Welcome To The Fold

[hybrid_prince]

"We do it so they feel hope for the power their people can attain."

That was what Emperor Dorrek had been told when he was a teenaged prince and found himself expected to take the first member of his imperial harem. One person of each people of the empire, on the idea that some day he would choose his consort from among them, would sire a child and heir upon them. It was his duty, and the people's they ruled would know they were close to power through the subject who might one day rule next to him.

The problem with it all was that Dorrek found the whole thing repugnant. Most of those given to his 'imperial consorts' were women, which was a problem for him. Which made every instance of these moments in the court tiring. Here he sat, upon his throne, awaiting the presentation of the newest offerings for his harem. He would have to choose one to take into his family, someone he would no doubt eventually send back to the others, trying not to feel disgusted by the whole process.

"You are before his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Dorrek-Vell. Kneel before his splendor and know you are close to greatness," his herald calls out to the assembled and Dorrek tried not to yawn.

Comments

[hybrid_prince]

Ah. That explained it. Well, not well or much but explained. Dorrek sighed.

So for now he moves away. He has to pick a consort from Earth. Except his eyes keep returning to the strange, non-human. So he ends up back in front of them.

"Tell me why I should pick you."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"I don't blow things up," Atem says, crossing his arms.

[tighnauri]

It's about as good of an explanation as Tighnari can give as he doesn't really understand it completely himself.

"Apparently, I interest you since you keep coming back and you seem otherwise uninterested in the others."

[hybrid_prince]

Oh now there was a point. The Emperor laughs.

"Do you think you could fulfill the duties?"

[hybrid_prince]

There's some relief. He nods and moves for the door.

"I'll see what I can arrange then."

[tighnauri]

"I can,” Tighnari says simply, his tail swishing behind him. “As long as you can as well.”

[millenniumpharaoh]

"Okay,” Atem says and he watches the other move away, staying where he is and trying not to think too much in the meantime. The expanse of the sight of space from the window view feels him with anxiety and so he turns away and tries to rest until the other comes back. Or at least take some deep breaths while he’s alone and doesn’t have to put on a brave front.

[hybrid_prince]

Oh? That's some challenge.

"And what do you think my duties to you are?"

[hybrid_prince]

When he does come back it's with a tray laden with earth foods, heavily skewed toward fruits and vegetables. When he enters it's large and green, but by the time he gets to the table he's back down to looking more human.

"Hopefully something here will serve."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"You didn't need to go through so much trouble," Atem says with a sigh as he looks over the tray and the way the other's body changed is again a bit intriguing and troubling at the same time.

"Why do you change forms?" he asks as he reaches for some berries to start with.

[tighnauri]

"To please me and be a good mate," Tighnari says simply even if that might not be what the official line is.

[hybrid_prince]

What? The Emperor has to start laughing. That's quite the confident statement there. He grips the little one's chin and tilts that pretty face to look up at him.

"I am rather certain those are your duties."

[hybrid_prince]

"It's not a lot of trouble. I ordered it and it was delivered," he says with a shrug. Though when he sits down he considers Atem.

"Are you not more comfortable seeing me like this?"

[tighnauri]

“And how can I perform my duties well if you’re a terrible mate?” tighnari doesn’t shy away from his touch or avert his gaze. His tail swishes behind him, one ear swiveling a little. He’s more nervous than he’s letting on.

[hybrid_prince]

Damn this one has spine. The emperor smiles.

"And would you expect me to look like you? Or can you handle something like me?"

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem lifts a shoulder at the question as he continues to eat his berries, eyes resting on the other.

"It doesn't bother me either way," he says. After all, he's faced Zorc and the other isn't even half as imposing.

[hybrid_prince]

"You wouldn't rather see me as something human?" the guy asks, looking intrigued. "Most people like to see something like them. Actually, a lot of my consorts seem more comfortable if I mimic their species."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"I would rather see you without tricks," Atem says simply and reaches for a peach.

[hybrid_prince]

"You know that this is me without tricks, right?" Teddy asks as he grabs the general fruit salad and curls up with it. "I'd call this my Kree-self, which is half of my blood, and how I lived most of my life until my teens."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"How am I supposed to know anything about you?" Atem counters, his eyes following Teddy's movements. He leans on one hand and his brow furrows. "After all, you can change how you look as easy as I breathe, it seems."

[hybrid_prince]

"You could ask," he reminds the guy as he enjoys some of the fruit. "And yes, I can change that easily. It's part of the Skrull half of my biology."

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem's quiet, processing the information slowly as he eats.

"So this is the form you would want to use if we are to..." he trails off, glancing at the emperor.

[hybrid_prince]

If they were to... WHat?

When Teddy finally processes what is being said he blushes.

"I mean, at this point they're both pretty natural to me, and I'd do whatever you'd want."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"Why are you blushing?" Atem questions, raising a brow. "It's what all of us were brought for isn't it?"

[hybrid_prince]

Yes, it was. That doesn't mean...

"I don't have a lot of experience with it, okay? Like I said, most of the people paraded before me are women, and I don't exactly like the idea of a harem or forced relationships or all of that."