Both men admired the red marks as Veronica's shapely ass, raised high in the air, wiggled from the room. Gratton made a big show of his satisfaction. "Best money I've ever spent."
"Thanks for sharing your interests with me."
"She loves it."
"Undoubtedly."
Gratton grimaced, the sour old bastard back to normal. Fine by Marek. Anything beat more boasting about his sexual exploits. "What the fuck do you want?"
"My dock won't open."
"Imagine that."
"Meaning?"
"What did you think we were sending all those notifications for?"
"I was blissfully ignoring them."
"Gambling away the universe's smallest fortune again?"
"Things started well too. A legitimate hot streak. Perhaps I chased the action. A little. How many yuyus did I even lose?" Marek mused.
"Certainly more than you had to spare. Yet we're not running a charity here."
"Never had an unlucky stretch?"
"No. Nor do I care about yours."
"You helping me?"
"Nothing I can do."
"Yeah, I saw how busy you are."
"System doesn't get its money, system closes down. Out of my hands."
"Then what do you even do here?"
"I put up with the smart asses. Until they go deadbeat, at which point I don't have to anymore."
"And all this time I thought we were friends. So what happens to my ship?"
"Your ship?"
"Is this some sort of riddle?"
"You don't have a ship anymore. Forfeit for unpaid debts. You're still short for the record. The automatic appraisal wasn't impressed. Reclamation commencing soon. I don't know why. The amount is barely worth bothering over. Apparently the tub can't even leave orbit."
"Of course it can. Most of the time at least."
"Figures. You want some advice?"
"Hard pass. But I need that ship."
"Seemingly we're both headed for disappointment."
"Some possible compromise couldn't be found to our mutual profit?"
"I'll meet you in the middle. Bring me every yuyu owed, plus enough extra to make it worth my while personally, otherwise fuck off. Better hurry too."
"Careful about straining that famous generosity."
"If anything, seems like a favor. Taking out your trash, so to speak."
"Let me try and contain my gratitude."
"Your debt exceeds that ship's value."
"Only without accounting for emotional attachment."
"Never would have considered you for the type. Heartwarming really. Go get in touch with your feelings somewhere else."
Casually dismissed. Like he was Veronica the slave girl or something. Marek felt his muscles tighten, stung as much by the insult as the extortion. Losing that ship, he knew, couldn't be countenanced. Even at a usurious price. Deciding to pay, however, was the easy part. Leaving the office, Marek focused on a more difficult equation. Where could he find enough money on such short notice?
*
"How unsightly," Paup zib Wunoq criticized. "I hate the idea of you hiding anything. Especially valuable bits. Think you'll enjoy going hairless down there?"
"Like some porn slut? I'm a grown woman who hardly needs grooming advice. The very thought would be indecent."
"Decency is the least of your concerns. I want you bare. Immediately. Since I'm leaving in a moment, today would be a good time for trimming. That way, you can greet me with a smooth pussy upon my return. None of this landing strip bullshit either. One hundred percent exposed. Just a reminder, obedient slaves get rewarded but disobedient slaves get punished. Understand, Chidima? Or do you wish to try protesting again?"
She sniffed, casting her gaze downward.
"There's the spirit. You can learn after all. As a matter of fact, how about a treat? Go fetch your leash. The one we used to get acquainted last night. I believe it's still in the bedroom. Good girl," he patronized, sending her off with a sharp slap to the bottom.
Paup grinned at the feet padding across the floor, hustling to carry out his command. Nothing better than a fresh bitch, he thought, smile going wider when she placed the retrieved object in his hand. "Look at me sweetheart. I want to see those pretty baby browns."
As Chidima forced herself into eye contact, Paup attached the leash, reveling in his power over the girl. Her helpless expression stirred his cock. "What do you know," he teased, jerking the chain to pull her close. "You've gotten me all hot."
As Paup pressed his growing erection against Chidima's naked body, she squeaked: "Unfh."
"Kneel. Good. Now take off my pants. No. Use your mouth." Noticing the slave girl's spiking stress levels, Paup lowered her locus' sensitivity. No sense letting an early orgasm ruin his fun. He intended to play with this new toy for awhile.
From her knees, Chidima struggled to undo the button with her teeth.
"Hurry," he demanded, taking a last bit of slack from the leash.
The Kentrellite placed his other hand on Chidima's head possessively, eliciting a moan."Uhhh."
"This hair, on the other hand, you'll have to grow out. Of course. Braids might suit you. Attractive and practical! I could use them like little slut handles. We wouldn't even need this chain anymore." Having succeeded at opening his trousers, Chidima made to move but Paup kept her in place. "None of that now."
"Please..."
"Get to work. Not that way! Grab your elbows behind your back. Really show off those tits. There. Told you hands weren't necessary. I knew you could perform. Care to show me what else that talented mouth can do?"
"No," the girl whined.