The Prince

The Act

It was a lot to dump on someone he had just met. It was only fair that Ashiya knew the risks involved with helping him though. He was grateful that the male had let him speak without interrupting, and now it was his turn to be quiet and let Ashiya think. He wouldn't have been at all surprised if the male decided to turn him in for the reward. It would be a good reward for anyone and most people would take it in a heartbeat. The fact that Ashiya remained silent gave him the smallest bit of hope that he would help him instead.

The rumors of the things that went on behind closed doors in the castle were true. He wasn't even human, or he hadn't been until he had been turned into one, and the king still liked him for his own sick pleasure. And he wasn't nice about it either. Ashiya had taken his cloak off. That meant that he had to have seen at least some of the marks and bruises that now covered his body. It was obvious to anyone who saw him that his master liked to be rough.

Reid knew nothing about the discrimination against half-beasts. He knew very little about those who lived on land in general. But he did know that if the king found out that Silaya helped him rather than turning him in, things would not go well for the male. He sat silently for the long moments that Ashiya spent thinking about the decision that had been left up to him, and he half expected the male to say that he would turn him in any second. He stared at his hands as he picked at his fingers, awaiting a decision. It was a lot to throw onto a stranger. Of course, Ashiya hadn't had to help him when he passed out in the alley, but that meant nothing now. He was sure that the consequences for helping him were far greater than Ashiya had ever imagined them to be when he had helped him in the alley.

He looked up when Ashiya suddenly moved and for a moment, he was confused. Had he made up his mind? He watched for a moment in silence until the coat was held up to him, and he accepted it, but he didn't move to put it on. He looked at the silver badge that was taken from the pocket and it made him think about their means of travel. The person who had brought him in had papers on him and the king had had papers made for him too. The more that he thought about it, the more it made sense, even though he hated the idea.

He listened silently to Ashiya as the male spoke and watched as he put the things into his bag. And then it was dark and he couldn't see anything so he didn't move. But he needed to talk to Ashiya a little more before they left. Even if the coat covered his wrists, it wouldn't cover all of his legs or his ankles. He didn't have shoes either. He was relieved that Ashiya wanted to help him though, and that was why he had to cooperate. He didn't have papers or a silver badge. He had come in as a slave, and he would have to go out as one.

"I cannot wear this. Even if it does cover my wrists, it will not cover my ankles. I appreciate your kindness, but you should wear it. I do not have papers like they used to bring me in here. I cannot even walk very well, and that would be hard to explain to anyone who might ask questions. It would be best, and easier, I believe, if I were to go out as I came in. As a slave. I can wear my cloak, and if you have rope or shackles, you can bind my hands,. It would not look any different than any other master and slave, and no one would question why I cannot walk well if they simply assume I have a strict or mean master."

He looked up to where Ashiya had been moments before, though, he couldn't see the male at all in the darkness, and waited to see if he agreed. No one would question a person taking their slave somewhere, but they might question someone without proper papers or a badge. As much as he hated the idea of being bound again, he knew he had to. It would be the most efficient way to get anywhere, he was sure of it, but if they did it, it meant that Ashiya would have to play the part too.

"You should know, though, that if we come across anyone who is skeptical or anyone who should ask questions, that you will have to act as my master. The king was cruel, and should anyone stop us, you will have to be cruel too. If such a thing happens, I will not be mad at you for what you have to do. It is simply a means to freedom, and that is ok."

Even though it was dark, sincerity filled his gaze. If getting struck or knocked down a couple more times meant gaining his freedom, he would bear no grudge against Ashiya for it. The fact of the matter was that some people just liked to see slaves beaten down and 'put in their place'. If someone asked Ashiya about it, then there was no avoiding it, and Reid would take it just as he had taken everything from the king. He knew that that wasn't really what Ashiya was like and that it was only a means to his freedom, and that was what was important. Once again, he waited for a decision. The coat was held back up to Ashiya and offered to him. It was a bit cold, but as long as he kept moving, he would be fine. At the very least, his feet would be free for this. It would be even better if Ashiya had a collar of some sort to complete the look.