Boots for the Gentleman

by Augusta Li

  No, he scolded himself as he lifted the doll’s too-soft hair, you are not attracted to this thing! Even so, he burrowed his fingers into the doll’s ample tresses, squeezed a handful of the springy curls, and let his lips move near to the doll’s forehead. He just wanted to know how his—no, its!— skin would feel, brushing against his lips. Close to his perfect, round ear, Querry said, “If you were aware of a world outside of that place, of buildings and people beyond that room, then why didn’t you leave? Why stay if you were unhappy there?”

  “I was meant to wait.”

  “Why?” Querry asked. “How do you know?”

  The doll sighed. Indeed, air moved in and out of it in a semblance of breath. “I can’t say. I only know I was meant to wait.”

  “But then,” Querry continued, letting the tip of his nose burrow into the doll’s locks, “how did you know you were meant to go with me?”

  “I just knew,” the doll said softly. The inflection in his voice changed, and his eyelids drooped languidly. If Querry hadn’t known better, he’d have said the doll enjoyed the closeness between them. Querry enjoyed it, whether he could admit it or not. He still held the doll’s hair, his face pressed into it, and his other hand, clutching the rag, draped over the doll’s shoulder.

  “Turn around, now,” Querry said. “And I’ll wash your back.”

  “Thank you.”

  Another surprise awaited the thief as the doll spun gracefully. Beneath his artificial skin, the knobs of his spine showed. He’d been constructed with ribs that grew more prominent when he drew in breath. He had a cute, relaxed way of standing, with his hips and belly thrust slightly out and his lower back curving forward. Querry stretched his palm over the little dip, drawing it down over a rounded crescent. His hand worked its way into the divot between the doll’s lovely ass cheek and his thigh, and Querry squeezed, feeling a cushion of soft over the muscle beneath. The tip of his pinky touched the doll’s balls, and again he pondered what purpose this anatomy meant to serve. Curiosity and a good amount of arousal compelled Querry to take the doll’s other cheek in his hand. Slowly and gently he eased them apart.

  “I’m not, um, hurting or upsetting you, am I?”

  “No, Querry. I’ve never been cleaned before, and it does feel—I don’t know the word. I’m in no distress, though.”

  Reassured, Querry spread the doll’s cheeks wide enough to inspect his cleft. Again, no deviation from reality belayed his origins. Querry’s finger brushed the wrinkled mound of his anus, and it even twitched at his touch. With his other hand on the doll’s hip, he knelt down for a better view. He inhaled, but the doll didn’t emit the masculine aroma he’d anticipated. He had no scent at all.

  “Querry, that feels very strange.”

  “I’m sorry.” Flushing and ashamed, Querry quickly moved away. What on earth had he been thinking? Ignoring his erection, he finished wiping the doll down in silence. Then he soaped up his underarms and rinsed. Normally he removed his pants to cleanse his lower body, but he felt awkward displaying his arousal to the doll. So instead, Querry replaced his white, button-up shirt and tied a blue ribbon around his neck to hold his collar shut.

  “I’m going out for a bit,” he said to the doll, who still stood naked, watching Querry’s every move.

  “I’ll go with you,” he replied brightly, clearly excited by the prospect.

  “No,” Querry said. “I have some work to do.”

  The doll’s lower lip shot out and his brows curled down, his whole beautiful face a mask of the most sincere sorrow. Querry worried he might cry, if that was possible. Guided by instinct, he took the doll’s hand and held it between both of his.

  “Listen, it’s dangerous out there. You don’t understand yet. I want you to stay in this room, where you’ll be safe. Don’t open or unlock the door until I get back. I’m going to try to get some money, and I’ll get you some new clothes, so you can blend in. And then tomorrow night, I’ll take you out and show you around. How does that sound?”

  “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “Well, you won’t,” Querry said. “After all, you’ll have these fellows.” He indicated the cats, both of whom sniffed the doll’s discarded garments intently. “Will you need food?”

  “I don’t require it.”

  “All right,” Querry said, releasing the doll so he could sling his many belts across his hips. “Is there anything else, then? Before I’m off?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, what is it?”

  Looking very seriously at the thief, the doll said, “I don’t know why, Querry, but….”

  “What?”

  “I’d like to put my mouth on your mouth. I know it sounds an odd thing….”

  Chuckling, Querry set his pistol aside and took hold of the doll’s waist. As his hands snaked to the small of the doll’s back, pulling them together, Querry said, “Not at all. It’s called kissing.”

  Tilting his head, Querry smashed his lips against the doll’s soft mouth, holding them there. Then, slowly, with the utmost relish, he opened his mouth and let his tongue slip between the doll’s perfect teeth. He explored the ridges on the roof of the doll’s mouth, the smoothness of its sides. Soon, learning quickly, the doll twisted his tongue around Querry’s, poking playfully in and out of Querry’s mouth. Too quickly the thief approached the point where the directions of his body drowned those of his conscience and mind, and he growled with satisfaction and desire, drawing the doll tighter into his arms and grinding his swollen cock against his naked thigh.

  But then Querry broke away, panting and wiping his mouth with his knuckles. It wasn’t right; it was a doll, a machine. It knew nothing of the world. To take it—no, him—like this would be selfish and sick.

  But the doll reached up and touched the bow-shaped lips Querry had just tasted. He smiled and said, “That felt very pleasant.”

  “It’s like taking your clothes off,” Querry said, disgusted with the possessiveness he already couldn’t deny.

  “Only for you?”

  “That’s right. And while I’m gone, try to think of something I can call you.”

  With that, Querry secured the complex locks he’d designed and hurried out into the night. As he blended into the crowd, heading from Rushport toward the bridge to the more affluent neighborhoods across the river, he thought, in spite of himself, Won’t it be nice to come home to someone?

  Querry returned midmorning to find the doll curled nude on his quilt, with his knees tucked up against his chest, his eyes closed and a serene smile on his face. Both of the cats slumbered between his back and the wall, the three of them monopolizing the narrow bed. Even so, the sight made Querry grin as he closed and locked the door.

  The previous evening, a full moon had drawn many onto the streets. The night had been warm: one of those last summer nights that made the cold sting even crueler when it set in. Dew sparkled beneath the gaslight on the cobblestone. The wind came off the sea and almost vanquished the industrial stink. The well-off fell under the evening’s cheerful spell. Faeries mingled with mortals within the bazaar held nightly near Leopold’s Folly Square: fine ladies and gentlemen, equal to the human aristocracy in every aspect, as well as more peculiar creatures that kept to the tree branches and undersides of the hedges. As they moved about and conversed beneath the colored strings of lights, inspecting the latest mechanical novelties and listening to the loud voices of the men hawking them, Querry found it a simple thing to pick out those with the glaze in their eyes that wouldn’t be able to recall exactly what they’d discussed after the fey departed. His nimble fingers relieved them of their worldly goods as they swooned. Tomorrow, they’d think they’d lost their coin on one of the elaborate, mechanical games, or squandered it on some foreign trinket.

  Thankful for the luck, Querry placed the things he’d purchased next to the piles of gears and wire that occupied the table. He’d done well enough to afford a loaf of bread and a block of cheese, canned fish enough for him
self and the cats, a pint of ale, and a tin of biscuits. He’d procured some second-hand clothing for the doll, the most unassuming he could find, since his striking beauty and unnatural coloration would undoubtedly draw enough curiosity. He bought a newspaper to see if there’d be any mention of the doll maker’s house. And he’d paid too much for a pair of apples. Though the doll didn’t require sustenance, Querry wanted him to have one, too, since they were so lovely: pale golden spheres flecked with green and blushing crimson around the tops. When he’d passed the stall, Querry envisioned the doll cupping the fruit in his hands with a bemused smile on his face.

  He looked down at the bed. Last night, only work occupied the thief’s thoughts. His every sense tuned to his surroundings and quarry, as they must for him to avoid detection. Now, watching the doll sleep, all of the uncomfortable questions returned. Querry recalled the doll’s request for a kiss. He hadn’t known the word, but somehow he’d desired intimacy. It was unfathomable. Though he hated to consider it, it seemed more and more to Querry that he’d been designed for pleasure with his soft, exquisite body. There were plenty of lecherous old nobles and clergymen who preferred young men of just his type, and paraded them around in the guise of apprentice or page. But to spend so much time and endow something like that with such artistry? This doll had been a labor of love to his creator, Querry felt sure. How else could one invest the decades he must’ve taken to complete?

  Noticing the leather book on the floor, Querry bent down and opened it, hoping for a clue. Must rose from the crumbling pages. Nothing but gibberish was written within. Tiny, lowercase letters, with no space between and in no particular order filled every page from top to bottom. Shaking his head, Querry set it aside.

  No matter how much he tried to convince himself that his reaction to the doll meant nothing more than that he was healthy and human and touching a naked man, a stunning, sensuous form that would tempt anyone with a heartbeat, Querry couldn’t banish the warmth that filled his chest and belly as he watched the doll’s long, white lashes flutter. Could he be dreaming? Whatever he’d been intended for, he belonged to Querry now, and Querry wouldn’t let him be ill-used. Reaching down, he ran a finger from the doll’s round shoulder to his elbow. As anyone might, the doll shifted slightly before falling still. Querry stroked the silver curls at the back of his head, then down his neck and between his shoulder blades, enjoying the texture of his skin, getting aroused again.

  Maybe it was sick to feel this way, but Querry had been lonely too. He saw Reg less and less. Whores and men seeking easy thrills couldn’t fill the void left by his first love. Reg, Querry thought. He and this doll were a little bit alike: delicate and vulnerable, but with strength running through like a vein of gold. Both inspired a strong protective instinct in Querry. Querry remembered the last time he’d watched Reg sleep this way, so long ago, when the leaves were still just tightly curled buds on the trees. They’d met for a drink and come back here. Too vividly, Querry recalled shutting the door, just before throwing Reg against it and pinning him, driving his tongue hard into Reg’s mouth. He saw Reg’s hands pushing against his chest, and his own closing around Reg’s wrists and holding his arms at his sides. He could almost taste Reg’s sweat, feel the skin of Reg’s neck beneath his tongue, hear his halfhearted protests.

  Querry’s hand went to his groin, and he gave his aching cock a squeeze through his pants. He looked at the doll’s idealized little feet, tucked up and almost hiding his balls and the dark line of his crack beneath. Querry unbuttoned his trousers and quietly let himself poke out. As his left fist squeezed hard at the base of his shaft, his right hand groped for an old rag on the table. Hand moving up his length, Querry felt a stir of guilt at the thought of pleasuring himself while the doll slept. But the tension in his body felt so unbearable, he brought his palm to his cock head and gave it a twist and a tug. He tugged again, churning himself with quick, short strokes, watching the doll’s rosebud lips and remembering their softness.

  He thought about how he’d practically torn away Reg’s proper, gray suit and linen shirt, how Reg had almost tripped trying to get his feet out of his pants, and how Querry had caught him around the waist and thrown him, belly-down, on the rickety bed. A hard squeeze summoned the first droplets of come, and Querry used the heel of his hand to swirl it over himself and ease the friction. He picked up speed, desperate for release.

  It was nearly there now. Querry drove his fist against himself hard and fast. His anus clenched and released as he watched the doll’s graceful neck, blanketed in ringlets the color of a stormy sky. Biting down on his lip, Querry lifted the oil-stained scrap of cloth and prepared to finish.

  But then the doll’s eyes opened, and without the drowsiness of a human waking. His lids drew back like clouds parting to reveal a full, faerie-ringed moon, clear and alert. The shock dammed Querry’s orgasm, and he knew that of course he should stop. But he’d reached the point where he didn’t think it would be possible. Balls hurting, frustrated and embarrassed, he looked apologetically into the golden eyes, and the doll met his gaze without judgment. He didn’t know to feel awkward, and within a few seconds Querry, too, felt at ease and began to slowly stroke himself. In no time he found himself ready to reach for the rag. Eyes locked with the doll’s, Querry delivered the releasing jerk. He ground his teeth together and came with a single, stifled groan. Then he cleaned up and undressed, shooed the cats out of the bed, curled up behind the doll with his arm stretched protectively from his shoulder all the way to his ankle, and slept until late in the afternoon.

  Chapter Four

  “WHERE are we going, Querry?” the doll asked. He wore the clothes the thief had acquired: a coal-colored newsboy’s cap, gray trousers, faded, cornflower shirt, and a checkered vest with a few patches on its satin back. Unfortunately, his springy curls poked from beneath the hat, almost touching his shoulders and eyebrows, and those few people who didn’t look twice at his beauty stole second glances at his strangeness.

  “We’re going to see a friend of mine,” Querry answered. Upon waking, he’d felt a little shamed about what he’d done, touching himself in front of the doll, but the doll hadn’t mentioned it. It seemed unimportant now. “He works in that building, and he should be coming out soon. So, we’ll just sit on this bench and read the newspaper while we wait for him.”

  They did so. Afternoon light gilded the royal and administrative buildings, and the pansies and primroses in their neat window boxes. Men in identical, dust-colored suits moved slowly from door to door, carrying books and papers. Now and then a carriage chugged by, spewing steam. Plenty of horse-drawn carriages clogged the streets at this time of day also. Two years ago, the University a few blocks up had begun to admit women, and a group of three such students walked past the men on their way back from class. They wore drab, simple dresses of olive and brown. One of them had even adopted the scandalous Colonial custom of wearing loose-fitting trousers beneath a too-short skirt. They spoke softly to each other, giggling and covering their mouths, stealing glances at Querry and the doll. The doll didn’t know not to smile and wave. This caused the students to redden and hurry away.

  Querry lifted his section of paper up, shielding his face. Beside him, the doll sat with a leaf spread over his lap. He hoped Reg would be along soon; they were attracting too much attention. One gentleman in particular, a strawberry blond with blue eyes several shades lighter than Querry’s and clothing with a Continental flare, watched the pair intently from beneath a tree. Possibly his tastes ran similar to Querry’s own, and he observed them only out of appreciation. Any man interested in another man had to rely on subtle looks and signals to convey his intent, at least beyond Lickwhistle Circle. Possibly, though, this well-dressed fellow found them out of place and waited to alert the authorities. If a Royal Guard or city policeman ushered Querry back where he belonged, so be it, but it wouldn’t do for anyone to intuit the doll’s peculiar nature.

  “Have you decided on a name for yourself?”<
br />
  “I haven’t decided.”

  “Well, what about Jack?”

  The doll curled his lip, as if tasting something sour, and shook his head.

  “Patrick? George?”

  “I don’t care for either of those,” the doll said. He was taking this matter very seriously.

  Querry looked back at the paper. A large ad for a clothes-pressing machine took up most of the page. Also, a tailor in town would run a sale on ladies’ hats. Perusing the articles, Querry hadn’t yet seen mention of his exploits in the cellar of the doll maker’s house. “Percival?” he said idly. “Percy, that’s nice.”

  But the paper on his thighs held all of the doll’s attention. He began to read aloud. “Early this morning, Lord Thimbleroy insisted upon an emergency assembly of the House. ‘Good sirs,’ he said, addressing his fellow nobles, ‘the time has come and then some that we must act to rid our fair and wholesome city of that nest of deceit and vice which has come to be referred to as Neroche.’

  “He uses so many words,” the doll noted and then continued. “‘The inhabitants thereof, whom I might note should in no way be considered citizens, and should not be assumed to possess the rights insured to Her Majesty’s loyal subjects, are contributing quite rapidly to the dissolution of our virtuous women and the corruption and kidnap of our children. I call upon all of you now to ratify an act giving these inhabitants one month’s time to vacate these premises and remove any evidence of their presence. If they are unwilling to comply, I call upon each of you to, as our noble ancestors have done so many times in the past, take up arms to defend this kingdom!’

  “Debate continued past the noon hour regarding the feasibility of Lord Thimbleroy’s proposal. Thimbleroy indicated some privately funded research that might be able to aid his worthy cause, while Duchess Lisine, who several years prior gained notoriety as the first woman to demand entrance to the house, but who remains a favorite of the queen mother, called for an alternative to violence, citing the Empire’s already thinly spread military resources. Debate is expected to continue. The Grande Chancellor did, however, gain a small victory when House members agreed to the measure of having Royal and city guards remove any person not able to provide proof of citizenship to the area known as Neroche.”