Marcus and Alex nodded sullenly. "Yes, Sir," Alex said. Marcus muttered the same. They turned and walked off of the stage. They left the room in silence, as everyone was watching them, and went to the kitchen. Their uniforms were traded in for the ratty trousers and tunic worn by kitchen servants. And so their lives as kitchen servants began...

Tom went over to Edward and kissed his cheek. "That was wonderful, my love," he said. "Oh, and Altair gave me a new name." He smiled shyly, waiting for a moment to add to suspense. "It's Torinne- same as that prince who became king."

{Gotta go, will be back in a few hours.}

"How wonderful, you must be related to him, somehow..What a surprise." Edward smiled."And now, never again shall Alex and Marcus harm another servant..I'll begin with improving some things for the servants..Is there anything you'd like to do, for them?Since you've seen it from the bottom rung for so long..I'm going to get some of the rooms that are never used turned into more rooms for the servants, and improve the uniform for the kitchen servants, but I was wondering if there was anything you would like to do, for your former partners..I know it sounds odd, but if Alex and Marcus improve their behavior soon, if they realize what they've done, I shall treat them better as well..I think, being nice to them for once, may actually help them..That's another reason why I have prohibited the other servants from ganging up on them..They'll never feel the pain that they caused, but they'll see it clearly."

One thing was rather odd to see int hat room, soemthing no one had seen before..Alexander had a lover too..A little boy, with long, flowing silver hair, and pure, tiny white wings coming from his back, with just a few feathers in a brown-grey color..Yes, he was a kitchen servant, yet again..His name was Kyrie, and he was now being carried off to his new home of Alexander's room, right past Alex and Marcus, then the former King and Queen, clinging tightly to his prince, still a bit scared of Alex and Marcus, even though he knew they couldn't harm him anymore..The strong, emotionless eldest prince, was now softly singing to the boy in his arms, smiling sweetly, for one of the first times in his life.

Tom shrugged. The new rooms and uniforms sounded good to him. "All I can think is to maybe do something with the younger servants," he said. "It's kind of hard to grow up in the kitchens. Maybe we can set up some sort of daycare-type things in an extra room, keep the littler kids amused." He could remember being a very young child and having to sit in the corner of the kitchen. He couldn't move around much, for fear of getting stepped on by the rushing servants. Looking around, Tom could see Alexander with a boy slightly younger than Tom. The boy, Kyrie, was another one that Tom recognized from the kitchens. He couldn't help giggling a little bit at the sight of Alexander, usually so strong and emotionless, singing to Kyrie. "Looks like everyone's choosing kitchen-servants," he said, pointing discreetly at 'Zander and Kyrie.

"Ah, that sounds like a good idea..I don't think young children should be forced to work, anyway.It's cruel..I'll go through the kitchens in a bit, and find all of the children, find a place where they can play for now..I'm sure the kind servant who took care of me as a child is too old to take care of them, but I know she has a daughter, and she always seems so kind..I should make her the caretaker for the young children." Edward said, smiling."And yes, It looks that way..Except for Claudius, and Felix..Claudius has a castle servant, and Felix..Well, he SEEMS to like girls, but I'm to sure about him..Mollie's problably packing, since she hates the idea of me being in charge, she's sure to run off to be with that prince.." He laughed."And it looks like Kyrie needs his hair cut, it goes past his little feet almost.."

Tom nodded, smiling cutely. Finally, someone who cared about the kitchen servants and wanted to change how they were treated. "I'd like to help with that," he said. "Y'know, making their lives easier. If I have time, that is. I will, won't I?" He was suddenly worried. He didn't know what the Queen was to do with her, that is his, time. Would he be able to make sure the servants' lives got easier? Was that a respectable thing to do, as Queen? Tom looked over at Felix, giggling a little bit. The prince was standing, chatting and openly flirting with some servants- boys and girls. Every so often, he shot an angry look at Edward and Tom, but all seemed well. "Kyrie never did like cutting his hair," Tom commented. "And if he ever did, it was only ever to his waist or thereabouts."

"You can.You might be looked at a bit oddly, but I'm sure people can get used to a queen that doesn't just sit around, read books and such and look pretty all day, like my mother did half of the times I saw her.." Edward laughed.

Soon there were girly screams, something about scissors, from Alexander's, and now Kyrie's, room, showing that Alexander was making an attempt to shorten the boys hair so he wouldn't trip on it as much, or sit on it and pull it by accident.

"I can tell, sounds like Alexander is cutting his hair, to make him look nicer, since the little boy is technically a prince now." Edward chuckled a bit."Come on now, Tom..Lets go back to our room for a bit, I want to get out of this damn robe and I'm sure you'd like to do the same."

"I'll do that, too," Tom said, giggling slightly. "Just not all the time." He took Edward's hand in his and together they walked out of the hall. Most of the people had already left, either to go home and change for the evening's banquet or just to hang out on the patio, as there was still hours left until the banquet started. Once back at their room, Tom opened the door for Edward, then closed it behind him. He was unsure of whether or not to lock the door like he usually did, so he left it closed but unlocked. Then he immediately ripped off the backless robe, which although was very soft was also very uncomfortable, and left it in a pile on the floor. "Uh-oh... I don't have anything else to wear," he said, looking up at Edward.

"It's alright..You can either try on some of the clothing I saved from my childhood, which would be in your size, or..Well, I think you can get away with wearing my shirt, for now.." Edward laughed."Soon the designers will flock, and you'll have too MANY clothes..I hear the many, many footsteps made by fancy, designer-made shoes running towards the castle now..That's going to be hell, for me, when I just want alone time with you and they want to show you their designs..But I guess a kings first few days are hell, anyway.Kind of expected."

Tom giggled a little. "I can't wait for new clothes," he said, a dreamy air to his voice. "They'll be really soft and fit me perfectly. And I'll have some in your favorite colors, to wear when it's just us and I'm not in one of your shirts. And then, I'll get a few new dresses, also in your favorite colors, but I'll mostly wear your shirts. And when I outgrow my clothes, I'll get new ones and give the smaller ones to be used to make uniforms for the servants." He stared off into space for a minute or two, mouth slightly open. Then, shaking his head, he ran over to Edward's drawers and pulled out one of his shirts. He pulled it on and looked down. One sleeve fell over his shoulder and the bottom of the shirt went just below his butt. Tom went over to Edward's bed and sat down on it, pulling his knees up to his chest. "So, what're we doing now?"

{Gotta go. -.- See ya tomorrow.}

"I don't know..What would you like to do, my queen?" Edward smiled."Are you eighteen, by the way?Just curious, bcause it's kind of odd for a KING to be doing rather..Naughty things with someone under eighteen, I'm sorry, I know I love you and all, but it's just kind of..well, it could develop a lot of odd gossip, And that's not really good for a new king, ever.." He laughed. "And my favorite color is red, by the way..Red, white, gold and black, to list all of my favorites..I also like cream, but I know that'd remind you too much of your old uniform."

(NOOOOOOOOO!D: -grabs your ankle, drags you back- )

{*jumps into the thread.* I'm baaaack!}

"Mmm, I have some things in mind," Tom said, with a mischievous wink. "I'll be eighteen in two weeks time, actually." He ducked his head a little, knowing his probably should've told Edward that earlier. He made a mental note- Red, white, gold, and black for clothes. Cream lining is okay, but nothing in full cream- that he'd dig up later, when it was time to get new clothes.

{Y'know, I just realised that for being 17, almost 18, Tom acts rather like a six-year-old.}

(OH NOES DOUBLE.D: YOU HAS AN EVIL TWIN.)

"Ah..Should have told me sooner, so I could get you a birthday gift without being rushed." Edward laughed."And nothing too naughty, we might get caught.We'll do THOSE things later, I swear it." He smirked, cuddling Tom lightly."I don't want to spoil your first time, by getting us caught by someone who wants to ask if you have any food allergies so they know what to make for the banquet, or something like that."

{I thought it didn't post, so I clicked it twice. Gah, I wish we could delete posts! Ah, well...}

Tom leaned up against Edward, thinking of what to tell him he wanted. He'd said nothing too naughty, of course, which seemed to narrow the list a little bit. But then, something came to him. He remembered Edward's words from yesterday, though it seemed so long ago now- "That's what you want to be, right? My little loved pet?"- and his idea seemed perfect. Tom looked up at Edward, kissing his jawbone lightly. "I want," he said slowly and softly, "something that'll show everyone that I'm your pet. Something that, while not blatantly obvious, won't ever be overlooked."

{Is the PM stuff involved with this? Like, the part about Edward taking Tom when they came of age, no matter how loudly he screamed...?}

(you can report your own post, and put in the notes that it's a double.And yes, it is, a bit.Not completely since it was never 'officially' said, but it still is.:3)

"Hmm..I wouldn't know what to do, other than leave a cute little tooth mark on your neck." Edward laughed."Unless I get you a cute little kitty collar.That'd be so cute..Have a little bell jingling whenever you walk, so I always know where to find my little loved pet."

He smirked, brushing his hand against Tom's cheek gently."You know, you aren't OFFICIALLY queen until I marry you, which I shall wait for, since it is a bit early in our relationship, still..So you will be my pampered pet until then.You won't get your own throne, but you can sit against my leg like a cute little kitten would with it's master, or on my lap.or I can arrange to get you a cute little throne to sit on, nothing too extravagant, but still a throne."

{mkay, thanks. And, okie dokie}

Tom giggled, his shoulders pushing slightly into Edward. I could be his kitten, Tom thought. With a collar, and always sitting on the floor beside him, or on his lap. That'd be nice- very nice. He looked up at Edward, a smile stretching across his face. If he were a cat, he'd be purring. "I'd like that," he said dreamily. "A nice collar, in your favorite colors, with a little cream-colored bell. And to always claim your lap as mine, or to sit leaning against your legs. I'd be yours... your kitty."

"You can have more than one collar..change around, when you get tired of the color of one..And to match the new outfits you'll be getting.." Edward smiled, pulling Tom gently onto his lap."Maybe I should pull a dirty little magical trick, and have Draconius give you a cat's ears and tail..That'd be so cute." He whispered in Tom's ear, nibbling on the boy's neck gently after he was done speaking.

"And all the collars would be in your favorite colors, right?" Tom asked. "Cos my clothes will be, and the collars will match my clothes." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realised that the answer would, of course, be yes. It was the only logical answer, pure common sense. He let himself be pulled onto Edward's lap, and snuggled down in the familiar spot. A slight shiver ran down the back of his neck at the feel of Edward's breath on his ear. "Then I'd be your kitty for real," he said. "A half boy, half cat... catboy...!"

Edward turned Tom around gently, so they would be facing each other and so Tom's legs would sort of wrap round his waist."You'd be so cute, with ears and a tail like that..So cute and small, just like a kitten..Purring as I pet you, instead of just making those cute little faces you make when I kiss you, or just love on you.."

"If I could purr," Tom said, "I'd be doing so right now. As loud as I possibly could, cos I'm so happy." He hooked his legs around Edward's waist, using the other male as a sort of platform to scooch closer to him. "Do you think Draconius would really do that? Give me ears and a tail, I mean?" he asked. "That'd be so cute. If we did that, I'd really be your pet. I'd still make my cute faces at you, though. Like this-" And he scrunched up his face cutely, smiling. Then he angled his head downward and licked Edward's arm. "And I'd lick you, like that," he said. "And you'd like it..."

"Maybe..He's turned me into a cat before by accident, so I'm sure he can give just the ears and tail..Permanently.." Edward blushed a bit, thinking of all the fun times he would have if Draconius did that."I'd really, really love it..I wonder if our children would end up with ears and a tail, too, if we could have children.."

Tom grinned, thinking about what Edward would do if Tom were turned into a catboy. He made a sound in the back of throat, trying to purr, but it came out more like a growl. "Whoops," he giggled. "Guess the spell will take care of that, eh? Oh, yeah, didn't Draconius mention that he was working on a potion or spell that'd allow males to become pregnant? I wouldn't mind that, as long as it's safe. And I'd carry the baby." He ran a hand over the top of his head, trying to imagine having two cat ears sticking up there. Then he moved his hand to his bottom, thinking about the tail that'd come out from there. He stopped almost immediately, though, his hand flying back into his lap, as he'd realised what that must've looked like.

"Yes, he did..He's still working on it though, it'd be funny if he made Alex and Marcus be his guinea pigs for it..As scary as the spawn of Alex and Marcus would be..That would actually be sort of cute, in a demented way.." Edward said, fiddling with something he had found under one of the pillows, he blushed when he realized what it was and pulled it out..A little crimson collar, with a gold bell."Okay, I admit, I got this for you before I admitted I loved you, a week or so ago..I was going to put it on you and claim you as mine, but I forgot last night.."

Tom grinned. "It'd be really scary," he said. "No one would want to keep it, poor thing. Though, y'know, that is a good idea. Perhaps we should tell Draconius about that." He looked down at the collar. It was truly beautiful- mostly crimson, with E&T written in black script on the front, and a shiny gold bell hanging off of a gold link. "Oh, it's lovely, Edward," Tom breathed. "Will you put it on me?" He kissed Edward's cheek, biting down ever so lightly.

"I don't think even Alex and Marcus would be cruel enough to abandon a child in the very place that they live and work in every day, and KEEP living and working there.It might be a good way to have them soften up..Do it to Marcus..And have Alex be the one that impregnates him." Edward laughed, turning the collar around and putting it on backwards not too tight, but not too loose, then turning it around slowly."There..Oh gods, you look so cute..In my shirt, on my lap, wearing a collar..Just missing the ears and tail and then I'd be in pure heaven.."

Tom's eyes closed blissfully. He felt the same way he had last night, when Edward had proposed to him the idea of being a pet- all warm and fuzzy inside. He felt as though no person, no thing, could ever hurt him again. He had someone to serve, someone who cared about him and would love him forever. Tom raised a trembling finger to his neck, feeling the soft fabric of the collar. He shook his head lightly, making the bell ring. "Oh, gods, Edward," he whispered, feeling his eyes get slightly wet. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I love you." He threw his arms around the other's neck, hugging him tightly.