The Branding of Leland
Aug 23, 2015 20:13:22 GMT -5
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Post by The Puppeteers on Aug 23, 2015 20:13:22 GMT -5
"I always wanted a hand of nature." Liam looked incredibly pleased with the acquisition of the tree spirit called Leland, who was currently strapped into one of the chairs. He looked uncomfortable and . . . beautifully broken. "Oh Rowan," Liam lilted to the beast standing in the corner.
Tea responded in a strained voice, so quiet Liam almost didn't hear him. "Yes master."
Liam moved to the fire pit where a brand lay. "I think I'll keep your . . . friend," he bit out the last word before turning a possessive glare on the half skinwalker. "Weren't the two of you close?"
Tea bristled, and his master must have noted the tenseness of his muscles. The shaking of his hands.
The water lining his eyes.
Tea shook his head slowly, throat clenching.
Liam hummed, pulling the brand from the fire. "Then be a good boy and hold his head still for me." Tea's body protested against the orders, but . . . his master's will overrode his own. Moving towards where Leland sat, the guardian's jaw locked and . . . his energy scorched Tea now. Tea went to remove his gloves so he could at least use physical contact to send a message through emotion, tell Leland how sorry he was, try to soothe him through the pain he was about to endure. Then Liam ordered, "Keep those on."
Tea fought back a whimper, and with trembling, gloved palms he cradled the head of one of the kindest beings he'd ever come across. His lips trembled as he whispered, "Forgive me," so quietly only he could hear. He felt so much from Leland. Anger. Fear. Mostly . . . pure agony. Tea grasped the guardian's head from behind firmly, not from Liam's orders but from a desperate need to not hurt someone who'd been nothing, absolutely nothing, but loving and kind to him.
"I think . . . right over the heart."
Tea closed his eyes and tears spilled down his face as Liam pressed the hot brand to Leland's exposed chest.
Tea responded in a strained voice, so quiet Liam almost didn't hear him. "Yes master."
Liam moved to the fire pit where a brand lay. "I think I'll keep your . . . friend," he bit out the last word before turning a possessive glare on the half skinwalker. "Weren't the two of you close?"
Tea bristled, and his master must have noted the tenseness of his muscles. The shaking of his hands.
The water lining his eyes.
Tea shook his head slowly, throat clenching.
Liam hummed, pulling the brand from the fire. "Then be a good boy and hold his head still for me." Tea's body protested against the orders, but . . . his master's will overrode his own. Moving towards where Leland sat, the guardian's jaw locked and . . . his energy scorched Tea now. Tea went to remove his gloves so he could at least use physical contact to send a message through emotion, tell Leland how sorry he was, try to soothe him through the pain he was about to endure. Then Liam ordered, "Keep those on."
Tea fought back a whimper, and with trembling, gloved palms he cradled the head of one of the kindest beings he'd ever come across. His lips trembled as he whispered, "Forgive me," so quietly only he could hear. He felt so much from Leland. Anger. Fear. Mostly . . . pure agony. Tea grasped the guardian's head from behind firmly, not from Liam's orders but from a desperate need to not hurt someone who'd been nothing, absolutely nothing, but loving and kind to him.
"I think . . . right over the heart."
Tea closed his eyes and tears spilled down his face as Liam pressed the hot brand to Leland's exposed chest.
