The Captain

CHAPTER 1

“Remove her clothing,” said the connoisseur.

“I see,” said the connoisseur.

“She is not mine,” said Julian, of the Aurelianii, speaking to the connoisseur. “I would like, as a favor, for a friend, as a surprise for him, to have her informed, enlightened.”

“Trained?” asked the connoisseur.

“Well trained,” said Julian.

“Exquisitely?”

“Surely.”

“Until she becomes fully what she is, explicitly, manifestly, and can be nothing else?”

“Yes.”

“One wonders,” mused the connoisseur.

“It is my expectation,” conjectured Julian, “that she might prove acceptable.”

“That seems possible,” said the connoisseur. “Is she alive?”

“I do not know,” said Julian.

There was a sudden, soft, startled, involuntary, timid, shamed, helpless cry.

“Keep your hands at your sides,” said the connoisseur.

There was an intake of breath. Then there was another small cry, suddenly, much like the first.

“She will moan well,” said the connoisseur.

“Excellent,” said Julian.

“Kneel, with your head to the floor,” said the connoisseur. “She will require attention, and frequently,” he said.

Julian looked down at her.

“I leave the matter then in your capable hands,” said Julian. He then turned about and left.