Elias shut the door behind them, taking the leash off. If James wanted the collar off, he could do it himself. If he was unsure whether he was allowed to, he asked. "Come in here," he instructed, taking James back to the living room where he'd first opened the crate. He sat down, before taking off his shirt. He turned so James could see the scars littering his back.

He didn't touch his collar. He obeyed his master, sitting on the floor behind him, staring at all the marks. "What happened to your back master," He asked with a frown, not liking it.

Elias sighed. "I make my living training new slaves," he started. "Not all of them are as docile as you when they start," he said with a grin. "I made the mistake of thinking I'd fully broken one and letting them in my bed. They did this," he explained.

"Oh. I see," He said with a frown. "So, may I sleep with you tonight," He asked hopefully, wanting to be close to him.

Elias paused at that. Turning back around to look at the other, he sat down. "First, tell me this. Why've you been so agreeable to all this? You've hardly fought or resisted, haven't cried much either. Why are you just accepting it so easily?"

He turned red and said, "Well, I want to fulfill that fantasy I told you about earlier. And um," He was really red now, but he then said, "I was sorta enjoying it."

Elias sighed, propping his chin on a fist. "And that's what concerns me. Not that you enjoy it, but whether it's... truthful. If you'd come to this of your own will, it'd be different. I could believe you really wanted this. But since you were forced..." he trailed off, running his thumb over the material of his shirt. "You have to understand, it's not that I don't trust you. I just can't trust you that easily. I like living."

He frowned and looked down at the floor. "You think I'm lying," He said, sniffling a little. "I'm not," He said, biting his lip. "What would it take so you believe me?"

Elias frowned. He'd thought James would be smart enough to see this for what it really was. It wasn't that Elias didn't trust him, it was that Elias didn't trust people. He sighed, thinking over the other's question. "Honestly, I don't know yet. It might just take time." Which was really a stupid thing, because Elias would have to eventually sell the other anyway.

He sighed again and looked down, "Ok master. I understand." He didn't like it, but he didn't think he had a chance.