She had made her decision and that is the way it would be. Zira would sleep in their bed, with them at night. It was something they both wanted for two different reasons. Iymril hungered to feel like they once had. They wanted someone alongside them. Someone to support their dreams and goals. Someone to bask in their successes with them.Zira on the other hand? She just wanted to feel secure. Safe from the Galaxy. She wanted to feel like she was something more to her owner than a toy. Iymril would give her that in exchange for a sliver of what they wanted as well. An illusion both could enjoy together as they rested. Another fantasy to cling to.
It was at Zira’s response before she left that gave Iymril pause. While they didn’t get up to chase her and apologize, because why would they? She was just a slave after all. It did make them reflect on what she’d said.
She never made a choice until just now.
She felt like she didn’t have a choice but to sleep with Melne. Iymril wondered if they’d really ever given her a choice. Had they forced her to do this? What would they have done if she didn’t? Were they any better than her former masters? Or were they far worse?
Why did any of this matter?
Iymril eventually finished their breakfast and without realizing it cleaned their own dishes. Once they were done they walked towards the dressing room and stood in the doorway. They’d watch Zira with her stoney expression as she picked clothes.
“Is that your impression of me?” They asked after a moment. “Because it is rather good.”
It was a joke. Maybe not a good one but one nonetheless. Iymril wouldn’t apologize for what they’d said to her or done to her. But they would at least try to clear the air between them.
“Show me what you’ve picked.” Iymril instructed. “And then show me what you’re going to wear as well.”
@Sreeya