Mark moved into the kitchen to get his smoothie drink from Amy. Checking his watch, he frowned. He had work to do but he had become so distracted. Glancing up, he watched Sean make his way to his room. With all the stuff he bought, he'd be unpacking and organizing for a while. Thanking Amy for the drink, he absently walked over to Sean's open door. Sean certainly seemed to be in better spirits after seeing his bike. Leaning against the frame, he observed Sean without him noticing. Sean sat himself on the floor, prying open the boxes. The first few boxes were clothes. Other boxes were full of room decorations. After a short time, Sean pulled out a black T-shirt with a band symbol that he had seen once or twice. It was popular within the Slums. They were a type of band that made a genre of music that most nobles referred to as 'Rebel Music.' Sean grabbed the hem of his tank top, pulling it up over his body. Mark couldn't look away from his back.

Sean's back was pale and beautiful. From a distance it was flawless and smooth looking. As Sean moved, his lean muscles flexed beneath his soft looking skin. He didn't understand. How could a beautiful creature like him come from the Slums? A den of criminals and vermin. Sean slipped his arms through the shirt, freezing as he saw him out of the corner of his eye. Sean pulled his shirt up against his chest to cover his nipples, asking him suddenly very anxious. "How long have you been standing there?" Mark didn't see a reason to lie. So, he honestly told him. "A while. I wanted to make sure that you found everything ok." Sean quickly pulled his new shirt on, mumbling out nervously. "Ya. I'm just... dressing in stuff that is more... me." Mark set his drink on the desk, casually telling him. "Relax. Dress however you want... but I wanted to do one thing." Mark walked slowly into the room. He didn't want to scare Sean by moving too fast. Stepping around the stacks of boxes, he stopped beside Sean and reached out toward his neck.

Sean leaned away, but Mark didn't stop. He simply slowed his hand down, comforting him in a whisper. "It's ok." Mark watched Sean's chest start taking quicker breaths. Sean was so skittish of him. Mark slid his fingers along Sean's shoulder, feeling him tense. Mark smirked, drifting his fingers to the thick steel collar. Pressing his fingers to the two release pads, the collar fell from his neck with a soft 'Click.' Sean's hands instantly went to his neck with an exhale of relief. The collar was only supposed to be temporary, until he replaced it with something more personal. With the training ring on him though, there really was no point to having the collar at all now. Mark picked up the steel collar, telling him with a warm smile. "Feel better?" Sean closed his eyes, nodding as his fingers rubbed the knots from his neck. Setting the collar by his drink, Mark picked up a small silver box off the desk. Turning back to Sean, he handed it to him. Sean looked at the small box, asking him curiously without touching it. "What is it?"

Mark pulled the lid up to show him the steel chain bracelet with an engraved information plate. Gesturing to the bracelet, he informed him nicely. "This is your Pet tag. You use this to enter buildings, purchase things, enter into events such as racing. Every Pet wears a piece of jewelry like this. If you get lost, show this to any Valkyrie and they'll bring you home. If you need to get ahold of me, it has an emergency button. Press it and it will alert me." Sean hesitantly removed the bracelet from the box, mumbling out with dry humor. "What? No fancy collar?" Mark snapped the lid shut on the box, chuckling out. "Not unless you want one. I just thought you'd be more comfortable with something more subtle. After all, I'm sure you'll race better without a bulky collar restricting your movement." Sean looked over the bracelet, admitting in a low tone. "Look... I appreciate it... but you've got stop trying to be so nice. It doesn't change anything. I will escape."

Mark let a grin spread over his face, replying warmly to him. "I have no doubt that you will try. But have you thought about what you'll do if you actually like it here?" Sean huffed sarcastically, struggling to put the bracelet on with one hand as he retorted under his breath. "That will NEVER happen. I enjoy my freedom." Mark set the box down, then reached down to help him with the bracelet. Fastening the clasp, Mark teased him playfully. "Everyone is bound by laws in all forms of life. Your free will is nothing more than a choice to obey one set of laws over another. Enjoy this life I'm offering you. It's a rare opportunity and it will never come again." Sean looked over the bracelet on his wrist, before answering in a wispy voice. "One man's dream is another man's nightmare." Mark ran a hand through Sean's hair comfortingly, sweetly telling him. "Life is a nightmare. Which is why the good moments are treasured." Mark dropped his hand, surprised that Sean had let him touch him like that.

Brushing it off to Sean being distracted, Mark made his way back toward the door. Picking his drink back up, Mark pointed to a small book on the desk, adding over his shoulder coolly. "You might want to study that while I'm gone. It has the hand signals I use and proper Pet behaviors." Mark started to slip back out, when Sean rushed out curiously. "What? You're leaving me here?" Mark stopped just outside the door, answering casually. "I do have to work. I'll be back before dinner." Mark started to make his way toward the front door, when Sean suddenly grabbed his arm. Mark stiffened from the contact. He was rarely ever touched, and no one ever dared to grab him before. Focusing his eyes on Sean's eyes, he tried to stay calm. Sean dropped his hand from his arm, uttering out under his breath with embarrassment. "You're just going to leave me?" Mark raised an eyebrow, stating out to him with amusement. "I would have thought being alone would thrill you." Sean dropped his eyes to the carpet, mumbling out very softly. "I... It's complicated."

Mark looked over Sean with his eyes. Sean was complicated. He couldn't imagine a person like Sean getting depressed when left home alone... but he had Pet's before that had died from being left alone. The way Sean shuffled his feet and rubbed his elbow with tense fingers. It made Mark worry about him. Glancing around the living room, he clenched his jaw for a minute. He had a deep feeling he was going to regret this. Squaring his shoulders, he told Sean dryly. "I could drop you off at the Pet Center... but you're not ready to socialize with-" Sean cut him off by stepping out in front of him and saying hopefully. "I'd like to see it." Mark locked stern eyes on Sean, retorting seriously. "Why? What do you think you'll get out of it?" Sean's cocky attitude returned as he shot back. "Why not? Do you think I'll be able to escape from there easier? Maybe I want to see these other... Pets." Mark blinked slowly, before calmly uttering out. "That's not what concerns me." Sean smirked, teasingly whispering out. "What's wrong? Afraid I'll turn them against their Masters?"

Without showing a hit of emotion, Mark grabbed Sean's jaw firmly before whispering seriously close to his lips. "That's not funny. You could lose your tongue if the wrong people hear you utter that. And no. My concern is for your illness." Mark released Sean, stepping around him as he said aloud. "I think you should rest more. Set up your room. Get settled in more. Learn to crawl before you start running." Sean rushed to the front door, slamming his body into it to keep him from opening it. Staring him down with a stubborn glare, Sean blurted out loudly. "I'm the kind of guy who likes to hit the ground running. I learn better from being tossed into the situation. Forcing me to take things slow will only bore me. You force me to sit here all day by myself and I'll go crazy. I don't need to settle in. I need to explore. Like a big dog... I need room to run." Mark took a swig of his drink, giving himself a minute to think. Upon lowering his glass, he reluctantly told him. "You've got five minutes. Get dressed."

Sean nodded with excitement and dashed toward his bedroom. From the kitchen, Amy asked him with motherly caution. "Master? Is this wise? With his genes... It will be like sending a shark into a pool of bleeding kids." Mark snorted, chuckling out mostly to himself. "Well let's hope not. I don't have time to clean up the mess." Amy crossed her arms, politely interjecting. "He's too wild... They'll take one look at him and-" Amy stopped talking when Sean stepped out of his room. Mark was impressed with how fast he had changed. A small smirk spread over his face, looking at what Sean had changed into. He was still wearing the same band shirt with a clean pair of torn up black jeans that hugged his legs tightly. The black leather jacket he wore really made his ice blue eyes stand out. Sean brushed his bangs off his face, revealing his studded black fingerless gloves and a sliver chain necklace. Mark set his drink on the table, shaking his head. Sean approached him, snapping out. "What? Why are you smiling like that?"

Mark looked over Sean's outfit, stating out dryly. "You can take the Slum Dog from the Slums... but you can't take the Slums from the Slum Dog." Sean crossed his arms over his chest, grumbling back. "I'm comfortable in this." Mark reached out to touch his cheek. Even as Sean winced away, Mark still put his palm to his cheek, telling him firmly. "You wear it like a thick skin. It's a mask." Sean stepped away to break their contact, causing Mark to add out darkly. "Mind your attitude, Dog. I'm allowing you to look as you wish. But if it's going to cause you to bare your teeth at me... I'll make you crawl on all fours." Sean shuffled his feet, avoiding his eyes. Mark slowly backed Sean up against the wall, pinning him there with a single firm hand to his chest. Still Sean didn't look at him. Leaning in close to his ear, Mark sternly whispered. "Am I making myself clear, Sean?" Sean still avoided his eyes but nodded. Mark took his hand off Sean's chest to grab his jaw.

Turning Sean's head to look at him, Mark seriously uttered out. "You think that's going to satisfy me? Answer me properly... or do you want me to believe that you're weaker with that skin on?" Sean looked him directly in the eyes, gruffly answering. "Yes... Sir." Mark released Sean's jaw, happily cooing out. "Good. Now let's go." Mark opened the door, leading Sean out into the small parking lot. Locking up the door, Mark strolled up to his car and clicked the button on his remote. The car roared to life and the top rolled back to reveal the black leather interior. The chrome detailing switched from its protective mode to its drive mode, turning the chrome a bright blood red. It was too nice a day to drive with the top up. Opening the door, Mark slipped into the driver seat, while Sean let out a low whistle. As Sean leaned on the passenger door, he asked him with a smirk. "A Tesla Galaxy? I saw an ad for this thing once... It cost a fortune. How much money do you have?"

Mark slipped on his vehicle sunglasses, letting them sync to the mirrors and traffic conditions, before answering with a grin. "I'm the richest man on earth. But Volock is the richest person in the galaxy. Now get in." Sean hopped over the door to land in the seat with a chuckle. Mark shifted the gear into reverse and easily backed up onto the elevator platform. On the platform, Mark pressed his hand to the pad for it to scan it, then announced aloud. "Ground floor." The elevator dinged and began to lower down. Sean gawked at all the floors and took in all the details of the place. At the bottom, the platformed dinged and Mark drove off before someone else drove onto the platform. Flooring it, Mark pulled out onto the main road. Sean gripped the door, watching bikes and cars whiz by as Mark sped down the road. The cars were all fully automated, but Mark rarely switched that on. He liked driving manually. It made him feel good to be in control. It calmed him. Beside him, Sean admired the bright buildings and millions of colorful lights coming from them. Even in the daytime, the city appeared to sparkle like silver and gold.

Mark barely noticed its gleam and wonders anymore. It had all grown too familiar to him. However, glancing at Sean... he smiled warmly. Sean didn't appear to blink as he marveled at everything. It made Mark happy to see him so captivated by the city. Yet, the only thing that held his attention was Sean. Pulling into a parking pad, Mark switched on the hover feature and the car rapidly rose up before a building. Sean suddenly had no interest in leaning on the car door, shrinking now into his seat as he asked nervously. "What are we doing?" Mark smirked, pointing to the building and saying aloud. "This is the Pet Center. This small tower is for parking. That larger tower next to it is the resort." Mark drove into the opening on the top floor to park in his reserved parking spot. Climbing out, he gestured Sean to follow him to a glass elevator. Mark stepped inside easily, but Sean hesitated when he saw the floor was made of clear glass. Grabbing the wall, Sean stammered out. "Holy shite! I... I changed my mind."

Mark rolled his eyes, tapping the thick glass wall and telling him. "It's fine. It's from Xenox 8. This stuff doesn't break easily. It can withstand the planet's reentry pressure." Sean shook his head, closing his eyes tightly as he panted out. "That's not... Mark, take me home..." Mark glanced down at the seven hundred floors and the long fall to the grassy patch below. Lifting his eyes to Sean, he got it. Sean was scared of heights. Slowly approaching Sean, he ran a comforting hand along his arm, then pried his hand away from the wall. Sean stepped back away from the elevator, but Mark carefully pulled him toward him. Sean resisted, whining out desperately. "No! Mark, I can't! Stop!" Mark turned Sean around, pulling him back against his chest. For a minute, Mark just held him, shushing him soothingly until his breathing slowed down a little. Sean had his feet braced on the cement platform outside the doors with his heels gripping the walls. Raising a hand to lift Sean's chin up until his head rested back on his shoulder, he whispered to him warmly. "Deep breaths. Calm down. I've got you." Sean huffed, breathlessly mumbling out. "That's not a comfort..."

Mark chuckled into his ear, letting his other hand drift down Sean's chest. Sean inhaled sharply, his hands grasping Mark's thighs desperately as he yelped out. "What are you doing?!" Mark didn't answer, he just kept ahold of Sean's throat and let his other hand go down to Sean's belt. Sean jerked in his arms, his nails digging into the fabric of his pants in warning. Mark ignored it. Instead, he slipped his hand under Sean's shirt to touch his stomach and grinned at his reaction. Sean jerked back against him to avoid his touch. Unknowingly stepping back into the elevator in the process. The doors slid shut silently, while Mark continued to distract Sean. Putting his hand to Sean's stomach, he stroked the rim of his belly button and purred out teasingly. "You don't feel safe with me? Have I ever hurt you?" Sean huffed weakly, mumbling out as his feet shifted uncomfortably. "You've hit me... You've... forced things on me..." Mark licked the rim of Sean's ear, feeling him jerk slightly in his arms.

With a smile, Mark purred into his ear lovingly. "Don't pretend you don't enjoy it. You may have been top dog where you come from... but here, I'm the Master of men." Sean suddenly calmed down enough to glare at him from the corner of eyes, snapping back dryly. "If you're challenging me to a battle of wills... You're going to lose. I can't be broken." Mark chuckled, turning Sean's head enough to graze his teeth lightly over Sean's throat, before whispering to him matter-of-factly. "Oh, Sean... every creature can be broken. You just have to find the weakness in its armor." Mark proved his point by slipping his fingers down beneath Sean's belt. His fingers skimmed over Sean's underwear, his fingers spreading out just enough to avoid any contact with Sean's shaft. He just wanted to tease him a little. Sean snatched Mark's wrist away from his throat to lean forward against the wall with a soft moan. Mark let Sean lean against the wall, listening to him whimper lightly as his fingers traced everywhere but where he wanted.

As the elevator floated to the dock of the other building, Mark removed his hand and let Sean sink to his knees on the floor. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Mark playfully told him. "You're stubborn and strong willed... but you have no idea what I'm capable of." The doors opened to let them out and Mark slipped his hand under Sean's arm to help him up. Sean staggered to his feet, stumbling after him as they stepped out. Mark held him close, taking him over to the gates that spanned the whole room. Taking Sean to one of the gates, Mark showed him how to scan his bracelet. When he was registered into the system, the gate door opened and welcomed Sean inside. Sean hesitated, mumbling out to Mark. "I... Can't you show me around?" Mark cupped his face lovingly, whispering over his lips lightly. "I'm sure you'll figure it all out on your own. Just try not to get into too much trouble. I'll pick you up at four." Mark was going to leave it like that and go. It was better to only touch a Pet every so often... Too much contact and he'd grow attached.

Sean placed a hand on his chest though, whispering to him in an undertone. "I might be here... Unless I get out." A warm smile spread over Mark's lips and for the first time... he lost himself and kissed Sean. The kiss was brief, but powerful all the same. When their lips parted, Mark dropped his hands quickly. Sean lowered his eyes to the floor, his hand going to his lips to rub them before rushing off through the gate. The gate closed behind Sean and Mark clenched his fists. This was bad. He had never lost himself like that before. He was always in control. Elite's weren't supposed to feel. Emotions clouded judgment. Was he compromised? Mark turned around slowly and exhaled gruffly at the sight of Matthias. From the look on Matthias's face... He had seen him kiss Sean. To Be Continued...