Though his lips move as if he wants to speak, he remains silent. To do anything more could be seen as talk of an insurrectionist. Many females hold roles all throughout Icora. Many are in far more delicate fields than Ranchers, but to depose one, you depose all. Until things change for the worse, that will never happen.
“Be that as it may, you still hold a duty to Icora.”
“I hold nothing but pride for our planet and want nothing more than to see it thrive. If my bull harms that in any way, you can be assured that I will stop it by any means necessary.”
A soft sigh leaves his lips. “I suppose I have to take your word for it.”
“I have not done anything to suggest otherwise.”
“What is your request for the courts? I will entertain it if I am able.”
“I need parameters for my bull. He is not useful in the same way that a cow is. He cannot provide money for my ranch by giving me milk. At least, not milk I can sell. I need him to work the fields as free labor. That means more to me than having some pretty male lying about in the sun mooing at me. I request the removal of tail and hooves so he can work unimpeded. He may also need the extra protein meat provides. Since no one has to worry about the taste of his... issuings... I do not see why he can not partake as we do.”
“We must maintain docility in the humans. To do anything else can spell doom for Icora. A tail and hooves are a must so that they know their place.”
“Trust me, ambassador. The amount of work I plan to put this bull through will ensure that he hasn’t the energy to do anything more than get relief and go to sleep.”
He thinks for a moment as the silence stretches out between us. Eventually, he sighs and shakes his head. “The judges will not like this. You must find a way. I can certainly excuse the hooves, but not the tail, and certainly not clothes.”
Frustration fills my gut as I stare at the male who’s probably never done one bit of labor, hard or otherwise, in his life. How can he know and understand what I need from my bull?
“With all due respect, would you care to wear a tail and go about your duties as bare as the day you were birthed?”
His lips part and close as frustrated noises flit from his lips. “You dare put a member of the courts on par with that of a human beast? Treason. Blasphemy.”
“No, ambassador. Treason or blasphemy would be to tie you up and drag you to the ground and force these things on you. I shall not. Not only because it is improper to do so, but because I do not relish the idea of touching you. I merely mean to point out the fact that he will have a job to do. A difficult one. I dare say, it would be far easier for you to do your work with hooves and tail than this would be.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t blow up at my pronouncement. Perhaps I’m actually speaking to his intellect and not his emotions?
His lips purse a bit before he clears his throat. “And the clothes?”
“Let me ask you, ambassador. Have you been out to the ranches?”
“When would I have the time to peruse the menial workers of Icora?”
I don’t allow myself to get angry. It will serve no good. Besides, what I’m seeking is not about me. It’s about the bull who’s now entrusted to me.
“Be that as it may, the conditions are not as they are here in the capitol. The suns can beat down as you work. It’s dirty. It’s backbreaking. It’s a mental and physical toll.”
“Not the way I hear it from the other Ranchers. Perhaps you’re just not good at your job?
Red tinges my vision as I stare into his smug face. “Or, maybe it’s because I was not born into this role. The other Ranchers have been at it for decades, centuries in the case of some of the ranches. I’m doing the best I can with what I have. What I need is for my bull to be able to work unimpeded. Just because you don’t appreciate what I do, it doesn’t make it any less valuable.”
“Fine,” he growls. “But don’t whine to me when he has to be put down for stepping out of line.”
“If it comes to that, I’ll tranquilize him myself and hand him over.”
“For now, you may keep him without the accessories while on your ranch. If out in public, he must wear all things that define him as human bovine and be nude so as to not give the illusion of preference.”
“I understand and agree. Besides, when he’s on my ranch, he will not be interacting with anyone other than the ranch hands and myself. This is perfectly reasonable.”
“He must wear the rings around his cock at all times unless you’re draining him of semen. While on the ranch, he must still have some sort of device in his anus to keep him in remembrance of his place. A Medical Rancher will bring one by.”
“Is there any negotiation on this? What if he’s never had any such items in his person?”
“Zilara,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “He is a bull. Never forget that. He cannot and will not be afforded the sameconsiderations as an Icorian. Humans are not like us. You must remember that. If you’re unable to bear causing any discomfort, I’m sure there are other ranches that will have no trouble bringing him to heel.”
That’s the last thing I want. I’ve heard of the cruelty of some of the other Ranchers. It breaks my heart to think of him so broken.
