Elias sighed, running a hand over his face. "Yes. Someone with a knife," he murmured, feeling his heart start to settle.

"Oh," He said with a frown, hearing his heard beat. "I'm sorry I scared you," He said, nuzzling him gently. "Can I do something to help calm you down? Maybe get you some coffee?"

Elias ran his fingers through the other's hair. "It's alright, not your fault." He considered the other's offer though. "Mmm, breakfast in bed actually sounds good. Why don't you scamper off to the kitchen. The cooks should have something ready. Bring back food for me and you."

He smiled, and happily agreed, moving out of bed, and heading to the kitchen to fetch him some food.

As soon as he left, the phone rang. It was Elias's boss, checking up on the new slave.

Elias groaned, reaching over and bringing the receiver to his ear. "What?" he muttered, a little grumpy to be disturbed so early in the morning.

"Elias, Elias, Elias, how are you liking the new slave? Hows his training coming along, we have several big pocket buyers interested in this one," He said happily.

Elias grimaced as he heard that. Damn, that problem again. "Training's alright, but where did you find this one? He still looks like a scarecrow." He was just trying to buy time to figure out how to handle this situation.

"Its the look this year, they want em like that," He said with a laugh. "So, any idea when I can expect his training to be done? Perhaps by the end of the week?"

Elias snorted. "Well count me out on that. I'm not risking some asshole throwing a fit because my work didn't last long. They'll get healthy slaves, and if they want them thin, they can get 'em that way themselves." The attitude fit with his past behavior, but he was really doing it to postpone James' stay with him. "Hey, how much do my slaves usually go for, anyway?"

"Generally a few hundred grand, but I'm betting that one you have now could easily pass the million mark," He said with a grin. "Well, keep sending me progress reports, I need to monitor his progress."