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Language:
English
Series:
Part 2 of Catharsis
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Published:
2025-03-24
Completed:
2025-05-27
Words:
1,083
Chapters:
2/2
Comments:
48
Kudos:
159
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5
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1,175

Clarifying the Protocols

Summary:

“I have an announcement regarding his Radiancy’s health,” says the Commander.

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Tervin does his best to look attentive and serious as the guard-commander enters. Chatter slows and dies as the other guards take notice.

The other inner guards.

Tervin’s been serving at the Palace for centuries – people don’t get promoted to the inner guard without long service. He still feels like a giddy newcomer as Commander Omo halts in front of them.

Everyone in the Imperial Guard aspires to this assignment – to the trust that accompanies personal service to the exalted Sun-on-Earth. Tervin needs to prove he deserves to be here.

Commander Omo casts a sharp eye around the room. Ser Rhodin stands to his left, feet squared. “I have an announcement regarding his Radiancy’s health,” says the Commander without preamble. He’s always a man of few words, and usually Tervin likes that; but this blunt opening sends a nervous ripple through the room. Commander Omo elaborates, “Specifically, in regards to his private meetings with Sayo Mdang.”

Abruptly the tension eases. A nervous laugh comes from the back, quickly stifled. Part of being chosen for the inner guard means perfecting a serious mien, but sometimes they forget around each other.

Tervin doesn’t know what Commander Omo means by private meetings. But Sayo Mdang is their lord’s secretary, so…

“As you’re all aware,” says Commander Omo incorrectly, “Sayo Mdang occasionally accompanies our lord into his private study, without any witnesses.” What? “It is not our place to speculate on those meetings. However, given his recent health issues, our lord would like to emphasize that… should someone need to enter, Sayo Mdang should be assumed a safe and innocent party despite any unusual circumstances you might encounter.”

This is oddly long-winded and circuitous for the commander. Another ripple passes through the room. From the front Ato grows impatient; he’s served amongst the guard for years, and clearly doesn’t suffer Tervin’s concerns about making a good impression. “So, if our lord’s heart gives out from old-man sex Sayo Mdang isn’t responsible,” he summarizes flatly.

Tervin nearly chokes.

“That’s not quite,” Commander Omo begins. He stops. “Well, yes. However,” and he pauses again.

Ser Rhodin clears his throat. “If,” he begins loudly, “If, hypothetically, you came into the room to find – just hypothetically – Sayo Mdang, standing over our naked lord and beating him with a whip - “

The room stops being silent. This outrageous piece of blasphemy prompts sputters, chokes, gasps, and even one strangled sound like a screech. Tervin isn’t sure what his own face is doing, but he knows it doesn’t match the stone-faced expression he ought to be cultivating as a professional guardsman.

“What the fuck,” says Ato, in a much less blasé tone.

“Hypothetically,” continues Ser Rhodin, dogged, “then you should continue to assume that Sayo Mdang is innocent of any… non-consensual harm…”

What is happening, Tervin wonders.

“...and just focus on attaining medical attention for his Radiancy,” Ser Rhodin finishes.

“Oh yes,” Pikabe whispers next to Tervin. He looks gleeful; he is alone in this.

“You can’t be serious,” says Varro. He sounds more uncertain than anything, eyebrows high.

“...Shouldn’t. Shouldn’t we do something about that?” Ato asks.

“We are not doing anything about this very hypothetical scenario,” Rhodin tells them.

They all know it isn’t hypothetical.

Commander Omo’s voice cuts through their collective panic. “Thank you, Ser Rhodin,” he says dryly. “As a reminder: it is our job to protect his Radiancy, but also to serve him. It is not our business what activities he enjoys in private. He trusts Sayo Mdang; we will extend that same trust. I do not expect this information to leave this room.” He sweeps his gaze around the room, and though he doesn’t move a muscle he seems suddenly colder. “Understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” comes the collective mumble. Tervin is still trying to find words, and mostly gives up.

“Good. You are dismissed.”

The Commander and Deputy-Commander leave. No one moves.

The inner guard, Tervin reflects, might not be as glamorous a posting as he assumed.

Chapter 2

Chapter Text

“Cliopher doesn’t know what a safeword is,” Conju announces.

Rhodin chokes.

They’re at Conju’s apartments today. When Rhodin received the invitation for drinks he thought he’d be having a nice, athletic night. When he arrived and saw Conju’s solemn face, he adjusted the expectation and wondered if the Groom of the Chamber had information to share. Or needed help disposing of someone.

Well; this probably counts as sharing information.

Conju gloomily refills his glass. Rhodin leans forward. “What do you mean, he doesn’t know what a safeword is? They just commissioned a set of purified chains.”

“I know.”

“They’ve started keeping a whip in the Imperial bedroom. It’s just. Hanging on the wall.”

“I know.”

“And aren’t you purifying…?”

“Dildos. And other things for going inside the Imperial body – quite laughing – I know! I know! That’s the problem! I swear to you, Cliopher has no idea.”

“Then what…? What have they been doing?”

“Don’t ask me!” Conju wails. “I tried explaining and Cliopher just said, oh, he thinks they work better without one… lunatics. They’re both lunatics.” Conju takes a breath. “I think I need to have a word with his Radiancy.”

He pronounces this with the air of someone discussing a trip to the gallows. Which is appropriate, actually.

“You’re going to have a word with the Lord of Rising Stars about dildos.”

“About safewords. For his security.” A beat. “Actually, you know, this is a security matter...”

“Absolutely not,” says Rhodin immediately. “And if it were a security matter, it would be Ludvic’s job. And I’m not sure he knows what safewords are, either, come to think of it.”

Conju makes a pitiful sound.

“I’m sure he’ll, uh. Appreciate your discretion.”

“I don’t think he will, actually.” Conju glowers at his drink. “I keep reminding myself that he’s happy.”

“Hrm.” Rhodin considers. “Do you think they have other safety precautions? ...does Cliopher know how dangerous strangulation is, for example?”

Conju clenches his teeth and makes a little sound like steam escaping from a kettle.

“You should definitely offer to supervise,” Rhodin adds.

“That might be counterproductive, because I suspect I’d want to kill them both,” Conju says.

The Deputy-Commander of the Guard responds to this treason with a cackle. Conju takes another drink.

They do not finalize any plans that evening, but they do give a fine demonstration of the efficacy of safewords. So it’s really a shame, Rhodin thinks, that they never managed to invite Cliopher to these nights together.

But that’s happily Conju’s problem, and not his.

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