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Ren was delighted with how Nicholai was performing. He did not hesitate to obey and show off his fire skills, he addressed him as Master, he was behaving perfectly. His friends were clearly impressed, clapping and exclaiming. Viola squealed with delight at the animals. "Oh Ren, do sell him to me! Name your price, anything!" she said to Ren but he shook his head. "He's all mine, there are no number of credits that could buy him from me!" he replied. He smiled at Nicholai, clearly showing his pleasure. "Everyone think of a colour and a number. Nicholai will tell you what you are thinking of" he told his friends.

Ren scowled at Nicholai. He had been behaving so perfectly in front of his guests and now he had to go and spoil it with a tone of dissent and threatened disobedience. He was annoyed, not only because of the way he was spoken to then but because he'd had no intention of telling his friends about the healing. Why the hell hadn't Nicholai stayed quiet? He could have reserved his little speech for if he had been asked to heal. You don't play all your cards in one hand and he'd wanted to keep that little ace to himself. "I only bought Nicholai at this morning's auction. He was interrogated by the High Council's Enforcers and has likely been kept caged. He must be tired and I like to care properly for my pets so I think it's time you all left now" he stated. A little affronted at the sudden dismissal, they none the less left promptly, knowing better than to upset Ren, especially if he was getting moody.

"I was very pleased with you, surprisingly pleased, until that last little rebellious stint. What did you have to go and spoil it all for by saying that?" Ren replied. "I had no intention of telling them you could heal and you went and blurted it out like that. And made me look bad, threatening to disobey me like that. It was all so perfect until then! Just...just go to your room." The dropped the chain and ran off to his bedroom, pouting. He threw himself on the bed and hid his head under the pillow.

Ren sulked on his bed until he drifted off to sleep. When he woke, it was dark - the halogen lighting had been switched off citywide as every evening. He got up and turned his lamp. He yawned and stretched then went to the kitchen and got himself the last of his water ration. He was hungry and remembered he hadn't eaten earlier when he'd taken food to his pet. He looked to see what he had left for the day. He had some freeze dried scrambled egg with potato and ham with his emergency rations, he'd used that. Just add hot water, wait for ten minutes, then serve. He made two portions. He was about to set Nicholai's plate on a tray then changed his mind for some reason and set both plates on the table. He went to Nicholai's room. He hesitated and tapped on the door. "Dinner" he told him and went back to take his seat.

Ren looked at Nicholai. "Why did you look at the food that way?" he asked him, actually sounding a little hurt. "Do you really think I would poison something so expensive and rare? We have the same meal, look." He stood up and swapped their plates. "There. No, you are not in trouble. I must allow for the fact that you were not bred nor raised as a pet, you are new to being owned, and considering that I cannot be angry for one slip-up when you had otherwise done so well. I should reward your good behaviour not punish your mistakes. Eat your dinner."

Ren sighed. Why was Nicholai behaving this way? He'd been polite and obedient in front of his guests but now they were alone again he was sound sarcastic and snippy. He suddenly wasn't hungry after all. He pushed the plate away. "You're welcome. You may have mine as well if you wish. I'm not hungry after all" he replied. He stood up. "Just put the dishes in the washer when you're done". What was there to do this late? He wasn't tired, he'd already slept a while. None of the clubs and entertainments for the Burondai were open at this time of night. Though he knew from word of mouth that the Kurai had clubs that stayed open all night long down in the bowels of the city, underground. He wasn't sure if that was true, it was most certainly illicit if it were. Why was he thinking about this? Why had it entered his mind at all? Curiosity. It seemed strange that he, elevated and honoured and revered as he was, should seem to have less fun that those of a servant and pet status. How did that work? He sat down again. "I'm bored" he sighed.

Ren sighed. "You don't know me and you don't know this city so...no, of course you don't know how to help. Don't worry about it" he replied. He finger-combed his long pale hair and closed his brilliant eyes for a moment. "I will be on the High Council one day. Everyone says so. My father has been telling that since the day I was born, I swear. I'm a Berenswick. So of course I will be on the council. One day I will chair it. I have worked very hard to make sure I stay on that path..." He paused, sighed, looked at the blinded window. "It would be very foolish, more than foolish, for me to do anything that would risk that position. I have to...behave...just as much as you do, in a way. It would be nice to break free just once." He looked at Nicholai. "I know you are refusing to share my bed but...would you at least just hold me? Just for a while? Until I am sleeping."