Chapter Text
"Don't fucking touch me!" Edge snarled, pulling his bound hands away from the handlers. "I can walk! I don't need you to lead me!"
"You signed up for this," one of them huffed. "Keep quiet or nobody will buy you! Nobody wants a loudmouth brat!"
Edge grunted as a hand gripped the back of his head, shoving him and forcing him to look forward. He growled, kicking back one chained foot and catching the man in the shin. He cursed, and Edge smirked victoriously. Serves them right.
His smile faded as they threw the veil over his head, a cruel reminder of the life he'd signed up for.
What other choice had he had? No family. No skills to speak of. He's tired of surfing from foster home to foster home, couch to couch, shelter to shelter, and now he was in his 20s and there wasn't much more he could lean on. He's been so busy surviving every day since birth, running from the horrid creatures only he can see, that he took the first ticket out of the slums that he was offered. A rich person sponsoring his life, he can work with that. And he'll have someplace to call home, and he doesn't think they'll try anything funny once he pounds them into the ground for trying to lay a hand on him.
The stage lights were bright in his face, even with the veil over it, and he heard the announcer call him some strange term that had everyone whispering. When the bidding started, it jumped quickly into the millions, and he took a deep breath.
He signed up for this. He did. He wants this.
"1.5? I have 1.5 million can I get 1.6? 1.8! 1.8 million, can I get 2? 1.8 million going once! Going twice!" The auctioneer began to raise his gavel--
--and Edge laughed. He didn't mean to, he just...did. He wanted this, but hell if he was going for less than 3 million!
The hall grew quiet as he ripped the veil off and tossed it aside.
"1.8? Are you shitting me?" He laughed as he addressed the crowd. "I know you old codgers are worth more than that!"
A sign went up in the crowd and the auctioneer shouted "I have 2! 2 million! Can I get 2.2? I have 2.5! 2.5 million!"
"Chump change!" Edge shouted as the handlers began to come out on the stage. He thrashed away from them, deep crimson eyelights glaring at the closest handler. "Don't touch me! You can fuck right off!"
"3 million! Do I have 3.1? 3.1. Alright we have 3.1, going once--going twice--"
Edge flipped the groaning crowd off with a smirk, enjoying their muttered frustrations. Fuck you! He's worth at least that much! 3.1 million, not so bad for a forgotten kid from the slums--
"5 million."
The whole auditorium quieted, a large shape rising from the crowd. Edge felt his bones prickle, a huge presence rolling off of the patron who then began to step to the stage.
"Uh...5 million," the auctioneer said as the man approached, his face obscured by a sheet of fabric. Edge flinched as he reached out, ready to bite--
But his touch was gentle, appraising him, turning his chin up and to the side. It requested nothing but gentle movement.
"5 million going once," the auctioneer continued. "5 million going twice--"
"actually, 6 million," the man said, dropping his hand.
"Uhh...sir, nobody is challenging your 5 million."
"i know. but i want to spend a fair price for him."
The auctioneer turned to confer with one of the others, and Edge just stared up at the man, confused feelings swirling in his chest as the auctioneer finally declared him "Sold!" to the combined groans of the crowd.
The man whipped out a checkbook right then and there, scratching out a check for 6 million and handing it over to the awestruck auctioneer. He turned back to Edge, cocking his head slightly.
"well. that's that settled. come along, then."
He snapped his fingers, and the chains at his neck, hands, and feet crackled and shattered, leaving him free to do anything.
He could even run, since the man turned his back, completely trusting Edge to follow him.
He could run. He could.
He rushed to follow the man before his cape could disappear out the door.
Edge grumbled as he pulled on the borrowed pajamas. How embarrassing! First he was sold at auction, then the man who bought him flipped him out of his clothes and into the tub to wash him like he was some...some pet! Some fussy baby!
And Edge isn't what anyone would call 'complacent'. He has been described as 'full of piss and vinegar' by those who actually somewhat liked him. This man (Rus, as he was apparently called) gave exactly zero shits about any of that piss or the vinegar.
Edge pulled the shirt over his head with a huff, turning towards the bathroom door. It was time to give this man a piece of his mind! Set boundaries, tell him in no small words that just because he was bought at auction doesn't mean Rus gets free access to any part of him!
He swung the door open, running face first into a sturdy chest, throwing him off just enough to stumble back, looking up confusedly.
It was Rus, but his fabric veil had been pushed back to sit behind his skull, revealing a skeletal head with a long snout. He had two horns, curled tightly against his skull and adorned with shiny brass rings. Edge's lecture died on his teeth as he sat there, stunned by not only the fact that he was another skeleton (he's told they are rare) but also his...animalistic appearance. Perhaps Edge himself is an outlier? He's never seen another skeleton, so they really could be that varied.
But Christ, does he have to be so damn tall? Edge isn't lacking in height but Rus still towers over him. Edge squared his shoulders at his insistent staring, noting offhandedly that his eyelights were a soft golden color.
"you're done getting clean?" Rus asked, stepping back and beckoning him.
Edge began following as he walked away, frustration building in his bones as he reared up to give him a piece of his mind.
"Now you listen here! You will never take my clothes off without my permission again!" Edge huffed. "If I say stop touching me, you had best stop touching me or else I will break your fucking fingers!"
"noted," Rus said, pausing in the middle of the hallway. He reached into his large sleeves and pulled out a small notebook, actually scribbling something down. "is that a mortal thing? or just you?"
"Any sane person would want consent before getting undressed!" He snapped. "Are you...are you actually writing this down?"
"yes." Rus said simply, returning the book to his sleeve and producing a key instead. He gestured to Edge to follow again, leading him up a winding steel staircase.
"I don't care if you tattoo it on your fucking forehead," Edge continued as they reached the top, and Rus used the key to unlock the door at the top. He followed him into the room. "Just don't forget it if you value your fingers...what is this?"
"your room," he said simply, letting go of the key. It floated in place for a moment, before a sturdy cord zipped through the hole and tied itself, floating over to settle over Edge's head and around his neck.
He furrowed his brow, hand closing over the key as he looked around. A basic room, though perfectly round as a tower might be. The bed had clean linens on it, and a desk and bookcase was provided. There was also a tall, dusty wardrobe, which he inspected first, finding it empty.
"we can get you some clothes tomorrow," he said, not moving from his spot in the doorway as Edge explored. "do you like the room?"
"It's bare and smells like wet dog," he lied, barely containing the flutter in his chest--it's his room, his very own room! He can't remember the last time he slept on a bed that wasn't shared, or gazed out at a view that he didn't wonder if it was the last time.
"we can decorate it, too." Rus pulled the little notebook out again.
"Stop taking notes on me!" Edge huffed.
Rus paused, his elongated skull tilting slightly to the side. "...why?"
"Because it's…" Edge hesitated. What was it? Dehumanizing? He's not even human, he's a monster. "...rude."
"is it?" Rus put the notebook away. "you have a lot of rules, seer. i hope i can remember them all."
"I'm not a--" Edge stopped dead, his eyes widening as he saw one , creeping and peering around the empty bookcase with round red eyes. An unsettled feeling began to swirl in his chest, and he took half a step back.
Rus followed his gaze, making a noise of understanding as he caught what Edge was staring at. "ah. don't be afraid, it's just a little one."
"What?" Edge snapped as Rus held his hand out. A sharp whistle had the shadow slinking out of its hiding place, perching gently on Rus' outstretched hand. It looked almost like a regular black cat now that he could see it better, besides its four red eyes and the fact that it's back end disappeared into wispy shadow instead of legs.
"i thought you might like them. i have heard that mortals will pack bond with anything, and i thought having them might help you adjust." The cat-like thing stretched oddly, it's eyes disturbingly swirling and switching places before closing until all he could see was tiny half-moons of red light.
Edge made no move to take him, but he begrudgingly accepted. It didn't... look hostile. Most creatures he sees practically drip blood from their toothy maws, or blink with bloodshot eyes at him. This was...fine.
"You can leave it," he conceded. "So, then, what's the catch?"
"catch?" Rus asked as he allowed the little spirit to hop down and curl up on the comforter.
"Yes. A room, surprisingly not your room. You paid 6 million for me to...live here?" He shrugged, a symbol of his own confusion. "Don't misunderstand--if you attempt to fuck me I will kill you, but I have to say that I'm surprised you haven't attempted as much."
Rus chuckled, a gloved hand coming up to his mandible in thought. "well, you're a seer. that means you're capable of great magic, and i've been looking for someone to teach. of course, we'll have to marry and bond--"
"Excuse me? The hell we will--"
"but that could be years down the road, there isn't any rush for that. all it would do is cement your place in the mage bloodlines, which would unlock depths of power you wouldn't be able to handle at this stage anyhow."
"Hold on, I didn't agree to any marriage," Edge growled. "I don't care how much you spent on me, except that you probably won't bother kicking me out and be out that much. I don't intend to make anything easy. "
Rus chuckled, and it was low, beckoning another confused feeling from the depths of Edge's soul. He tried not to blush as the mage stepped closer, leaning close but obediently not touching.
"i should not expect easy, not at all. but if i must win you, then i can certainly try, now can't i?" He leaned back, straightening, once again so tall, but this time he struck Edge as more...childlike in demeanor. As if the spirit of a game of chase struck a chord with him. "i'll let you get settled, then...oh, but, if you don't want me to keep calling you 'seer', then you should think about telling me your name."
A childish rage crept over Edge at the playful request, and he flipped him off.
"ah, i know this gesture. then i should call you bird, or maybe birdie?" He laughed, then, as he turned to leave, and Edge didn't hesitate to slam the door and lock it behind him.
He backed away from the door, falling heavily on the bed as one hand came back up to clutch the key around his neck. He could have another copy, but that wasn't likely with old locks like these. As long as this key is around his neck, he can probably rest safe, knowing nobody will creep into his room.
He heard a low noise, like a half-meow, half-ribbit, and turned to eye the creature still on his bed. It's form had become almost amorphous, a puddle of...goop-like stuff. But the moment it noticed him looking, it began to stretch out and become an almost-cat again, rubbing up against Edge's femur and crawling into his lap.
"...Well. I guess you really aren't that bad," Edge conceded, petting the creature as it curled up as best it could with only wispy ghost trails instead of back legs. "I'll try to name you, I guess. Unless you already have one?"
The little creature did not answer, only gazing up at him and blinking slowly.
If it had a name, it wasn't sharing. Much like Edge with Rus a few moments ago, so perhaps he deserved that.
"Fine. If he asks again, I will tell him," Edge grumbled to the...he guessed it would be easier to call it a cat, even if it only somewhat looked like one. "Judgy, aren't you?"
It croaked out a little meow, and it almost sounded like "good night".