This Doesn't Count as Talking
Title: This Doesn’t Count as Talking
Character(s) Involved: Cassidy Carmichael
Summary: Cassidy muses on his designation the potential of life as a slave in a letter to his parents — that he knows they won’t read.
Other: Meme Week 14’s response in the form of a letter home
I know you don’t want to talk to me until I have a claim, but I wondered if perhaps you’d accept a letter, since this isn’t actually talking, and because I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to meet your requirements. I miss you both terribly, and I love you more than I can say. I hope you’ll read this, I promise I’m trying, I just haven’t quite figured out how.
The people are kinder here than they were at the academy. They talk to me — at least some of them do — and most of them don’t seem angry or frustrated with me when they realize that I don’t see things the same way they do. This ought to be encouraging in regards to being claimed, but being more involved with people has just made me realize how separate from them I am.
Sometimes I stare at my mark and wonder what it would look like with red circle covering it. I know what it would look like, of course, it’s just a red circle, but it would change everything around it. Little things change so much. Nobody else seems to understand that, that the tiniest things can change everything, can start a chain of events that can end in pain or disaster or chaos. Everyone walks around as though life is so easy, so simple, but it’s not. It’s messy and it’s dangerous, it would be so much simpler if everyone took care.
You’ve always said that slaves deserved to be enslaved, but I didn’t believe you because they were kinder to me than others and seemed to understand me better… but perhaps that just means that I’m the same as they are. That I ought to be a slave as well. That they, and I, are fundamentally damaged in some way and can’t exist withing the system. I don’t want that. I want to believe that you’re right, that I can find a claim and that it will make the world straighten out, but I’m scared. I’m scared that the years will pass and I’ll keep being what I’ve always been. That eventually I’ll end up with that red circle and then… I’ll have lost you forever, but also myself. How could I exist in a world where I have no control over my life or my environment? I can’t bear to think of it.
I wonder if I’d have these thoughts if I’d been marked a dominant. I think I would. If, as you say, the system is perfect, then it shouldn’t change anything. I’d still be designated as I’m meant to be, and I’d still feel like I’m drowning in chaos during every moment of every day. Would wanting to claim and lead and care for someone rather than be claimed and cared for change anything? I think not. In truth, I’m pleased with my designation. I don’t mind doing as I’m told when I trust and respect the person who’s giving the order, and I take great pleasure is helping others Surely those are useful traits for a submissive? I only wish I could bring myself to experience everything that being a submissive entails.
I hope you’ve read this, I hope you believe me. I promise I’ll keep trying and maybe I’ll meet someone else like me. Or at least someone who doesn’t mind the way I am. Or maybe even someone who understands what it’s like to feel so different and wants to be with someone else who understands. I have several years, I’ll find someone and then you’ll see. I can be a good submissive, an effective part of the system, just like you’ve always wanted.