[The heavy silence was almost worse than the splintering of wood, the burning rage in ferocious voice. It ticked on like a silent time-bomb waiting to go off. The truth had been said out loud, finally, and it needed a moment to settle in Locus's brain.
Even if Washington was correct that Locus had already figured it out. Even if Locus already had that sinking feeling that he knew it was true.
A fucking year. They had been contacted for over a fucking year already.
Words came back to mind, and though most of them had never been said out loud, Locus could hear them perfectly in his head as though Felix were in the same room with him.
"I've been here a whole year and some change."
"I'm handling the freelancer. I've been handling the freelancer."
"If he tries to tell you some shit, you tell him to fuck off. Let me handle him."
"FYI Wash [...] Our contract's up next month."
"Fun funds here and there as thanks for occasionally sucking your dick and not murdering you in your sleep."
"We doing another round or we calling it good?"
It didn't matter. It was the way this city worked. It was required for everyone. It meant nothing.
Felix had wanted Locus to get a contract before his time limit was up. Locus knew the city had rules about contracts and disobeying them held consequences most would rather not live through. Several people had said as much to Locus. He knew it was true.
And yet why Washington? Why would Felix agree to that contract? It wasn't as if the submissive didn't have any say in who they contracted with, they simply had to have one. They could chose, they had to agree to the terms. Why had Felix chosen Washington?
Logically, there were several semi-rational reasons to chose from. Keeping a close watch on the Freelancer. Using him for access to weapons and funds. Or perhaps less positive reasons such as being coerced by the city and-- and what, Ortez? Choosing to agree to the contract over and over again as it ran out and Felix needed another? Why not change dominants? Why stick with Washington for over a year?
What the fuck was going on?
Why was Felix doing this to him? Why wouldn't he trust him anymore? Why bother to protect him, why bother to provide for him if he hated him so much? What had happened? On Chorus, in this city. How did it end up this way?
The silence was suddenly broken with a tumultuous roar and a thunderous crash as Locus lashed out at the nearest object again. The already broken table clattered across the floor as the mercenary threw it aside in a fit of rage. Then the silence filled up the empty space again.]
I'm sick of the both of you. How hard is it communicate pertinent information to vital personnel involved. I have a right to know. I-
[ . . . ]
I want to know what happened on Chorus.
I want to know what's happened here, in this ridiculous city.
no subject
Even if Washington was correct that Locus had already figured it out. Even if Locus already had that sinking feeling that he knew it was true.
A fucking year. They had been contacted for over a fucking year already.
Words came back to mind, and though most of them had never been said out loud, Locus could hear them perfectly in his head as though Felix were in the same room with him.
"FYI Wash [...] Our contract's up next month."
It didn't matter. It was the way this city worked. It was required for everyone. It meant nothing.
Felix had wanted Locus to get a contract before his time limit was up. Locus knew the city had rules about contracts and disobeying them held consequences most would rather not live through. Several people had said as much to Locus. He knew it was true.
And yet why Washington? Why would Felix agree to that contract? It wasn't as if the submissive didn't have any say in who they contracted with, they simply had to have one. They could chose, they had to agree to the terms. Why had Felix chosen Washington?
Logically, there were several semi-rational reasons to chose from. Keeping a close watch on the Freelancer. Using him for access to weapons and funds. Or perhaps less positive reasons such as being coerced by the city and-- and what, Ortez? Choosing to agree to the contract over and over again as it ran out and Felix needed another? Why not change dominants? Why stick with Washington for over a year?
What the fuck was going on?
Why was Felix doing this to him? Why wouldn't he trust him anymore? Why bother to protect him, why bother to provide for him if he hated him so much? What had happened? On Chorus, in this city. How did it end up this way?
The silence was suddenly broken with a tumultuous roar and a thunderous crash as Locus lashed out at the nearest object again. The already broken table clattered across the floor as the mercenary threw it aside in a fit of rage. Then the silence filled up the empty space again.]
I'm sick of the both of you. How hard is it communicate pertinent information to vital personnel involved. I have a right to know. I-
[ . . . ]
I want to know what happened on Chorus.
I want to know what's happened here, in this ridiculous city.