Interrogations and rewards.

[okyno]

Summary: System is perturbed by Amanita's new station. Questions are asked and not entirely answered. Threats are made and withdrawn. Later, there is sex.

As before, the sex and the submission are too intertwined to separate them from each other. The latter half of this is both intimate, and raises an important plot point.

In Top...

okyno comes in from the road to the domain of the chitin queens, accompanied by a pair of bulky insectoids - an escort, a honor guard. and by the former queen of the neo-ovon. a hint of a polite nod is her acknowlegement of the grouping.
okyno sits near the fountain, watching its play. the lady's antennae twitch; she strokes the antenna-decorated head of her pet.

Amanita hasn't written it up, but is done up in corset and subtle plates of chitin here and there. Segmented lenses over her eyes and insect-like claws, hands discreetly chained.

System pauses, then nods briskly, turning towards Okyno and Amanita. "Greetings, Okyno. I require data."

okyno trails a claw over amanita's silvered skull. “we are pleased to hear that you have requirements, system-kt'c^htt-system.” long lashes flick over her dark eyes. “it is the way of much of life and ritual to require things.”

System smiles marginally, speaking in a calm, polite voice. "Allow me to state that I unequivocally have no interest whatsoever in what is relevant to your pointless rituals, Okyno, but I nonetheless require data. What has been done with Amanita and Twin, and have their wills been tampered with?"
System straightens (his) tie, smiling calmly.

Amanita wriggles slightly, and eyes both Okyno and System with cool amusement. She keeps quiet.

Ataxia quietly looks between the pair the probi seems interested in. The massive void sticks out like a sore thumb. But, she doesn't speak, as her voice is otherwise.. too much for delicacy.

okyno lifts up a small crop with a feather-tuft upon it, which is put to use trailing lightly down the shoulders and back-of-neck of her shiny servant. “n'dte-kxiaatcn-okyn'tt and twin-kxi'tzz'chrt-atcin'tt have been granted that which they desired, {sir}. discipline, ritual, and guidance.” a scent of leather and new-mown grass drifts from the lady. “they have accepted theit new positions of their own free desire.”

System states quietly, "If that is the case, then I would urgently request to be granted a period of time to speak with them while free of any chemical, memetic, or technical influences over their thought processes, so I may confirm that this is indeed the truth."

okyno looks down at her toy. “you may speak freely if questioned this eve, sparrow.”
Amanita squirms, biting her lip. Her ears pinken ever so slightly, and she nods. "Yes, ma'am."

okyno looks at the probe for a moment. the lady's wings buzz behind her in mild irritation; her guards step a little closer.

System waits patiently, looking towards Okyno.
Ataxia rests close to System, as if she were a body guard of sorts, too. She's imposing enough on her own.

Roque glances first at System, then at Amanita, and finally to okyno, her eyes filled at this last with apology and sympathy, but little else. She doesn't speak; this isn't her conversation to have.

okyno tickles amanita, watching her squirm. clearly, this amuses the insect.
Amanita wriggles more, her brow furrowing in mild annoyance, but she seems amused enough. Her ears flit.

System states quietly, "I can only verify if they were willing if they are free of outside influences when I speak to them, Lady Okyno."

“you may not, probe,” you say, “the neke owe you no favors, and your manner is overly demanding and impolite.” a lower hand cuts through the air in a brief gesture of dismissal. “they are beautiful, and they are of the neke now, as they always desired.”

System smiles quietly. "I know my manner is not easily compatible with yours, Okyno. Nonetheless, I have my requirements. If they are met, I can make an effort to offer a gift expressive of my appreciation, in understanding of how your patience must have been tried by the directness I engage in."

Ataxia looks a little to System.. and considers. A wave of her hand, and out from nowhere, her blackboard appears. For a moment, she draws. There's a picture of herself, standing besides oknyo, like a guard. Below, it reads, ~Present?~
Th'thsthn says, "Swallowtails."
System nods briskly. "A project for us, if we will. A piece of artistry to properly thank Okyno for her patience with an extremely direct probe."

You say, “both are under certain disciplines and the first of their changes, as they grow into their new roles.” the lady strokes the back of nde's head. “they are being granted their desires by our grace and practiced hands.”

Amanita swallows quietly and averts her eyes. She relaxes into Okyno's touch.

System chuckles quietly, as (he) hears Okyno's response, and the refusal implicit in it. "Very well, then. If that is your response, I shall not press further at this time." (His) nod is curt. "Do consider that some gifts are less pleasant than others."
Ataxia taps on her board, and it disappears behind her. She thought she'd make a good enough rent a guard.

okyno's tickling crop trails down nde's body, touching bare inner thighs with infinite tease. “your disapproval of our ways is clear from the histories, system. as is your impoliteness. you come to us demanding these favors with only the smallest hint of a token gesture in return.” a scent of burnt almonds fills the air. “please, detail your threats. we have not heard tales of imagination in some time. perhaps we will have our sparrow compose a song about them, if they amuse us sufficiently.”

System smiles quietly. "You may have the song composed when you have directly observed the material on which it shall be based."
okyno blinks slowly.

Th'thsthn reacts not with non-sequiturs, but with motion. Xir wings spread, then flap once, re-testing muscles used thousands of times.
System straightens (his) tie, a faint gleam of blue light shimmering around (him).

okyno's tiny mouth twitches in a slight smile. “you may ask amanita all the questions you like, system.” she lifts her pet from her kneeling position with a soft touch to the chin, bending over to kiss her delicately. “answer as you desire, tiúx-chl*zzp.”

Amanita sits up a little, and raises her voice at last. "System. I realize that I am not the most... trustworthy of witnesses in your eyes." Her tone is courtly and formal. "But what Okyno says is true. It was I who took her collar."

System nods very slightly. "She has clearly stated that she has initiated behavior and cognitive modifications on you. Is it your assessment that, in the absence of these modifications, you would choose to remain in your subordinate position to Okyno?"
Ataxia's tongue lulls out over her nose. She watches with a mild dispassion, from sheer unfamiliarity.

Th'thsthn's wings tremble ever so slightly, prepared for action.
System continues to shimmer, a faint aura of surrounding light.
Ataxia's a pleasant void, and a fish out of water, but curious about the interplay.

okyno is serene and quiet, an island of self-discipline in this growing river of tension.

Amanita laughs, and blushes again, eyes lowered as she considers. "I believe I would," she says at length. "She has taught me much. It is not a path I would have chosen on my own. I was too proud for that. But it has... rewards." She glances back up at System with a quiet, knowing smile.
okyno graces amanita with a smile, a gust of obscurely-scented pheremones, and a soft buzz of high neke: “very good, singer. you will be allowed pleasure tonight.”

System states quietly, "Under what circumstances was Twin subjected to Okyno? Do you believe she would answer similarly to you?"

On the signal, Th'thsthn lifts off with the rasp of a set of two-stroke engines, a sort of rattling buzz which might be heard for several miles. The breeze of flight follows. It is of course interruptive of conversation by most sounds or scents, but it does allow the smaller insect to achieve a position atop a nearby tree.

“though the singularity is of the neke now, (she) is not my particular charge, system,” you say, “(she) has the honor of being trained by the second lady to return from the Dormancy, neke atcinna.”
Amanita's ears redden further at Okyno's whisper, but she smiles slightly. She nods to System. "Yes. (She) is... as hesitant as I was, of course."
Amanita smiles, knowing and confident. "But (she) will be persuaded," she declares quietly.

Th'thsthn slides her wings back into their usual position.

System nods slightly. "Understood. I thank you for clarifying my misconception, Lady Okyno."
okyno nods. “precision is valuable.”

okyno trails a claw along the slave's spine, teasingly, as the lady's antennae brush the shiny's forehead. “does this satisfy your... requirements... system?” the slight pause in her voice makes it clear how little she thinks of what (he) requires.

System smiles humorlessly. "It is absolutely vital, in fact, in my assessment." (He) nods and sighs at Amanita's words, an annoyed expression passing across (his) face for a brief moment. "I apologise for my impoliteness, Queen Okyno. I have no further questions for Amanita at this time, and wish to state that my previous intent to seed the Ovon with multiple concealed chaotic noise generation devices has been withdrawn."

Amanita's ears cant slightly.
okyno places her upper hands together, fingers steepled. she bows slightly, from the waist. “we are glad your compulsion to act in such a foolish manner has passed before thoughts could become deeds. you would do well to study discipline, sir.”

Th'thsthn says, "Methods of discipline are truly important for the brash."

System smiles marginally. "I have my own reasons for my decisions. I am not sure they are quite the failure of reason you believe."
System lets the glow surrounding (him) fade.

Amanita chuckles softly. "Dear System," she murmurs. "I certainly appreciate your concern for my well-being. I have no wish to become a prize in a tug-of-war. That would serve no one." She studies her bound hands. "My situation is... embarrassing in some ways, yes. But I am - we are - safe and well cared for."

System nods slightly. "Very well, Amanita. I had no intent to act without evidence, and preliminary evidence at least suggests that I have no reason to act." (He) smiles marginally. "Perhaps, if you can forgive me at a later time, Okyno, I would be interested in observation and study of Neke practises."

okyno smiles. suddenly the feathered crop in her hand twists, raised up high and brought down across nde's half-bared rear with a ringing smack. “my sparrow is a valued servant, system. she is motivated, skilled, and appreciative of the honored ways of the neke.” she swats amanita again. “without her the neke-ovon would be in far worse condition than it is, given the over-long time of dormancy.”

Amanita's ears catch the soft whistle of the crop through the air, and she yelps even before it makes contact, sitting up very straight indeed. She studies the grass in front of her, blushing furiously and trying not to wriggle too much.
System nods slightly. "I understand, then, that she is a valuable asset to you."

okyno nods. her caresses stray across other parts of the shiny, tight-clothed and naked flesh alike. “system, is there any other data that you... require? or may we return to our enjoyment of the fountain, and our pet's grace in training?”
Amanita shivers.

System nods slightly. "There is no data I require, Okyno, although any data freely granted shall be appreciated as the gift it is. I do not desire to trouble you further, after already distressing you as much as I have with my conduct so contrary to proper protocol."
System leans against the lurking shadow of a jackal, (his) eyes brightening as (he) does so.
Ataxia's tail slowly coils around System, the seemingly mute void of light watching on with her dull, dull eyes.

okyno gestures her pet to a respectful kneel beside her again, and strokes the shiny's ears. she flicks her antennae a little.
Amanita shuffles over and sits back on her heels, her hands, with their decorative insect talons, folded in her lap.

okyno stands, tugging gently on her pet's leash. “it is time for the evening's rituals,” the lady says softly. “fare well, visitors.”
Amanita nibbles her lip nervously. "Yes, ma'am," she says quietly, and rises to follow Okyno. She gives a respectful nod to all present.

okyno brushes amanita's ears with a lower-hand. “and it is time for the rewards promised, as well.” she smiles at system. “she should be glad of your questioning, for her replies earned her more, tonight.”
Amanita grins a little at that, her ears perking. Her eyes dart to System, and her ears lower in mild embarrassment.

System bows politely.
Ataxia waves to the couple. She remains only vaguely aware of who they are. She met 'nita once, and, well.. that's it, nothing to say about it. She quietly watches, simply.

okyno tsks softly as she glides off into the heart of top, okyno's guards falling into step behind the lady and her pet. “we really must train that embarassment out of you, little sparrow,” she is heard to say. “although it is most charming.”

System sighs, leaning against Ataxia, face mildly troubled, although only one who knew (him) well could tell it.

a ringing swat and a mammalian 'yipe' is heard as okyno and her entourage vanish into the distance. a cloud of cinnamon-spicy pheremones drift back, a moment later.

Split paths: Th'thsthn and System talk about what they saw.

Later, in Lady Okyno's chambers...

[OOC] Amanita says, "This place. Terrible for anyone's dignity, it is."
[OOC] okyno says, "You should know, miss high and mighty. ^^"
okyno spanks you a few more times. ^^
[OOC] Amanita ums, and coughs.

Amanita squeals! "Ma'am, please!" She catches her breath, wrists tangling in the chain as she tries to rub her backside. "What was that for?"

okyno smiles. “because it pleased me.”
Amanita rolls her eyes resignedly and nods. She's developing quite a pout these days.

You say, “and because it reminds you what you are, now.”

Amanita's eyes narrow ever so slightly. "Of course, ma'am." There's a great wellhead of impertinence that she's been good enough to keep buried while in public, but it's threatening to leak out again.

okyno stretches out on a spider-filligree divan; you've been slowly taught that your place is nearby, waiting. delicate dark hands dance on your bindings, removing the leash, removing the decorative-yet-useless claw-mittens, touching a few sensitive places most delicately. “you were a very good pet, there, sparrow,” she says. “you told system exactly what he wanted to hear.”
Amanita kneels, ears lowered and shivers at your touch. She stretches her fingers as they're freed, looking up at you. "I did my best. (He) seems tempted to meddle in many things. I know he wants to protect me, but..."

okyno's fingers drift across you, touching your bronzed places. a scent of amusement flows from her. “his morals are strange to me. that any would submit to another's will seems to be an affront to him, yet something in him suggests he desires it deeply.” a three-armed shrug. “and so he boastfully threatens traditions older than himself.”

Amanita's legs part gently - she is still shy about these things, but she no longer hides herself from your touch. "I was that naïve once," she says quietly, her voice taking on a breathier air.

okyno nods. “but your desires drew you to the preservation of the ovon, and from there to us when we awoke.” a honey-soft touch between your thighs, trailing up, tracing the slim folds. “and you learn more every day.”
Amanita's eyes close. So slippery she is... and the air so full of her scent. She nods quietly, ears blushing hot.

okyno's wings buzz softly, breezes wafting around you, a kiss of air and of inviting pheremones. “dear singer, soon it will be time for another, more formal commitment to myself, and to the neke.” a slim finger slides easily into you, teasing, coaxing, okyno's breath soft on your cheek. “another ceremony, another choice to submit....” her fingers pause, held within you, your breasts lifted from the confining corset by dainty tugging touches. “will you?”

Amanita gasps, her body arching, tensing. She nods eagerly. "Ohh, ma'am... yes." Something about the question catches her attention - something about that mention of a ceremony. A tiny, crooked smile creeps over her lips. "Why do you even ask?"

An echo through the wall: a familiar voice, or rather, a familiar chorus of voices, raised in muffled passion. Twin, too, is being trained. Some nights you and (her) are allowed each others' company, as a reward for proper behavior.
Amanita's ears perk, just a degree or two, and she lets out a nervous little breath.

okyno flicks an antennae and laughs, softly. “because you are still a wilful, dangerous creature, reluctant to truly submit,” the lady says, as her fingers resume their slow caresses, touching within and without, the sole hand not upon you tapping thoughtfully upon her cheek. “though you desire it so.”

Amanita laughs as well, looking up at you once more. "Oh, I do, ma'am. And of course I am." Her eyes twinkle mischievously. Dangerously, perhaps. "What if I had said 'no'?"

okyno nods in the direction of that indecourous cry. “your former pet, [fellow-valued-slave] twin has spoken to neke atcinna of those late nights and your whispered needs.” she smiles; she pinches your clitoris lightly. “had you said no? you know what i would have done. or, rather, what i would not have done.”
Amanita's playful cheekiness vanishes swiftly at that pinch, and she arches back again with a whimper. "Ohofcoursema'am," she blurts out hurriedly. "Please. Was only teasing." Her hips grind.

okyno draws you down with her, teasing and tickling. occasionally her touches pause, sometimes resuming with a sudden swat to rear, or with a deep pinching of flesh. tiny pains, coupled with pleasureful caresses. and over time she falls into a rhythmic flow of touches. “your testing of limits is so charming, little singer,” she chirps, using an intimate, familiar mode of the language. a dialect for a lover, in the bed-chambers. and a dark shaft with a plated surface slowly presses into you, a toy plucked from a nearby basket. “we have not even begun to test yours.” pushing in sharp twist fullness oh yes- and okyno's gaze, deep and mysterious, held on yours, your new world, strange and new yet so familiar.
A soft whisper of your own tongue. Words to sing. Too familiar, almost. A paraphrase of the Song. Offering yourself to something greater. To something right there, this time, who will recieve you, not to a far-off, maybe-not god.
Amanita gasps and moans and trembles, her gleaming body in constant motion from all the stroking and cruel teasing... and lets out a deep, throaty howl as you thrust that thing into her all cool and thick and curiously shaped, curves sinking in and - oh please - turning inside her. She pushes back in eager response, and looks up at you, seeing only your unreadable glittering eyes... A soft sound escapes her, timid, halting but almost musical.

okyno smiles, working it in and out, working you, offering pleasure, with that question somewhere in the back of your mind: will she go all the way, or stop short, as she has some evenings, leaving you wet and panting and eager and lashed soundly for the slightest hint of begging to be finished?

okyno whispers a ritual response, the words implicit in the lyrics of that old song, but never spoken, not even by the singer taking the role of the god: “i accept your gift, i take it to me/i take you in my arms/this edge, this heart, this flower/all mine for ever more...” it sounds strange, in her insect accents. and it touches things deep inside you thought forgotten.

okyno's fingers tease your nipples, and you're opened by that warming toy, as it shifts somewhat of its own accord inside. perhaps. it's hard to know precisely but it seems to move more than her hand's motions would provide.
Amanita thrusts herself onto the toy, shamelessly, her ears perked hopefully - but not too hopefully. All your teasing's been making her more and more skittish every time she gets close to climax. Last night she actually burst into tears just before she came, just from not knowing what awaited her: delicious reward or cruel denial and beating. Her lips move softly, alarm in her eyes as your song takes her back... so many years it's been. The ghastly realization of her fate. And the longing, the ecstasy of being part of something so deep and intricate and soaringly beautiful. Her dark eyes are suddenly brimming with tears again, but they are not last night's tears of anguish and frustration.
And how is Okyno learning this? How much of your life has Twin been whispering, as she's tamed in (her) own way? (She) looks so tired, still, when you see (her), all decked out in tack most nights, more reflexively quadrupedal. Or is it you, telling these old secrets, in those spaces of can't remember? Those voids with only flashes of sensation shot through them?
okyno smiles. Guessing or sensing your closeness, from your motions, your scent, your cries... tonight is, as promised, a reward, and even as you weep, a cool hand brushes those tears away, and pleasure is coaxed from your body. Breasts tugged and pricked, sex filled and tickled and teased, spine clawed, rear swatted... pleasure and pain twined together, pushing you, seducing you, into song, into passion, into possession...

Amanita's body twists, hips hiking, thighs opening... nipples achingly hard, nerves all through her loins filled with a fiery tingle, a deep pang in her heart and her stomach. Crying hot tears of joy and gratitude, she comes and comes, the heat of it bathing her whole body. And on her lips, the words coming back to her, pushed to the back of her mind in her runaway days but now reawakened, drawing her in... She shakes like a leaf, uttering fragile, trembling moans.

okyno plays you gently, sweetly, delicately, though there's never any doubt whose pleasure this is ultimately for: okyno is quite proud of the state she's brought you to over these past weeks since the day you came to her court. eventually, energy fades, and pleasure lingers, and obedience may seem easier. the tight corset is loosened, and a rare reward indeed: sleep at the foot of the lady's bed, warming her through the cool night, rather than alone in the cushioned, filigreed cage with memories and plans.

Amanita lies curled by your feet, a thread of unease running through her thoughts - that song, pried out of her memories to haunt her again. When at last she sleeps, her dreams are strange indeed...

[OOC] okyno says, "and how different is it from the fact that, before, the singularity was quite pleased to be the shiny's pet, hmmmm?"
[OOC] System says, "That irritated System too. :)"
[OOC] okyno says, "system needs a few good toppings."
[OOC] Amanita says, "*glee*"
[OOC] System says, "Merp?"
[OOC] Ataxia says, "I can do that. *shifty eyes*"
[OOC] System says, "Meeeeeeep?"
[OOC] System peers at jaql with widewide eyes.