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❝It's cold...I'm cold. Elliot's limbs locked up, his heart rate sluggish and his blood pumping slow through tired veins. So cold. A series of shivers ran through him and his feeble fingers clutched tightly to his shirt. No, not me. This memory doesn't belong to me. Whose memory is skipping through my mind? Multiple images floated towards him, slowly increasing in sped until they were whipping at him like the wind at the top of a mountain. The oracle's eyes flew open revealing his soft pink hues and he gasped, attempting to catching his breath. Warmth left his nose and hit the floor with the faintest sound. Elliot lifted a hand and pinched, holding his head back to stop the bloodflow. Another vision...At least it was of the past. Had she found the peace she had been looking for in the end? Death...one of the few things he still didn't understand. Elliot let his gaze wonder around his cage and wondered if he would miss it. After all, humans were conditioned to adapt. Anything could feel like home if you wanted it to.

He was being bought today. He'd seen it in a vision some weeks ago. What concerned him however, was that he couldn't make out his master. It was as if the male's life was blocked to him. A new discovery... Stretching out his legs, he tried to shake back life into them and then did the same with his hands. He climbed to his feet and put his two hands out in front of him. The guards would be here in a few seconds. Like clockwork, two large men walked towards his cage and pulled it opened. They didn't question his readiness, they'd seen all manners of strangeness in their line of work. Clasping shackles around his wrist and ankles, they connected the chains tying it all together to his collar. It was of a simple make, leather in material, but so tight it provided a permanently bruising hold. It barely allowed him to breath much less talk If he had wanted too. Thankfully, he didn't. "Let's go. You've been purchased." They lead him down a long hall past other occupied cages and into an area that branched off into a large shower room.

"Get cleaned up as fast as you can, we have a long journey ahead." Elliot did as he was told and when he was done he was given pants and a simple chestnut brown sweater. It was too big for him. The sleeves bunched around the thick metal of his shackles, telling him it would fall to his fingers if allowed to do so uninterrupted. The hem swayed along the top of his denim cover thighs. But he had no complaints. He was clothed at least, he looked down at his bare feet, even if he wasn't given shoes. His long pink locks were left to hang loosely past his shoulders, getting in his face and providing discomfort. But he had no complaints...he never really did.


* * *


The journey truly had been long. Longer than Elliot was prepared for and he now knew why. Ireland... He stood on the cusp of the large property before him and tried to take it all in. It wasn't possible with so brief a glance, but that was all he was allotted as he was told to continue forward. One of the guards walked in front and the other behind him. he supposed they were weary when it came to slaves. He had heard that some were prone to running. He found the notion silly. Would you not simply be caught once more? As they got closer to the front door, a sense of uncertainty fluttered over him. What would this home be like? His mind flashed back to all the homes he'd been in growing up and then lastly to his adoptive father's home...Would they return him like all the others had?

The sharp sound of a knock pulled him from his musings and he looked up. He supposed there was only one thing he could do. Wait and see. Time would always tell. ❞

❝The estate looked so large that Elliot expected to wait a while for the door to be answered. However, barely anytime had passed before it was pulled open and he was face to face with his presumed master. He couldn't be sure just yet since the male had yet to speak. For all he knew, he golden haired man could be a family member or staff. Until he was sure, he'd treat the male he would his master, turning his gaze down, the pinkette kept his gaze on the ground. He'd heard that most master's didn't appreciate their slaves so boldly holding their gaze. It was seen as defiance. He refused to risk earning the male's ire. The slave market was cold and filled with darkness, a place he preferred to not return to. I would like to finally belong somewhere. It was a lot to ask, he knew, so he would reframe from getting his hopes up.

The sudden warm welcome had Elliot lifting his head in surprise. He watched the male smile, and his eyes widened a bit. It was so genuine and bright he felt as if he could bask in it. That if he did so long enough he would be warmed to the coldest depths of his being. He tentatively attempted to return the gesture, his own smile soft and gently. It was a bit of a sad smile, though the oracle was oblivious to that fact. He let his gaze drop once more, hoping he was doing things correctly. He stiffed at the mentioned of having his shackles removed. Whenever they added the second shackles he didn't need to be touched, but removing them...The two guards exchanged looks as if contemplating his master's words. One of them turned to the golden haired male and addressed him. "We can assure you he isn't a violent slave, but most master prefer them for control. But, if you're sure Sir, we'll remove them now." The guard stepped forward and handed him a paper. "If you could just sign that stating that the slave was indeed deliver, we'll be on our way after removing the shackles."

The other guard stepped forward and Elliot prepared himself. His reaction to being touched was purely instinctual, not at all driven by fear. At least not consciously. But years with his adopted father had conditioned the reaction. Back then, fear was all he had known. Now he barely recalled what that particular emotion felt like...The guard grasped his wrist and Elliot barely held back the flinch that riled up in him. He shiver light the hold time the male worked removing the bondages. When the task was finally completely and the male stepped back, the pinkette sucked in a breath and willed his body to calm down. The last thing he wanted to do was displease his knew master within mere minutes of acquaintanceship. They left his collar, the leather still almost unbearable tight around his neck.

Taking the signed paper back, they bid their farewells and left Elliot standing there alone with his master. The oracle looked at the male briefly before lowering his gaze and awaiting his first command.❞

❝Elliot nodded at the question of whether he spoke English. He did indeed, and it was his preferred tongue, but as an oracle he found he was naturally able to understand other languages whether he had spoken it before or not. So, whatever his master preferred, he would do his best to oblige. He finally glanced up when he told to come inside the estate, his gaze lingering. There's that smile again... Something about was, truly comforting. Following after the golden hair male Elliot wondered if he should inform his master that he didn't really mind the cold. Not so much because he liked but, quite frankly, because he was used to it. He decided against it. It hadn't been a direct question and it would be painful to speak with the collar pressing against his throat the way it did.

A slight look of confusion fell over Elliot's face when he was told to find the kitchen, his master wondering off to find something for his collar. The oracle touched his collar in question as he watched his master go. Was the male looking for a leash? He supposed it made sense. What ever made his master happy, he was okay with. Be good and he won't return me. he told himself. It was something he always told himself when he was in the orphanage and being taken home by new parents. A mantra of sorts. They always returned him though... Shaking his head to cast the thoughts away, he wondered into the kitchen, taking in as much as he could. It was truly a beautiful home. He watched his master return and looked at the first aid kit in curiosity. Had he changed his mind about the leash?

As his master spoke, Elliot spilt his attention between what his master was doing with the kit and on what he was saying. Quinn... He committed the name to memory and nodded. His master went on to explain that it was just them and he looked up briefly, before shifting his gaze down again. It was such a large estate that, that information was somewhat unexpected. He found himself wonder if it was...lonely. He lost his focus as he let his mind wonder on what Quinn had told him. So lost in thought that he jumped a bit when he was addressed once more. Elliot's eyes widened as they looked down at the scissors. It took a moment before he realized what Quinn was asking. The male wanted him to...cut his collar off? Surprise rolled through him and for a moment, he let the scissors remain outstretched between them before he caught himself. Gingerly, he reached for them. "Y-Yes." He spoke softly, barely audible, the action earning him a wince. He touched his throat, slight pain blossoming over his features as he spoke. "I can...do it." Truthfully, Elliot knew the task would be a bit difficult on his own, but it was more preferable to having the male touched him.

Gripping the scissors, he used his other hand to sweep his hair out of the way, revealing the side of his neck, and reached up with the scissors. He nudged a portion of it under the leather and gasped softly when he felt it slice skin. Squeezing his eyes closed, he adjusted the angle of the scissors, finally able to grasp the leather. Applying pressure, he cut through the leather and sucked in a deep breath instinctively when it fell from around his neck. Blood trickled from the spot that the scissors had cut into, the red stark against the intense bruising left behind by the collar. Relief washed through him and he found himself offering up another small smile. "Thank you...master Quinn" To his master, it may not have been a big deal, but to Elliot it was a huge gesture of kindness. He looked down at the scissors and gasped at the redness that smeared them. "Oh!" he exclaimed softly. "I- I will clean them at once." he informed Quinn, stepping forward with the intent to find a bathroom to clean them in. How could he be so reckless! ❞

❝Elliot stilled when his master stood, wetting a cloth to hand over to him. He slowly reached for it, gently pulling it into his grasp. He was a bit...stunned. Was he not mad? Silently, he pressed the cool cloth to his neck as Quinn assured him he would not be harmed. He wasn't sure how much stock he could put into that statement but...that was not his fear. In fact, what he felt was concern that he was displeasing his master and nervous that by doing so he would be sent back to the market. The market that bared an almost uncanny resemblance to the orphanage in it's loneliness. So, being harmed did not bother him. Being rejected did. But all the same, the fact that Quinn was attempting to calm him, evident in the way the male painstakingly clarified his words, allowed Elliot to let go of the nerves that had been building.

The pinkette swiped the blood away, a bit clumsily, and tentatively took the offered cream. He gathered his long pink locks and forced it into a bun, tendrils escaping despite his best efforts and tumbling around his face. He only hoped it would stay put since he lacked a hair tie to keep it in place. He couldn't quite leave it as it was if he was to get full access to his damaged neck. He nodded when Quinn told him not to worry about the scissors and began carefully applying the cream. Once he was done, he capped it and placed it back in the kit.

The male...wasn't a slaver? His brows furrowed as he thought about what that meant for him. That what exactly was his purpose here if not to serve? How was he to be helpful? He mulled all this over as Quinn stood once more only to return with two mugs. "Thank you..." he murmured quietly, wrapping his hands around the mug. The instant warmth that seeping into his slender fingers brought instant comfort. He peered down into cup and curiosity floated to the surface. Hot chocolate...he'd never had it. Had knew of his existence. In fact, it had been his adoptive father's favourite hot drink. But he had never been allowed to have it. And then well, he'd just simply let the desire to taste it go. But now...Lifting the cup hesitantly, he sipped it and his eyes widened for a sparkle developed in the pink orbs. Lowering the cups, he looked over at Quinn. "It's good!" he blurted before slapping a hand over his mouth. The spark in his gaze immediately fleeing.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, setting the cup down and slightly pushing it aside. Feeling a bit uneasy. Instead he focused on Quinn's question. What did he want to be called... He was an odd way to request his name, but then understanding fell into place. He...could have any name he wanted...but. "Elliot. I would like to be called Elliot please." It was the name given to him by the only nun in the orphanage that had ever been kind to him. He wanted to respect her memory by keeping the name. ❞

❝ Laughter...It had been a while since he'd heard it and even longer since he himself emitted the joyful sound. If fact...he couldn't quite recall ever being happy enough to elicit it. That was alright though. He was content enough to just listen. Which was what he did. His eyes closing briefly and a somewhat peaceful expression falling over his features. When it was over his eyes fluttered opened and fell on Quinn. That was quite the treat...he hoped to hear the sound again soon. Feeling at ease that his unrequested opinion hadn't upset Quinn, Elliot careful drew the mug towards him once more. He sipped at it, the warmth and sweetness bringing a slight pink tinge to his cheeks.

He lowered the cup and tilted his head slightly at the words, 'creatures in the water'. He was aware that the sea held many creatures but the way Quinn spoke of these ones...It was clear they were not along the lines of lifeforms such as sharks or whales. No. These had to be something else entirely. As was his nature and natural love for mysteries, Elliot felt a spike in his curiosity. Through his visions, he'd often felt like he'd lived through many lifetimes. That he'd indeed seen it all. It was rare that something new and unknown to him was presented. But he would respect Quinn's wishes. Not only because he wished to please the male, but because he didn't wish to harm or frighten the creatures Quinn spoke of. There was a time where he was very fearful, and he would not wish those emotions on another.

"Yes Quinn. I understand." he confirmed softly, clasping his mug once more. He listened intently to Quinn explain what it was he did and his efforts to bring peace and safety to the creatures. He could hear the sadness and helplessness in the males tone. It was obvious that he was very protective of them and it seemed his inability to help as much as he wanted left him feeling somewhat dejected. He now understood why Quinn had purchased him. He would do everything he could to help Quinn and the creatures but he wasn't sure if he was adequate enough. He only hoped he could do enough to protect them from the type of fate that had befallen him. No one deserved such suffering. At the very least, he could help with any injuries. While he was far from a medical professional, he had an extensive knowledge of wound care. Often left to care for his own broken bones and wounds when he was growing up.

He sipped at his hot chocolate once more, pausing when Quinn mentioned loneliness. He knew the feeling well. While he had become distrustful of others over the years and had grow to prefer his own presence, one feeling had always remained. Loneliness. It was an awful thing to desire companionship when you couldn't quite find the ability to open yourself to it...But, he would be here for Quinn. He would do his best to erase some of the loneliness until the male was ready to throw him away."Quinn..." He set the now empty cup aside and glanced up at the golden haired male before lowering his gaze. "I will do my best. Please use me as you see fit." He shook a bit, feeling nervous. Saying so much at once was risky. He not only risked angering Quinn by speaking out of turn, but he also risked turning the male off with a vision. The looks of disgust on his many prospective families faces, flashed through his mind. Once he was caught having a vision, that's when things went downhill for him. He would do whatever necessary to keep that sight from Quinn.

He nodded when he was warned about venturing into town, trying to hide just how surprised he was that Quinn would even allowed him the freedom. Even if it wasn't for now. He had to admit, the male utterly confused him. He was somewhat of a puzzle himself it seemed. ❞

❝ Elliot's pink gaze slowly widened as he looked at Quinn in surprise. Work...together? It was an offer that had never been presented to him before and he wasn't sure how to react. Most people would love the opportunity to own someone. Have someone that they could control and ask to do whatever their heart desired. He had been prepared to live like that, being someone's to control. It wasn't that the concept was appealing, but the alternative...Yet, Quinn...Quinn didn't want that at all. Quinn didn't want to control him, not even in the slightest. He was instead offering the Oracle what he'd always wanted. Safety and a life free of chains or demands brought on by greed or hate. Elliot was...decidedly confused. Perhaps this is a test? A way of seeing if I will eagerly step out of my place...After everything he'd heard about masters and what he'd experienced through his life, he just wasn't sure he could trust Quinn's seemingly kind words. His distrustful nature caused a knot of unease to form in his stomach and he laid a hand over his abdomen. He just couldn't let his guard down.

He hadn't even realized he'd been looking down, his expression troubled until he looked back up again at the talk of festivals. He'd never participated in such events before but he'd always longed to do so. He remembered them from his childhood town. He used to sit by his window and stare out longingly at all the other kids laughing and talking with their parents as the headed towards the festivities. He would eventually beg his adoptive father to bring him, so intensely and endlessly that he'd end up being punished then sent to his 'room'. A little closet with a cot and a pillow. He would curl up in the cold, dark space and hug himself as he silently cried. In fact, there were a lot of things he wanted to experience but never got the chance. He nodded when Quinn mentioned that they could go, but he didn't say anything. If Quinn was testing him and his words were insincere then it didn't do to get his hopes up. Not that many things excited him anymore. He'd learned long ago that most emotions were wasted on him and learned to push them aside. He would do the same now and focus on doing the one task Quinn asked of him. He would do what ever was needed to help protect the creatures in the sea and to be as little trouble as possible to Quinn. He watched the golden haired male stand and move to the sink, beginning to clean up. Standing as well, he copied the wash routine Quinn performed and nodded when Quinn suggested showing him to his room."Okay." He answered quietly and prepared to follow the male. He was nervous and tense all over again, his frame stiff and his eyes once again on the floor.❞

❝ Elliot followed quietly after Quinn, his gaze trailing over the décor and interesting features of the home that grabbed his attention. He was tempted to run his fingers over everything they passed, his curious nature sending off sparks, but he refrained. He wasn't sure if he'd be reprimanded or not and thought it better not to press his boundaries too far. It was already enough that he wasn't being dragged around by a collar. He didn't really need more freedom or leeway than that. He quietly listened as the other male showed him around and nodded when he needed too. His face most likely reflected his surprise, but he couldn't really help it. He had been given a room...of his own. That has just, never happened before...He was also told the bathroom next door was his as well. His brows furrowed slightly. Was that truly okay? That was quite a lot to give... He risked looking up, his pink gaze catching his master's as he tried to read the male's expression. Odd...Quinn's words seemed genuine enough, as did the male's reassuring expression. Privacy... When was the last time he was offered something like that?


If Quinn meant it, then Elliot was...grateful. He could use a moment alone to gather his thoughts. He waited for Quinn to leave before he so much as breathed deeply. Standing alone in the room, he looked around unsure of what to do. What did one do with this much space to themselves? He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and nibbled it in thought. He looked down at himself and decided his first actions. The trip had been long and gruelling, and his body felt a bit grimy. Tentatively, he peeked out of the room before making his way to the storage closet and gently taking down a towel. His bare feet made the lightest sounds against the floor as he made his way to the bathroom and entered before softly clicking the door closed. The washroom was spacious and just as beautiful as the rest of the home. He almost didn't want to move, afraid of making a mess. Resting the towel close to the shower, he stripped, shivering lightly as the cool temperature of the room brushed over his exposed skin. Elliot caught his reflection in the mirror and a small frown touched his lips. A few scars littered over his otherwise smooth skin, souvenirs of the past.


Images flashed across his mind and he shook his head in an attempt to dislodge them. Turning his gaze away, he slipped into the shower, and after some difficulties was finally able to shower and wash his hair. He kept it as short as he could and dried off just as quickly. Used to the hurried pace of the slave market. He searched around and located a brush and a few hair ties. Brushing out his long wet locks, he plucked up one of the ties and captured half of the pink mass in his hands. Tying it back into a half pony, he decided that was good enough even though his bangs still fell over and around his face. Gathering his clothes and the damp towel, he headed towards the room he was given and made a mental note to ask Quinn where he could clean the towel and clothes the market had provided. He found a fresh pair of pants and shirt to shrug into but they were still a bit too large on his slender frame. Elliot didn't complain though, pleased enough being covered at all. Now that he was alone and he wasn't tensed up, he started to realize just how tired and heavy his limbs were. But he wasn't exactly sure if he was allowed to sleep just yet..it was still light out after all...No...It wouldn't be appropriate...He stared at the bed in longing, wondering what it felt like. Maybe...he could sit for just a moment. Just a moment and then he'd be good and go find Quinn. Elliot gingerly moved to the bed and after another minute of indecisiveness, sat down. His eyes widened at the immediate softness that engulfed him and a soft sound of surprise left his lips. It's comfy...I, think I really like it...growing a bit bolder, he gently laid back and a soft exhaled left the petite male. Just a minute. He would only lay here for a minute. At least that was his intentions before his eyes drifted close and sleep claimed him. ❞