Fic: Rainbow's Freedom (RobinSong Arc) (28/41)

Sep 20, 2008 00:14

Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (RobinSong Arc) (28/41)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Lois Lane (Clark does not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark try and adjust to being lovers as well as Master and slave, on a warm spring night a new member of the Wayne Household is added: a little boy whom Bruce sadly identifies with. Dick Grayson further pushes Bruce along the path of Abolitionism as the child brings further Light into the Manor. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Sexual imagery of a BDSM variety.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Bruce gives an interview to The Daily Planet.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): January 7, 2008
Date Of Posting: September 20, 2008
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1698
Feedback welcome and appreciated.



“I’m not sure that many of us
Would enjoy being naked
And led around by a chain
If we knew that we had
No choice in the matter.”

“The Moral Case For Abolitionism”
Lecture given by Martha Clark Kent,
Convention of
The National Abolitionist Society,
Topeka, Kansas
June 18, 2246 C.E.

XXVIII

THE GENTLEMANLY THING TO DO

“Master, may I present Lois Lane of The Daily Planet.”

Bruce turned from the library window as Alfred ushered in the star reporter. Dick looked up from studying at the corner table.

Lois’ sharp blue eyes missed nothing from the black turtleneck sweater and charcoal-gray slacks of Bruce to the sun glinting off Dick’s golden slave bracelets.

“Ms. Lane. A delight to see you again.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wayne.” Alfred bowed and discreetly left the room. “It’s a pleasure to conduct this interview.”

“Have a seat.” Bruce indicated the chair in front of his massive desk. As Lois sat down, Bruce turned to Dick. “Finish your studying upstairs, then go outside for some fresh air.”

Dick nodded, gathered up his books and hurried out.

“So, you educate your child slaves.”

“Slave.”

“Excuse me?”

Bruce walked to the leather chair behind the oak desk and sat down. “One child slave.”

Lois crossed shapely legs, her yellow suit showing off a curvaceous body. “So you believe in educating slaves?”

Bruce smiled. “I don’t like surrounding myself with ignorant people.” He picked up a stylus. “By the way, I’m honored that you’re the one Perry sent to interview me. I didn’t think you were working at The Planet anymore.”

“I’m not, at least not on a regular basis. I’d won a boatload of awards, a Pulitzer or two, and despite my love of ferreting out the story, I had another love.”

“Writing mystery novels. And very well, too.”

“Thank you.” She smiled. “I still do special features for The Planet.”

“My Prize is a devoted fan of your novels.” He pointed to a book on his desk. “That’s his copy.”

Lois picked up the book and smiled. “Ah, my latest.” She opened the cover and scribbled inside. Closing it, she replaced the book back on the desk.

Pleased, Bruce said, “He’ll like that.”

“Glad to do it. And speaking of your Prize, people were surprised when you bought a pleasure slave last fall.”

“Were they?”

“Yes. You’d never had a pleasure slave before. Why now?”

“Well, Ms. Lane, I never say never.”

“So you were attracted to him?”

“Very much so. That is why one purchases a pleasure slave, is it not?”

“True.” Lois tapped her stylus on her notepad. “But it seems as if you are collecting slaves after years of pretty much relying on free help, except for your butler.”

“I don’t think two slaves are a large collection.” Bruce’s voice was amused.

Lois bit back a smart retort. This man was far too clever to trip up. All right, then, the direct approach.

“You’ve never spoken about slavery one way or the other. Does adding your Prize and the boy indicate you have no abolitionist leanings, like your cousin Kathy Kane?”

“It’s a capital ‘A’ now.”

“What?”

“Abolitionism. The movement would appreciate you capitalizing it now.”

“Oh. All right.” Lois scratched out a note. “Your views on slavery?”

“I’m a member of the Gotham Parks Commission. We pushed for restroom access for slaves, and we want stepped-up patrols against slave harassment on the streets.

“I’m also on the City Commission. We’ve been in contact with Commissioner Gordon about better supervision of the slave pens at Knickerbocker Hall.”

Lois nodded. “I’ve heard that rape…pardon me, violation of property...is widespread in slave pens everywhere.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Terrible places. I’ve been to the pens in Metropolis, once before a major auction.” Her noise wrinkled. “They’re packed into the cages, often in their own filth, before they clean them up for sale. But, of course, that’s mild compared to the stories of after-hours. The most attractive slaves are forced to service the guards who treat the pens like their own personal brothel. Hell, even those rare ones classified as virgins have to perform orally even if they’re untouchable below the waist.” A flicker of discomfort and something else…anger?…flashed through Bruce’s eyes. “The guards are extremely well-sated by auction time.”

“Exactly.” Bruce put down his stylus, idly toying with an antique ivory-handled letter opener. “There should be professionalism amongst the guards. Sadism is so…gauche.”

“Gauche?”

“Yes, lack of breeding. How much class does it take to make those under your complete control suffer? Absolute power corrupts absolutely if you don’t have the strength of character to overcome it.”

“So you believe that Masters who abuse their slaves are without character?”

Bruce nodded. “Anyone of low character can beat and humiliate a slave. The true lady or gentleman would refrain from such boorish behavior.”

“What would you say to those who claim freemen have the right to do anything at all to slaves because it’s ordained by divine right, according to the major religions?”

“Well, Ms. Lane, what religions people follow are their own concern, but my concern is lineage and living like a gentleman, not just acting like one.”

Lois uncrossed and re-crossed her legs, radiating sexuality but not in some cheap and tawdry way, but that of a woman confident in her own powers.

Lois had found it to be quite effective during interviews.

“How do you treat your own slaves, Mr. Wayne?”

Bruce laid down the letter opener and steepled his fingers. “With consideration.” He smiled charmingly. “I require obedience, as all Masters do, but I’ve found if you treat those who are manacled with a measure of respect, you are rewarded tenfold.”

“How so?”

“Loyalty out of respect rather than fear.”

“Is that what you feel is proper? Ruling through respect but not fear?”

“It is the way of the gentleman.”

Lois was impressed despite herself. She had a healthy distrust of the rich and privileged, considering most of them parasites. Worse, the Government had co-opted the billionaires, allowing them freedom to amass and increase their great wealth, restricting them to billions instead of trillions and more, but the ultra-rich could indulge their debauched whims without interference.

There were still laws to obey.

There were just less of them for the privileged.

She repressed the urge to address Wayne as ‘Lord’. He was different from the usual corporate sharks. He reminded her somewhat of Lex Luthor, but the aristocratic bloodline went back far more.

“So, in essence, you advocate humane treatment of slaves?”

“I do. It’s just as one treats people of lower social status. Do you ignore people who clean the buildings or serve your food in a restaurant? Of course not. Everyone deserves respect.”

“Even slaves?”

“Even slaves.”

“That’s not a very popular position.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s necessarily so. Many people don’t like barbarism, and treating slaves less well than you would a dog or cat is really just proof of lack of good breeding.”

Lois noticed the return to the ‘class’ theme. It was a clever tactic: the Prince of Gotham’s opinions mattered, and not just in Gotham Society.

“So, your pleasure slave is satisfied with his treatment?”

“I would say that he is.” The smile he graced Lois with was supremely self-satisfied.

Lois almost laughed out loud. The Prince certainly had a healthy ego! She wondered about the man required to spread his legs for him on command.

“So I take it you aren’t one of these Masters who requires their pleasure slaves to be naked at all times?”

Bruce looked startled for a moment, then he smiled sardonically. “While it would be no hardship to keep my Prize naked at all times, I prefer granting him a measure of dignity.”

“But he would strip in front of a roomful of people for you if ordered?”

“Of course.” Bruce leaned forward. “And he would service me in front of everyone, too, if that’s your next question.”

Lois had the good grace to blush. “So he doesn’t kneel at your feet at dinner, or serve as your footstool?”

“Hmm, all interesting ideas, but, no, and I don’t require him to sit with his legs open, either.”

“I’ve been in Households that require at least the pleasure slaves to remain unclothed. They’re on their knees most of the time if not bent over a desk. Some are forced to travel on their knees at all times. I once saw one who was allowed to walk but was led around by a cock chain. Needless to say, he tried to keep up so his Master wouldn’t tug on it.” Lois nearly winced in sympathy. The man sitting across from her kept his face impassive. “Their arms are often bound behind them, leaving them more vulnerable.”

“I’ve seen what you’ve described.” Bruce leaned back in his chair. “Not very dignified.”

“Pretty salacious.”

“My Prize serves me well in the bedroom.”

I’ll bet he does.

Lois had seen pictures of Lord Wayne’s Prize. For once, she wouldn’t have minded a little less dignity if she could have seen that body unclothed.

“How is your Squire working out?”

Bruce’s face brightened. “Excellently. He’s a bright, happy child.”

“A circus child, correct?”

“Yes, from a very talented family of aerialists.”

“Your Prize reads. What about your Squire?”

Bruce was silent for a moment, then answered, “I don’t like being surrounded by ignorant people, as I said. The boy is being educated.”

“There are people who disapprove of slaves being taught to read and write.”

“They’re probably the same people who lead their naked slaves around by chains on their cocks.”

Lois smiled at the sarcastic disapproval. She wondered, though, if the Lord of the Manor wasn’t averse to bondage games in the bedroom. She dearly wished that she could ask him if he used a pleasure whip, paddle, nipple clamps…

She sighed mentally. Wayne would probably decline to give her details on his bedroom habits. A pity. Talk about a scoop!

She briskly moved away from the topic of kink, no matter how interesting, and asked, “So, what is your position on Abolitionism (mentally adding the capital ‘A’)?”

Silence fell over the library.

dick grayson, robinsong arc, lois lane, clark kent/bruce wayne, superman/batman, robin, alfred pennyworth, rainbow's freedom

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