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Drip... Drip... Drip...

Gods... it wasn't morning already... It couldn't be... Kelm wasn't ready to get up yet.

Drip... Drip... Drip...

It was too early, and every part of him was too sore. His thighs and his shoulders, his back and his neck, everything felt overstretched and overworked. Almost painful as he tried to stir himself awake, and then quickly gave up as exhaustion overshadowed necessity. He could afford a few more hours of sleep.

Drip... Drip... Drip...

He was quickly realizing though, that he was sorely lacking the bed he usually woke in. Whether he had rolled out of it at night, or simply neglected to fall asleep in it, he couldn't remember. Everything felt fuzzy. And the dull, warm pain radiating through his head certainly didn't help with that. Still, Kelm tried to put it aside. To simply ignore it. A headache was far from the worst of his worries after all; his muzzle was stinging too, and he had no idea what from. His wrists felt like they were on fire, his thighs were burning. Hell, the only part of him that didn't feel over-heated was his stomach, and that was only because it was pressed firmly against the cold stone floor. Tensing and relaxing rhythmically in protest.

Drip... Drip... Drip...

But he could have ignored all that. He was ready to ignore all that. To put it all aside and just go back to sleep, if it wasn't for that damn-

Drip... Drip... Drip...

Kelm growled just beneath his breath, in a way he'd gotten so used to doing when things displeased him. Sighing bitterly. Of all the dozens of worthless servants, of every maid that was supposed to be patrolling around and cleaning, not a one of them managed to find and fix this stupid leak before it managed to bother him. It was pathetic. And in the back of his mind, it made the young royal wonder why he bothered keeping them all around. It certainly wasn't for the conversation, after all. With all the whining they did about their work. This recollection, mixed with that incessant dripping, made Kelm growl again. How the hell was royalty supposed to sleep under conditions like these?

Drip... Drip... Drip...

The young noble was almost grateful when the rusty creaking of his chamber door at least gave him something else to latch his attention onto. Momentarily, and briefly though it was. Taking the time to focus on how the new sound seemed to echo off the walls for a few short moments, before vanishing forever. Soon followed by the soft clacking of a servant's feet against the stone floor, the sloshing of a water bucket, and that awful whistling that some of his birds so loved to do. Just a little too high in pitch to come from anything but a filthy avian.

_It's about time. _Kelm chided to himself. Pulling his lips and baring his teeth in that halfway point between a snarl and a smile. They were already too late with it - that stupid dripping had already woken him up - and at first, the boy was tempted to let the servant know that. To inform them of their failings, and punish them accordingly. But he stopped himself, just prior.

No. _He decided, with a smirk to rival the Cheshire. _I'll wait. It'd only be a waste to punish them now, after all. They'll fix that leak first. Saves me having to call up another. The boy's smile grew wider. He was so clever sometimes. So for now, he merely let himself listen instead, and wait for that dripping to promptly stop.

It didn't though. Rather, that rhythmic, rough clacking only grew closer; moving with more of a stride, less of a rushed hurry than his servants usually used. Kelm didn't pay it much mind though. They didn't know they were being evaluated after all. No, he didn't get suspicious until the point when those talon-steps grew closer than the dripping was. He grew wary as the sound of sloshing water hit his ears again, coupled with the abrupt clatter of a bucket being dropped on the floor. But it wasn't until he finally felt that pressure, that squelching push of something freezing cold and dripping wet against his side, that he finally responded. Growling threateningly, and prying his eyes wide open as he rushed to pull away from that awful sensation. And rolled gracelessly onto his side.

And came back to reality.

There were thick, rough rope ties on his wrists and tail to keep him from flailing about much, and his legs were separated with a firm metal bar as well. His growl came out muted, as the muzzle over his maw held tight and forced that rugged grumble to remain mostly inside, and with nothing to catch him, he kept rolling until he was facing directly upwards. Staring bewilderedly at the ceiling, with his body arched awkwardly from the way his tail was forced to stay behind him. He started panicking, and trying to roll more, but a strong hand managed to catch him and put his momentum to a close. Speaking in an awfully familiar, but somewhat strange voice. Gruff, but not exactly threatening.

"Woah, woah there. Take it easy there, kid. Didn't mean to wake ya all rude like that, just figured, after a night like last, a good cleaning might be in order. Ya know? Was just gonna do the lock and pry, but I figured ya might do with a good cloth and water too. Didn't mean to scare your daylights though."

The strange figure chuckled reassuringly, and Kelm strained to twist his neck around. Stunned almost stupid by the whole affair. Having to stretch just to get a better look at the bird, and even then, not making out much in the relative darkness that was this room. From what he did see though, the stranger looked like a rather large, rather plump excuse for a cockatoo. Dressed in all dull brown leathers with a stupid smile on his face. Kelm was never very good at remembering slaves, but all the same, he was certain that this one looked familiar. Maybe he used to work for him.

Kelm was ready to dismiss it at that, but the more the royal looked, the more something seemed to pique in his head. Shifting, shuffling around in the forefront of his mind, and leaving him with this odd feeling. One that Kelm couldn't quite seem to shake. And the more he tried, the more that feeling kept itching at him. Creeping, like a wild animal. He narrowed his eyes, and shook his head, as if to knock the sleep out. He knew this bird, he was certain of it. And then it all came back.

The city, his capture, his guards... the ties, the birds, the depravity... that one, stupid cockatoo. That brainless bird. Wholly lacking in the higher function needed to stop gagging him for two seconds and let him breath. Who helped chain and torture and degrade him with all the casualty of a friendly get-together. That. Bird. Kelm would have gritted his teeth, had the soft, velvet cushions of his muzzle not rendered them completely useless. He would have lunged and wrapped his hands around that degenerate's throat, had his bindings not been so stupidly tight. Instead he merely let his blood boil. He narrowed his eyes further and stared daggers at the cockatoo as if that alone would be enough to kill him. And even as tied up as the royal was, the bird still took a step back.

"Alright, now, before we get narky here... Take a moment, just breathe. Right? I'll be honest with ya, kid. I'm not the sort to like hurting, and ya don't seem the sort to like getting hurt, so think for a second. I got to be washing ya one way or another, yeah? Might as well be nicely."

Kelm was having a very, very hard time not snapping at this cockatoo right now. He could feel his chest heaving. He gritted his velvet gums harder, and growled, and when the bird reached down to touch him, he lunged. Gaining no distance without usable feet to spring with. Dealing no damage without fangs or claws to attack with. Making no progress save for a few inches of purchase forward, and the new addition of heavy, feathered hands against his back and shoulder. Pinning him to the ground hard. But even that didn't stop him from squirming indigently. Like a trapped worm trying to wriggle its way to freedom.

"Guess not, huh? Well then, sorry kid. With luck you'll wear yourself out eventually. Till then, just don't blame me for any scrapes or bruises the floor's gonna give ya. Alright?"

Kelm was growling and snarling and struggling and squirming as hard as he could possibly muster. Eyes wide and lips curling up to show his velvet gums as he tried in his mounting, exhausting fury, to intimidate this Cretan again. It didn't work though. Now that the cockatoo knew how little the boy could actually do, he managed to get on with the task at hand without a solitary flinch. His black beak even parting slightly, as he resumed his chipper whistling. Just ignoring the royal as he put the freezing wet cloth back to his scales, and started scrubbing away.

Along his back, under his arms, his armpits. Against his feet and legs, and especially between his thighs - where most of the mess was. The bird scrubbed and he certainly didn't scrub gently. Cleaning off every bit of stray dirt, every speck of grime and every drop of dried, caked-on cum with mechanical efficiency. Until Kelm was spotless and out of breath. Panting and wheezing on the floor from exhaustion, and glaring bitterly at the crème-coloured cockatoo before him. He had tried, desperately, to keep the fight going at first. But he was too tired, and too sore to keep it up for long. And now he simply laid on the cold stone shivering. His chest heaving up and down pathetically as his cleaner took a step back. Probably to admire his handiwork.

"There. Spick and span. Now that wasn't so awful. Was it?"

As hard as he tried, Kelm just couldn't stop shaking. He hated it. It made him feel weak; it made him feel vulnerable. Though at the moment, he'd be hard pressed to show how he wasn't either of those. Still, he glared up at the bird all the same. And even if he didn't scare him anymore, it was clear that the cockatoo still felt more than a bit uncomfortable under those steely pupils.

"I mean... with the situation in mind."

Kelm stayed silent. And kept staring.

"Considering."

Kelm could feel his breath shaking. It was hard to stay proud when he was this cold.

"Aww... come on, kid. Don't gimme that look. Ya know I don't got the heart for this."

He hated him. That was what Kelm had decided. At this exact moment, the boy was certain that he hated this worthless bird.

"Alright... alright, okay. How 'bout this? I'll uh... I'll unlock the pry for ya. If it'll make ya feel better. But you've got to swear that you'll behave all proper for me. That's, well, that's fair. Right?"

What did this bird think he knew about fair? Kelm didn't think it was possible but all the same he started to glare harder. His eyes almost hurting, from all the hate he was pushing through them. If his throat wasn't so hoarse and painful from his little fit earlier, he would have growled too. But instead, he just stayed silent. Even as the cockatoo reached his hands forward to undo his lock. He didn't move, and didn't protest. In fact, he went so far as to croon his neck upward, just to give this idiot better access. His eyes half-lidding as a latch was promptly undone on the side of his face, and a pressure was relieved from his aching jaws. Subverting his expectations though, that's where the fat bird stopped. Defying the royal's wishes to have it removed completely as he stepped back instead, and spoke in his usual twice-too-bright tone.

"There. How's that feel for ya?"

Kelm gave this new feeling a test before anything else. Lifting his top jaw and letting it relax and fall again. It felt a lot heavier, but it was possible to move it now, and that was something. More than he had before, anyways. That was good. And with this new privilege bestowed upon him, Kelm wasted absolutely no time in abusing it. Shouting out the sheer second he was certain that he was able to. Aiming to tear a strip out of this dumb bird.

"How doesh it feel? How doesh it Feel? Jusht who do you think you are! You shtupid, shtupid... sh, shtupid-"

Kelm stopped dead in his tracks.

"Sh-Shtu-"

No... No, this wasn't right. With sudden panic, the bound royal pressed the tip of his tongue against the top of his mouth, and tried to push out a simple 's' sound. But all that came out was a soft shush instead. He tried harder, but the shush only got louder. He simply couldn't make the letter anymore. Not with his teeth covered anyways. He kept trying though, while the cockatoo that had so rudely awakened him watched and tried not to grin. Speaking while the boy struggled.

"Well. Now there's something I wasn't expecting. Looks like the lock and pry's still got its kinks, yeah? Ah well. I'm sure you'll get used to it properly though. Given time anyway-"

"I demand you take thish thing off of me!"

Kelm snapped. Growling with a rough, harsh rumble, and barring his velvet gums as he tried and failed to intimidate his kidnapper. Instead, the cockatoo just took a step forward, and extended a hand like one might to a feral dog.

"Now, Now - Just uh... deep breaths. Right, kid? Look, I'm sorry - truly am - but orders are orders. The lock and pry's gotta stay on ya. It's not so bad though, right? It's just one little sound. It could be-"

"I don't care about ordersh! I demand you take thish thing off!"

Kelm thrashed defiantly against the floor, but all his tantrum managed to accomplish was a pair of feathered hands on his shoulder and back again. Pinning him down with effortless ease. Still, he continued to writhe all the same. Right up until that grip on his shoulder started to tighten. Fast. Growing firm until it was all Kelm could do but scream in agony as fingers dug into his sensitive scales, and bruised down to the bone. Holding tight for a solid few seconds before finally releasing again, and leaving Kelm absolutely out of breath. The bird spoke again.

"Okay, ya need to relax right now, kid. The others are still trying to sleep and you're gonna hurt yourself if ya keep slamming about on the floor like that. I don't wanna hurt ya more, so don't make me."

Kelm was having a hard time speaking all of a sudden. From the pain that was still pulsing in warm ripples through his arm, and pricking pins in his throat. Too much yelling and growling for one morning, and it made his whole windpipe sting. Even still, he was going to give a response - he really was - until that cockatoo's hand shifted from his sore shoulder to the scruff of his neck, and hefted him up from the floor with a soft grunt from both of them.

"Up and attem now. Ya got a long day ahead, after all."

While he spoke, the cockatoo got to work with the bindings on Kelm's legs. Pulling a big metal ring, adorned with a dozen keys, out of a pouch in his jacket, and quickly pressing the smallest of them into an orthodox slot in his leg-bindings. Keeping the shackles there, but removing the metal bar between them with remarkable efficacy, before standing back up, and pulling another trinket from his pockets.

A leash.

Without a word of ceremony, he clipped it to the front of the lock and pry. Making Kelm go cross-eyed for a brief moment, as he watched the cockatoo attach it to a uniform golden ring halfway up his snout. And then he gave it a few sharp, testing tugs. To make sure everything was properly secure. To his credit, he did a good job of not knocking the duke's son off balance. And once everything was all set, he spoke again.

"There we go, all set up for walking. Yeah?"

Kelm found it as almost a natural response to snarl at this point - even if it made his throat hurt more. It was at least more dignified than gambling with full words, so it was what he stuck to. Blinking indignantly a few times as, for the first time that morning, he tried to focus on something other than the cockatoo in front of him. The room he was in. And now that he was standing, and entrapped in less of a panic, he could see that it was a lot more homely than he had originally thought last night. This was probably what they used as their living room - as the neat wooden stools, and single oak chair signified - whatever. It was still worlds less extravagant than what his castle could have provided. A castle that he was beginning to miss more and more by the minute.

A sharp, though not thoughtless tug of his leash brought Kelm back to the situation at hand. This bird was trying to lead him somewhere.

"Off we go, now."

He said, with his obnoxious smile.

"I've got to be honest with ya. I got a pretty pinch of good luck to land ya first thing in the morning like this, kid. Told all the others I'd be needing ya to do some measurements. Be easier to make some more contraptions that way. Ya know? Not that I was lying, 'course. Still lucky though. Names Gin, by the way. If ya didn't already know that."

The pudgy cockatoo whom was now calling himself Gin was, in no sense of the word, a fast man. And with Kelm so used to slaves that rushed about, and ran like the floors were hot coals, the mere sluggishness of this avian was enough to make Kelm hate him all over again. The door couldn't have been more than nine or ten feet away, but it took a full minute for this idiot to lumber over to it, push the fine wood open, and lead his growling captive into what looked to be a simple hallway. Lined with two doors on one side, a door at the end, and a door to the left. Probably, if Kelm had to guess, everyone's rooms in this strange place. There were four of them after all, and Kelm cringed at the thought of having to confront them all again. For the time being though, Gin led his royal into the first room on the right. Presumably his room, Kelm thought, undeniably a disaster area. The young duke's features all twisted into a scowl as he drank down the abysmal state of this creep's sleeping quarters. And the warm stench of metal and musk invaded his nostrils.

The floor - Kelm assumed that there was one, and that the whole room wasn't instead just balanced on a massive pile of scrap and screws - was utterly useless as Gin lead him along through this mess of a bedroom. The poor lizard having to press his feet down carefully with every step, lest he cut himself on a stray nail or sharp copper plate. Using cold, flat metals as makeshift platforms as he carefully trudged right along. It could at least be said that, for the first and only time, Kelm was thankful that Gin was so slow now. Because if he weren't, the young duke would have almost certainly been tugged into a dozen little cuts and bruises by this point. It didn't make the boy dislike him any less though.

The two drudged on. Gin right back to whistling as he went. Right past the bed - oddly clean, Kelm noted - and up to yet another door, barely visible behind all the clutter. The door to Gin's workshop.

Gin said something, Kelm had finished bothering to listen to that idiot though, and then he opened the door and led the boy in. Into a room where the floor was blessedly visible again, and it was only the countless tables, scattered across the room haphazardly, that were so overflowing with various jagged metals. With just one table right by the entrance, completely clear of anything but a few sheets of displaced parchment, and an old inkwell and quill pen. The cockatoo's whistling came to a halt.

"Here we are. Like I said. I hope ya don't mind the mess. No sense trying to sort everything when I go through 'em so quick. Ya know?"

With a hearty chuckle, Gin lowered his half of Kelm's leash to the floor, and pinched a metal mechanism between two fat fingers. Opening a clip at the end, which he happily attached to a small gold ring beside his work bench. Effectively leashing his new pet drake to the ground. Then, with his hands now free, he fished through his drawers and pulled out a long, light brown length of string. With uniform yellow marks every few centimeters down. He deposited it onto the desk, and then rolled out a neat piece of parchment. With Kelm's name written carefully at the very top. It gave the royal reason to halt.

"Wait. Bird. You can read?"

The explosive, guttural laugh that soon followed was just about the only response that Kelm needed. And he should have figured as much, too. Reading was a commodity for nobility. Commoners like this brute wouldn't understand it.

"Oh, wouldn't I wish? Sorry to disappoint, but nah. Pekoe did this for me. I just pen down the numbers."

Typical, Kelm was about to remark, but before his mind could wrap around itself, Gin was back upon him. Now armed with string and a nice pen. And he started by wrapping his measuring device around the boy's snout. Mumbling something that didn't even resemble English to the duke's child, before pulling back, jotting on his parchment, and moving on to Kelm's head. The feeling of those ruffled, feathered fingers touching against the boy was enough to make him sick, but he did his best to stay proud.

"Mnm. Measurements were a bit off on the pry I guess. Gonna have to re-adjust that. Don't want ya slipping out after all."

Kelm said nothing. And the bird moved on to his neck and shoulders.

"Bit of a scrawny lad, aren't ya? Certainly not much for royalty, anyways. Yeah? Don't you lot have nice, big feasts up in those castles?"

Kelm didn't speak. The arms and stomach were next.

"Ah well. Save's me some material in the long run. Doesn't it?"

Kelm was quickly realizing though, that his idea of the silent treatment didn't seem to be doing much to insult this bird anymore. It didn't seem like Gin was even speaking to him. He was just speaking for the sake of speaking, as though it were merely a part of his work process.

"Sides are curved in. That might be a pain..."

"The tail, too. Had to tapper, didn't it? Ah well. Nothing wrong with a little challenge..."

"Normal legs though. Could probably re-use a thing or two if they'd fit..."

And then, that bird got to the royal's crotch. And all the pride in the world couldn't stop him from recoiling when those warm feathers groped at his vulnerable young length.

"Bit of a little guy down here, aren't ya?"

"Rot in hell!"

And there was the breaking point. Kelm did his best to swing a kick at the cockatoo, but Gin must have been ready for it, because a well-placed hand on either thigh stopped the boy in his tracks. And it was only then that the young royal realized, just how poor a decision it had been to try and attack the man currently holding his most sensitive parts. The mere fact that Gin didn't crush those prized jewels in his palm was close to a miracle. And it gave Kelm reason to pause. Perhaps this cretin had some standards of conduct after all. Or perhaps he simply knew he didn't need to play dirty to win. Either way, that brutish bird pulled himself up soon after, and let loose another one of his hearty and deep laughs. Kelm was quickly getting sick of those.

"Relax, kid. I was just trying to get a rise outta ya. Ya were pouting the whole time I was working after all. I didn't mean nothing by it."

And, Kelm was back to hating this prick. Gin didn't mind. Gin just got right back to the work he was doing. Re-rolling his newly inked parchment, and storing it away neatly before fishing through one of his drawers and pulling out two nice, brass metal cufflinks. One for each wrist. With yet again some familiar golden rings on both of them.

"Now. What's say we get those ugly ropes off of ya, and replace them with something a bit more sturdy. Yeah?"

Kelm didn't have much say in the matter, and he knew that perfectly well. And in the span of what must have been a minute at most, Gin had already done the swap for him, to the boy's surprise. For a man so slow most of the time, he certainly was quick with his hands. His beak too, the royal noted. He was certainly quick to run that off as well.

"Easy peasy. Yeah? And just like that. You're all measured and good to have some new gizmos made for. I'll tell ya kid, I've got a hundred thoughts running about right now on what to make ya. I don't even know which to start on. Not a bother, really. I'll just worry about that later."

As Gin spoke, he continued to go about his business with complete, casual leisure. Back to whistling soon after, as he fished into his thick leather pockets and pulled out a messy handful of leashes. All a nice, uniform length, and all fitting into the golden rings perfectly as he clipped one onto each of Kelm's newly decorated wrists. Attaching the other ends onto the ceiling. While whether it was from the exhaustion of a dozen failed struggles, or the sore apathy of all his aching and bruised limbs, or just ignorance - not being willing to believe that history could ever repeat itself - Kelm didn't seem to put up a struggle this time. Instead he watched in confusion, as Gin unclipped his face-leash from the floor and hooked it to the ceiling like all the rest of his binds. Leaving him in quite an uncomfortable position.

His arms were stretched behind his back and pointing near straight up to accommodate the lackluster length of their ties, and his neck crooned faintly towards the roof, by virtue of that same shortness. Thick feathered hands came down to bend the lizard at the waist, and leave his cute, plump scaly rump completely exposed. While his tail draped laxly against his slim back. Still, if the royal was worried, he didn't show it. Gin's casual tone seemed to do worlds to distract the noble from what was happening around him. Hell, It wasn't until that bird went and fetched a new long, metal bar to spread his legs, that the wheels in Kelm's mind began to spin once more. And he thought to start asking some very important questions.

"Wait... Bird! Bird, anshwer me! What do you think you're doing?"

Gin chuckled.

"Well. Ya didn't think I was _just _gonna measure ya now. Did ya? Like I said, I got real, real lucky managing to nab the first dibs like this. It'd just be mad to waste it."

"Excushe me?"

"Ya know? Have some fun. Right?"

"Wait... no. No! You are_ not_ allowed to do thish! I don't care how important you think you are. I am ROYALTY. You can't do thish to me! Put me down! Thish! Inshtant! NOW!"

The fight was back. Just about two minutes too late to be of any use to the boy. As Gin stilled Kelm's kicking legs with absolute ease, and attached his metal pole between them. Forcing the smooth, scaly limbs to spread nice and wide now, and more importantly, preventing the young duke from kicking. Now the poor royal had to stand on the very tips of his toes just to stay standing, knowing fully well how much worse things could get if he lost his grip on the ground. So reluctantly, that's just what he did. Even with the restricted mobility though, Kelm was still far from finished with his struggling. He still had a head to thrash around after all. Screaming all the while as he did so.

"No! No, no no! NO! Put me down! Put me down put me down put me down! Let me go! You can't do thish!"

He was twisting his slim, cute midsection frantically in a graceless belly dance. Trying to wriggle free. Shouting right up until the moment when Gin re-twisted the latch on the side of his face, and locked his muzzle shut. Limiting the boy to muffled yells and growls now, as Gin did his best to reassure the royal. And possibly himself.

"Alright now, kid. Just relax. Try to simmer a bit 'fore ya hurt yourself. Big breaths and all that. Yeah? It's like I said; I'm not the sort to like hurting people, so don't go throwing a fit like this. You're new to this, and I hate to see a nice lad cry, so I'll try and be gentle. To start anyways."

That stupid, casual tone. If Kelm was pressed to pick the one thing he hated most about this filth right now, that would be it. The young duke tried and failed to form words with a sore throat and a stuck-shut jaw, simply screeching into his muzzle instead. While Gin's petite beak parted again, and a chipper, pitched little tune whistled its way out into the air. Just barely audible beneath the ever weakening sounds of growling, and the thrashing of limbs that were already sore to start with, and very quickly growing exhausted. Kelm's stomach felt like it was on fire. Hot from the overuse of muscles that so rarely had to be used at all. While Gin, whistling like an idiot, ignored every bit of it, and merely trotted back to his desk, to fish through his cluttered drawers.

The fight in this royal was quickly starting to die down. He was gasping for sweet, cool air more than he was growling now. He'd stopped with the stomach gyrations.

After an exhausting eternity for Kelm, and just about three minutes for Gin, the cockatoo finally succeeded in pulling out a rather large, rather new looking copper-lined flask. With a cap that was crafted from fine iron, and a slim lip that seemed suspiciously slimy, to just be filled with alcohol. And it was at that moment that Kelm began to realize exactly how exposed he was, all tied up like this. Sweat was running down his body in small, clear little beads of exertion. Starting at the top his forehead, and following the natural curve of his tied-up position to trickle down the underside of his muzzle, running along his chest, and stopping just before his pretty, lithe belly-button, to drip onto the floor below. His chest was heaving, and throwing a few of the droplets off course, but not many.

His slim arms were still shaking slightly - mostly from the cold - and his toes were starting to grow sore. He'd been standing on them for too long now. His legs were spread so that his pretty green rear was completely, unabashedly on display, and the inviting pink ring beneath his tail was too. Suddenly Kelm felt akin to a little boy, who'd done something terribly wrong. His tail tried to pull downwards and conceal at least some of his shame, but Gin's hand caught it midair, and gently returned it to its rightful place. Draped over Kelm's back, and completely out of the way.

"Sorry 'bout making ya sit so long. I right new I had this stuff kicking about somewhere. But for the life of me, couldn't find out where. Ah well. I've got it now, so no feathers off my back. Yeah? Might have a bit of a nasty chill though."

For the briefest of moments, Kelm seemed to lag a few thoughts behind his captor. Dreadfully curious as to what he was planning. Wondering as to what this filthy bird could need a flask for. And then his whole body tensed up, and he let slip a cute, involuntary little whimper. Promptly blushing an angry bright red.

He felt a cool and slimy goo - the contents of that flask - drooling down into the space between his spread cheeks. Making his hips quiver, and his cute pink entrance clench tight as the slime rolled right overtop of the sensitive hole. Followed quickly by a thick, warm thumb. Gin wasn't lying about the chill. And the boy tried his best to buck forward, just to get away from it, but that probing pressure followed right behind him. Refusing to stop pressing against that delicate little entrance for even a second. Twisting gently to the left and right, to better spread that lube around. Pulling back a few torturous seconds later, just to make room for another thick glob, before pressing right back where it belonged, and pulling the cutest little moan from that lizard's unwilling lips. Soon after, Gin let that digit press with just a little bit more pressure, and with all that lovely, slippery lubricant helping it along, his thumb pushed right past that soft barrier. To the sound of a halfway growl, halfway whimper from the young duke. Oh gods it felt so... weird. And humiliatingly awful. As Gin pulled his digit back again and Kelm found himself at a loss for breath. More of that slippery lube was drooled onto his hole.

When the pressure came back, it was from two equally thick, equally warm fingers this time. First stroking just around the rim of his surprisingly - but not unpleasantly - sensitive entrance, before delving right in. And taking a decent amount of slippery cold slime with them. Kelm did his best to stay silent, and certainly not moan again as that lube drooled against his inner walls, and those broad fingers started to slowly press deeper. Tying knots in Kelm's stomach, as his insides all tensed and relaxed uncomfortably, and tried desperately to get used to this new intrusion. Fingers refusing to slow their momentum for even a second. Sinking maddeningly deep. Stopping just before the second knuckle, and pulling back out to a satisfying, slow 'schlick' sound, before quickly adding another glob, and pushing right back in. Making Kelm shiver at the feeling.

Gin was certainly being sure to get plenty of that lube smeared on the royal's insides, as he curled his fingers gently, and twisted them in soft circles to spread that slime everywhere. Kelm's haggard breathing beginning to grow heavier. Still desperately wanting to stay silent, and embarrassingly incapable of it. Especially as Gin began to pump his fingers back and forth properly now. Happily enjoying the way that Kelm's soft tunnel seemed to tug just slightly along with every movement of his fingers, and hug tightly around them. Squishy walls losing just a little bit more grip with each soft push. As they got more and more used to the feeling of being stretched so nicely, and more prepared with their gooey lube.

All the while, Kelm just gritted the soft pads that would have once been his teeth and grabbed at the leashes around his wrists, simply for the luxury of something else to focus on. Every push seemed to press another gentle moan from his shut jaw, even as he tried not to enjoy his treatment. It was, to his dismay, alarmingly difficult to do. He was sensitive back there - incredibly so - and this bird knew exactly what he was doing. Still whistling his chipper tune as almost in time with his music, he pulled out again - completely - and chuckled at the way that Kelm's tailhole seemed to quiver now that it was empty.

It was resting just slightly agape from its treatment, almost as an open invitation, and one that Gin was more than happy to take. Pressing his two slimy fingers against it yet again, and gently pushing his way inside. Forcing a slow, soft, and lengthy little moan from Kelm's lips again as, cruelly, he pushed right past his previous boundaries. Sliding with ease past the second knuckle, and continuing to sink deeper. Gently brushing the royal's prostate as he went, and making Kelm's moan cut short for a sharp gasp. Continuing to push. Twisting his hand to the side softly, and letting his wrist rest right at the base of the young duke's tail. Feathers pressing against scales. Finally bottoming out, and leaving himself there for a good, long while. Until Kelm's legs were shaking faintly. Sharp foot-claws clicking cutely against the ground. Honestly, it wasn't until Gin finally pulled back out again - just as slow as when he had entered - that Kelm came to realize just how long he had been holding his breath for. Gasping gently for air as, behind him, that bastard's voice cut through the quiet with the same casual leisure as always.

"There we are. All properly slick now. Yeah? And hey. Looks like ya didn't mind so much yourself."

Oh gods. Kelm didn't even notice. Not until Gin had pointed it out. But long, and slim, and throbbing adorably hard against his stomach, the boy's soft green pride was completely stiff and even dribbling the occasional little drop of pre-cum down its length. See-through drake-juice running in a faint trail down his prick, to collect at the base of his smooth balls and dribble onto the floor. Every muscle in Kelm's body turned to stone as he realized. Holding tight in humiliation. This wasn't royal. This wasn't proud like he should have been. This was... an embarrassment. If his father ever caught wind of something like this-

Kelm's thoughts were quickly interrupted by the sudden, playful movement of two familiarly slimy, and warm, and gentle fingers. Invading even more of his privacy as they slid along his taint purposefully, and spread apart to stroke both edges of his cute, slim royal cock. Offering a steady pressure from the base to the very tip, before pulling back and pressing against the underside instead. Gin's thumb shifting to press against the lizard's cute balls now, as his index and middle digits milked an extra-big bead of pre from his cock. Which he caught on the tip of his two fingers, and gladly brought back to the boy's tailhole. Taking his time to smear it around with all of the gooey lube already present. Pulling another cute gasp from his tied-up and twitching slut. As Kelm's mind went racing back to life.

No. His father would never hear of this. Ever. Because this filth wouldn't - would never - live to tell anyone. He'd make sure of it. They couldn't keep him locked up forever. He'd find a way out. And when he did, he'd go back to his kingdom, and gather his men, and burn this whole wretched city to the ground. That's what he'd do. Of course. He'd make them pay for debasing them like this. The worthless birds. They would learn. Oh they would see. Firsthand. Why one doesn't anger the likes of an honorable-

Kelm stopped in his tracks. Tugging against his facial leash desperately hard, in a fruitless attempt to throw his head down. His lungs slowly draining as he let loose another long, cute, and overall pathetic moan. Cheeks almost on fire. Something much bigger than fingers was probing at his sensitive backdoor now, and his whole face scrunched up in embarrassment.

Right behind him, Gin groaned, in the sort of way completely unlike to how Kelm was groaning. Deep, and pleasured, and completely in control as he pressed the heavy head of his member up against Kelm's abundantly prepared little tailhole, and rolled gently forward in an almost teasing way. Making the young duke start squirming all over again, as the sensation of his entrance being stretched around something thick, and warm, and already drooling overtook him. His hole opening invitingly every time Gin slipped the first few millimetres in. Showing far more willingness to cooperate than Kelm himself ever would. Almost hugging around that thick, pink tip excitedly, as Gin's hands moved to get some better leverage.

Those fingers - two of which Kelm noted, were still embarrassingly slick - found their way to the upper half of Kelm's left leg and the base of his tail, respectively. Tightening just slightly, before pulling the royal inwards, and matching their movements with the bucking of his heavy hips, to sink Kelm down on that warm, thick, twitching white tool of his. Earning a much different sort of moan from the both of them. Kelm's in a massive cocktail of mixed emotions - most of which were shame, and fear, and the faint pang of discomfort - and Gin's in pure pleasure. His squirming, groaning little royal just as tight as he was imagining. Velvety soft walls splitting wide to make room for him, as liberal lubricant eased his way along.

Gin didn't groan when he pulled out, but Kelm certainly did. Toes curling just slightly against the ground as the cockatoo leisurely withdrew himself. Pausing once his prick was finally free, and then sliding his hips forward all over again. At least staying true to his promise of being gentle, as he eased his humiliated new toy into things. Relishing in the feeling of those tight walls quivering around his thickness, almost trying to pull him in deeper. Another slow withdraw, another gradual push of the hips forward. This time with the extra bonus of a wet, sloppy squelch, as Kelm's well-lubed rump was squished right against the feathers of Gin's hips. That squirming, moaning little lizard now taking this bird to the hilt.

And that was when Gin started picking up the pace.

Both hands moved to grab at Kelm's hips for extra purchase. Getting a good, strong grip on that cute noble, before sliding him back up his thick birdcock. Unsheathing him away with rough persistence, and robbing the drake of that warm, stretched, full feeling he had been so persistent on not enjoying. Making Gin moan as the cold air brushed against the length of his slick pride, very briefly, before he managed to remedy the matter. Fingers tightening slightly against the boy's soft flank. Pulling him right back down, and forcing another moan from his clamped snout. Their hips reuniting with a sharp, sloppy slap. Sending a messy splatter of lube squirting from between them, before Gin retreated all over again, and rammed himself forward. Getting into a nice rhythm of pounding this cute lizard slut, and quickly filling the room with the wet, heavy slaps of rough love. Mixed nicely with the soft whimpers of a too-proud-to-enjoy-himself duke, and the chipper whistling of a very pleasured cockatoo.

Kelm meanwhile, was starting to grow very worried. Not just about his usual kidnapped and raped and humiliated situation; not even about the fact that every thrust was forcing sighs and whimpers from his lungs that he didn't have a hope in the world of stopping; but about the fact that his toes were starting to grow awfully tired, clinging onto the ground like this. He could feel them skimming against the floor with every loud, lurid slap of Gin's hips, and he wasn't certain how much longer he could hold himself down for. His stomach was starting to lurch. His arms beginning to ache. And there wasn't a thing in the world he could have done to warn Gin with his muzzle clamped like this, and even if he did, he wasn't quite sure the cockatoo would have cared. Eventually the inevitable began to happen.

No... no no no! Kelm's mind raced for solutions. Toes curling and uncurling desperately against the cold stone floor as gravity began to shift for him, and the brief feeling of weightlessness began to overtake every withdrawal of Gin's now slippery, slime covered cock. Gin must have noticed this too. Kelm knew he did, because the bastard let his hands pull back from the boy's hips. Taking away the last safeguard Kelm had against his inevitable pendulous swinging, as Gin simply continued to pound away at him. Whistling as he did so.

And soon, the real fun began. Kelm's sore, scaly toes progressing from clinging desperately against the ground below, to curling tightly to his feet in worry, as the swinging finally started. Subtly at first. As Gin's heavy hips slapped roughly against Kelm's adorable rump, and his cock hammered hard into that delicate, soft tunnel. Making the poor slut bounce against his hips with a gratifying wet 'squish', before sliding effortlessly, almost halfway along the length of the cockatoo's shaft. No hands required. Then his stomach would knot slightly, and there'd be the briefest feeling of weightlessness before Kelm let slip the tortured sounds of a boy trying incredibly hard to stay quiet, and started sliding back down. His pretty pink walls opening wide, and hugging tightly against Gin's hot length as the royal was quickly re-filled. Only briefly. As Gin bucked his hips hard again, and sent the young duke right back up. Getting just a little bit rougher, and making the noble bounce just a little bit higher with every push.

Naturally, it wasn't long before Kelm was taking every inch of that hot, girthy beast with each thrust again. Moaning depravedly, and trying desperately hard to tug against the binds on his arms, simply because he felt like he needed to move somehow. Still picking up speed. His lithe little cock slapping playfully against his stomach every time that bird bottomed out in him, and splashing a messy splatter of pre-cum against his stomach. His hot little hole quivering cutely, and inner walls massaging around Gin's cock in an eager hug every time it slammed inside of him. With a well-warmed mix of slick lube and pre drooling copiously from his entrance, and dribbling down his bouncing balls to the floor. Forming a small puddle right between his toes, which were still skimming gently against the floor with every rough swing, as a taunting little tease of solid ground to stand on. Something Kelm probably wouldn't be seeing for another long, long while. Or so he thought.

Gin was only getting faster still - treating Kelm even rougher as he plowed that hot hole hard and rough. And as much as he was trying to put it off, that big bird's peak was still quickly approaching. His whistling soon beginning to lose its tempo and tune. As he began simply groaning out instead.

And then the door was hammered on, and a new voice tore its way through the workshop.

"Hey! You almost done in there?"

It scolded, impatiently.

"Remember, everyone's supposed to get that brat today. And it was _my _turn fifteen minutes ago. Hurry up, man."

Gin muttered something that in Kelm's state, the royal couldn't quite seem to distinguish. It was probably some sort of cuss though, judging by the way he completely stopped with his bucking hips. Giving Kelm a moment to notice just how much drool had managed to build up in his maw since this began, and the boy took the sudden rest-period to swallow it shamefully. While Gin shouted something back to the door, which thankfully, Kelm was able to understand.

"Ah, sorry 'bout that Smog. Just er... just let me finish all up here, and I'll have him out. Pretty as a coin."

This must have pacified the voice from before, because it shouted a quick "sure thing, man.", before going quiet. While Gin let loose the kind of groan that only comes from a man who's been blue-balled so close to cumming. He looked down at Kelm - the well-fucked mess that he was - and sighed, before grabbing the royal's hips harder.

"Yeah. I can finish this up quick."

The royal didn't have time to react after that, before Gin rammed forward nice and hard. Not stopping once he hit the hilt this time, and instead, moving his hands to wrap around Kelm's lithe chest as he tilted his fuck-toy into a near ninety degree angle with the floor. Holding him tight to his slightly tubby stomach, and using his hips like pistons as he brutalized that cute little hole. Pounding that pink pucker hard, and groaning as his cock entered and retreated from that slutty lizard hole at a mile a minute. Filling the room with the wet, sloppy slapping sounds of frantic breeding; the heavy musk of a strong, horny bird finally nearing his peak; and leaving Kelm a complete mess as his mind tried and failed to catch up to the shockwaves of sensations that his body was being put through.

The bird's chest rumbled, in the closest thing Kelm had ever heard to a growl from an avian. His balls drawing up in eager bliss as, quickly, the cockatoo pulled his heavy hips back completely, and let every inch of his thick prick unsheathe itself from Kelm's well-used hole. Pushing that breeding-tool forward one last time, and letting it run messily against his drake's soft balls, up his rock-hard and woefully unloved cock, before finally spurting its heavy payload all along the underside of that little bird-toy. Streaking up high in thick, deep-white ribbons, that arched backwards at their peak to splatter messily against Kelm's cute green underside. Sticking to his stomach, his chest, and the collar of his neck purely by virtue of its sheer thickness.

Then, and only then, did Gin let his poor, frazzled royal reunite with the floor again. Pulling back gently, and unleashing the young duke's hands and face from the ceiling, only to watch as that poor lizard collapsed into a heap on the floor. Out of breath and exhausted and completely sore as his slim cock twitched desperately, and his abused entrance strained to pull itself taut. Gin was quick to help the boy to his feet.

"Heh. Sorry 'bout that. Guess I was a little much for your first time, Yeah? So much for gentle I guess."

The cockatoo chuckled nervously, and Kelm stared back completely blank. His mind still spinning from being used so well, and so thoroughly. While Gin, still in his post-orgasm high, offered only a slightly apologetic smile in response. Shifting on his feet guiltily, before strolling over to his desk, pulling out a dry white cloth, and getting to work.

For the next five minutes, that awful cockatoo spent his time meticulously wiping the young duke down from top to bottom. Mopping up the thin, slick sweat that clung to every inch of the boy's scales, the copious jizz along his chest and belly, and even some of the lube beneath his tail - though for obvious reasons, he had to leave whatever was still inside of him. He tossed the first cloth about halfway through his work, and finished things up with a second from the same drawer, while as he went along, so unlike to before, he did his best to stay perfectly quiet. Even as he ran the cloth over Kelm's still-stiff prick, which made the boy jump from sensitivity, he didn't make a single comment. Though, the royal did notice the faintest trace of a smile touch the corners of his beak. If anything, at least the cleaning did give Kelm the chance to recover from that session. Because gods did he need to recover.

His tailhole was starting to ache just slightly, with the dull pain of being overworked. His legs were quivering, and he noticed that most of his weight was still being supported by Gin as he worked. With his one hand around Kelm's waist, and the other on what was now the third cloth of the morning. Pressed gently against his neck, and wiping up any sweat that was still sticking to the scales, along with a few stray flecks of cum. By the time he finished, Kelm was completely dry again, though his underbelly was still just a little bit sticky with seed, and he could feel it faintly as he tried to move again. Gin finally pulling his hand away as the royal walked forward. He clicked his beak, as though he felt compelled to say something. And eventually, awkwardly, he did.

"So... Sorry again, just... ya know, had to rush and all that. Speaking of, much as I'd love to give ya time to rest all up, we're uh... kinda cutting into Smog's time now, so we'd be best to get going. Yeah?"

Kelm was far too tired to resist, or even disagree, or frankly, process what Gin said at all as the big cockatoo quickly redressed himself, took a breath, and scooped the young lizard up in two arms. Carefully carrying him back through the disaster area that was his room. Holding the boy tight to his chest. Moving with practiced perfection through all the bits of metal, and nails, and half-crafted machinery to get to the door, where he promptly deposited Kelm right back down and clicked his beak again. Pulling another leash from his jacket - shorter than the last few - and using it to attach Kelm's cuffed wrists together from behind. Speaking up slightly more chipperly, more pleasantly than before as he did so.

"Well. This is it for me then. It's been fun, but, I've got to get to working now."

Gin finished with the cuffs, and made his way back to Kelm's front side. He was grinning in his usual oblivious way, but now it was oddly mild; oddly reassuring. He reached for the door as he spoke.

"Don't worry though. Smog's a good sort. I'm sure he'll give ya time to rest if ya ask nicely, just uh... think to ask nicely. Right? All things known, you're given to be here a while still, and tempers can be short with us sort, so... Ya know. Try and pick your battles?"

Strangely, Kelm felt somewhat obliged to say something to the bird, despite everything. To at least offer the curtesy of a response. Though to be honest, at the moment he was finding it rather difficult. Well, his muzzle was still locked shut, so realistically he was finding it rather impossible. So instead, the lizard gave a soft, subtle nod of his head in reply. Again, when he thought about it, he had no idea why. It's not as though this bird deserved his respect. All the same though, his response seemed to do worlds to calm Gin, and that was good, Kelm thought. The big cockatoo smiled nicely, and relaxed, and offered a quiet sigh before throwing the door open, and treating Kelm to a complete sight of who he'd be spending the next part of his day with.

It was a dove. _The _dove, to be precise. Even with his breath still only halfway there, and his mind still spinning from whatever it was that Gin just put him through, Kelm still recognized that bird when he saw him. The man's chest was broad and intimidating, and covered in thick grey feathers all neatly groomed down - hidden somewhat by his crossed arms. His upper half was completely bare, and Kelm couldn't help but notice just how in-shape he was. With a heavy chest, and toned, lean arms. His legs were awfully long too, and made him stand tall even by normal standards. He could tower over just about anyone. His lower half thankfully blanketed beneath a pair of simple hessian pants, held on by a long brown string. Keeping him from being completely nude. Just mostly.

It was clear that this one had only just woken up.

"It's about time, Gin. Another few minutes, and I would have started worrying that you broke the little brat."

Smog was joking of course, and Gin knew that perfectly well, but Kelm didn't quite seem to get that impression. The dove smirked as he spoke, and chuckled lightly, absolutely, but there was something in the undercurrent of his tone that made Kelm shiver. Never had the royal heard a voice that made him feel so relaxed, and so anxious at the same time. It was as though the words spun out of his beak like a fine silk, languished and beautiful, but alive too. The sort of silk that was far less interested in draping over your skin. And far more interesting in crawling under it.

"Yeah. Sorry, Smog. Got a little carried away there - didn't mean to cut into your time or nothing."

"It's alright, man. You just owe me one."

"'Course. It's like I said, That's on my burden. On the bright side though, the kid's all measured and right as rain now. Good to start building for."

"Perfect. Smart guy like you; can't wait to see what you've got in mind for a catch like this."

"Well thank ya. If I'm being honest, I've gotten myself right worked up about a few of my ideas, truly. I can't wait to get to testin' them out."

"Good to hear, and I look forward to seeing them. Now, if you don't mind..."

"Oh, yeah. Right. Here he is. Spick as always, just like I swore."

"Good man."

Kelm was having a hard time alternating between the rough warmth of Gin's voice and the smooth coolness of this dove's. The contrast only making him that much more uneasy. Because while his cockatoo might have been dumb, and slow, and an annoyance to put up with, this new bird felt dangerous. His beak seemed to relax into a permanent smirk - the kind of half-smile that only came from a man who knew he was better - and his back arched away just slightly, as though this was him at his most relaxed. And even calm as he was, his blue eyes still rested on Kelm like a predator's, making the slim royal shrink instinctively behind the safety of Gin. A safety that unfortunately, didn't last long. As Gin gave a soft, but sincere chuckle, and passed the young duke's leash off to his next owner.

"Sorry, Smog. Looks like the kid's taken' a sort of liking to me. I'm sure he don't mean much by it though. Trust me, he'll brighten to ya right quick s'long as you're gentle."

Smog's smirk only seemed to grow at the advice given, and he gave Kelm's leash a sharp little tug as he spoke. As if to coax the young duke away from the safety of Gin's room. And with nowhere else to go, that's exactly where Kelm went. Out of Gin's room and right to the larger dove's side. With a chuckle from Smog and an oblivious bright grin from Gin.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, big guy. I'm sure his highness here will be loving me in no time. Isn't that right, little duke?"

Kelm stayed quiet. Smog frowned just briefly, before Gin interrupted with a clap of his feathered hands.

"Well... I'll just leave ya two to do as ya like then. Little tidbit, quick here though. The pry's a bit too big right now, so, just keep her in mind. Yeah? Wouldn't want it slippin' off before I can tighten her up proper."

"Sure thing, buddy."

And with that, Smog's smirk came back in full, Gin shut his wooden door with a chuckle, and Kelm was left all alone with this big, imposing dove. Who had his leash pressed tightly in the palm of his hand now, and who was looking down at the royal with hungry eyes. That shifty smirk widening out, and stretching into a full-fledged grin as he sunk his grey-feathered face down to get a closer look at Kelm's. Smiling cleverly, as his long, yellow beak clicked against the metal of the royal's muzzle, and his striking blue eyes met with Kelm's, just briefly, before they shifted instead to stare just off to the side of his head; more inquisitive than predatory now. He mumbled something gently to himself, as his free hand roamed over to play with the side of the lock and pry.

"Now... where is that... ah; right here."

Kelm had to stifle the urge to sigh in relief as a painful pressure was suddenly relieved from his jaws, and the lock on his muzzle was undone. He never would have admitted it - especially not to a filthy bird like this - but he was starting to appreciate the feeling of that pressure being released. His jaw still felt heavy, and painful, but just the knowledge that he could speak if he so desired to, even if it was lisped when he did, was refreshing. Unfortunately, the royal found little time to enjoy the sensation this time, before another controlling tug instructed him to follow this disgusting bird. The dove now well out of his face, and standing right in front of the door to the living room. Still smirking all the while. Speaking in his usual cold, smooth tone.

"So, tell me big guy. How's the day been so far."

Kelm didn't respond.

"Yeah. Pissed at me? Can't say I blame you."

Much to Kelm's discomfort, the dove seemed intent to never, ever, stop smiling. Even as he crooned the door to the living room open, and held it there for his royal to walk though, his beak still curled in that smug, self-congratulating half-grin that made Kelm snarl. Eyes furrowed in the traditional noble scowl as he walked through the open doorway, and listened as that bird followed soon behind him. Trying his best not to shiver at the sudden change in temperature that came from going from Gin's warm, musky room, to the cold dank embrace of the underground living room.

This brute. Kelm fumed in the back of his head. Frowning as he did. Why is he so proud of himself? As though he has anything to be proud of. He has nothing on me. No land, no title. He's nothing but a meaningless bird, squatting in a hole in the ground. He has no right to try and hold domain over me. To dare speak to me as an equal. Kelm huffed as the door shut behind him, and this bird led him onwards with another tug of his increasingly bothersome leash. Happily guiding his noble all the way across the cold stone floor, to the melodic clacking of talons and foot-claws. Stopping once he reached the fine, sturdy oak chair that Kelm had seen and ignored this morning, and promptly weaving the leather leash around one of the arms in a thick knot. Groaning as he plopped himself down on the seat, and relaxed. Leaving Kelm there to stand awkwardly as he waited for some sort of comment, some command, or commendation. Smog was sure to take his time before finally speaking.

"So, you're really set on this whole 'silent treatment' thing, aren't you?"

Kelm ground his velvet gums together just slightly, and growled beneath his breath. But still he said nothing.

"Well. Alright. If you want to play cute games like that, then be my guest. Just so you know though. I think you and me? We're going to get along a lot better if you relax and have some fun. Or at least let me have mine."

Kelm said nothing again, and growled just a little louder.

"Still nothing? Alright. That's is fine; I can work with this. How about we work something out? You know; I scratch your back, you scratch mine? I'm sure you could use all the help you could get down here, right?"

Kelm did his best to keep growling, to stay bitter, but his resolve waivered. He hated to admit it, but the dove wasn't wrong. Everyone here seemed stronger than him; his leash was always either in someone's hand or tethered to something; and even if he did get free, he had no idea where he actually was, or how to get home. He _would _need help.

"I see that look in your eye. You're thinking about it. Aren't you?"

Kelm decided on his next words carefully. Mostly to avoid showing his lisp.

"What do you want."

He tried to put enough growl behind his words to intimidate the cretin, but all he managed to accomplish was an arrogant, low chuckle from the dove. Who was all but grinning from ear to ear now.

"What do I want? Well right now, nothing, your highness."

He threw his arms out to either side, as if to prove his point.

"I already have everything I need... So how about, now that you're cooperating, I show you just what I can do for you, instead. That's what you royals care about after all, right? What us birds can do for you?"

"Talk."

"Must be pretty tired right now... long night yesterday... long morning today... maybe I can help you out. After all, technically, you're not supposed to be mine for another, let's say, fifty minutes or so. So how about you get some rest. While you're still on Gin's time"

By this point, the leash that was keeping Kelm tethered to Smog's chair was stretched out taut, and pulled as far as it could go; the young royal having long since made the decision to stand as far away from this vile bird as possible. Unfortunately, that really wasn't as far as the drake would have liked. He was still close enough to watch as that bird's smirk shifted, just slightly, from arrogant to devious. It was enough for Kelm to notice, but despite his best instincts, he still couldn't help but find some safety in this dove's words. Or at least in his offer. In truth, he was exhausted. His senses were still reeling from being used by Gin, every part of him was still sore from the night before, and his bruised shoulder still ached dully. So the boy tried to think about things reasonably.

There was no reason he couldn't take this offer for a bit of rest, right? It required nothing of him, and perhaps with a bit more energy, he could work on escaping. He didn't even have to sleep, really. He could just examine the room while he rested, and look for a way out. More importantly, what was the alternative? Spend an extra fifty minutes being used by Smog? The more he thought about it, the more the offer seemed too good to turn down. Too easy a decision. Of course he had to take it. The young royal looked back up uneasily to address Smog. Remembering to growl defiantly as he responded.

"Okay, but... nothing funny while I'm ashl... while I'm out."

Smog seemed to relax at the royal's response, and roll back in his chair slightly. The smile across his beak, while still unnerving, grew just a little bit more sincere; almost grateful in its glow. It made Kelm feel empowered.

"I wouldn't dream of it. Now curl up wherever you like, your highness, and relax. I'll wake you when your time's up."

Just this once, Kelm made the conscious decision to follow Smog's instructions. Despite his better judgements. He still couldn't help but feel slightly nervous, under that dove's predatory blue eyes, but he was exhausted enough to ignore it, at least for a while. Sighing softly, as he curled up into a little green ball on the floor. The pink streak of scales along his back showing completely. Though the royal didn't care. He just relaxed. Letting his breathing steady. Trying not to think about the avian watching him rest, as his eyes fluttered shut. Just faintly, he could hear Smog speak. A soft, cold voice before he drifted off completely.

"After all... what are friends for?"

---

Thanks for reading~! God knows how you managed to endure something that long and rambly.

It was actually going to be a lot longer, too, but I had to cut myself off before I created a monster that nobody in their right mind would ever willingly read. So instead, Smog's bit will be in the next part. Hopefully with less guff coming before it this time.

By the way, please, if you'd like, don't be shy to leave a comment on what you thought of this story -- I absolutely thrive off of any feedback I can get, so I'd really appreciate it!

(Oh, and sorry for putting out no stories for just about seven months. Full time job and full time school don't leave much for writing. Expect a lot more content once I'm done with this whole school thing though!)