bakerstreet | Swear myself to you

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Swear myself to you

The Swear Myself to You Meme

It's been like this your entire life. Or perhaps it just seems that way, since it's been this way so long. Or it could hasn't been that long, and you remember what things were like before - worthless, fruitless, purposeless. Now, though, all is different. You've sworn your life to someone...or had your life sworn to them by someone else, back when you were young or powerless enough to not control your life. It doesn't matter if this swearing is an expected part of your society or an oddity in a modern age, here you are, and you know what you're here for. This isn't servitude, not in a fashion, as there's theoretically an honor here in your absolute loyalty. You are essentially on your "sworn duty's" level, you've just, well, chosen to dedicate your life to them. So if you're their best or brainwashed into being their right hand, all of it comes from a place of admiration!

Hopefully!

Theoretically.

Your position, of course, means you're a tool to be used, and every job needs a different tool. What's your job? Were you raised from an infant be be a constant companion for the one you're sworn to, who you grew up with? Instead, you could be a bodyguard or a first line of defense. In some cultures, there's an expectation that people be good in bed for future spouses; you could be there to train the one you're sworn to in the art of lovemaking. Of course, how well you're able to do your job depends on how your relationship is with your most important person. Are they kind? Cruel? What if they don't want you? It will be incredibly awkward if neither of you want to be in this position.

One certainty is this, however: romance and sexuality, unless heavily controlled, is forbidden. After all, how can you effectively dedicate yourself to them if some part of you wants them to dedicate themself to you?

How to Play

Comment with your character, your preferences, and what side of the equation you'd prefer to play - the being sworn to or the one doing said swearing. There are also three settings available: old fashion, modern, and future. You may want to specify which one of those you'd like, if you have a strong opinion.
Reply to others.
Use the RNG to determine your scenario.

Setting

Old Fashion: In the days of yore, be it ancient, medieval, or pseudo-Victorian - or altogether fantastical.
Modern: The here and now, where swearing to someone is pretty rare.
Future: Years from now, who knows what strange alien cultures and technologies we'll have to abide by?

Prompts

From Birth: You two were raised together, as one of you was given as a baby. There's no one who knows the other better than you.
BFFs: You are intended to be their lifetime companion...platonically, of course.
Repayment: You owe your life to them in one way or another. Devotion is the least you can do.
Out of Love: The reason you swore yourself to them is because you love them and this is the best way to be close to them, even if you have to sacrifice other things.
Unwilling Charge: Can you swear yourself to someone who doesn't want you?
Spoils of War: Being here and swearing allegiance isn't your idea, but when you or your people are defeated in battle, there's not much else you can do.
Ward: Perhaps you weren't there as an infant, but you did grow up in the family from a young age. They may be like a sibling to you. Would you be able to view them in any other way?
Marriage: ...a marriage is sort of a swearing, isn't it?
Mind Control: You need to be more pliable and loyal to be any good, servant.
Familiar: You were created through magic just for them.
Guard: Focus. You have to protect them, and you can't if you're distracted.
Eunuch: You're supposed to be completely chaste and celibate, or at least that's what they and those around them think.
To Teach: Your charge is going to be married, and you have to teach them how to please a future spouse.
Jealousy: You know you're not supposed to be
More than One: Someone else has sworn themselves to your charge...you were here first!
More than This: You want to be more to them than just a glorified servant.
Unwilling Charge: They don't want you, but you have to serve them.
Redemption: This is your way to make up for the sins of your past.
...what?: How to you get someone sworn to you again?
Utter Devotion: There isn't anything you wouldn't do for them. Anything.
Forbidden: Being with them sexually is a punishable offense for you, but neither of you care.
Equals: In society, you two are on different levels. In private, you see more eye to eye.
Not Too Serious: The more crack-y option. They saved you...but it was from something like stubbing your toe. Obviously, you owe yourself to them. Or something.
FREESTYLE

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[It's way too embarrassing to mention that his injuries are from his tumble, so he stays veeery quiet about that. Plus, it's in bad taste to complain when someone right next to him has injuries which are only a step away from mortal.

His eyes move to the side as if he's in deep thought - and then he crosses a leg over a knee, leaning back in the chair and then examining the other.]

I'll heal. As will you.
Though I do wonder if Odin will be up to the task of doing both of your work...

[And at the mention of Odin's name, Niles goes tense, feeling the sharp insecurities bubbling to the surface again. Odin Dark, the loud eccentric newcomer with his damn unbridled enthusiasm winning Leo's trust by completing the kind of impossible tasks Leo never gave Niles during his first days as a retainer. Odin Dark, of the unknown origins but still trusted more and hated less than Niles himself. Maybe he wasn't Mr. Popular, but no one had attacked him for being trash.

To add salt to the wound, Odin's a magic user just like Lord Leo. They have that much in common, training together is easy for them. Of course Odin can do both their work, if he pretends hard enough.

Niles sets down the water and sits sharply back down on the bed, breathing slowly, clenching his fists.]

[The violence of such a simple action makes the Nohrian prince's foot twitch in mild curiousity. It winds slow circles in the air as he thinks, and the dark knight gazes at the other, inquisitively.]

Come now, you've earned some respite through all of this. Besides, I'd never send you back out there in this condition.

[He taps his fingers on the spine of the book he's brought as he eyes the fist, watching the other's chest rise up and down rhythmically but deeply.]

I feel as if I've come very close to losing you, and I'd hate to ignore this lesson and lose you through negligence.

[Niles is too useful to lose. Far too useful. That, and he actually trusts the other...]

[He wants to be comforted by Leo's words, but the dark thoughts and insecurities are too strong and there's an unwelcome feeling in the back of his eye. He clenches his fists tighter, swallowing.]

And if Odin can handle both our workloads? Then what? [Will you value him more? Will you find me useless and unnecessary, just like they did? His breathing grows harsher, causing the pain of his wounds to flare up.]

[While he can't sense the pain that the other is putting himself through, there's an edge to the thief's voice he doesn't like. That, alongside his indications of anger, leaves the prince less than impressed.

So, his foot stops turning... rather abruptly.

He lowers his leg to the ground and pulls himself to sit rather than recline, his eyes narrowing either through the exertion or by the fact he is not pleased with the way that his retainer is behaving.]

If he can handle both of your duties, then he won't die.
With that, I may consider him more than a spy my father's counsel have convinced him to plant on me.

[His tone is icy. Contrary to what Niles thinks, he still has his reservations about Odin! Shortly before his father starts giving creeps like Zola and Iago the time of day, 'surprise son, here's a retainer'? Please.]

Call it a test. If he doesn't run back to my father with his tail between his legs, he can be trusted. If he does? Then I'll dispatch him myself.

[A pause.]

If he succeeds, If he doesn't, I do not have to keep looking over my shoulder. I can spend time here with you, teaching you to hone your talents in other ways while your body recovers.

Like this.

[He holds up the book.]

You are a loyal retainer, and you are far from an idiot. You have talents in subterfuge, murder, and theft... among other things. You are skilled and resourceful. And, you have a knowledge of Nohr's underworld unlike any other.

[He then opens it. The inside is full of large letters, and handsomely drawn illustrations.]

I wish to see how much more useful you'll become when you can read, Niles. I learned from this book myself. I want to teach you, so you can utilize all of your gifts, in my service - and in your own.

Ah... [He's taken off guard by Leo's words. The icy tone nearly makes him flinch at first, but the revelation that Leo mistrusts Odin despite being impressed with him is a surprise...and then, he holds up the book, and the compliments come, and Niles certainly feels like an idiot. By now he's gotten to know his lord enough to recognize Leo doesn't say things he doesn't mean. Especially when he doesn't know why Niles is so tense and upset.

He squeezes his eye shut, waiting for the unpleasant prickly feeling to pass. When it does, he opens it and looks towards Leo, managing a tiny smile.]

Milord...thank you. That's just what I needed to hear.

You won't be thanking me in a few weeks' time. You may even wish you bled out in the field.

[The smallest of smiles. Really. Microscopic. But it's there. And. He stands, moving the chair closer.]

This book details a rough history of the Kingdom of Nohr. I have six others which chronicle matters of importance, such as geology, governance, and architecture further. I expect the best from you - that you'll be able to read and recite them within the week.

[...Poor Niles. He lightly tosses the book to the other's lap and takes a seat beside him, observing from the thief's shoulder.]

Shall we begin? Read out loud. I'll assist with words you don't know.

[While Leo may technically be right somewhere along the line, right now Niles is too busy being relieved that his stupid, childish jealousy and worries are being invalidated. He picks up the book, opening to the first page...he can make out some of the words well enough, but it's mostly just a confusing mess to him so far.]

I won't let you down, milord. If this is what it will take to strengthen your faith in me, I'll learn every word and recite them page by page from memory at the end of this week.

[Hopefully. Right now he's still in pain and kinda tired and will settle for getting half the page right.]

Knowledge is a gift, and I give it to you because I have faith in you.

[And even though Niles won't accept it - it's his way of making a promise to never willingly put the other in a situation where he would be hurt again.]

Writing is a collection of thoughts. Experiencing these thoughts opens yourself to ways of thinking which would never come to mind before. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. Always different.

[And! When you handle stuff like this, the difficulty of the interesting stuff isn't a barrier!]

I wish to have you with me for a very long time, Niles. Consider this an assurance that you are not replaceable.

...Now, begin.

[Give him a moment, hearing someone actually tell him they want him around and that he's not replaceable is overwhelming and Niles needs to process it a bit. And try not to cry.

He cares about me. Even if he's not overt in showing it...he cares. He wants me here, he's not going to get rid of me like my parents or those guys did.

Fuck. I'm having feelings.

Once the feelings have eased up a little, he begins to read slowly, clumsily, trying to sound out any words he's not sure of.]

[Indeed, he allows Niles a moment! It's unclear if Leo is allowing Niles to experience his emotion unhindered, or if he's thinking that Niles' initial reading ability is so much worse than it actually is, but he allows the moment regardless.

He stays silent as the other reads, only interrupting when needed, and sparsely - at words which sound so much more different to how they're spelled. Saying that, he's patient - even with those words, allowing the other a good try first - and then pointing them out with his finger, sounding each syllable.]

You aren't as bad as I thought you might be.

[He comments, as he turns a page.]

Do you care for more?

[Is he turning pink at such praise? Yeah, he might be. He's honestly surprised he's doing as well as he is, illiteracy and lacking an eye don't make for a well-read man as far as he knows, but...this isn't so bad, so far. The content is actually kinda interesting.]

I can handle a few more pages, milord. [he's noticeably much calmer than before now, and he's at least distracted from the ache of his wounds.]

[He can't tell about the state of the other's face, since he's just about looking over the thief's shoulder. Would that be a mercy? Probably not, since the other doesn't have such hangups about what is embarrassing and what isn't.

The words he's heard from Niles conversing with others when he thinks that Leo isn't around are by large, inclination of that.]

Good, though I should warn you. Tomorrow, I'll expect double the amount of pages you cover today. The day after that, double again. You might even end up hating me for this.

[Now then! He leans back, listening once more.]

Milord, I could never hate you. Not after what you've done for me. [You saved my life, you reassured me when I was worried about something so childish and idiotic, you've given me a place to stay...a little heavy reading is nothing compared to sleeping in a trash pile and being punched in the face by shopkeepers. He might whine a bit if it gets too much, but all he wants is to be useful to Leo. That cancels out everything else.

He continues to read onward, this time he's able to successfully sound out a few more words he didn't recognize before...small ones, and very clumsily, but still. It's something.]

We'll see.

[He can't help but feel a little pleased every time Niles makes an improvement. If anything, the other is very, very easy to teach. He probably could have done this even without him here, should he have ever had the resources.]

Where did you learn to do this? I mean, before you received this book. Did someone attempt to teach you?

[He's curious.]

[Niles tenses a tiny bit at the question, but it passes. Leo's already seen him at his lowest, so...]

Sort of. One of the older guys in the gang, he tried to teach me to read signs for shops. It didn't take, and eventually we just learned how to tell places apart by how they smelled. Mainly, if it smelled like fruit or bread or meat it was worth stealing from.

[And honestly, the only reason Niles is picking this up as well as he is is because of Leo. Anyone else and he might have given up by now...they might have given up by now, more likely.]

[The sudden tension of the other's shoulders is noticed, and there's only a slight pause before he responds.]

I understand that your past is something that would destroy most people. If I become too intrusive, do say. You're my retainer, sworn to me. Saying that, it doesn't mean I have license to make you uncomfortable.

[Page turn.]

One more. Then, I want you to rest. I'll talk to the medics and see if they'll move you to your quarters so we can continue these sessions in private.

[It doesn't feel right to have the medics vacate every time. There are other soldiers to treat after all.]

No, it's...it's all right. I feel like I could discuss...certain aspects with you. At least the things I remember.

[He reads slowly, carefully...the exhaustion is setting in, and it shows in his mistakes. He's still trying his hardest, though.]

All right. ...can I ask a favor of you, though?

You can ask.

[He responds evenly, his gaze moving from the page to the back of Niles' head. He senses the mistakes, hears the lul in the other's voice, even if he can't see the tiredness in his eye.

Part of him wants to call off the reading session, because the other needed what rest he could get. But. Progress is never obtained by going easy. He keeps his finger at the last word Niles pronounced, in order to not lose their place.]

[Niles finishes with the last sentence on the page, his eyelid beginning to droop]

Stay with me? If you're not too busy or anything, that's fine, but...I'd just like your company is all. [he hasn't yet fessed up about his sleeping problems to Leo, afraid of seeming childish]

...

[Niles had to be unguarded to request that. He stays silent for a little while, considering the request evenly. Of course, the Nohrian army would notice. His siblings would, too.

Yet, it could be explained. Perhaps he'd even have to announce the fact that he was teaching his retainer to read, to better intercept enemy reports and carriers while he waited to physically heal.

It wouldn't be too untoward. Not really.]

Fine.
I don't mind.

[But.]

I will have to attend war councils, though. I trust that isn't a problem?

That's fine. You don't have to stay all day and all night, just...just a little longer, okay? [Leo can't keep away the nightmares, but Niles will feel safer falling asleep nonetheless.]

Good.

[He stands, and moves his arm to his side, closing his eyes. Ugh. The pain was getting worse as time went on. He exhales, opening his eyes and collecting the book from Niles' side, moving around the bed to place it, respectfully, to the side. Then he returns to his chair.]

Go to sleep, Niles. I'll be here when you wake up.

Thank you, milord. But...don't neglect yourself, okay? [he closes his eye, exhaustion setting in more and more. His wound still hurts, but hopefully he can sleep it off.]

I won't. It's only pain. It'll subside... long before yours will.

[It was the same as everything. Every scrape and every injury subsided. From training with the sword against his brother when he was a child, to the Hoshidans now.
He found himself reminded of the samurai - and the fact that he'd almost lost the other.

It was a sobering thought.

He brings his legs up underneath him, and places his elbow on the arm of the chair - resting his cheek on his hand. It was hardly comfortable, especially with his ribs, but he endures it. And he looks at the other out of the corner of his eye.

He didn't lose him. This time, he was fortunate. But, he wouldn't leave such a thing to fortune again.

He exhales a small sigh, watching the other's chest rise, and fall, feeling his own eyelids feel heavy.]

Goodnight, Niles.

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stealsthemoon - 2017-10-24 20:54 (UTC) - Expand

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