A Master's Ring (V.3)

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She reached up and her fingers tenderly stroked the blushing cheeks, "Don't worry Eddie, we'll have all the time in the world to make each one a reality. That will be my purpose as your First Sibling."

Eddie leaned into her soft, warm hand and smiled. He took a long slow breath to calm his nerves before blinking his eyes open and looking at Elizabeth. "I hope I can make you happy..."

Elizabeth's reply came instantly and confidently, "You will, Eddie. I can feel it."

"If I didn't measure up like the Professor hoped," He asked her softly, "What will happen to you?"

"Then Professor Bryant's search will continue," She told him, "He will keep the ring and I will remain a sibling in his household until the new candidate become the master of his ring," That said she leaned in over the table and gave a quick kiss on the lips, "Anyone tell you that you worry too much? The Professor believes you are the one, and so do I...you've got this Eddie."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Eddie smiled as Elizabeth leaned in and pecked his lips. Despite her lecture moments ago about sharing kisses, he was glad to see that she would bend the rules for him as well. As usual, she saw the one thing a lot of significant others have seen.

"Anyone tell you that you worry too much? The Professor believes you are the one, and so do I...you've got this Eddie."

"It's not worry; it's preparedness. As much as I want this to work, you can't approach things without taking the failure state into account. Once you recognize the possibility, you can plan to respond or mitigate the damage. To not consider the negative leaves you scrambling to catch up if or when it happens. The failure state is always an option. Any engineer can tell you that." Eddie explained, and the more he spoke, any flash of worry or trepidation could not be found in his eyes or face.

"I need to search for what it is that has you both so supremely confident over the intervening days, however. If I go silent or skip classes for the next few days, please know that I haven't run away or tried to find some way out of this. I may need some time in contemplation..." Eddie's eyes danced across the table as he reviewed the various mental pictures he'd constructed tonight. Now, he spent his time constructing a new one: himself.

He went back through his life, trying to recall everything that anyone had ever said about him. For this model, he needed to examine what Professor Bryant and Elizabeth had said. They both see something he does not; their observations will be the most important.

"...brilliant..."

"Yes, the Professor said that about my paper..." Eddie whisper to himself. He thought back to Professor Bryant's "test" of presenting Elizabeth to him and asking what I would do with her. "Was it because I saw you as a person, but unable to make you something other than you are?" Eddie was speaking, but it was unclear if he was addressing Elizabeth as he spoke. His eyes were on the table as he tried to piece back what it was about his answers that proved to Professor Bryant that he was the right selection. He shook his head; this was the wrong approach.

Lifting his chin and looking at Elizabeth, he asked his final question for tonight. Once he had this answer, he's need the night to think things over. "Why are you so sure? Not what you heard the Professor say, but from what you've seen since you met me."

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

"Then Professor Bryant's search will continue," She told him, "He will keep the ring and I will remain a sibling in his household until the new candidate become the master of his ring," That said she leaned in over the table and gave a quick kiss on the lips, "Anyone tell you that you worry too much? The Professor believes you are the one, and so do I...you've got this Eddie."

"It's not worry; it's preparedness. As much as I want this to work, you can't approach things without taking the failure state into account." He replied.

"Failure state," She asked confused at the term.

"Once you recognize the possibility, you can plan to respond or mitigate the damage." He explained, "To not consider the negative leaves you scrambling to catch up if or when it happens. The failure state is always an option. Any engineer can tell you that."

She shook her head, "I still don't get it."

"I need to search for what it is that has you both so supremely confident over the intervening days, however. If I go silent or skip classes for the next few days, please know that I haven't run away or tried to find some way out of this." He said eye focusing on the table between them and stating, "I may need some time in contemplation..." Then drifted off into deep thought.

Elizabeth could practically see the gears turning in his head. She didn't understand completely what he was talking about but allowed him the space to finish whatever process he was to figure it out.

He was muttering to himself. She caught, "Yes, the Professor said that about my paper..." And then, "Was it because I saw you as a person, but unable to make you something other than you are?"

He looked up after a moment and his eyes focused on her again. "Why are you so sure?"

"Well, the Professor said you meet all the requirements of the ideals of the order," She replied.

He shook his head, "Not what you heard the Professor say, but from what you've seen since you met me."

"Very well," She nodded to him, "I am confident in your ability to do this, because I've watched you for some time now. Listened to those you interact with, and I have concluded that Professor Bryant is correct. You are the one worthy to inherit his ring."

"Let me expand on that," She said leaning in to look him directly in the eye hoping he'd be able to see the sincerity in them as she responded, "You, Eddie, are kind and considerate without being weak. You can be firm without being cruel. You are cautious to consider everything, taking advice from others, but you always make up your own mind on your own decisions-as this is an example of. You are liked by others but do not need others to like you to feel validated. Also while you may not be comfortable in large groups you do not seek isolation."

"All of these are qualities in the ideal master of the order. You are a poster boy and you just don't realize it," She smiled to him, "All of these qualities that lead me to believe you are not only worthy to inherit the Professor's ring you are more qualified than most that wear one now."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Something changes in Eddie's eyes as Elizabeth says that. Something inside his mind was waiting for someone else to tell him what was special about him; as with most things, he can't see it as he's lived with himself all this time and just felt as though he were normal. He didn't realize how rare his combination of talents and personality were until Elizabeth explained it to him.

He sat up a bit taller, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciate that sentiment more than you know." He said, smiling slightly.

Taking a cleansing breath, his sharper eyes looked at Elizabeth. "Is there more you need to know about me? I want there to be no doubt that I am the right man to wear the ring. I need you to tell me everything you think I'll need to know." His tone was firmer and stronger, his body was still. He didn't look nervous or excited, but ready. All his will and body were bent toward one goal: the interviews.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

"All of these are qualities in the ideal master of the order. You are a poster boy and you just don't realize it," She smiled to him, "All of these qualities that lead me to believe you are not only worthy to inherit the Professor's ring you are more qualified than most that wear one now."

At that Eddie sat up in his chair a little straighter. To Elizabeth he seemed more calm and collected...more the master material Elizabeth and the Professor saw in him.

"Thank you, Elizabeth," He said with a small but concerted nod, "I appreciate that sentiment more than you know." With that he gave her a reassuring smile.

She smiled back, hers wide beaming at his appreciation, "Just callin' it as I sees it, Eddie."

"Is there more you need to know about me," He asked her after a deep cleansing breath, "I want there to be no doubt that I am the right man to wear the ring. I need you to tell me everything you think I'll need to know."

"Of course I will," She said but then her eyes lowered, "There are some things I can't tell you until you become the master to the ring. Like who else is a sibling...to protect their privacy, you understand?"

She took his hand in hers again, "Also just how much in material and monetary resources you'd have claim on starting that night."

"When you do become the master," She concluded, "The plan is first: we'll take time to make you comfortable with me as your sibling. Then when I feel that you're ready I'll introduce you to another sibling and make certain you're okay with two of us...then more. As your First Sibling it'll be my task to arrange and manage all of that. That's why it's vital I learn your tastes both sexually and in the case of your needs relationships-wise."

She looked him in the eye, "Given all that, I'd imagine you have nothing but questions for me. Only some would I be allowed to answer right now, but that can probably wait for tomorrow. It'll be Sunday...let's meet for breakfast tomorrow morning and spend the day together before I take you to the site of your first interview with Masters Alexei and Akiko tomorrow night, oaky?"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Only some would I be allowed to answer right now, but that can probably wait for tomorrow. It'll be Sunday...let's meet for breakfast tomorrow morning and spend the day together before I take you to the site of your first interview with Masters Alexei and Akiko tomorrow night, okay?"

Eddie pulled out his phone and checked the time. He nodded as he saw how late it had gotten since he got to campus. "Yeah, that's probably for the best. I'll need my time tonight to sharpen my questions so I don't waste your time or mine. We've only got less than a day before things begin for my interview."

He looked over at Elizabeth. "If you'd let me, I'd like to walk you back home. It's not just for appearances; I'd like to make sure you are safe..." He says smiling warmly.

"I know that this is the beginning of a long journey, but so far, I think we're beginning on the right foot. You've already given me so much to process, but it means a lot to know that you want me to succeed. I know you mentioned the estate and money that come with joining, but I hope you know that I didn't agree to this because of that. I need you to know that before we get much further along." Eddie said, looking very serious about that point. He never had much to begin with. He had to earn every scholarship he could find just to make it into this school. Living that life had shaped his perception of money and power. It seemed that such convictions might be why he's perfect for this role in the organization.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She looked him in the eye, "Given all that, I'd imagine you have nothing but questions for me. Only some would I be allowed to answer right now, but that can probably wait for tomorrow. It'll be Sunday...let's meet for breakfast tomorrow morning and spend the day together before I take you to the site of your first interview with Masters Alexei and Akiko tomorrow night, oaky?"

Eddie double checked how late it had gotten on his phone and she saw the realization of the time dawn on his face. She chuckled. "Time flies when you're ravishing your dinnerpartner in a daydream."

"Yeah, that's probably for the best. I'll need my time tonight to sharpen my questions so I don't waste your time or mine." He replied, "We've only got less than a day before things begin for my interview."

"We'll have plenty of time. We just need to spend as much time as possible with each other" She said rising from her seat with him following suit. "I still need to get to know your tastes better."

"I know that this is the beginning of a long journey, but so far, I think we're beginning on the right foot." He told her, "You've already given me so much to process, but it means a lot to know that you want me to succeed."

"I do," she nodded, "And for what its worth I'm sorry tell you you'll be inheriting so much money and stuff and then tell you I can't give you any specifics on any of it."

"I know you mentioned the estate and money that come with joining, but I hope you know that I didn't agree to this because of that. I need you to know that before we get much further along." Eddie said, looking very serious about that point.

"Oh, I know," She nodded again, "You wouldn't be offered the ring if you were just after money and stuff. Professor Bryant was very careful when he chose you."

"Shall we?" She offered her hand for him to take and gestured towards the steps back down to the food court below them. They began going down the steps and she leaned in against him not for maintaining appearances for the food court workers wiping down tables and chairs for closing time, but because she wanted to. Her hand squeezed his and rested her head against his shoulder as they came up to the doors of the Student Center and walked out of them. "There's so much I want to tell you about me or the other siblings, but I can't-not yet, but I can tell you more about me."

She looked up at him, "Growing up I was intensely curious over the siblings in the house and Master Samuel's relationships with them. I used to make up naïve fantasies about what they did together from snippets of gossip between them I'd overheard." She chuckled ruefully, "Being just a sheltered little girl I didn't really have a clue about any of what really went on. Once I even tried to hide in his closet to watch Master Samuel and my mother before they caught me...I was grounded for a month over that." She pouted, "I felt so cheated too. All they did was drink coffee together and play chess which they did all the time anyway."

She pulled his arm so it was wrapped around her, "That was when my mother sat me down and asked me whether I wanted to become a sibling. As you know I said yes. I was going to my programmer in a month, and that was when I started learning little by little what went on between masters and servants."

She looked over to him afraid of his reaction, "Does that still freak you out?"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Eddie smiled as he took Elizabeth's hand and walked back down to the main level of the student center. It was starting to die down so he was surprised to feel Elizabeth leaning on him as they walked. As they stepped outside, he was glad that she preferred his arm around her. It was a bit more natural and it felt nice to hold her like that. All the while, Eddie was happy to listen. He knew there would be more once the interviews were done and he could wear the ring, but when her story ended, she returned to something about all this that still bugged him.

"That was when my mother sat me down and asked me whether I wanted to become a sibling. As you know I said yes. I was going to my programmer in a month, and that was when I started learning little by little what went on between masters and servants."

Eddie sighed at the mention of the "programmer". Something about that aspect of the Sibling's training still felt wrong to him. Something in his posture must have changed as Elizabeth was looking up at his face.

"Does that still freak you out?"

"To be honest, Elizabeth... It still does. This idea of a 'programmer' messing with your heads tells me that in order for you to fit into this life you have to mentally conditioned to like it, that you don't like it inherently. I hope I am wrong, but it still feels like brainwashing or something similar. I worry that the Siblings aren't all here of their free will; they may say they are, but how can I trust that if I know they have been taught by a 'programmer. Do you see why I have misgivings even after agreeing to take the ring?" Eddie said, hoping he was explaining things correctly.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She looked over to him afraid of his reaction, "Does that still freak you out?"

"To be honest, Elizabeth... It still does," He told her, "This idea of a 'programmer' messing with your heads tells me that in order for you to fit into this life you have to be mentally conditioned to like it, that you don't like it inherently."

When he said that she looked away from him and stopped leaning against him. Her head down watching the sidewalk path they were taking as the crossed the campus to the sorority house she lived in.

" I hope I am wrong, but it still feels like brainwashing or something similar. I worry that the Siblings aren't all here of their free will; they may say they are, but how can I trust that if I know they have been taught by a 'programmer." He qualified.

She didn't say anything she just kept walking. They were coming up to the sorority house now. She could see it just on the other side of a line of trees.

He continued. "Do you see why I have misgivings even after agreeing to take the ring?"

"I do, from your point of view I can understand how you'd feel that way," She said letting go of his hand as they came upon the trees. She turned to face him. "I had hoped that after you got to know me better...well...now I see that to you I'm just a brainwashed puppet with no free will of my own, and I can't even deny it because I don't even know what my programmer put into my brain, but I can say that if I was given the choice I would choose to be this, as I am now, every time."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"I had hoped that after you got to know me better...well...now I see that to you I'm just a brainwashed puppet with no free will of my own, and I can't even deny it because I don't even know what my programmer put into my brain, but I can say that if I was given the choice I would choose to be this, as I am now, every time."

Eddie wince as he hears how he sounds when he talks about Elizabeth and the other Siblings. Elizabeth using his worries back at him make him feel even worse. "God, it sounds so bad when you put it like that..." he sighs, dropping his head.

"Is there nothing you can tell me about what it's like to work with these programmers? Is there anything you can tell me to make their title sound less insidious?" He asks, taking Elizabeth's hands as he pleads with her. He wants this to work, but only if he's sure that the Siblings want to be his without coercion.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

"I do, from your point of view I can understand how you'd feel that way," She said letting go of his hand as they came upon the trees. She turned to face him. "I had hoped that after you got to know me better...well...now I see that to you I'm just a brainwashed puppet with no free will of my own, and I can't even deny it because I don't even know what my programmer put into my brain, but I can say that if I was given the choice I would choose to be this, as I am now, every time."

Elizabeth saw Eddie wince at her words. He hung his head down clearly struck by some of what she said had struck him to the quick. In response he sighed out, "God, it sounds so bad when you put it like that..."

"Does that not sum up your feelings about me and my sister siblings," She asked him with a shrug and pushing her glasses back up the arch of her nose.

"Is there nothing you can tell me about what it's like to work with these programmers," He took her hands back into his grasp asking, "Is there anything you can tell me to make their title sound less insidious?"

She shook her head, "I don't remember anything about them. I don't know what the programmed me to do or anything. I can't even remember their face or their name or anything at all about them."

"That sounds bad, I know," She continued, "But whether it appears insidious or not doesn't really matter to me the same way it does to you. I grew up around siblings, and my mother was very specific when she was giving me the choice. I knew what I was getting into when I made my decision to join the sibling society..."

She pulled her hands away. "...I wish you'd respect that decision and accept the person I am rather than fretting over the fictional one I could've been."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"...I wish you'd respect that decision and accept the person I am rather than fretting over the fictional one I could've been."

Eddie felt dawn breaking as he heard Elizabeth say that. He'd known Elizabeth for the last year and a half and before tonight, he'd fallen for the woman he'd known prior to meeting with Professor Bryant. The Elizabeth he'd known was intelligent, thoughtful, interesting, all the things he was looking for in a woman. Somehow, learning about how she was raised to be this woman had changed his opinion.

He furrowed his brow as he thought back to why. He thought about it over and over; he knew that she could see the wheels spinning behind his eyes.

"Your behavior and attitudes are no different... why does this matter so much?" he muttered, asking himself the question as he tried to unravel his own thought processes. All his life, Eddie remembered the times he was not able to do what he wanted because of how poor his family was or the advantages he was denied over and over because of where he came from and what he couldn't afford. Someone else told him no... Someone else was telling him where he could go in his life.

Now, Elizabeth shared with him a story that sounded the same, but the longer he thought about it, he kept coming back to how her story started: she chose to go through with it. He looked into her eyes.

"You're right... You're still the same woman I fell for. The only difference is the story that brought you here isn't what I expected. I'm sorry for treating you as less than a person if that's how it came across. I can't make people around me want the same things I want or live the same life I have. All I know is that I like the woman I knew before today. Today, I should have focused on who was before me, not how she got here... I'm sorry for that," Eddie apologized.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She pulled her hands away. "...I wish you'd respect that decision and accept the person I am rather than fretting over the fictional one I could've been."

At that a light seemed to go off in his head to Elizabeth. He frowned in thought for a moment muttering to himself in the way he seemed to do as he was working something out in his mind.

"You're right..." He told her softly after a minute, You're still the same woman I fell for."

'The woman he fell for.'

She nodded thinking about that phrase. She'd noticed him watching her, but she'd assumed it was the usual sexual attraction she got from a lot of boys and never gave it a second thought. She had never really considered their attraction beyond that. She had never considered that maybe why she never dwelled over why boys were interested in her for. Maybe it was because of some sort of programming that had been embedded into her subconscious to keep her focus solely on serving her master. Not that it mattered to her really. If it was her programming she was fine with that. She was committed fully to serving her master programming be damned.

"The only difference is the story that brought you here isn't what I expected." He continued, "I'm sorry for treating you as less than a person if that's how it came across."

"I can't make people around me want the same things I want or live the same life I have." He said as an apology, "All I know is that I like the woman I knew before today. Today, I should have focused on who was before me, not how she got here... I'm sorry for that,"

She nodded, "I'll accept that for now, but just remember that about us in the future. No matter what you may learn about our programming in the future it doesn't really invalidate who we are really, deep down."

She gestured to the front of the sorority house she stayed at. "Well we're here..."

She looked at him before turning to head inside...she already noticed the head of a certain someone looking down at them from the window of the dormroom she shared with Madison. "We'll meet tomorrow morning for breakfast at the coffee shop, okay."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Eddie stood at the base of the steps as Elizabeth walked back inside. She turned and said "We'll meet tomorrow morning for breakfast at the coffee shop, okay."

Eddie nodded. "I'll be there at 8:30. Have a good night." He said before she turned and went inside. Taking a breath of the cool night air, he pulled his coat back on and headed toward his place. The long walk gave him time to think about what had happened tonight. He was going back to his place as a completely different person to his mind. He idly played with the ring in his pocket as he walked. He didn't slip it on; he wanted to see how it felt against his skin. It was going to be an interesting few days ahead, but his curiosity would not let him consider walking away at this point. Especially after Prof. Bryant had shown such faith in him.

Eddie slept fitfully. He kept tossing and turning as he considered what was about to transpire. It was a lot to consider. It was also a big change for a college student to face. Still, he was chosen for a reason. That thought allowed him to quiet his mind and sleep until his alarm went off.

=====

Eddie groaned as he stepped outside. The chill from last night hadn't broken with the sunrise. It was warm enough in the sunlight, but everything else was still cold. Stepping into the coffee shop, he changed his usual order and went for a hot chocolate this morning. Cup in hand, he looked around to see if Elizabeth was already there. If not, he would grab a couch seat inside this morning.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She looked at him before turning to head inside...she already noticed the head of a certain someone looking down at them from the window of the dormroom she shared with Madison. "We'll meet tomorrow morning for breakfast at the coffee shop, okay."

"I'll be there at 8:30. Have a good night." He said when she reached for the doorknob to the sorority house.

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder to him and smiled to him. "Sleep well, Eddie."

Her roommate, Madison, was brimming over with questions about Eddie, and Elizabeth stayed up well after she should've gone to bed answering her questions about their future master to her.

She woke up a little groggy, but taking her time under the hot water of the shower. There she dried off and took time to dress in a pair of jeans a concert T-shirt for Taylor Swift. Madison was on the dormroom floor doing her morning yoga routine before heading out on her daily jog and volleyball practice. Pulling on her green jacket she left for breakfast and day out with Eddie.

She was feeling a new sense of hopefulness. Eddie was clearly the right choice. Professor Bryant was sure of it and so was she. His feelings about the siblings' programming had to be just a bump in the road. She was certain that Eddie had taken the first steps to accepting her and the other siblings programming and all. That was a very good thing as far as Elizabeth was concerned.

She came up to the coffee shop early and sat down on the patio outside watching the other students begin to start the sunday morning. Some going out for breakfast with friends or someone more than just a friend like she and Eddie were doing this morning. Others were going out for morning workouts like her roommate. She saw Madison jogging around the campus grounds in short jogging shorts and the school's volleyball team's T-shirt I-phone earbuds blasting her playlist as she ran. Her big firm tits jiggling as she jogged attracting the attention of several ogling boys, but like any good sibling she was completely oblivious to them. She'd only have any interest in her master.

She waved when Eddie showed up ordering a hot cocoa and looking around for her. she lifted her Frappuccino to take a sip as he joined her in the chair next to her on the patio outside.

"Good morning, Eddie," She smiled to him, "Do you still have the ring with you?"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Eddie's widened as he saw Elizabeth flagging him down. He nodded and stepped outside to join her. Between his first sip of hot chocolate and the patio sitting on the side of the building that faced the sun, it wasn't as chilly as his walk over here this morning. He sat and smiled at Elizabeth. Taking another sip of his hot chocolate, she was already welcoming him.

"Good morning, Eddie. Do you still have the ring with you?"

Eddie nodded and reached under the neck of his shirt, pulling out an extra lace he had in his room. It's tied around the ring and tied around his neck. "I have a bad habit of losing things that I put in my pockets. Between my wallet and some of the little hand tools I keep on hand, small things like a ring have a habit of falling out as I rifle through them. So, I figured I may as well be as safe as I can be." Eddie reasoned as he tucked the rung under the layers of clothing he was wearing this morning.

He sipped his cocoa and sat back. "I know this is your duty, but thanks again for all your help with this. I can't imagine that it's helping your academics to take time out to work with me like this." Eddie said, hoping it sounded as genuine as he meant it.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She waved when Eddie showed up ordering a hot cocoa and looking around for her. she lifted her Frappuccino to take a sip as he joined her in the chair next to her on the patio outside.

"Good morning, Eddie," She smiled to him, "Do you still have the ring with you?"

He nodded yes to that pulling on the collar of his shirt to show the ring hanging from a shoelace tied around his neck. "I have a bad habit of losing things that I put in my pockets. Between my wallet and some of the little hand tools I keep on hand, small things like a ring have a habit of falling out as I rifle through them. So, I figured I may as well be as safe as I can be."

She nods, "Sounds like a smart idea. Several masters do much the same thing just for privacy others only wear theirs when interacting with their siblings."

"I know this is your duty, but thanks again for all your help with this." He said taking a sip of the hot chocolate in his cup, "I can't imagine that it's helping your academics to take time out to work with me like this."

"I'll manage it," She shrugged, "Besides helping you be ready to take over the ring from Professor Bryant is well worth it."

She lifted her Frappuccino to drink, "So the plan is this: tonight I'll take you to the first interview with Master Alexei and Master Akiko, but in the meantime we'll just spend the day relaxing together and appearing as boyfriend and girlfriend so we can get used to it."

She set the Frappuccino down and leaned in, "But first...Do you have anymore questions about the society to ask me?"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Eddie nodded, finding her plan for the day sensible. He took another sip as she asked her question.

"Do you have anymore questions about the society to ask me?"

"I imagine that conflict between people that hold the rings is inevitable when you have so many people with A-type personalities in one group. Who adjudicates such disagreements and how are they decided?" Eddie asked the important question. After a pause, he continued. "If I am supposed to help change it, I imagine I'll be rubbing certain people the wrong way. I have to know how I can defend myself."

He swallows, feeling a bit more nervous as he considers what's coming after the interviews.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She set the Frappuccino down and leaned in, "But first...Do you have anymore questions about the society to ask me?"

"I imagine that conflict between people that hold the rings is inevitable when you have so many people with A-type personalities in one group." He said to her.

"As a lowly sibling I officially am not aware of any 'minor disagreements' between masters. Noticing such things is far above my station and purview. Such affairs I assure you are solely the province of the masters." She had raised her hands to make an air quotes gesture with her fingers as she had said the phrase 'minor disagreements' before shrugging and adding flippantly, "But of course we are quite aware. We have to be. We siblings are often stuck in the middle between 'unofficially arguing' masters. We have to play games where we don't officially acknowledge internal affairs even though it gets to be obvious and right in front of our faces. The same with the masters are expected to leave sibling discipline to the siblings."

"Who adjudicates such disagreements and how are they decided," He asked her next.

"Your peers in the master society mostly," She answered, "It's a direct democracy. You all get together in one place or over the phone or skype and vote on matters and the majority rules. Or you all assign a committee of masters to act as a tribunal in a dispute, and supposedly you abide by whatever ruling that tribunal decides on."

She looked at him with concern, "Starting to feel some cold feet?"

"If I am supposed to help change it," He said after a short pause to collect his thoughts, "I imagine I'll be rubbing certain people the wrong way. I have to know how I can defend myself."

"I don't know how much help I can give you. I'll be new to the role your First Sibling will play in the politics of the master society," She confided, "I have my family legacy to live up to, and I do feel a little nervous. I'd be the youngest First Sibling in a hundred years....and I don't want to let you down either, Eddie."

She reached out and took his hand, "I don't really know if I'm ready for this role. I don't know if I can perform this role as well as a Sibling more experienced can for you, but if it will help you I am going to try and keep on trying as hard as I can at it."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"I don't know how much help I can give you. I'll be new to the role your First Sibling will play in the politics of the master society. I have my family legacy to live up to, and I do feel a little nervous. I'd be the youngest First Sibling in a hundred years....and I don't want to let you down either, Eddie."

Eddie was initially disappointed when Elizabeth said she couldn't really help, but softened when she confided in him regarding her position as First Sibling. It never occurred to him that her position would be so unique for him. He figured that First Siblings and Masters would necessarily be around the same age. It was clear he still had a lot to learn.

Then, Elizabeth leaned forward, something he did not expect.

"I don't really know if I'm ready for this role. I don't know if I can perform this role as well as a Sibling more experienced can for you, but if it will help you I am going to try and keep on trying as hard as I can at it."

Eddie closed his hand over the top of hers and smiled. "Elizabeth, I am glad we're both in the same boat. I haven't the foggiest clue what I'm doing, but I will not let you or Professor Bryant down. I can't. There are so many people depending on me... on us. If you feel like you are overwhelmed, I hope you will lean on me just as I will come to you when I have questions." He smiled, looking deep into Elizabeth's eyes.

"I feel like this would be where I'd kiss you, but I know we can't, not yet..." Eddie added sheepishly.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

"Elizabeth, I am glad we're both in the same boat. His hand closed over hers and he gave her a warming smile.

"But I'm nor supposed to be," She protested, "As your First Sibling I'm supposed to be helping you climb out of the boat onto dry land. I am just uncertain I know how best to do that for you, Eddie."

"I haven't the foggiest clue what I'm doing, but I will not let you or Professor Bryant down. I can't." He told her. His smile shone brighter more reassuring to her-the reverse of their usual roles.

"You won't," She shook her head adamantly, "If I can do anything to help you succeed I will do it."

"There are so many people depending on me... on us."

"So we won't let them down," She nodded at that with a firm smile that was only skin deep at best. Her doubts over her youth and inexperience had not been absolved, but she would proceed as if they were sternly quelled to the back of her mind. "My best friend, Madison, says if you say something out loud with certainty you will make it happen as a certainty. So in that spirit. I say I won't let you, or the professor, or my family down. I said it so it will happen."

"If you feel like you are overwhelmed," He confided in her softly, "I hope you will lean on me just as I will come to you when I have questions."

"I will," She agreed, "You would be my master so of course I would confide in you."

She put her Frappuccino down on the table and offered her other hand, "Shall we get our first day out as public boyfriend and girlfriend started now? What do you want to do? Go to the movies or the park or maybe the game lounge here in the university center?"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Shall we get our first day out as public boyfriend and girlfriend started now? What do you want to do? Go to the movies or the park or maybe the game lounge here in the university center?"

Eddie smiled and stood up, taking Elizabeth's offered hand. "I've always been a fan of movies. I love a good story but never have time to read a book. So, I'd love to take you to see one." He explained as he carried his cup in one hand and looped his arm in Elizabeth's as they set off out of the cafe.

"Oh, I don't have a car though. I couldn't talk Mike into letting me have his today. I hope you don't mind walking." He said, slightly regretfully as they walked along the street beside campus. "Though, it will give more people the chance to see us together." he offered, trying to find a positive.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She put her Frappuccino down on the table and offered her other hand, "Shall we get our first day out as public boyfriend and girlfriend started now? What do you want to do? Go to the movies or the park or maybe the game lounge here in the university center?"

"I've always been a fan of movies," He got up smiling to her and holding out a hand to her, "I love a good story but never have time to read a book. So, I'd love to take you to see one."

She returned the smile accepting his hand as they left the coffee shop.

"Oh, I don't have a car though. I couldn't talk Mike into letting me have his today. I hope you don't mind walking." He said, slightly regretfully as they walked along the street beside campus. "Though, it will give more people the chance to see us together." he offered, trying to find a positive.

"Yeah, but the movie theater's not that far and its such a nice day out today too." The two of them strolled hand in hand off campus into the busy downtown retail area and into the movie theater there. They saw the matinee show of the latest ridiculous action movie from Hollywood.

She leaned in beside him in the darkened movie as the muscular hero rescued the hapless attractive love interest from the ticking timebomb. Resting her head on his shoulder and eating buter-ladened popcorn from the bag in his hands. She'd never had a boyfriend, never even thought about having a boyfriend, but now here with Eddie...it was a fantasy. A seductive fantasy.

She leaned in and whispered into his ear. "You said you wanted to kiss me earlier...I want you to know, Eddie, that if circumstances were different I'd have no problem letting you do that."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Eddie couldn't help but chuckle at the movie they had chosen. It was the right level of popcorn fueled action and ridiculous pretense. It was the perfect Saturday afternoon movie. He happily sat and munched popcorn beside Elizabeth. He even smiled as he felt her lean in and rest her head on his shoulder. It was really starting to feel like a real relationship. He bit his lip though as he heard her whisper.

"You said you wanted to kiss me earlier...I want you to know, Eddie, that if circumstances were different I'd have no problem letting you do that."

"Surely, they can't be watching us in here, right?" He offered, turning to lean in and kiss her like it seemed she wanted. He waited to see if she would stop him, sworn to the rules even here. He hoped they were private enough here to indulge, but knew not to push if she said no.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Elizabeth Sommerset

She leaned in and whispered into his ear. "You said you wanted to kiss me earlier...I want you to know, Eddie, that if circumstances were different I'd have no problem letting you do that."

In response he said, "Surely, they can't be watching us in here, right?"

He turned leaning his head in. Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock as his lips puckered for that kiss. Her hand shot up between them two fingers on his lips halting him from making a grave mistake.

"But circumstances are not different, Eddie," She concluded.

She pulled back away looking at him and shook his head, "No. No one is watching us in here, but you fail to realize that I am here, and I would be duty-bound to tell Masters Alexei and Akiko about this if I hadn't stopped you. I like you, Eddie, but don't ask me to betray my duty to the society or betray your duty to them either, and to all my fellow siblings in your household patiently waiting for you to earn the right to wear that ring as their master. No matter how much I may like you I won't betray them by trying to keep you all to myself. I won't do it. I refuse to."

"Come on, let's go somewhere a little more out in the open." The credits to the movie began to roll and she got up taking the bag of popcorn and cups of soda to the trashcan.