3.5
It was late.
Nightcaller had specifically instructed it to serve breakfast at dawn each morning. The creature couldn't even follow that simple instruction for two days.
He supposed he should have been more strict, more firm with it.
Now he was going to have to punish the thing before leaving for the shipyard. Something he didn't particularly have time for.
Perhaps he'd leave punishing it until after he got back this evening.
When it finally arrived with his meal the sun had risen over the trees visible through the window.
Nightcaller noticed that it seemed nervous. Good. At least it was aware it had not followed the rules.
He waited hands resting on the table, for the tray to be placed in front of him. Waited for the creature to follow the fourth rule he'd given it the previous night. He was displeased when it did not. Choosing instead to break a second rule on the same day.
Its punishment could not be put off until the evening.
With more force than he'd done previously he grabbed it's face and pulled it closer to him before speaking coldly. Wanting it to know he was displeased.
"I believe I instructed my breakfast to be here by dawn. Can you not make it two days without failing to obey the simple rules laid out?"
His hold tightened upon its face while he searched it. The creature seemed frightened now which meant it knew he was upset. Good. Releasing it's face he stood abruptly, pushing his chair back when doing so, then grabbed it by the arm and began walking.
Not caring if it couldn't keep up with his longer strides.
Clearly this creature needed further instruction. Something he did not currently have the time for. Once the larger ships currently docked departed, he could devote some time to properly instructing the creature.
Nightcaller began speaking at it though it was really more to himself.
"I thought these creatures were taught at least the basics of the common tongue before being shipped out. Is it just my bad luck to continue to pick up the stupid ones?
Perhaps this one only knows the words to answer appropriately to its master. Is that it?"
He paused in speaking and glanced down at the creature in his grasp. His anger built when it seemed it wasn't even listening to him. Perhaps it really couldn't understand, either that or it was far to stupid.
It didn't even seem to care that it was going to be punished or that it had made its master angry. These creatures really didn't have the capability of feeling anything besides fear.
Nightcaller clenched his other fist and began speaking again.
"Why can none of you simply do as you're told without failure. The rules are not complicated. It's really the only thing I've asked, how stupid are these creatures if they cannot even do this simple of a task."
The creature seemed to have decided to listen now but he no longer cared or was interested in continuing to speak to it. Not beyond giving instruction anyway.
He continued to pull it along. Pausing only to open the basement door then continuing to walk down the stairs and towards the back of the room, weaving his way through the stacks of crates that were down here.
Nightcaller scooped a folded bolt of linen from one of the crates, having already decided upon its punishment.
Upon reaching the back wall where he knew the ground was rougher, he released the creature by propelling it into the wall with a swing of his arm. Surprised that it caught itself from colliding with the stone, he nevertheless approached with one of his hands extended. Pleased to see that it was truly frightened now.
It even withdrew from him as though thinking he would strike it. This was good information to have. If the creature feared physical pain then perhaps it would be simpler to deal with than he thought.
Nightcaller did not have the time nor the patience for anything drawn out this particular day so he gave a strict order in a voice that conveyed he would not allow disobedience.
"Place."
Nightcaller was pleased it did not need further instruction and seemed at least obedient enough to place its face in his hand. He closed his hand around its small face to hold it firmly, not caring if he gave it discomfort this time.
He furrowed his brow and spoke in the same authoritative voice.
"Open."
He was again pleased when it did so. Perhaps it had a difficult time retaining information. Though this would be tiresome if he needed to repeat its instruction daily.
The creature seemed to have a small mouth which was unsurprising given the rest of it was small as well. Perhaps he'd not have to sully all of the cloth he'd chosen for this.
Nightcaller scrunched a corner of the cloth in his hand and shoved it into the creature's mouth, using his finger to ensure it went in properly though not putting the digit inside its mouth.
He continued to work more of the cloth into its mouth until its cheeks bulged outwards and no more of the cloth would go inside.
The creature seemed in pain which meant he hoped the punishment would work and the creature would learn from this.
Nightcaller released his hold on its face to tear the cloth just outside of its mouth and then grabbed its hands in one of his.
The creature was pressed against the wall and did not resist him, which he was also pleased with, while he placed the cloth over its hands to create a sort of pouch with them inside and then tied the ends of the cloth around its wrists to ensure the cloth stayed in place.
He released its hands and then stepped back to scrutinize his handiwork. Deciding this would have to suffice for now, he again spoke.
"Kneel."
The creature did so and he nodded in satisfaction. Pleased to see that it kept its head down in an almost remorseful way. He addressed it once more.
"You will remain here until I come for you. Do not move from that spot. Do not remove the cloth from either your hands or your mouth. If I come back to find you have broken any of these conditions, I will not be so kind."
Having given his warning, Nightcaller turned and strode from the basement. Up the stairs and into the main house, pausing only to close and lock the basement door.
He was going to be late to the shipyard this morning if he didn't move swiftly. He'd have to think on what or rather how to best instruct this creature when he let it out in a few days.
For now there was work to be done so he banished all thoughts of the creature called Blue from his mind.