An unplanned life

Chapter 17

More Change

The party was fun, the Prince stayed long enough to toast all our healths and to spend a little time talking to each of us. A surprise was to be approached by first the Dungeon Master and then the Poirnoi Master, both beaming from ear to ear as the guests began to depart.

“Your former inmates congratulate you both — and thank you for the feast they are enjoying courtesy of your Family.” The PM laughed. “They would all like to be here, but we closed the Poirnerium and gave them permission to celebrate.”

“Would it be permissible for us to visit? Perhaps to see them in the Recreation Room?” I asked. Cheekily I added, “We might even accept some restriction …”

“It can be arranged,” the DM commented, laughing. “I still have your decorations and restrictions in store.” 

“We’ll have to see how it can be arranged,” I said. “For now, I think we will have to see what we can contribute to our family affairs.”

“Don’t plan too far ahead,” Mede whispered in my ear, laughing as I turned in surprise. He greeted the PM and the DM warmly. 

“Your handiwork does you both great credit.” He laughed. “We find ourselves much admired in the outland.”

“I doubt it is my work, they admire,” The DM retorted, “You’re both magnificent men and would be, even without the living metal decorations.”

“Thank you for the compliment!” Mede laughed, then turned to me as they took their leave, “Father wishes to introduce you to a guest. We are sent to fetch you …” He winked. “And Con and I have not yet had a chance to greet you two properly …”

  

“My brother and his life-partner, sir.” Mede announced, ushering us into the reception room my father used to meet his business contacts. 

The ambassador smiled a greeting, his expression warm.

“Congratulations to you both, may you enjoy many happy years together.” Embracing Alexei and then me, he said, “At your brother’s suggestion I am here to offer you a post in my office. If you accept, you will be supporting the work your brother and Con do.” He held up a hand. “Do not give me an answer now, this is your partnering day. In a week I will send for you and we can discuss it fully then.” Indicating our linked wrists, he smiled, “I suspect that your thoughts are otherwise engaged at present. You’ve waited for this day a long time. Enjoy it. All of you.”

Mede and Con bowed, so I followed suit with Alexei and we left him with my father.

“Explain, Mede!” I demanded as soon as the four of us were out of earshot of the door. “What is this position he offers us?”

“You would support us in our work,” Mede replied. “Prepare us for clients, perform all the tasks the PM did for you — and us when we’re there — in the Poirnerium.” Grinning, he continued, “Our ‘restrictions’ are not all they seem. There is really no need for us to be as we are today, we are not restricted at all times as you were, only when we need to appear that we are CRPs.”

“What? How is that possible?” I stared at his encased penis. “It took a week to remove our metallic enhancements, yet you say you can remove yours?”

“We’ll reveal the secret when you’ve made your decision,” he teased. “In all truth, we would like you to join us. The work is not demanding, and yours would include the analysis of what we gather, and the preparation of reports to the ambassador. Our role is primarily to distract — though we do, of course, enjoy the attentions, and the cum fuels our desires of course.” He kissed me lightly. “And now, my dearest brother, I have my life partner to take to our wedding chamber and you have yours …”

“Yes,” Condoin laughed. “I think I need confirmation this is not just a dream.” Kissing Mede’s cheek, he smiled. “Besides, I have something to give you, my love.”

“So have I, for you, Poal.” Squeezing my hand, Alexei pecked my cheek. ”At home.” 

The Prince Ramted, brother of the Prince Theophilis, Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the Outlands, smiled as we entered his surprisingly ordinary office in the City. Behind him stood Mede and Condoin in their CRP metal and looking magnificent.

“Greetings, Poal, Alexei. You are well and enjoying your formalised partnership?” The ambassador-prince indicated that we should seat ourselves. “Will you take some refreshment with us?”

“Yes, sir, we are finding it easier by the day to adjust to being free, and to being able to show our affection without restriction.” I answered for us both, glancing at Alexei. Neither of us had expected to be treated as honoured guests, and now Con moved to offer a tray with tall glasses and delicate pastries, first to the prince and then to us. “Thank you, Con.”

“I’m pleased to hear you say so.” Taking a drink from the glass, the prince smiled, and indicated Mede should stand beside him. “Mede has told me much about you both, and I am, as you know, a man-lover.” He smiled. “Difficult in a position like mine, but I am fortunate in my own partner, and choose my companions and assistants with care. Have you considered the offer I made on your Partnering Day?”

“We have, sir.” Alexei glanced at me. “But we are uncertain as to exactly how we could or would serve you.”

“Then I will explain. You are aware that the rivalry within some familias for leadership and the right to breed heirs has resulted in, shall we say, some abuses that rendered rival breeders unable to breed?” We nodded. Steepling his fingers, he paused. “Many of these men have settled in the Outlands, and plot revenge against their families, this destabilises often delicate relationships between our government and the Outland cities.”

“I understand that, sir. It is much discussed in the news and the market.” I said. “But what could we do to counter this? We have no contact with such people normally.”

“True, but as part of my embassy you will be asked to entertain some of those who visit the embassy on diplomatic affairs, and to make petitions to my brother through me.” He paused. “You, Poal, had recorders attached to your person for most of your time as a CRP. You never knew what they recorded, did you?”

“I’d some idea, sir. I suggested it to my father.” Smiling, I hesitated. “I think at least some of them must have reached you.”

“Some, yes. What we learned from them was invaluable.” He glanced at Alexei. “I see your partner was not aware of this.”

“I dared tell no one, sir.” Squeezing Alexei’s hand, I glanced at him and continued, “I knew that discovery would result in my family paying a heavy price.”

“They would, but you would have paid an even heavier price if discovered. Your father was aware of this, and most concerned about what might become of you if it were exposed.” 

I shrugged. “I was already at the extreme as a CRP, sir. Yes, I could be killed, or my sentence extended indefinitely. The latter a death sentence in itself, since I would have been moved to a special poirnerium — one in which the more sadistic took their pleasure. CRPs committed to those houses do not survive intact, if at all.”

“Yet you suggested this, and undertook it anyway?” 

“Yes, sir. Once I learned what was being plotted … How could I not?”

“Remarkable.” He turned to Alexei. “And were you unaware of your partners actions?”

“I knew nothing of this, sir.” Alexei gripped my hand, his expression shocked. “Had I known, I would not have betrayed him — I’d have wished to join him.” He frowned. “My blood familias betrayed me and cast me off. Poal and his family showed me love and support even though I’m sure at least some of them knew who I was.” Turning to me, he kissed my cheek. “Some of my own took great pleasure in my status as a Poirnoi, deliberately using and taunting me in the poirnerium. You gave me love and hope. I will follow you in whatever the prince offers us.”

“I still do not fully understand what you would require of us, sir.” I glanced at Mede and Con, now seated next to him, their living metal ‘decoration-restrictions’ dazzling. They looked magnificent and very happy. I confess I found I envied them. “Would we be in the role of Poirni Masters for Mede and Con?”

The Prince and Mede exchanged a glance. He nodded to my brother.

“Yes,” Mede began with a smile, “And no. We will all be special CRPs. Sometimes you will be our PMs, and sometimes we will be yours.” He reached up and touched the metal ‘glans’ helmet. “Our helmets give us complete control of our responses, and our genital restrictions are,” he grinned, “multifunctional and not always a restriction.” Turning to the prince he asked. “May we show them, sir?”

“You may, Mede. Take them to your suite. I will not need your services until tomorrow.” He stood and we followed his lead. “You may give me your answer at any time.”

Con took my hand as Mede did the same for Alexei, and whispered, “We may look like CRPs, but we have some wonderful extra functions. You’ll love them.”