A Complicated Relationship

A beautiful woman sits at the table with me in my room. She is wearing one of my long white shirts and pink socks, a lock of her dark hair rebels and falls across her face. The room is barely recognizable from what it used to be just two weeks ago. Just two weeks ago since I met Mi, a Minmatar slave that found her way into my life. She's been helping me decorate. It makes her happy, and I enjoy watching the way Mi moves. I like it when she wears my cloths...

She takes the box I offer her.

It's red with gold ribbons, tied with a big bow on the top. She looks at me and giggles, putting her slender fingers over her mouth as she laughs, so beautiful. Her eyes are bright. I gesture that she should open it. She tucks a lock of her long black hair behind her ear and pulls the ribbons back to open the box.

She takes out a soft flat velvet package and puts it down on the table in front of her. Lifting the clasp, she pulls back the covering to reveal a necklace. It's made of etched double gold coils with silver chains bracing them. Each silver chain is decorated with gems, creating a jeweled tapestry.

"Oh, I love it, Master!" she says, holding it up to the light.

I smile, not so much that Mi is pleased, but because I see the beginning of a storm in her eyes.

"It's a new Minmatar design. They call it 'neo-style', and I'm told it's very popular among the high ladies in Metropolis..."

My voice trails off as I notice Mi's pained expression grow. I gently brush back her hair with a finger and look into her brown eyes, knowing exactly what she is thinking. This is what I was waiting for. Gently running my hand down her face, I ask a question to which I damn well know the answer.

"What's wrong, Mi?"

Mi chokes a muffled sob and palms her face.

"It's too much!"

Mi stands and takes a step back from the table, tears streaming down her cheeks, and puts her hand out to keep me back.

"I'll never be allowed to keep it," Mi sobs, "and the'll beat me if I don't bring them more later."

"They" is actually a "he," who runs the local watering hole and whore house, The Pirate's Cove Bar and Grill. Mi is a dancer there, and her entrance into my life is pure happenstance, nothing more than a cover for a conversation with the bartender.

But Mi found a way into a softer part of me, a part that few people see. And once her owner finds out... No, I'm in front of this train, for better or for worse. Years of struggle and death have taught me that if you can't stop the train, sometimes you can derail it.

"The bartender won't take anything from you," I say, watch Mi intently, meaningfully.

Mi stares back at me. What was that in her eyes? Apprehension, maybe fear? I swallowed before continuing. I'm such a bastard.

"I bought you."

Relief flows over Mi's features. Half coughing, half sighing, she clutches her chest and laughs. Then she pounces on me, wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my face.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Master," Mi cries between kisses.

Pulling Mi off me, I hold her at arms length. She can see the warning in my gaze and looks into my eyes, questioning.

"There is more," I say, gesturing back to the box on the table, seemingly forgotten.

Mi approaches the box gingerly, as if expecting there to be a snake inside. She looks at me and wipes tears from her eyes before looking down into the open box. Reaching in, she removes an envelope. She opens it and begins reading. I can see her mime the words...

Dear Ms. Michelle Thorki,

This letter is formal notice that Mr. Swatyy has purchased your person and lifelong services from The Pirate's Cove Bar and Grill. Further, Mr. Swatyy has sponsored, filed the requisite paperwork on your behalf, and paid all applicable fees to secure your freedom from the Amarrian Ministry of Human Resources. Please be advised that to move through Amarr space, you will need identifying documentation from a recognized Amarrian house. Congratulations on your status as a "freed citizen."

Yours truly,

Odari Sikra
Human Property Division
Ministry of Human Resources

Why am I doing this? It is easier to simply claim Mi as a slave and be done with it. But when I said 'there is more,' I meant it for me as much as her. She can never know, I won't let her know, that my feelings are more than lust or desire, that she holds power over me. It's too dangerous. So I must cow her, control her, dominate her more than even a master can to a slave.

I'm going to end up in hell for what I'm doing to this innocent woman...

I sit down and cross my legs, watching Mi intently. Her breathing is fast and shallow, her face is deathly pale. She falls to her knees and collapses to the ground, groaning in agony. She is a freed Minmatar woman, without means or the protection of an Amarrian house, or even a pimp. No one on this station will touch her, not knowing that it was I who freed her. But slavers would have her eventually, taking her somewhere else... for processing. Mi knows what that means.

"Maaasster, pleeassse forgive this slave!" she begs, sobbing uncontrollably. "Please keep me, Master, pleeassse! I'll do anyyyythinnnng!"

Crawling to me on the ground, she hugs my ancles. I feel warm tears run down my feet. Her begging rings in my ears. I'm about to speak when I realize the lump in my throat would betray my feeling. My own tears threaten me. It cannot happen. All this, all Mi's suffering would be for nothing. I must be strong.

Swallowing, forcing my voice to be even, I say, "There is something I want you to do."

Mi continues to sob, but manages to look up at me. Such pain, terrible fear, in those wide, tear-filled eyes.

"Anything master wants," Mi answers, pleading.

I lean down, and lift Mi to her knees. She looks at me intently, like a condemned man would look at an executioner.

"Make a choice, Mi. I want you to become the First Lady in my House, but only if you choose to do so."

Mi gawks at me, opens her mouth to speak but nothing comes out. I caress her cheek. There is no choice for her here, at least from my perspective. But I need Mi give herself to me, willingly and of her own volition.

Mi nods.

I smile down at Mi and take her hand, lifting her to her feet. Bringing her before the tall mirror on the wall, I hold her shoulders and we look at our reflections. The white shirt Mi wears is soaked with tears and sweat, her eyes red and puffy, her hair disheveled. I've never seen her so beautiful.

I pick up the necklace from the table and step behind Mi to put it on her. She pulls her hair back, exposing a long, delicate neck. As the latch closes, I realize that I locked my own chains as surely as if it were an iron collar about my neck. My hands slide around Mi's waist, and I draw her close. She closes her eyes and reaches up to caress my face. Gazing at her in the mirror, I realize it was I who never had a choice.