[ the reaction, all things considered, is better than expected. there are no theatrics. no hand clawing at his throat. laurent watches him with a blank expression, the flimsy tunic still dangling from his fingers. ]

You know what I mean. [ but if he must explain — ] Like this chair, here. It's mine. If I decided I wanted one more ornately carved, or higher backed, or gilded in silver instead of gold, I could have this tossed out, destroyed, made into kindling or what have you. And I would get another. That's what I mean by property.

[ surely that's simple enough to understand. his eyes have settled on sasuke's newly present limb, a flicker in his gaze as he wonders just what else has changed that he cannot yet see. ]

It's not a bad life to be a pet in Vere. [ the lie slides easily from his tongue. ] Unless you choose to make it so with your own defiance. Understand that I've given you liberties. You're nothing here. You're an instrument to administer pleasure and entertainment, and if you don't deliver, if you don't play this game, I can't protect you. If you take the path of violence against me, or anyone else here, you'll die, and I will watch. I might even wield the blade.

[ he delivers the speech without inflection. finally, he drops the fabric, letting it flutter to the marbled floor. ]

Well? Come change.