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]

"I mean, not really? New York can get really muggy. So when it's cold I would just keep sleeping more or less in my underwear only and then pile on blankets. Seems to get the heat built up under the covers better too."

But here where people could walk in? It felt... vulnerable.

[millenniumpharaoh]

"It's more comfortable without them to me," Atem says. "But I will wear some if you would like me to."

[hybrid_prince]

Well that is fair. Teddy frowns as he looks to the bed, layered in many covers.

"Perhaps you should just focus on making yourself comfortable. It is not as if I cannot adapt as needed."

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem nods, licking his lips briefly.

“Do you would not be opposed to me sleeping naked then?”

[hybrid_prince]

"No, it would be fine," he says, but he is blushing just a little bit.

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem notices the blush but he doesn’t comment and instead he stands and starts to undress since it is time to retire to bed.

[hybrid_prince]

Oh. Um... Teddy's hair actually seems to grow out some, shielding his eyes from Atem for the moment. Just a bit.

"You can, um, you'll sleep under the sheets?"

[millenniumpharaoh]

"Are you so opposed to seeing me naked already?" Atem asks, having caught the way the other is definitely taking measures not to be looking at him.

[hybrid_prince]

Listen, the fact that Teddy's not blushing is entirely because of force of will and shapeshifting, not because he doesn't feel embarrassed.

"It's... personal. Seeing you like that. Would be personal. An invasion of privacy."

[millenniumpharaoh]

“If you don’t look how will you know that I’m too your liking anyway?” Atem questions, raising a brow. “Is your culture very particular about nudity as well then?”

He’d noticed it when he was in Yuugi’s mind but in his own culture the naked body isn’t particularly shameful or all that personal.

[hybrid_prince]

"Yes, Americans are raised to be very leery of it," Teddy says with a blush.

[millenniumpharaoh]

"I see," Atem says, glancing at the other. "If it makes you that uncomfortable I can wear something."

[hybrid_prince]

Teddy shakes his head quickly.

"You're the one in a really awkward position here, being brought into this all."

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem nods. "But as you have insisted it's not really your choice either."

[hybrid_prince]

Yes, that is true. But that doesn't mean he isn't one with more power here.

"Is it not my responsibility, as the one with more authority and power, to yeild for the needs you have first?"

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem considers it for a moment.

"Perhaps, but I don't mind."

[hybrid_prince]

"That doesn't mean it's not proper," Teddy says with a frown. Shouldn't he be taking care of his new consort?

"I want to take care of you, especially since you're the first person in a while who has seemed to care."

[millenniumpharaoh]

Atem smiles at that and reaches to touch the others frown with gentle fingertips briefly before pulling them back. “Maybe I want to take care of you too.”

[hybrid_prince]

Take care of him too?

"I have servants for that," he points out.

[millenniumpharaoh]

"Perhaps you do but can I not contribute?"

[hybrid_prince]

That's a point. The emperor sighs.

"I suppose I'll have to think about that, won't I?"

[millenniumpharaoh]

"I suppose that you will." Atem says simply, a brief smile sent the other's direction.

[hybrid_prince]

It's weird, you know? To feel like he has an ally for a change.

"You know, you're doing this weird thing in giving me hope."

[millenniumpharaoh]

“But that’s a good thing,” Atem says, stretching and looking over at the emperor. “What’s the point of anything without hope?”

[hybrid_prince]

"I am not used to having it when it comes to the empire. My grandmother, like I said."

She controlled him, and thus the empire, through his lack of hope.