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

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem raises a brow but he can understand. He sighs and takes another bite of the peach.

"I'm sure if I had... I'm sure I would have dealt with this one day myself."

In truth, Atem also doesn't have much experience. He doesn't want to let on to that, though, clinging to some semblance of power in this situation as small as it is.

"Would I be the only one then, if we do?"

[hybrid_prince]

"I mean, other than some awkward fumbling with a high school boyfriend, like, a handful of years ago? Yeah, pretty much," he admits.

So that's fair.

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem nods. There's a certain ache at the memories of childhood kisses with Mahad before everything had changed when he became pharaoh... of the feelings he'd had for Kaiba but had never acted on.

"I won't let you down in what's expected of me," but he also won't let go of wanting to work together to achieve his own goals.

[hybrid_prince]

Teddy blushes because he didn't know what to do with it.

"I'm more certain that I'll let you down."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"Why?"

[hybrid_prince]

Listen, he's still blushing and he focuses on his food.

"Because I really don't know most of this."

[tighnauri]

"I can handle you. I'm tougher than I look," Tighnari says without a hint of hesitation.

[hybrid_prince]

Well damn. The Emperor laughs and gestures to a guard.

"Please send the others away," he says, extending a hand out to Tighnari. "You and I should talk more."

[tighnauri]

Tighnari isn't sure if he should be relieved or not but he accepts the other's hand, his ears alert.

"And what is it we need to discuss?"

[hybrid_prince]

Oh, probably not relieved. Dorrek guides the man away from the others who are being shuffled out.

"Oh so many things. Like that tone of yours."

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem bites back a smile but he loses the battle and a soft laugh escapes him before he tries to focus on eating.

"I'm sure you'll be able to perform passably."

[hybrid_prince]

"You might well have more faith in me than I have," he says with the deepest sigh.

[tighnauri]

Tighnari's tail sways behind him as he follows the other's guiding, glancing around. He bites back a smirk at the other's answer.

"What's wrong with my tone?"

[hybrid_prince]

"You're only a consort at this moment," Dorrek points out. "And maybe you're looking higher than you should."

Still, he was interesting, and honestly, he hadn't been looking forward to this, so he supposed he could take what he get here.

[millenniumpharaoh]

"I trust that will change with time," Atem says simply. Having someone have faith in you generally does have that affect after all.

[hybrid_prince]

Perhaps it will. Perhaps it won't.

"If you'd like, I can sleep on this couch. You know, so you have space."

[tighnauri]

"Maybe. Or maybe I just won't compromise who I am," Tighnari says simply. "And so far... it's kept you interested, hasn't it?"

[hybrid_prince]

Well damn, that's rather interesting. The guy was just so powerful to consider. He looks at Tighnari and tilts his head to consider...

"You are either going to drive me crazy, or be a good consort," Dorrek laughs.

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem contemplates that offer and then shakes his head as he takes another piece of fruit.

“The bed is large enough for both of us.”

[hybrid_prince]

Oh, it's more than large enough for them both. It could probably easily fit four people. But come on...

"You'd be more comfortable with me not over there though, right?"

[millenniumpharaoh]

"It doesn't make much difference to me. I don't want you to be kicked out of your own bed. Stay with me."

[hybrid_prince]

He... blushes. Blushes and nods. Geez, he's bad at this.

"I promise I won't touch you."

[millenniumpharaoh]

"Mhm, but if you change your mind, you have permission," Atem says simply, licking the fruit juice off his fingers and deciding that he's finally had his fill.

[hybrid_prince]

Okay, maybe his eyes are watching the path of Atem's tongue. But he looks away, blushing.

"That seems... forward."

He says to the consort in his harem.

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem doesn't miss the other's blush or him looking away.

"More forward to picking out someone to be in your harem?"