[NC-17] Alterations IC (Stormageddon/Car'mael)

[Car'mael]

Disclaimer--Rating: NC-17, for scenes of blood and gore, suggestions of blood and gore, sexuality and sexual innuendo, pre-fade-to-black sexual suggestion, nudity, suggestions of nudity, sex, suggestions of sex, violence, suggestions of violence, torture, suggestions of torture, pain, language, suggestions of language, foreign language, and all that stuff you youngin's best avoid.

Linden, aka Lin to his Master and most people, sat carefully at an angle on a chair beside the ice-pale Brendyn Wynter, the mage who had made him what he was today. Most of the people milling about at this high-rise party were local powers, business, political, and even magical ones rubbing shoulders together. Most knew a pet when they saw one, an animal transformed by magical skill and ritual into something far more human--in fact, many of those serving food and drinks tonight for the party were pets, former loyal lapdogs and timid rabbits, with the occasional housecat and even a monkey helping run them. Linden himself was a bird before this, a wood thrush, a singer in the woods... and thus probably the most uncomfortable creature present, as human furniture was uncomfortable when you still had a tail.

It helped that he wore long coats and capes, skirts and robes, often things that seemed suitable for a girl and had led to many commenting to Brendyn about the lovely "girl" on his arm. They left his tail comfortable, free to swing as he walked, adding grace to his steps, and his Master encouraged the high boots and tight pants that often went with such outfits. Perhaps Brendyn was pleased to have others make such a mistake. In the end, Linden didn't care and felt even a bit flattered to be considered so pretty by others--it actually touched his avian vanity, for all male birds wished to be attractive to others and by nature his breed was rather plain to look at. Here, with his delicate features, his long and pale hair, his graceful movements and sleek body, he was considered exotic, even...

All this commotion was nerve-racking and tiring, however, for a creature used to solitude in the woods. He huddled closer to his Master, and considered requesting permission for some water or juice, or the joy of soda. Linden was not a fan of this man-made "wine" and "mixed drinks", as they made his head feel odd. But whatever his Master dictated... for the one who made him thus was a frightening creature, kind one minute and cruel the next--and the former bird feared to do anything to displease him.

"Brendyn," Lin murmured, voice soft and musical, almost as if he were singing the name, "might I get something to drink? And am I to sing tonight, or no?"

At times it pleased Brendyn to have Lin sing at such events, to demonstrate the former bird's wide range and beautiful tones, showing off his creation because a bird pet was rare. Most were scared to death in the middle of the ritual, yet somehow he had succeeded with Lin, to the awe and envy of many colleagues. Many who recognized Brendyn and knew on sight what Lin was gave the mage sidelong looks, jealous and feeling inferior. Many worked for the business and political powers present, helping bolster fortunes and frustrate the plans of each other. Of them all, Brendyn was one of the few not contracted to a business or family, an independent magician who took on only individual jobs as it pleased him, which only further made the rest feel resentment. How their own household managed financially without being employed like the others, Linden had no idea, and felt it beyond his own understanding, though there were two other pets who served inside their home. They had uses, however. Linden... was more an indulgence, a toy, a successful experiment and prize, or so it seemed to himself.

But Linden stayed obedient, not knowing any other recourse.

[stormageddon_]

Cats. That's what Brendyn found himself thinking of as he stared off in to the empty space in front of him, chin resting on his closed fist, leaning forwards against the table. Or at least, he was thinking of one cat; his Alfie, the only animal in his household that he had not tried to change in to anything vaguely humanoid. Despite being a bit of a socialite, Brendyn was not in the mood to party today. No, he had bigger things on his mind - namely that he wanted to go home, kidnap Alfie and spend the rest of the evening adoring his little 105-year-old kitty. Needless to say, Brendyn preferred the company of animals rather than humans or other mages. Sometimes having to carry out conversations with people he considered to be more stupid than himself turned out to be somewhat tedious.

Still, the night was still young and Brendyn had yet to enjoy the sweet chaos of drunkenness. Sure enough, he was planning on making sure that tonight was a good one. With a small smile, Bren turned his face in order to glance briefly over at Lin, marvelling for a moment in the wonder of his own creation. Who else could possibly have been skilled enough to create something as beautiful and unique as his little bird boy? Not many people, that was for sure.
Then the bird spoke, causing an intial sense of surprise - it had been unexpected - and then amusement. 'Don't be so formal, Linden. Besides, you might get a drink, but that doesn't mean you can have one.' Wording was always important with Brendyn, it was in his personality to be objectionable to just about everything. Phrases such as 'can I' or 'might I' were always best to be avoided, otherwise an irritated and long-winding rant might just follow suit.

'And no, you're not singing tonight - or at least, I hadn't planned on making you sing tonight but who knows how things will turn out? I may change my mind. Anyway, go get my cigarettes out of my jacket pocket and then you can go get yourself some water.' Naturally, the man didn't actually need Linden to go get stuff for him; he mainly ordered him around out of principle, giving subtle reminders of who was in charge. With a dismissive wave of his hand, Bren turned away from Lin and scanned his gaze over the crowd, searching for people that may be of interest to him from a business point of view.

[Car'mael]

Linden blushed, feeling still a little odd about having a warm face when this happened. But this was the least of Brendyn's reprimands, so he felt better for not being berated further about his slip of the tongue. Language was such an odd thing. He was still wrapping his mind around the concept of using words to convey everything and not movement or song and trills instead. It was easy to end up saying the wrong thing.

Not trusting himself to answer correctly with words, Lin nodded to his master and stood, going over to the coat-check girl and asking for Brendyn's jacket. The girl handed it over, and he rummaged in the pockets for what his master asked for, and almost handed it back before recalling the man's lighter. Again, the bird-boy felt around in the pockets before he smiled in relief, finding it. Handing the garment back, he turned to return to his master, requested items in hand.

Lin hoped to grab a glass of water in passing on the way back.

***

Martin deCampbell swirled his wine in a glass and leaned back, idly listening to the girl prattling at his ear about the mayor's mistress. He wasn't really paying attention to her words at all, just murmuring something now and then so that she kept others from pestering him while he watched the room. He had done his productive circuit of the major powers when he arrived, advertising his skills and profession like all of them did, with subtle wit and audacity. Those same powers admired such an approach, and he had no doubts that a few were strongly considering hiring him for some work in the near future. However, right now most of them had begun posturing before each other, so Martin was content to watch from the sidelines and let them have the spotlight they so craved.

His companion--Ginger?--had grown quiet as Linden walked past to the coat-check. "She's too pretty," the woman complained wryly, interrupting her earlier dialogue. "Nobody looks at the rest of us when she walks like that."

His own eyes followed the target of this new topic. Yes, Brendyn's bird... boy? ...girl? Martin couldn't be sure. "Why do you say that?" he asked absently, mind pondering just what his rival in magic was up to with this creation, a question that had continued to plague him since the man had shown his prize the first time in public a year ago.

"Even your eyes won't leave her!" Ginger pointed out with a pout.

"I watch fish at the local aquarium, too, but that doesn't mean anything, either," Martin answered her with a sly smile, leaning over to give Ginger a mischievous and consoling but brief kiss. "Now, as you were saying...?"

Letting his mollified nightcap prattle on, his gaze returned to Brendyn's pet again, studying it intently. Why had he made it? It wasn't as if Brendyn needed to make a sex-toy--he got what hangers-on he wanted when he wanted easily enough before. And doing it to just show off, well, he was too complex for such a shallow and unrewarding goal. There had to be something more to this! And it wasn't like he was selling this new pet to some big power as a plaything, though he could have made a lot of money that way. Brendyn claimed he was still training it--but it sang beautifully and socialized proficiently enough already, and a new master could teach it anything in bed that it needed to know. It wasn't as if a pet could enter any true media circuit, anyway, like the movie or music industries. That simply wasn't allowed. Why had Brendyn delved into those old Japanese mages' manuscripts to learn to make a bird into a pet to start with? Granted only the mages for the royal family had ever succeeded at making such pets, but didn't that just prove what a wasteful novelty they were?

Or was there something more?

Martin's gaze shifted to Brendyn himself, thoughtful. He didn't care that he was staring. It wasn't the first time, after all.

Matrin would have to dig through some of those manuscripts himself. There had to be something he was missing...

[stormageddon_]

When Linden finally - a minute or so seemed like an eternity in the world of a heavy chain smoker - returned back with Brendyn's neccessities, Bren was slumped against the table with his head resting on his forearm, completely and utterly depressed. Leg shaking irritably, hand twitching, it took a couple of seconds for Brendyn to notice that Linden had actually returned at all.
'What the hell took you so long?' He demanded, reaching forwards and snatching the pack out of the male's hands, fingers trembling as he ripped open the pack and withdrew a ciggie. Within seconds it was lit and he was perfectly content, puffing away. 'Did you get your drink yet? I've changed my mind, though, you're not allowed water. Go get a couple of glasses of wine, I want to see if you've developed any sort of tolerance towards alcohol recently.' That was his excuse every time he got Linden to drink - mainly what he wanted to do, though, was have a good laugh at the bird's expense when he got drunk.

Once Brendyn's craving for nicotine had subsided, he became a lot more conscious of the fact that he was being stared at. He'd noticed out of his peripherals and when the person hadn't stopped after half a minute, Bren turned his head and stared back, jaw set in annoyance. Naturally he recognised the person, Martin, though recognition didn't exactly mean forgiveness - tonight, for once, he wasn't doing anything wrong; the attention he was getting, again for once, was unwanted.

After a couple of seconds he got up, motioning briefly for Linden to follow as he slowly made his way over to Martin's table. 'Something I can help you with, sugar? Or are you just enjoying the view.'

[Car'mael]

Linden blanched and hung his head as Bren rescinded his right to drink water and enforced drinking the foul human stuff instead. It was a blatant punishment, clear in his irritation and restless demeanor. He wanted entertainment, and as there was nothing else, Linden might still serve to some extent. The former bird could only hope it would be what mild humiliation he might find in this public place and not continue on returning home, within soundproof walls.

"Yes, Brendyn," he whispered unhappily, setting his glass of water down and turning to get a couple wine glasses as directed.

He eyed them reluctantly in his own hands, much as most humans eyed a plateful of tripe. It was unappetizing, the taste dry and oddly akin to blood. Linden knew having to drink it would be a chore--he would have to force himself not to gag when swallowing. Why, why did people like this stuff?

Then another caught Bren's attention, and Linden reluctantly trailed along as directed, just glad that attention had shifted elsewhere. He recognized the one Brendyn called Martin, a rival his master disliked. Well, careful what you wished for. Martin was dangerous, his master had said. He would take you apart to find out how you worked... Linden tried to cover a shiver and took stance by his master's side uneasily, dutifully trying to take a sip of the red wine and grimacing a bit at the taste. This would take some time...

***

Martin smiled slowly and arched a brow at Brendyn as he approached with bird in tow. With a murmur, he sent Ginger off to go talk to one of the bankers' wives about a good jewelry store, something that might occupy her for hours. He stayed lounging in his seat as the other two came up to him and grinned slowly.

"Bren, my dear... and your little feathered friend, too. I was lost in thought, but then, it's always easier staring at a puzzle to try and help you figure it out, isn't it?" he returned with a lazy smirk. "Like those eye illusions that were a craze a bit back... where getting too close only made it impossible. Though you'd never be so straightforward, right?" he laughed.

Resting chin on hand, Martin studied the pair, noting the bird's discomfort and how it was trying to make itself drink from one of the wine glasses in its hands. It had done something wrong if it was trying to do something it didn't like. If he could get his hands on the bird... maybe he could figure things out. But he knew Brendyn would never let him borrow, let alone buy, his creation. No, the man was too smart to allow it. But he could annoy the man by trying.

"I can't imagine why you acted on such a whim, Bren. I'd have thought a pet hyena before a pet bird. But I'm willing to take it off your hands, for... oh... let's say 45... Seems like a simple and fragile thing, but I'm sure I can find a use for it entertaining some ladies' tea shop or something," he proposed boredly.

[stormageddon_]

'Hyena? No. They're ugly. You should know me by now, Martin. You should know me enough to know how much I like the prettier things in life. Nothing ugly, nothing that's not unique. Everyone's got a hyena nowadays. Nobody has a bird quite as exquisite as my little Linden, here.' Bren smirked, shaking his head as though he were actually disappointed, as if he'd expected more than what he'd gotten. Glancing back at Linden, Bren sighed impatiently and then snatched the full glass from out of his hands, downing it immediately.

'See, Lin? That's how you do it if you don't like it, ok?' He handed the glass back, staring intently over at him, waiting to see whether or not he was going to down the rest of his drink. 'Come on, pretty, don't disappoint me now.' Bren leaned in and started to quickly fuss over Lin's appearance, stroking his hair back from his face and just generally trying to make him look more attractive. Then he heard Martin's offer, visibly tensing for a long moment before turning around.

If looks could kill, there was no doubt that Martin would be dead right now; Brendyn was furious. 'Really? You think that's all my boy is worth?' He took a moment to compose himself, a large and very fake smile soon plastering itself on his lips, 'you can take your offer and shove it up your backside, yeah? We both know you don't want the bird. You're too lacking in imagination to come up with any viable use for him and personally, I wouldn't subject him to the torture of having to put up with you.' Obviously it didn't take a lot of get him riled up, and Bren had a great habit of blowing things completely out of proportion.

With a short cough to clear his throat, as well as to try and compose himself a little bit more, Brendyn turned towards Linden and in a sickly-sweet voice suggested that he might like to go and get himself some water. Mainly he just wanted to get rid of him for the moment.

[Car'mael]

Linden had been hesitating, taking cautious small sips, trying to hide his revulsion. Wine tasted awful to him. He tried to ignore the discussion his master was having with his rival, though. He had no say in the matter anyway, and to let it sink in would be allowing it to alarm him. It was enough to make his tail flick uneasily all the same. Brendyn wouldn't sell him, surely, yet there was always that nagging doubt. After all, his master was unpredictable and could be mean at times.

But his master showed how to chug it, and he had no choice but to try and obey. Tail shivering unhappily, Lin put the glass to his lips and tilted it down his throat quickly, closing his eyes. He coughed and immediately gagged, bending over with a hand to his mouth, trying to will himself not to vomit the stuff back up. It tasted as terrible a he'd expected, a slightly metallic tang with rotted floral highlights in his opinion. Being petted and his hair caressed, if only to show him off, still was a reassuring thing to the former bird--preening was a reassuring activity, being groomed was a means of calming down, and it helped him regain his composure.

Brendyn turned towards Linden and in a sickly-sweet voice suggested that he might like to go and get himself some water. Mainly he just wanted to get rid of him for the moment.

All too glad to obey, Lin hurried off to get some water without the slightest hesitation. He wanted to wash that taste from his throat so badly! Finding a server, he requested it and was quickly given a large glass. After all, most of the servers were also former animals, and they, too, had a limited taste for human foods. Taking a couple gulps, he sighed in relief.

***

Martin grinned internally. The other mage was fuming and defensive. He'd gotten to Brendyn, and that always made his day. To upset his rival and ruin his time here was a plus--to make him lose his temper a bonus. To get under his skin was priceless.

"True, I wouldn't have much idea what to do with him. I suppose I'd study how you made him just out of curiosity," he admitted ruefully, watching the bird cough and splutter over his wine. Bren's propitiatory way of touching his hair was not lost on Martin. "I have to admit, he is pretty... but you never had to make dates for yourself before, Brendyn--so why start now?"

Watching the other mage send the former bird off for water (probably a blessing to the creature after being tormented by having to drink what it abhorred), Martin grinned cheerfully. Brendyn might say things now best not heard by the pet. Perhaps about how flawed it was. Some had health issues as a result of their changes and needed medications to live, only to die of complications related to that. Or in Brendyn's case, the bird disappointed him somehow. Just how might be a clue as to why he'd made it to start with, though.

"It may be worth a great deal... but it still doesn't meet your standards somehow," he chuckled, amused. "Name a price, and I might take him off your hands, then, and move it on to a good home--you know I resell pets sometimes. Or I can find someone else who will," he offered lazily.

[stormageddon_]

'You're not taking Lin.' Brendyn sighed, agitated, 'you're just not having him. Not for all the money in the world, money is of no consequence to me anyway. End of story, case closed. But for the record, he's not my date. There's no point in developing feelings for the thing, I don't even know how long it's going to live. Certainly not as long as me.'
Honestly, though, he did see Martin's point - it would have been more his style to transform a hummingbird or something even more delicate and beautiful, something that he could really brag about. Maybe he'd do that next? Who knew. Most often even Brendyn didn't know what he was doing until he'd already done it - though, guaranteed, that got him in trouble sometimes. Such as the time he'd accidentally made a human-alligator, carnivorous hybrid that had somehow gotten loose in the city. It'd been an interesting experience.

With a quiet yawn, Brendyn withdrew his pack of smokes and lit up, not giving a damn about whether or not he was causing any of the people around him any kind of discomfort. 'I guess I'm a bit of a mystery to you, hmm? You're always trying to figure me out, figure out why I do the things I do. You might as well give up, babe, it's never going to get you anywhere. You'll have a heart attack before you work me out.' Flattery was the way to Brendyn's heart and, unfortunately, he particularly enjoyed flattering himself - especially in thinking that Martin was more interested in him than he was in Lin. It explained why he was so self-absorbed, anyway.

'Anyway, I hate you, so I'm going to go find my bird and probably have sex with it, if that's ok with you?' He'd figured that that was probably what would wind Martin up the most, 'you can call it beastiality if you want to, but that kid's got a sweet mouth.'

[Car'mael]

Returning with the rest of his water and glad for having gotten rid of the wine glass, Linden heard his master's last comment. He couldn't help a bit of a flush touch his fair features. Mating with his master was always uncomfortable for him. At times the man was gentle--at others cruel and brutal. Had it been predictable and not demeaning or painful at times, he would have been content and at more ease. But the former bird had no choice--he accepted this as yet another human thing, and beyond his control. That didn't mean he faced the idea without a slight tremble to his tail feathers, though.

Brendyn was angry. That meant for a rough or unpleasant mating, likely.

Lin finished off his water swiftly lest he be denied any again, pushing the dispiriting thought aside so he could live in the moment. It was not too difficult a thing, being originally an animal, as most creatures did not consciously make many future plans. However, being more human now, he couldn't help a faint thrill of nervousness.

***

Martin made a bit of a face. "You're going to take it out on your bird? Well, that's your thing, I guess. Not my fault if you're a deviant. Though I'd call you that more for your personality than your sexual habits. And yeah, I hate you too." He smiled sweetly. "But don't make a fuss if you break your toys in a fit of rage."

Picking up his glass, the mage arched an eyebrow and took a sip. "That's why I rescue the toys of others. Not their fault their original masters were too foolish not to misuse them. But I know your toys won't end up in the same rubbish heap. When your toys break... they die."

[stormageddon_]

'Take it out? Oh, no, don't be so naive Marty. He's just abnormally sexy, don't you think?' Brendyn smirked and sighed quietly, shaking his head and stretching out boredly. 'You don't hate me, I've decided that you're subconsciously infatuated with me, which would fully explain why you're so intent on invading almost every aspect of my life. Why you're so obsessed with me, which I think is pretty fair to say.'

Then he stood, stretching out again and motioning for Lin to come closer, gently looping an arm around the bird's shoulders, kissing the side of his head. 'Anyway, my birdboy's more than a toy, aren't you, sweetie?' Obviously the last bit of the statement was more directed towards Lin than it was to Martin, 'you're my everything at the minute. The first success out of many to come. Maybe next time I'll go for something even more fragile and beautiful.'

Bren gave a sickly-sweet smile, then turned on his heels, beckoning for Lin to follow him. Whether or not he actually was planning on molesting the poor creature remained to be seen, honestly it was pretty unlikely. He had bigger and more important things to do tonight than satisfy his own needs.