Dominic stood outside the door to Tacitus' room; he hesitated for a moment before knocking. His head still felt off from his night of drinking with his two friends, but this was nothing he wasn't accustomed to. He also had the decent thought of stopping well before getting to a place he would have regretted later.

After a few quick knocks, he stepped back away from the door and waited. It was pretty early in the morning; the morning sun was able to light up the hallway creating a pleasant glow.

Tacitus' door opened up to a fully dressed but not quite awake Tacitus, he had some bags under his eyes from tiredness and his hair, though combed, still seemed a bit frizzed. He was rubbing his face when he yawned his good morning.

"Didn't sleep well, I assume?" Dominic closed Tac's door after the shorter male walked into the hallway.

He shook his head, "Not really; I had too much on my mind."

"Those nights are never enjoyable. Is there anything I could do?" Dominic didn't plan on making him feel isolated or hated. It wasn't his fault he was here, and he could easily take his anger on his brother like he had been doing for the past few months.

Tac thought for a moment, "Do you think I could get a stationary? I want to write a letter to my sister back home." this had been Tacitus plan for some time to ask to write a letter to Nisha. He decided on his journey that he would only include he was alright and leave any part of his mother out of it. What became of their relationship was none of his business, and from his long night last night, he settled that he could never forget what his mother did.

"I can arrange something later today for you," Dominic said, and the two awkwardly and silently made their way down to the small dining room that was reserved for the King and Queen.

Tacitus and Dominic were the last to arrive, as Nicodeme and his wife were placed at their seats, and Dominic's mother also waited on them. In front of them, waiting for their arrival, taking their seats at the large white wooden table, was the silverware and plate set.

Tac fidgeted with the handle of the butterknife. He thought to himself about how he was expecting something far more complicated, yet this seemed simple enough.

"Now that everyone is here," The King spoke after a long, drawn-out silence. Tacitus was starting to wonder if this family ever talked to each other. "We have a few matters to address," he stated.

"First, Dominic, you and your Shira will need to make a trip to the Dwarves to get the fitting for the bracelet."

"Bracelet?" Tacitus muttered before thinking; Nicodeme shot him a look that made Tac fear for his life.

Dominic leaned over, "He is talking about the Shira Bracelet; I guess you could say it is very similar to a wedding band. It is just part of our custom."

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Tacitus whispered a thank you.

"Give him a break Nico, he hasn't been here long." Dominic locked eyes with the King, and the two had a minor staring contest before they broke contact around the same time.

"Very well," The King muttered just enough for them to hear, but not loud enough for them to acknowledge that they heard. "Next, we will be receiving King Naqi in two weeks. Dominic, by that time, I expect that one to be up to speed on how things are done. I will have no interrupts while he is here." he pointed towards Tacitus when he said that one. He said it with such a distaste in his mouth that all Tac could do was feel horrible.

Tacitus really didn't listen to the rest of the conversation; he zoned out and dug into his food as gently as he could to not get the groups attention on him. His eyes bounced around the table; he had met the mother a day or so after arriving. She had sprung upon him and ran question after question until his head spun. Then he looked at Dominic, who he only had a few words with sense meeting yesterday; he had been decent to him...so far. He wondered if they would start treating him like he wasn't a living thing.

He had two options from that moment forward. Or at least that was what he thought, throw up a wall and forget that the words sting or keep getting hit and suffer. He didn't have a choice in the matter on which he chooses to go with. It was in his mind one or the other.

After breakfast and the long announcements made by Nicodeme, they were all excused to leave. Dominic took to walking Tacitus, just following along with what the King wanted. Dom watched the smaller man, who was still rather tall compared to some of the peasantry, but he was slender, and as Dominic looked him over, noticed that he could be easily mistaken for a lady from behind.

"You said you wanted a stationary?" Dominic asked, knowing that was what he asked for, but he had no other way to strike up a conversation. He knew that the soon he could get his Shira, this stranger in his life, to be on his side and not so awkwardly distant yet so physically close, Dominic's life would be less stressful. He wouldn't have to worry about his brother having a spy on him or even fear about Tacitus spilling any information he would surely come to hear with his time staying here.

Tacitus nodded, "If it isn't much trouble," he continued facing forward while he spoke. Dominic didn't know if this was his usual, and before breakfast was his attempt at being hospitable or if something happened and the reverse was true.

As they passed a servant as they walked the halls, Dominic grabbed their attention. Telling them to send a stationary set to Tacitus' room. The interaction lasted for less than a minute, but it left Tacitus speechless as he pondered over what gimmick the Prince was trying at by being so kind to him.

"Is there anything else you would like or need?" Dominic scratched the back of his neck and his mind as he tried to remember the last time he had this much trouble speaking with someone.

"Do you know the situation with me and owning things?" Tacitus stumbled over his words.

Dominic looked at him weirdly, then remembered the circumstance in which he was here. "I can discuss that with Nico; as far as I know, he still owns you."

"That's what I figured, then no, I don't need anything."

"I see; well, I will come back in about an hour or two," Dominic said as they arrived at Tacitus' room. The two said nothing else and departed from each other.

Tacitus flopped on the bed he had, curling himself up around a pillow. Tears started to stream down his face. He felt so alone and helpless; he also began to fear for the future. The lies he had convinced himself of, about not minding because of all the luxuries, was just that a big lie. His first actual day around the nobles that own him, and he felt like just an object all because of a few words and a look he was given, he couldn't bare the idea of what else could come. Especially knowing the stories he was told from other slaves at the sales yard.

He wanted out before it even began.