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bradygirl_12Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (RobinSong Arc) (32/41)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Jamie, Dick
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): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Batman inspects the slave pens at Knickerbocker Hall the night before the Great Auction.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): January 17, 2008
Date Of Posting: October 11, 2008
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1031
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
“It’s an abomination to jam these people in cages like cattle.”
XXXII
“STAY STRONG”
The Batman swept through the enormous hall, cape flowing out behind him as he passed the cages filled with humanity. He carefully inspected each one, noting the bottles of fresh water, sanitary facilities, and lack of jamming in the cages.
The lighting was low, not harsh, in order for the slaves to get much-needed rest. The guards wore crisp, clean uniforms, and they were a new crew from the last time Batman had been here.
Jim Gordon had instituted the reforms requested by the City Improvements Council, chaired by Bruce Wayne. The old crew of sadistic guards had been dismissed, and the new storage rules had been implemented.
Tonight was the night before the Great Auction, Gotham’s annual event. People from all over the country and the world would come into the city for the chance to purchase merchandise of high quality.
It was a four-day holiday, the Auction beginning on the 3rd, and then everyone celebrating the Fourth of July the next day. The Auction continued for two days after that, hundreds of sales being made.
There was always potential for trouble, of course. He wouldn’t put it past the Joker or Penguin or Riddler to try a mega-robbery.
But that was contingency planning. Right now he wanted to make sure that these slaves were well-treated. He hoped they all ended up with good Masters, but for now, he could control their environment.
Chief Guard Aaron Teschler walked up to Batman. He bowed a silvery-haired head.
“Glad to see you here.”
“Everything seems in order. I’d like to see the private cages, please.”
“Certainly. This way.”
Batman followed the burly man through the hall, curious eyes watching him. One of the women caught his eye and smiled tentatively. He nodded slightly, amazed at her reaction as she faced an uncertain future tomorrow.
He admired slaves’ resiliency more every day.
The private cages were located on the second floor. These slaves were special merchandise slated for private auction. Viewing booths were set up for private sessions, prospective buyers getting an up-close-and-personal look with couches and lubricants provided.
Virgins were not to be touched for obvious reasons, though the old crew had still managed to extract their fun. Batman’s eyes searched for any of these special slaves.
“Are there any virgins in this batch?”
“One.”
“Show me.”
Teschler escorted Batman to a cage in a corner of the room.
Batman saw a beautiful young man, barely legal, curled up on the floor of his cage. Blond, silky hair fell into green eyes as Teschler ordered him to look up.
The collar seemed heavy on his neck, porcelain skin pale and smooth. As was the custom, his collar was unadorned. His new Master or Mistress would choose how to brand and decorate him.
“He’s going to be bathed first thing in the morning. He’ll have a good night’s rest, undisturbed.”
“Good.”
Oh, Gods, Clark, you were here, in one of these cages. And the guards were not this crew.
Bruce’s heart ached. He saw the fear and anxiety in this boy’s eyes, his vulnerability for all to see.
Even the Batman was sympathetic.
“Batman?” Teschler asked.
“Yes?”
“Are you interested in a private viewing?”
His first instinct was to say no, then he changed his mind.
“Yes.”
Teschler nodded and opened the cage, pulling the slave out by a length of chain attached to his collar. The boy stumbled out, keeping his eyes downcast as he was led to a private booth. Batman followed, entering the booth when Teschler exited.
Batman entered with a swirl of cape, the blond chained to the ornate red velvet couch. He was on his side, blond hair falling into his closed eyes, a slight tremor running along his limbs.
Batman strode to the couch, a gloved hand grasping the boy’s chin and lifting it to look into clear, leaf-green eyes.
“What is your name?”
“Ja…Jamie, sir.”
A little tremor went through Batman. “How were you raised?”
“In a well-to-do family, sir.”
“Occupations?”
“The Master is a doctor, the Mistress a professor.”
“Names?”
“Dr. and Mrs. Havelock, sir.”
“Excellent.” A thumb ran along Jamie’s chin. “Why are you being sold?”
“I…I was designated a pleasure slave, but the Master and Mistress already have their own.”
“Were you raised with your parents?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Siblings?”
“One.”
Batman drew his hand away. “Have you entertained any prospective buyers?”
The fear grew. “Harrison Caldwell, sir.”
Batman’s mouth twisted.
What a waste of such beauty.
He pushed the hair out of Jamie’s eyes. “Stay strong.” He abruptly turned and left the booth.
He said to Teschler, “You may return the slave to his cage.”
“Yes, sir.”
Batman paused out in the hall, placing his hand against the wall. He rested his forehead next to his hand.
Jamie.
The name his father’s pleasure slave had borne.
He even looks like him: blond, green-eyed and damned beautiful.
He was extremely glad the reforms had gone through. This boy would have been a target for sure. His hand curled into a fist.
Had Clark been as frightened yet courageous as that boy?
The thought of what Clark had gone through here the night before Bruce had first seen him turned his stomach.
That newly-legal boy in there…he could be Dick someday.
No!
He slammed his fist against the wall.
& & & & & &
Bruce gently pushed the bedroom door open. He quietly went inside, relief sweeping him as he saw a peacefully-sleeping Dick. Moonlight silvered his sweet face, and Bruce lightly touched his hair.
He stayed in the room for a few minutes longer, then kissed the top of his little boy’s head.
He slipped out of the room and into his own, quickly disrobing and climbing into bed with a sleeping Clark.
“Mmm, Bruce?” Clark came half-awake.
“Shh, go back to sleep.”
Clark settled against Bruce as his Master encircled him with his arms.
Bruce knew what he had to do tomorrow, and he also knew that he would do all he could to keep his Family safe.
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Jamie, Dick
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): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Batman inspects the slave pens at Knickerbocker Hall the night before the Great Auction.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): January 17, 2008
Date Of Posting: October 11, 2008
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1031
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Bruce Wayne
Chairman
Gotham City Improvements Council
22—C.E.
“STAY STRONG”
The Batman swept through the enormous hall, cape flowing out behind him as he passed the cages filled with humanity. He carefully inspected each one, noting the bottles of fresh water, sanitary facilities, and lack of jamming in the cages.
The lighting was low, not harsh, in order for the slaves to get much-needed rest. The guards wore crisp, clean uniforms, and they were a new crew from the last time Batman had been here.
Jim Gordon had instituted the reforms requested by the City Improvements Council, chaired by Bruce Wayne. The old crew of sadistic guards had been dismissed, and the new storage rules had been implemented.
Tonight was the night before the Great Auction, Gotham’s annual event. People from all over the country and the world would come into the city for the chance to purchase merchandise of high quality.
It was a four-day holiday, the Auction beginning on the 3rd, and then everyone celebrating the Fourth of July the next day. The Auction continued for two days after that, hundreds of sales being made.
There was always potential for trouble, of course. He wouldn’t put it past the Joker or Penguin or Riddler to try a mega-robbery.
But that was contingency planning. Right now he wanted to make sure that these slaves were well-treated. He hoped they all ended up with good Masters, but for now, he could control their environment.
Chief Guard Aaron Teschler walked up to Batman. He bowed a silvery-haired head.
“Glad to see you here.”
“Everything seems in order. I’d like to see the private cages, please.”
“Certainly. This way.”
Batman followed the burly man through the hall, curious eyes watching him. One of the women caught his eye and smiled tentatively. He nodded slightly, amazed at her reaction as she faced an uncertain future tomorrow.
He admired slaves’ resiliency more every day.
The private cages were located on the second floor. These slaves were special merchandise slated for private auction. Viewing booths were set up for private sessions, prospective buyers getting an up-close-and-personal look with couches and lubricants provided.
Virgins were not to be touched for obvious reasons, though the old crew had still managed to extract their fun. Batman’s eyes searched for any of these special slaves.
“Are there any virgins in this batch?”
“One.”
“Show me.”
Teschler escorted Batman to a cage in a corner of the room.
Batman saw a beautiful young man, barely legal, curled up on the floor of his cage. Blond, silky hair fell into green eyes as Teschler ordered him to look up.
The collar seemed heavy on his neck, porcelain skin pale and smooth. As was the custom, his collar was unadorned. His new Master or Mistress would choose how to brand and decorate him.
“He’s going to be bathed first thing in the morning. He’ll have a good night’s rest, undisturbed.”
“Good.”
Oh, Gods, Clark, you were here, in one of these cages. And the guards were not this crew.
Bruce’s heart ached. He saw the fear and anxiety in this boy’s eyes, his vulnerability for all to see.
Even the Batman was sympathetic.
“Batman?” Teschler asked.
“Yes?”
“Are you interested in a private viewing?”
His first instinct was to say no, then he changed his mind.
“Yes.”
Teschler nodded and opened the cage, pulling the slave out by a length of chain attached to his collar. The boy stumbled out, keeping his eyes downcast as he was led to a private booth. Batman followed, entering the booth when Teschler exited.
Batman entered with a swirl of cape, the blond chained to the ornate red velvet couch. He was on his side, blond hair falling into his closed eyes, a slight tremor running along his limbs.
Batman strode to the couch, a gloved hand grasping the boy’s chin and lifting it to look into clear, leaf-green eyes.
“What is your name?”
“Ja…Jamie, sir.”
A little tremor went through Batman. “How were you raised?”
“In a well-to-do family, sir.”
“Occupations?”
“The Master is a doctor, the Mistress a professor.”
“Names?”
“Dr. and Mrs. Havelock, sir.”
“Excellent.” A thumb ran along Jamie’s chin. “Why are you being sold?”
“I…I was designated a pleasure slave, but the Master and Mistress already have their own.”
“Were you raised with your parents?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Siblings?”
“One.”
Batman drew his hand away. “Have you entertained any prospective buyers?”
The fear grew. “Harrison Caldwell, sir.”
Batman’s mouth twisted.
What a waste of such beauty.
He pushed the hair out of Jamie’s eyes. “Stay strong.” He abruptly turned and left the booth.
He said to Teschler, “You may return the slave to his cage.”
“Yes, sir.”
Batman paused out in the hall, placing his hand against the wall. He rested his forehead next to his hand.
Jamie.
The name his father’s pleasure slave had borne.
He even looks like him: blond, green-eyed and damned beautiful.
He was extremely glad the reforms had gone through. This boy would have been a target for sure. His hand curled into a fist.
Had Clark been as frightened yet courageous as that boy?
The thought of what Clark had gone through here the night before Bruce had first seen him turned his stomach.
That newly-legal boy in there…he could be Dick someday.
No!
He slammed his fist against the wall.
Bruce gently pushed the bedroom door open. He quietly went inside, relief sweeping him as he saw a peacefully-sleeping Dick. Moonlight silvered his sweet face, and Bruce lightly touched his hair.
He stayed in the room for a few minutes longer, then kissed the top of his little boy’s head.
He slipped out of the room and into his own, quickly disrobing and climbing into bed with a sleeping Clark.
“Mmm, Bruce?” Clark came half-awake.
“Shh, go back to sleep.”
Clark settled against Bruce as his Master encircled him with his arms.
Bruce knew what he had to do tomorrow, and he also knew that he would do all he could to keep his Family safe.
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no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 04:49 am (UTC)His love for his family is a powerful, beautiful thing.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:03 pm (UTC)Thank you, Jeannev!
Bruce has come a long way, hasn't he?
His love for his family is a powerful, beautiful thing.
Bruce is made to be a family man! :)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 07:20 am (UTC)Yes Bruce you better be careful or your family might end up taking part in the next Great Auction. *is very afraid for Starchild, Little Bird and Alfred*
Good to read how much Clark and Dick have changed Bruce and his views on slavery.
Wonderful chapter, can't get enough of this family moments in your stories.
Thanks for sharing, and as always I can't wait to read the next chapter....even if that might bring on an ugly confrontation with the Caldwells....*sigh*.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:07 pm (UTC)You could be right about this! :)
Bruce does have a plan for the next day and for Jamie.
Yes Bruce you better be careful or your family might end up taking part in the next Great Auction. *is very afraid for Starchild, Little Bird and Alfred*
There's always that possibility. If he's discovered to be Batman and the Government decides to come down hard on his vigilantism, or his support of Abolition causes problems...
Good to read how much Clark and Dick have changed Bruce and his views on slavery.
Those two are the ones to do it! :)
Wonderful chapter, can't get enough of this family moments in your stories.
I enjoy writing the family moments. Bruce can be such a sap! :)
Thanks for sharing, and as always I can't wait to read the next chapter....even if that might bring on an ugly confrontation with the Caldwells....*sigh*.
:)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 08:23 am (UTC)That was a brilliant chapter!
It was so hard to read about these cages with slaves and think about Clark. And Jamie – poor boy! I felt affection for Bruce/Batman. It must have been very hard for him to see all those slaves, thinking about their possible fate. And his thoughts about Clark, Dick and Jamie - you described it all so perfectly – his fears, his sadness and concern for his family. That was excellently written!
This fan-fic is really a masterpiece BradyGirl. I said it before, but I need to say it again! I admire the way you write this story. Every single chapter of this story is amazing and perfectly done. With such remarkable details describing rules of the slavery world and thoughts and behavior of people living there. I should be ashamed for my occasional complains about Clark’s hard slavery life. (Even you know I’m totally biased and nuts here and my heart is really aching for him as slave). I could see in this chapter there are slaves with a much worse fate. And we could see all the good Bruce/Batman did for them. Evolution of his opinion on slavery is so evident in this chapter (and not only there). Thank you for your wonderful job BradyGirl. You make my day every time when I found a new update.
Looking forward to more.
L.S.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:20 pm (UTC)That was a brilliant chapter!
*beams*
It was so hard to read about these cages with slaves and think about Clark. And Jamie – poor boy! I felt affection for Bruce/Batman. It must have been very hard for him to see all those slaves, thinking about their possible fate. And his thoughts about Clark, Dick and Jamie - you described it all so perfectly – his fears, his sadness and concern for his family. That was excellently written!
Thank you, LS! :)
The more a person learns about the ugliness of slavery, the less they can keep the blinders on, that's for sure.
Bruce is always a fierce family protector! :)
This fan-fic is really a masterpiece BradyGirl. I said it before, but I need to say it again! I admire the way you write this story. Every single chapter of this story is amazing and perfectly done.
*beams again*
With such remarkable details describing rules of the slavery world and thoughts and behavior of people living there. I should be ashamed for my occasional complains about Clark’s hard slavery life. (Even you know I’m totally biased and nuts here and my heart is really aching for him as slave). I could see in this chapter there are slaves with a much worse fate.
Oh, yes, Clark's one of the lucky ones in this world.
And we could see all the good Bruce/Batman did for them.
He's trying more and more!
Evolution of his opinion on slavery is so evident in this chapter (and not only there). Thank you for your wonderful job BradyGirl. You make my day every time when I found a new update.
Looking forward to more.
L.S.
Thank you, LS! Comments like yours keep the creativity flowing! :)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 09:23 am (UTC)But not poor Clark. :( *hugs him*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:27 pm (UTC)Batman is a handy enforcer to have around! ;)
And reading his views on the conditions and what they were like before...I guess Jamie was lucky enough to be sold with the new crew.
Very lucky!
But not poor Clark. :( *hugs him*
Afraid not. *hugs Clark with you*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 02:23 pm (UTC)*Hugs batman*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:31 pm (UTC)*Hugs batman*
*nods*
*hugs Batman with you*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 05:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:48 pm (UTC)*nods*
It's just part of his make-up!
no subject
Date: 2008-10-12 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-13 06:50 pm (UTC)Thank you, Ranger Girl! :)
Exactly the reaction I was looking for! :)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-16 04:53 pm (UTC)I can't wait to see what Bruce does at the auction!
*applauds*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-16 06:13 pm (UTC)Some good and bad in this chapter.
I can't wait to see what Bruce does at the auction!
The next few chapters deal with auction stuff. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-16 10:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-16 10:52 pm (UTC)Very observant, Silver! :)
Bruce's views did start to change when he acquired Clark, and then they were speeded up by the arrival of Dick, as both triggered his protective instincts.
He's also worried about Dick when he grows older, not wanting him to go through what Clark suffered, though of course it's not likely, but the risk is always there. What if he ran afoul of someone powerful enough to take his slaves away? He'd fight for them to the bitter end, but sometimes the odds are just too overwhelming, so he is trying to bring about change to protect them even more (Alfred, too, who is just as vulnerable).
Besides, how can he resist the Little Bird? ;)