@[Pcm](/user/show/10039396) The demons likely will weapnize Collins guilt and other means to tempt him, I can agree with that. Collin being horrified over his demon name makes sense as well. He's lived a tough life and hope has gotten him through much so to become something that is despair is terrifying. The demons may have some charitable intentions, but they ultimately are going to enact death of self on Collin for their own lust in a way if they succeed. At the same time, their entire being is in a way an overcorrection regarding the worst of Eastern cultural issues. So that probably doesn't help. As for gil, he likely will be pleased at first, but it's likely many of these folk will be incredibly traumatized of even the idea of being transformed at all, others may join up the beastfolk to be safe. If he ever figures out his family indirectly contributed to the demon crisis going out of control that now threatens them that would be interesting to see his reaction. I think that gil as he is now integrated as a westerner- and a noble one at that part of the direct ruling line- will be an intriguing pov for this demographic change (the eastern refugees crisis in the west). How the western politics will Flux in light of this is also something to ponder. Will they accept them as full members or would discrimination be at play, would they get information from them about this new enemy (the demons), how would the policy on being a beastfolk go, and the societal and cultural shifts present? Where in the west would they settle? What trades would they work in? How would eastern culture in the diaspora change? Would worship of the dawn and dusk continue, or would people abandon them due to feeling the old institutions have failed? Eddie will try his best, and I hope he at least succeeds in getting Collin out of this. I hope Jason stays safe. The demons having a power structure makes sense. It seems the one who turned gregory was an overlord, but the "real or not?" Question regarding the demon Supreme implies there may have been a ruler but has gone and that's a secret to prevent internal collapse, or he's just distant unless something really major happens. Going back to gil, I think this fiasco will be a major wake up call that things don't always work out. And if the comments from last chapter are any indication, gil's children will also be walking their own paths, questioning how much authority the primal beast should be followed in. The primal beast seems to have no idea as to the pickle the west is in now, and no plan either. Thats...probably not good.

@Anon The demons are always meant to be a sinister force to reckon with. They are villainous, moreso than the Wolfmen. Their definition of pleasure in certain senses is eldritch to our own, and it is scary how quickly they spread. As for Gil, he knows he will have to place the pack first before all else, but that compassion laying dormant within him will compel him to find a way to help them anyway. He is not going to see saving them as a priority like Hans, but he will try once the safety of his people is guaranteed first... As for the Beastmen transformation policy, that is going to be simultaneously more simple and comolicated. After all, refugees in Wolfheim means a guaranteed conversion decades down the line. It is the exact same situation the former Easterners in Wolfheim had. They would still the worship the Dawn and Dusk, it is not usual for people to abandon their beliefs when said beliefs had always been abstract in the first place. The more embittered one might, though. Regardless, the worship of primal beast will take root, the Wolfmen will make sure od that. The nature of the Infernal Realm will be discussed in the next chapter. It will probably be different than how you imagine it. The place is real scary in a sense that differs from the ususal depiction of hellish realm.

@[Pcm](/user/show/10039396) Yes, the demons seem to be bad news. The Wolfman for all their ambiguity aren't as bad as them. The infernal realm I suposse is a land of mind bending pleasures and madness akin to the realm of slaanesh in warhammer. The funny thing for me I think is that while in popular culture it's sometimes seen that demons rule hell, the background I have is that they will be thrown in there as prisoners after being judged at the end of all things, and it's in fact angels that will serve as tormentors and wardens- who are said to be terrifying to witness, and stern in deed. Seeing gil tap back into his compassion, and hans being a champion of the refugees will be interesting to see. I do think that the beastfolk will try to evangelize regarding the beast, but worship of the dawn and dusk will likely continue- there will be some interesting theological developments as the two faiths interact now that they share a common enemy in the demons. Gil of course placing his people first makes sense, but that he will try to help is a sign that he hasn't lost who he is. The demons on the other hand seem to have. While earlier chapters showed aspects of who they were before, that seems to be slipping away more and more. I think it would be a fitting punishment for them that Collin gers away- let them content themselves knowing they can never have their loved one back- because as they are now, they cannot love him without hurting him, and that is the tragedy for Collin. How his loving family has fallen apart- but he has Eddie, and should he survive, learn to move on. I think his actions to eleven will cause him guilt, but between residual demon control and emotional instability, this was not a calculated decision he made out of malice. Which doesn't entirely negate what he did, but it is something at least. I think this entire situation was a bitter realization that his family might be far too gone.

@[Stormbound](/user/show/312438) Thanks for the reply. I'm glad you liked the story. Some responses in no particular order... My default assumption is that indenturement as a drone is permanent and absolute. Although in-story people may not necessarily believe this. One miscellaneous idea for possible later story use was a brief scene of someone fretting over an urban legend, which claimed that the original personality remains aware and trapped as a rider in its own body. That wouldn't have been a main plot development, just a minor bit of characterisation of that guy and the society he lives in. For a variation where the slave retains a sense of self and tries to rebel: that was the plot behind the superhero story 'The Conscription Of Ruluk Tarn' for the recent 'The Wrong Roommate' writing challenge. More specifically, I'm pretty sure I was influenced by the trope from drone stories of permanent transformation, which is a very common plot element in that particular genre. Also, the setting spins out of the slave fiction genre, and after thinking about it, I think I was influenced by the trope of what could be described as 'unjust punishment': either full false arrest and enslavement, or disproportionate punishment for a real offence. That doesn't necessarily mean that indenturement couldn't be partial or temporary, if you wanted to write a story along those lines. As for Dean's motivation... You know, I don't recall what his behind the scenes motivation was. It was probably just that he's turned on by the idea of dronifying another man. The text implies that, if nothing else. But at a stretch I could speculate that Dean was motivated by social obligation. The phrase 'slave heart' cropped up in a few stories that I've read over the years, and in at least one case it was considered negligent to not help a 'natural born slave' accept his true nature. Actually tricking Scott into becoming a drone was underhanded, of course...

@[Zandramas](/user/show/10050408) Hi, thanks for the huge reply! I love many of the same themes as you. I love the idea that all slaves being permanent may be an urban legend. I'm also a huge fan of false imprisonment and permanent transformation either though false charges or false/accidental volunteering for it. Given the sophistication of the suits and the severity of the punishment permanent makes a lot of sense. I love when boys lust over the forbidden status of the slaves wishing they could feel what it was like and end up with more than they bargained for. Another story that hit these buttons recently for me was "Slave processing pod" over on the nifty archive. In that one though the slave is still aware of what has happened to him and less of a drone but more of a slave that must obey or be punished. A slavesuit this sophisticated with neural control could easily enforce behavior and actions without a mind wipe I suspect, perhaps that could be a difference per crime, only the severe crimes are full drones and others are just controlled or something. I always love when a naive boy ends up in too deep with no way back out, especially when "trying" on gear he shouldn't have or that belongs to/on someone else.