"Your Magesty," the Harem Master said with an elaborate bow.  "I'm afraid I must take your companion from you for a time."

Erik looked at the man suspiciously, putting a protective arm around Nikita. "For what reason," he said, tone slightly icy.

[Chibi Erik: Mine. Not yours. Mine. Got it? *growl*]

Nikita smiled softly, leaning against Erik and looking down.

The Harem Master's lips quirked disapprovingly for a second.  "It's time for his examination."

Erik's eyebrow raised. "Examination?" he repeated, asking for clarifacation.

"Every few months we examine our charges to ensure their good health.  This is for their protection and yours.  Any stray diseases they might pick up can do great harm if not seen to quickly.  Nikita has not been tested for some time."

Nikita looked up.  "I haven't," he agreed softly.

Erik looked to be debating. "I guess it would be allright if Nikita wishes to go. How long will this take?"

"It is a complete physical examination.  It will take some time to ensure his health.  Two maybe three hours at the most.  But when he returns to you he will be assuredly in the best of health or have instructions on how to keep any difficulties in control."

Nikita nodded his assent.  "It's helpful sometimes, Master."

Erik nodded. "Very well then. But if he is harmed...." His glare finished the sentance.

Nikita smiled adoringly at Erik.  The Harem Master snapped his fingers and Nikita answered the summons, moving from Erik's side to the other man's.  With a last, almost shy smile, he follwed the man back toward the Harem wing.

Erik watched the depart and then sighed slightly. He blinked at himself, relizing with Nikita absence, he had little to nothing to do.  He frowned. Maybe he'd go spend the time in the library, read up more on protective spells or high elves....

The harem doctor looked up as Nikita and the harem master entered. "Oh," he blinked. "Was Nikita scheduled? I don't have him on my list..." the middle demon began looking through his papers.

Nikita looked at the Harem Master uneasily.

"Just pencil him in, then."  He pushed Nikita forward a bit.  "Won't do to have our esteemed second in command falling ill."  He gave the boy an almost predatory look.

The doctor blinked. "Second in command?" he asked quickly penciling Nikita's name in. "We'll have to reschedule  Railan then, his apointment was for later," he said absentmindedly to himself before getting up. "Did something happen at court?" he asked, walking over. "This way, Nikita," he took the boy's hand, leading him to the examination room.

Nikita followed, smiling at the doctor.

"Our Nikita has been elevated, due to his unshirking loyalty to his master, to the position of second in command," the Harem Master said, following the pair.  "And I needed to speak to him now."

The doctor blinked. "Elevated to..." He blinked again. "Well. That won't make the priss any more popular now will it." He shrugged. "Up here," he nodded to Nikita, half lifting him up onto the table. "How are you feeling? Any thing that should be looked into or shall I just go for the check up?"

Nikita smiled again and shook his head before looking up at the Harem Master again.

"No, it won't.  But it's quite good for us.  He can get into the council meetings now, and we've never been allowed in those.  Think of the information he can bring us!"

The doctor didn't seem to intrested. "Say 'Ah,'"  He shone a light down Nikita's throat and nodded. "You might want to look into getting a cleanser for your cainines. The amount of blood you've been drinking looks like it's starting to staine your teeth, if you;d like I can get you a good one, most of the vampires use it," he informed the boy. "Now hold still while I take the blood sample..."

Nikita winced slightly as the blood was taken, looking at the Harem Master.  "You want me to betray my Master?" he asked in a small voice.

"No, boy, not at all.  But if we know what they're doing....  You have influence now, and since you're second in command others of the council can be influenced to take lovers, and if we build enough we can have real power, not just sex over them."  The Harem Master's eyes almost glowed at the thought.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" the doctor asked, preping the sample for testing. "There's a reason the council demons have to pay so much. They have this nasty habit of damaging the boys or girls they borrow." He turned to Nikita again. "And speaking of sex, how are you and the priss getting it on?"

Nikita almost blushed, ducking his head to hide it and the smile that accompanied it.  "With the condoms everything's fine.  He never hurts me," he said in a soft voice.

"Damage!  With one of ours the second?  If the Priss shows this much honour to the Harem none would DARE hurt ours frivolously."

The doctor nodded to Nikita. "If that ever changes, you just come back here and we'll find a fix for it," he smiled kindly before moving on to the next step in the examaination. "The priss honered Nikita, not the harem," he pointed out to the harem master. "If he was honering the harem, would he have made you second?" he asked in an offanded mannor, more attention being paid to Nikita then the person he was adressing.  "How have you been feeding? Getting enough blood? Solid foods? Balanced nutrition? I found out that they have a vitamin for vampires who eat more then drink, it helps balance them."

"I eat with Master," Nikita said.  "And he feeds me from those who need to be punished.  He says they should be useful somehow."

"Yes," the Harem Master said in annoyance, "But as a Harem boy, he's synonymous with us in the minds of the idiot high demons."

The doctor shrugged, not pushing the issue. "Just be careful of anything that looks like it might have a blood taint," he cautioned Nikita.  "Now, I'm going to check your reflexes."  He took out his hammer and gently tapped the boy's knees, nodding at the reaction.  "I still don't see how it's going to stop the council members from inflicing harm.  They don't respect the priss, why would they change their ways because of something he did?"

The Harem Master growled impatience and pushed his way between doctor and patient.  Nikita looked at him in shock and surprise.  "You will let me know what they do and what they're planning," he ordered.  "And you will back what I tell you to back."

"I won't do anything that could harm my Master," Nikita said softly, backing away as much as he could.

The doctor scowled. "Do you mind? I'm trying to give him a check up!" he glared at the harem master. "Health is more important then your politics!" He turned to the boy. "Nikita..." He held out his hand. "If you'll come with me for the next part of your checkup..." His eyes shifted over to the harem master a moment. "You can have your talk after I've finished making sure he's healthy."

The Harem Master scowled but stepped aside as Nikita slip forward again and took the doctor's extended hand.

The doctor led Nikita behind a small curtin. "Touch your toes," he instructed the boy. He lowered his voice slightly so the harem master could not here. "And do what you think is right," he said as he felt the boy's back for iregularities. "Your health and wellbeing are more important then his nonsence, remember that."

Nikita nodded.  "Thank you," he whispered.

"So tell me, how is life with the priss?" the doctor said in a louder conversational tone. "He treating you well and with respect?"

Nikita nodded eagerly.  "Master treats me well.  Master helps teach me what I can do. Nikita has magic!"

The doctor blinked. "Magic?" he repeated, slightly awed. "That's wondeful! What sort? Is it like healing?"

"Nikita has vampire powers through blood, and telepathy and purifying magic from the elf half."  He dropped his eyes, smiling gently.  "Master is wonderful," he continued softly.

The doctor smiled in a fatherly mannor. "That's wonderful for you." He stoked the boy's hair breifly. "You'll still come back for visits, won't you?" he winked.

Nikita looked up.  "Of course!  Harem is family!"

The doctor smiled and mussed the boy's hair some. "Yes, it is."
 

Nikita opened the door slowly and looked for Erik before entering the room.  His expression brightened when he saw the man and he trotted over, presenting the doctor's bill of health.

Erik looked up from the small paperback he was reading and brightened. "Nikita!" He put the book down and pulled the boy into his lap, snuggling with him. "So everything's all fine?"

Nikita nodded, smiling.  He reached out and picked up the book Erik had just put down, smiling more.  "This is the doctor's," he said softly.

Erik blinked. "Really? Somone else in this pit knows how to read? Remarkable." He picked up the book again. "I've never seen this kind of book before. I was rather suprised to see it in the library." He turned it over, looking at the illustration on the front cover. "Althrough I should have guessed it came from inside the harem," he smiled.

Nikita put the book down and raised his arms to circle Erik's shoulders.  He leaned against Erik's chest silently for a moment.  "Master?" he said in a small voice.

"Hm?" Erik asked, hugging the boy. "What's on your mind?"

"Am I still the Harem's or am I just yours?"  He bit his lip, then rushed on.  "Because if I'm the Harem's then I still have to follow....  But if I'm only yours...."  He looked up, eyes pleading.

"You are mine," Erik said, eyes echoing the statement. He mentaly reached out and touched the astral mark he had made on Nikita. "And only mine. Noone else has claime to you..." he said softly, yet firmly. "What happened?"

Nikita sobbed relief.  "The Master... the Harem Master...."  He poured out all of the plans and instructions the Harem Master had given him on how to use his new position.

Erik's eyes went wide which shock and then filled with anger.  "Unforgiveable..." he said, voice hard.  He rose, keeping Nikita in his arms. "I will correct this situation..."

Nikita's grip tightened as his eyes widened in nervousness.  "Master?  What are you going to do?"

"Just because he is not a member of my court, his treason is just as great, if not more so," Erik replied. His eyes softened slightly, trying to comfort the boy. "I will not alow someone who sees those such as yourselves only as tools to stay in a postion where he has that power."

Nikita's fear dwindled.  "So...  But, the Harem...."

"What is it?" Erik asked, pausing in the hall.

"Without the Master, what will happen to the Harem?"

Erik paused, thinking. "In most orginazational structures, an new ruler will be put in his place." He mused this over some.  "I will find someone who is more worthy of the role, is that satisfactory?" he smiled.

Nikita smiled his relief and snuggled close to Erik's chest.  "Thank you, Master."

Erik smiled and kissed the top of the boy's head. "I would never destroy something you cared about," he said in a soft voice.
 
 

Erik entered the harem section of the castle and aproched the main desk. "I would like to speak with the head of this establisment," he said in a nueatral tone.

The receptioist's eyes nearly bugged out of her head and she nodded quickly before scurring off.

After a few moments the Harem Master appeared.  "Your Magesty," he said heartily with a deep bow.  "What can I do for you?"

"I wish to converse with you about something my Nikita brought to my attention," the king replied, keeping his tone steady.

The Harem Master looked at the boy, and waved Erik into his office.  "Of course.  Anything for my king."  He smiled.

Erik gently lowered Nikita to the floor to stand on his own. "Now, my dear Harem master..." there was a glint of steel in Erik's eyes as he said the phraze, laced lightly with a mostly hidden sarcastic anger. "Was there something that you wished to gain?"

The Harem Master glanced quickly at Nikita, who was half hiding behind Erik.  "I only look out for my charges.  What gains might you be refering to?"

"Do you still contider my Nikita one of your charges?" Erik asked, putting an arm around the boy.

"Of course.  The Harem is his home and family."

"Mmm," Erik replied non comitaly, seeming almost distracted and not really hearing the harem master's words. "Do you know why I have chosen to honour Nikita as I did?" he asked, looking at his fingernails as if the demon before him was not worth eyecontact.

"As you explained at court, Nikita has been a loyal help to you.  As he was trainedto be."

"Mm. Training that you, yourself oversaw?" Erik asked, finaly turning his eyes to the demon. "Tell me, what exactly do you teach your... 'charges' my ~dear~ harem master..." Erik's voice held a very dangerous tone as he smiled as a cat might when looking at a carged bird.

"They learn the ways of pleasure."  The Harem Master smiled knowingly.  "And they learn loyalty to Master and Harem.  Surely you can't object to a loyalty to family when Masters can change so quickly?  We are the only stability these children have."

"And tell me... which loyalty are they told to value most? To their masters, or to their harem?"

The Harem Master paused, hearing the trap.  "As I've said, Masters often change quickly for my charges.  If they were given more loyalty than we are it could get disruptive to the smooth working of the Harem."

Erik smiled smoothly. "If that is the case, then I am afraid my Nikita did not take your training to heart." He projected comforting emotions to the boy as he built up his energy levles.

The Harem Master looked at Nikita.  "Nikita?  Have you been causing trouble?"

Nikita pressed his face against Erik's side, not answering.

"On the contrary," Erik replied. A ripple of energy flucuated through the room as Erik took on his true form, wings blood coloured. "Nikita has pointed out to me others that have been." He put out his hand and gathered a large ball of energy in his palm. "And do take note that the only reason you are not now publicly on trial for treason if because Nikita values the family that he came from." Erik smiled with dark condecnetion.

The Harem Master shot Nikita a betrayed look.

"Nikita belongs only to his Master," the boy said softly.  "Master said so."

"And when he gets tired or bored?  Who's are you then?"

Nikita's eyes closed against tears.  "If Master no longer wants Nikita, Nikita... will die...."

"Rest asured, I shall never tire of my Nikita." Erik hugged the boy to his side tightly. "Your death will be more painful now that you have caused him pain." Erik's eyes narrowed as he built up more energy. "May your soul never dirty the pure again," he cursed before sending the energy outwards.

There was a choked scream as the Harem Master disintegrated.  Nikita clung to Erik, watching the spectacle with sad eyes.
 

Erik let the energy disipate and relaxed slightly. He gave a long exhale and then turned to embrace Nikita. "He can no longer harm," he said in a comforting voice.

Nikita nodded.  "But... he was my father.  As much as I had one...."

Erik stroked the boy's hair, sending comfort as best he could. "I am sorry..." he said softly.  "Were there no others who treated you kindly?"

"The doctor," Nikita said with a slow smile.

"Then concider him your father as well," Erik smiled.  "Where is this doctor so I may see him?"

Nikita led Erik through the hallways of the wing to the medical center.  He spoke softly with the receptionist, who kept looking at Erik and squeeking.  After a moment she scuttled away, returning quickly with the doctor.

The doctor blinked, adjusting his glasses, then smiled. "Now, Nikita, when I said to visit I didn;t mean you had to today..."

Nikita smiled. "Master," he said, threading his arms around Erik's.

The doctor looked up and suprise registered on his face. "Why... so it is," he said mildly. "A pleasure to meet the person who has little Nikita so radiant." He smiled kindly at the boy before looking at Erik and blinking again. "Dear me, I'm unobservant, when did you get wings?"

Erik smiled. "This is my true form," he explained. "Nikita informs me you have been kind to him durning his time in this establishment."

The doctor smiled. "I care for the boys here as if they were my own. I always say that good mental health improves physical health."

Erik smiled in return.

"I do regreat to inform you that the head of this establishment is no longer amoung the living. He comited an act that was unforgivable."

The doctor blinked again. "My..." he said in a slightly shocked voice.

"I wish to apoint you as his replacement."

The doctor blinked again, much more this time. "Me? Be harem master?" He stared slightly.
"This I must protest. If I am all tangled in the workings and politics of the place I'll have no time for the boys!" The doctor shook his head. "Sorry, but I must decline the offer."

Nikita smiled at the protest.  "But doctor, who could take better care of us?" he protested in return.

The doctor blinked. "Nikita, my dear...." The man sighed and smiled some. "You beleive I could do it well?"

Nikita nodded eagerly.

The doctor pondered some, and then shrugged. "If you beleive it, then I will give it a try.  The doctoring in my duties will still come first, mind you..." he said, pointing a finger at Erik.

Erik smiled, amused at the middle demon. "Of course.

Nikita snuggled close to Erik's side, smiling happily.

"Then I shall accept, only on the condition that you continue to take good care of Nikita." The doctor again pointed a finger at Erik. "I don't like anyone hurting our boys, even if they are king, understand?"  The doctor looked pointedly at Erik over his glasses.

Erik smiled again, highly amused.  "Understood." He paused. "Tell me... have you any more of those books like the one you left in my library?"

The doctor nearly squeaked. "THAT'S where I left it?!" he exclaimed, hand over his heart. "No WONDER I couldn't find it." He looked skyward a moment. "I swear, I'd lose my tail if it wasn't attached..." He shook his head slightly. "Terribly sorry."

Erik gave the demon a bemused look. "You may store any books you wish in my library as long as you don't displace anything greatly."

"Why, thank you." The doctor smiled. "Now, I have a patient coming in in a few moments, so if you wouldn't mind..." He gestured to the door.