A/N: right, sorry, not sorry, but I am a voracious editor, and I'd written 60,000 words of this story when I realized I was really unhappy with the lack of characterization I'd been doing for the side characters, who were becoming more and more involved but weren't fleshed out. So I went back to the beginning and made some changes. So if you've read up to here already, I've made some changes to what you've already read (anyone with me?) . Admittedly, when I added the sections, it turned out most of them were just more sex, so, um, I guess you don't have to re-read, although hopefully there is some characterization mixed in with the smut. 

After all that smut though, we all needed a break, so this chapter is a set up chapter for what's coming next

* * * * *

On Monday, I have a highly welcome cancellation so I head to see Ellis instead. I message him that I just want to say hello, check in on him, buy him a coffee, but secretly I want to try and see Gabriel. I haven't seen him, either in my office or in the club, since that last time and I'm, as ever, worried.

We meet in the coffee shop close to his school and I pull him into a warm hug. I love how much happier and more relaxed he's been lately.

When he's sipping his latte, after he's told me how well he and Frankie are doing at the moment, I broach the subject.

"So, Ellis, how's Gabriel been?"

"I don't know. I'm a bit worried actually. He wasn't in school all last week. I know he's around, because my tutor told me he'd been in to collect some music, but I haven't seen him... are you- are you going to get him away from Sawyer?"

"I don't know. I think he probably needs to be, but he thinks Sawyer loves him. He's the only one who can make the decision, and I don't know if he will. I guess he needs support."

"Well, he'll get that from me, if he ever lets me see him."

Just then, the bell goes indicating someone has come into the coffee shop and we look up to see River, along with another one of Ellis' friends from the other night, though I didn't get his name. They approach, and Ellis hugs each of them, beginning a chat with the other guy, who keeps glancing over at me with an intrigued look.

River stands by my side, his hands behind his back and his eyes cast to the ground.

"Master Gray, it's nice to see you."

"You don't have to call me that outside the club, River."

"I don't mind, Sir. In fact, I was wondering- I mean, Ellis said that the club trains people, you know, in being submissive..."

"You want to be trained?"

I wonder though...there was definitely something between him and Mateo, but I don't think Mateo is a Dom, regardless of how much he enjoyed what happened at the club. But, I suppose there's nothing stopping River training anyway – probably at least sixty percent of the subs the club trains either end up deciding it's not for them or go straight into a relationship, where their submissiveness may only form a small part of it. Often they, in fact, train alongside a partner who is interested in becoming more dominant.

"I think so. I've been thinking about it for a while, ever since Ellis told us that he was. And after the other night, well, I liked it," his eyes are still watching the floor, but I can see him lightly flushing at the memory.

"Phone the club. You can book an appointment to discuss your expectations. Master François is the only one who can make the final decision so you'll have to pass his tests."

* * * * *

I'm not surprised to receive a phone call from Frankie the following day.

"Mon ami, que fais-tu c'est soir?"

"Nothing planned, Frankie. What do you need?" 

"I've had an application for a new submissive. I was hoping you'd come in and do the interview with me. Like we discussed, you'll be doing some of the training, possibly, depending on what he's looking for, plus I'd like you to evaluate whether he's a suitable candidate, mentally." 

"Is it River?" 

"You know him? Of course you do, he's Ellis' friend... well, have you already determined whether he'd be a suitable submissive?" 

"Hmmm, partially, I will need to ask him more specific questions to be sure though." 

* * * * * 

That evening I head to the club straight from work, not bothering to change. I'm looking tired, I really have to do something about my job. I never thought I'd feel this way about it, with the passion I had for it when I was younger, the desire to help people. When I was still learning. 

These days, I can barely bring myself to give any kind of a fuck about any of the people I deal with. I know it's not helped by the fact that I don't have to work – my trust fund sees to that – it's meant to be a vocation for me, and it's just not feeling that way. But the lawyer suggested I go into practice for myself rather than work in a hospital, so the people I see are the kinds of people who can afford those kinds of services. 

I get freedom, but I get boredom too. I shake off my funk of a mood though. It wouldn't be fair on River to go into this with anything less than my full attention. 

In Frankie's office we sit in comfortable leather bucket chairs around the low coffee table. When River is shown in by Ellis he stands with his hands behind him, eyes to the ground. 

"Can you assume the waiting position, River?" 

River glances at Ellis, who gives him an encouraging nod. I suspect Ellis has taught him this already, particularly as he proceeds to adopt the stance seamlessly, lowering himself smoothly to his knees, keeping his eyes down and his hands behind him. 

 "That's good River, well done. Now, come and sit, we need to ask some questions." 

He sits in the third seat, while Ellis positions himself by Frankie's side. Interestingly, I note that River's eyes keep going to Ellis with clear desire, or perhaps I mean more in jealousy of his submissive position. Maybe he's even more of a sub than I supposed. 

 "So, River, can you tell us what you're looking for with this submissive application?" 

"Well, Master François, I enjoy giving up responsibility." 

"In all matters, or purely sexually?" I query. 

"I don't know yet. Definitely sexually, and I think I need to explore the other side." 

I'm pleased to note that, whilst he's flushed, he isn't embarrassed by the conversation, more aroused. A submissive needs to have very little capacity for embarrassment to really embrace the position, except for those who get off on shameful predicaments. 

 "Do you have a Dominant?" 

Frankie already knows he doesn't but I'm interested in how he'll respond anyway. 

"I don't." 

"So you know it will be difficult for you to determine whether you're into the non-sexual side of submission unless you agree to take a Dominant on for a period of time?" 

"I'm sorry, Sir, I don't entirely know what you mean." 

"We can train you within the club for a lot of aspects – I can teach you positioning, behaviors and manners. Master Gray can train you in ropes, bondage and spanking," I see him give a little shudder of pleasure at that, and smile. "Master Chase specializes in heat and electric play – I believe you saw a show of his last week. And the other five lead Masters also all specialize in various sexual aspects and punishments. And you choose which things you want to receive training in. 

"But if you want to find out whether you want someone to be Dominant in all aspects of your life, and not just the bedroom, you will have to give yourself over to a Dom completely for a period." 

I'm a little shocked at this. It isn't what I agreed with Frankie, and I'm not so sure it's what any of the others agreed either. We'd agreed to train various submissives and Dominants within the club at agreed times. Nothing about having a submissive live with us. 

I mean, it's not even really how I live my life, not any more. And Landon definitely has something going with Nikolai so I'm not sure how he'd take it. And I know River enjoyed the very minor bondage and spanking we did on Friday and suddenly feel a little panicked that he might pick me because of that. 

"Gray, do you feel River would be a suitable candidate for training?" 

I have to be honest. 

"I do, François. I don't know whether he will want the full lifestyle, but I am certain he'll be a good trainee." 

"So, River, what do you think? You don't have to make your mind up yet, but the offer is there." 

"Thank you, Master François. I don't need any time. I'm certain I want to train. But, I don't know anything at all about how it works." 

Frankie raises an eyebrow at Ellis. 

"No, really Master François, I don't. Ellis said I needed to find out whether I was suitable before finding out the details." 

"Okay, well you need to decide what aspects you want to be trained in." 

"I think I would like to try for the full training, but I don't know how to choose a Dom." 

"Master Suzu," Ellis inquires, "will you work as River's Dom?" 

"Really Ellis? But why?" 

"Because you're the best. And I think you should be taking on that aspect for new trainees because the whole thing is under the banner of the club. But you'll have to pass any punishments onto one of the other Doms, which works anyway because River needs to determine what punishments he's happy to take. And obviously the others will still need to pick up the other aspects of the training. But he can live with us, and I can do some training with him too." 

Frankie smiles warmly at Ellis' enthusiasm. 

"Okay, baby, if you think that's the way to go, that's what we'll do. Does that suit, River?" 

"Yes, Sir, that sounds ideal." 

"Now, as for the terms of your training..." 

River blanches and gulps. 

"I have to admit, Sir, I don't have much money to pay for it, though I had thought I could take out a student loan, if we could wait until I have that sorted." 

"You don't have to pay, River. Well-trained submissives are in high demand. But you do have to decide whether you are willing to agree to the terms. At any point you can cease the training fully and you walk away. Additionally, if you do not meet the required standard of training you will be released from all requirements, although I think that unlikely in your case. 

 "During training, you have to agree to work at the club, and we will find a timetable and role that will suit you. If you complete the training to my satisfaction, which may take anything from one to three months, depending how quickly you pick up the aspects, you will be required to work at the club as a floor submissive for two months, Fridays, Saturdays and one weeknight per week. That essentially means you work the floor as a host, in order to ensure we have plenty of trained submissives, which brings in the Doms, who we do charge fees to. 

"As a floor submissive you cannot be touched, you wear insignia that identifies you as a club employee. You may be asked by members to perform scenes, either one to one or in front of an audience, but you are never expected to take part in anything that you do not wholeheartedly want to. If you have a Dom of your own, you still have to work the floor, but can be identified with your Dom, such as through a collar, and in that case no Dom is allowed to ask you to perform anything." 

River bites his lip. 

"That seems fair, I think, though the idea that Doms may ask me to perform is a bit nerve-wracking." 

"River, whilst it sounds daunting, and a little like you're being asked to pay your way using your body, it's paramount that you understand that, as a submissive, the power is in your hands. One of the most vital things you will be trained on is that you never do anything that you're fundamentally uncomfortable with – you may be pushed, with your permission, but you will be trained in how to listen to your body and your mind in conjunction and find the level of trust that you need to have to behave submissively." 

I think he appreciates how calmly I speak about it, taking some of the mystery away.

"Okay. I can do that."

 * * * * *

A/N: French

"Mon ami, que fais-tu c'est soir?" = my friend, what are you doing tonight?