make any sense. But gods if she didn't want to ride the high as long as she could.

\t``Hey! You!''

\tBrinna blinked and looked up from her line of thought, she turned and pulled the head phones back. The admittedly shoddy things thankfully recognizing that the words were likely addressed to the dormouse.

\tOfficers. A pair. A man and a woman. The man, a rather nastily looking pug with a few scars, had his stun baton out already. Tapping it on the hardened glove of his light patrol armor. Little more than simple plates of light composites and ballistic cloth layers. The uniforms were actually clean and complete. But the pair looked no more friendly than those down in her home.

\t``You, rat.'' The other officer, a Persian  feline with a sharp crew cut under her hat, all but barked at Brinna ``back away from the curb. Back towards the wall.''

\tBrinna squeaked loudly as she looked at the pair. She slumped back fearfully and began to back off of the curb. Even if she'd always tried her best to keep her nose clean, Brinna was a slums kid. She knew how you had to act with corpsec if you wanted to come out ok.

\tThe two corralled her back towards the nearby wall. They half-flanked her. Wicked grins on their faces as they scanned her up and down slowly.

\t``You know this really is getting to be a problem, Santiago.'' The pug growled as he brandished his weapon slowly ``I keep telling them they need to just keep the blast shields closed. Keep this kind of thing from happening.''

\t``Now now, Bruce. Let's not jump to conclusions.'' The feline laughed ``You, girl. What are you doing out here? Don't you know what time it is?''

\t``Better answer her, meat drone.'' The male officer laughed as he watched her wince at the slur ``Hate to have to run you in for lying to security.''

\t``I, I was just on my way home.'' Brinna pushed her back up against the wall and used it to brace her weight. Focusing everything she had on remaining clam instead ``I was out with my Sir, and he has work in the morning.''

\t``Sir?'' the woman asked as she quirked her brow.

\t``Yeah! S-see? I'm under consideration. Look'' She tugged her collar a bit and craned her neck to show it off, displaying the item with a shocking little jolt of pride.

\tThe pair seemed less impressed. The man walking up and gripping it. He tugged the material, running a thick, greasy thumb over it as he leaned in close. He spent a long and very uncomfortable moment examining the object before letting it go, and shoving her a bit as he did so. ``You expect us to buy that shit?'' he scoffed

\t``It's true!'' she snapped, actually a bit more defensive than she realized she could be. Even stamping her foot at her declaration. ``I was out with him all night, and now I'm heading back home to my parents' house.''

\t``Kid'' the woman sighed ``Having a pimp who likes to play at a household isn't the same thing as being owned .None of your kind could even afford to register you in the first place. Or is that why you're wearing those dumpster scraps you call a collar?''

\t``Ya know disclaiming a collar is a serious offense girlie. Way worse than what you'd get just for trying to play streetwalker in our nice, wholesome jurisdiction. Most judges don't take very kindly to perjury that severe.''

\t``It's not junk!'' She yelped loudly. Brinna stamped her foot again and reached up to grip the little charm on her makeshift collar tightly. Hand trembling as she looked between the two. She instantly regretted it

\t``Say, Bruce. Why don't we humor this little dolly. Go on and run a scan while I do a quick weapons check.'' The officer leaned in and placed her hand on Brinnas inner thigh. She gave a few rubs, gentle at first, then harder and more aggressive when Brinna tried to pull away. ``What's the matter, brat? I thought you were a slave. Can't even sit still like a good girl?'' she teased

\t``I'm not yours. A-and I don't like girls that way'' She said firmly

\tThe woman purred and swatted Brinna hard. A far cry from the sensation she had felt not an hour ago. ``See you just keep digging that hole, bitch.'' she laughed ``Like I'm gonna buy that a slave thinks she can choose what she's into'' the woman pushed herself up against Brinna. Her ample chest pushed up against the poor rodents face as she tucked her paw in between those unsexy striped panties Brinna wore and the poor girls folds. ``See?'' She growled ``Wet''

\t``It's from my Sir'' she muttered in protest. The poor trapped girl unable to wriggle free as the woman pushed a finger I slowly, almost nicking the fleshy barrier between those nether lips

\t``Well now, What`s this?'' she laughed ``Well I guess checking for weapons here is pointless, huh you buck toothed lil slag monger? Then again can't be too careful with your kind now can we?'' she asked as she drew her digits back. A threatening, twisted grin on he womans face.

\t``Oh Fuck'' The pug stood still. The weapon falling from his hand. ``Santiago. We gotta go. Now!''

\t``The fuck, Bruce? It was just getting good!'' she growled

\tThere was a familiar finger flick, a smattering of light hit the display contacts the feline wore. Her face twisted in terror. She dropped her club and began to sprint off the way she had come, her partner close behind. The pair running off like terrified gangers.

\tBrinna finally collapsed into a heap against the wall She sat there gazing blankly ahead. Only able to move her shaking hand as it moved up slowly to clasp hard at the charm around her neck.

", "pools_count": 2, "title": "Aspiration", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "4", "views": "136" }