CAE: Celio

"Can I go to Khaev?" Celio asked, peeking over the edge of his Grandfathers bed. The one winged elder Drannd was of great interest. So much so that he had continued to allow himself to get in trouble by bleaching his down white after his first experience. His Grandfather was a strong person with an extensive business. A person he wanted to be like.

"No. You are two small and to rare, someone might walk off with you." Quincy stated calmly, working to unpack his things. His eyes shifted to the tiny form watching him with erect feathered ears. "You don't want to be taken away by some monster and eaten do you?" When he shook his head no Quincy gave a pleased smile. "Good. Now run off and play with your brothers."

---

Celio had been born as one of three boys to his Mother Maranda, and his Father Cross. He was polite, well behaved, and terribly bored. His mind was wired to be as intelligent as his fathers line, but he had no interest in the same things as them. He got good grades in school with an interest in all subject including magic, was the charming sort that got out of fights by befriending others, and took part in sports and was trained in fencing by his Grandfather Gomez (apparently something his Grandfather Quincy excelled in). But Tir was stagnant and repetitive, there had to be more.

---

"Grandfather?" The thirty year old questioned, silent until his elder looked up. "I would like to formally challenge you to a duel. A two part duel. One is a verbal exam, I have studied your business and the general rules of the trade. If my knowledge is good enough, and you deem it enough; you will take me to Khaev with you on your return trip. If you do not then I would like to physically duel you in blades for the right."

The Drannd raised a brow, his Grandchild thought he was being clever. Surely a one winged Drannd who did not have a professional trainer could not win a duel against a younger freshly mastered studeny. Poor dumb child had no idea what he'd fended off in the past. "I agree to the terms of your duel." The excitement was clear on the younger male, who rather quickly was off to share his elation surely. Well this was going to be fun, crushing a child's dreams wasn't his cup of tea; but it would be fun to see the look on his husbands face when he told him he'd been in a sword fight.

---

The mental part of the Duel surprised Quincy, his Grandson actually did know how the trade of sentients was done. Very interesting, though he ideas were nearly romanticized as he clearly didn't realize how dangerous being on a market floor could be. He quizzed him for several hours, before informing him it was not enough; though he had answered all the questions correctly. They were to move on to the sword duel.

Celio was confident going into the match, grinning at his Grandfather Gomeze's excitement. Quincy was across the field, clearly uncomfortable in the lighter garb he was wearing for the match and stiff to his joints as he fiddled with his blade. How long had it been since the man was in a fight? More then likely before he was born, the other male even seemed uncomfortable of his weapons weight; his brother Gomez Fretting. "Are you ready Grandfather?" He called, prepared for a quick win.

"Dear me boy, give me a moment to remember how to handle this barbaric device." Quincy called back, before moving to the field. "First to bleed surrenders."

"Bleed?" Celio blinked "Are you sure you want me marking up your Skin Grandfather?"

"Trust me a little blood is hardly a concern after the years I've spent in my profession."

"Then lets begin!" And as soon as Gomez said start he was lunged towards him, ready to swing; Victory in less then a minute and then- Celio cried out in sudden surprise, eyes stinging from the sand that had been slung into them. Wait no, something was wrong. Celio fought the heaviness in his limbs, hitting the ground rather roughly as he fought off whatever it was that was preventing him from moving.

"Rule one. Always be clear of the rules of your Duel." Quincy stated, strolling forwards to shove his Grandson over with his foot. "Two hide your Soolia better if you plan to fight." Celio's eyes finally clearing, went wide; heart rate jumping as Quincy's sword caught the chain of the pendant his Soolia was in to lift it away for his person a bit. "Three, know who the hell your fights; because real monsters never bare their fangs until needed." Quincy let the Soolia drop, sword tucking under his Grandsons chin to drag a short shallow line; watching the blood flow. "You have lost, and may not go to Khaev with me. If however you can find your feet in the next three hours and catch up I will take you with me to the outer ring market I am visiting."

Celio blinked, realizing he was being given a slime second chance. He was going damn it!

---

Suddenly he was regretting his actions, pressed as closely to his Grandfather as possible. The trade floor was large and loud, with less then friendly persons wandering around. Most of the traders seemed to know his Grandfather, some taking jabs at the frail looking Drannd asking where his husband was. "I fear he may not have been able to make it, sadly I will be doing his bidding for him in such a case." The worst though were the questions directed at him, mostly if he was male or female; and if Quicny was interested in working out a price on him. He only had a brief break between Auctions in Quincy's room, being told how poorly he was presenting himself to the crowd; at this rate he was going to be nothing but something to step on.

He swore to do better, focusing on not being overwhelmed. He was doing much better his second time on the floor, following his Grandfather's lead on not letting other Traders treat him as an item and not showing fear. This was hardly as bad as he thought at first, it was no different then dealing with traders along side one of his uncles.

"There you are, I was afraid you wouldn't make it. Its no fun to bid without an actual rival." Quincy stated loud enough to drag Celio's attention. He knew the little brat had no idea the tall dark skinned man that had walked over was his husband. Or that he was about to be used as a tool to get Celio to let him be.

The man sneered a bit directly at Celio. Malachai hated children, and because of that was less then pleased with Drannd. But much to his general pleasure, Quincy had stated that he was free to do whatever he wanted to the purebreed that was with him; as long as he had all him limbs intact and able to heal functioning at the end. "You were hoping I missed the fight." Before Celio could react, he had a hold of him by the hair; yanking him closer. "So this is the assistant your lending me?" The look of minor panic on the young Drannd was at least amussing.

"Yes, I brought an aid along for you as requested. Celio dear? Don't give the nice man any problems, you do exactly what he says and I am fairly sure he won't beat you." That said he turned to walk off, leaving his rather stricken Grandson in the less then happy care of one of the most violent people he'd met in his life. Really he should have felt some form of guilt... Oh how long had it been since he'd been able to feel that?

---

Celio had been in Malachai's care for around ten hours before he was dropped off by one of the man's guards back to Quincy's quarters. The Albino noted his Grandson had nothing to say, and was covered in marks. "Oh dear, you didn't take an attitude with him did you?" He asked rather calmly. Celio had managed not to break down through his ten hour hell, but here back safe with Grandfather he simply slouched to the ground to sob. Quincy moved to the boy, gently stroking his hair. "You'll be fine Celio, scars fade in time. But if you can't handle that, this may not be the business for you."

---

For five years after the trip Celio had an acute fear of dark skinned males of other species, never sharing what had happened to him that day outside of stating he had an accident to explain away the marks on his body. He took up his magic study more seriously, working to create controlled bursts of light sudden enough to pop. Startling to someone after you. His study in defense also became more serious, stating he wanted to learn it better so if he was ever off world and something came up he could defend himself.

When he turned forty he took his mothers last name proudly, having his Soolia implanted on the inside of his chest bone. After the ceremony he searched out his Grandfather. "I wish to speak with you Grandfather." He stated quietly "I wish to join your business as an apprentice, working from Tir. I know you do off planet trades, and having someone here to search for stock for you might benefit. Or at least having a proper Drannd."

Quincy sighed, looking at the newly turned adult. "Very well, but you only get one chance; slip up and I'll be renting you out as an attendant again."

His body went stiff at the mention. "I swear I will make no mistakes Grandfather." For the sake of the business first and his own hide second.